An Update on "Jesus the Bass"

[louietune]

Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for your help awhile back on my poor little Jesus, the G&L 2000L... that had gone through the fire and ten years of outdoor storage... remember the story? Anyway... he definitely rose again! Remember I said he started this horrible buzzing sound... and thank you for encouraging me to reclean and check him out again. The wires seemed brittle to the battery so we replaced the wires and end caps.... and so far so good!!! We adjusted the neck again and it is holding fine, BUT the neck is still warped and I need a new one. The pickups are quite right either... but good for church. The red button in the middle cuts everything out when you switch it back... but I can live with that until I buy a new bass.

Right now I am looking for another neck, but I want to ask about the size of the necks first.

I didn't realize there was a difference on these basses until John told me he was selling his Tribute to get an American G&L with a smaller neck. Is my 1981 G&L 2000L a wide neck or thin?

The small neck would be the neck I need. Since I am a woman... my hands are small and I think the smaller neck would be best.



Could someone help me on this?

Thanks

Louie(with a heart over the i)

 

[Chickencha]

I'm not the most knowledgeable G&L guy on these forums, but I feel bad that no one's responded so I'll give it a shot. (Maybe now that I've bumped this post someone more knowledgeable will fill in the gaps. )

I'm not sure what the neck on your '81 L-2000 would be like, but as far as I know the stock L-2000 neck tends to be a little wider. You can see the different G&L neck profiles available here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] The stock neck profile on current L-2000's is the #7 neck, but that may have all been different back in '81. You can always take out the ol' measuring tape and find out for sure.

Something you may not be aware of is that older G&L basses have three-bolt necks, whereas newer basses have six-bolt necks. (I believe this change started in 1997.) I don't know if G&L will still make a three-bolt neck on request or not. I guess you can ask and the worst they can do is say no.

Assuming you're out of luck with G&L, I see two options:
1) See if you can find an old three-bolt G&L neck for sale.
2) Have a luthier make you a new neck.

Good luck.

 

[BillyRay]

You can always plug the old holes and redrill for the six bolt pattern if a new neck is in order.

 

[spideyjg]

Contact G&L and ask. It won't be cheap though.

Jim

 

[mikeGJ]

As Chickencha said, the early 80's G&L necks ran a little narrower (in width) than the current "standard" P width (1 3/4") necks, but somewhat wider than the Jazz width (1 1/2")

1 11/16th" was common on the L2000/L2000e of the early 80's, and is likely what is on your axe. A measurement would confirm. If that's what feels good to you, that's what you would want for a replacement.

1 5/8" was common on the same vintage L1000, and there's a possibility that you may have that on your L2000. These necks feel much like a Jazz width neck, and would probably work for you.

I don't think the factory currently supplies any new necks that would quite be equivalent to the original neck, but it couldn't hurt to ask G&L.

Current Tribute L2000s come with a P width neck, but the American L2000 can be ordered with P or Jazz width, which is what is prompting your friend's switch.

It looks like he may have posted on the "BABP" G&L forum about this:

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The BABP "WTB" may be a place to try, but it already has one posting looking for the same as you, up since January.

Link Removed

Keep your eye on ebay, as well.

If you can't obtain a suitable original replacement, then I think the only real alternative would be to get a luthier to fit a current G&L (#6 or #8) or aftermarket Jazz width neck, or craft a neck from scratch. G&L might be willing to do the work of fitting a new G&L neck.

However, this will not be inexpensive, and you will not have an "original" bass when you are done. You may want to continue to "live with it", and save your money for a replacement bass.


- Mike

 

[mikeGJ]

Louie,

I just went back and read your original posting thread on this bass.
It's a great story, and I recognize the sentimental value of this bass, a "keeper" if there ever was one.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=536672&highlight=

You asked then if it was worth "fixing up" this bass or should you retire him. One piece of advice was "if the electronics are the only thing wrong, fix it".

It is clear, though, that the electronics are not the only issue.

The neck work this bass wants is expensive, and you would be without an instrument while the work is being done.

I'd find a reasonably priced player to replace him and retire "Jesus the bass" to a place of honor on the wall.

American L2000s, some with the skinny necks, do show used up for the kind of money that you thought about spending on a new Tribby L2k. You could probably find another '81 L2000e for around that kind of money, though it will probably have the 1 11/16" neck, and could have other issues, as well.

However, there are many other excellent basses available for $700 or less.

An older Peavey Fury could be bought for $200 or less, and has the skinny neck you think you want. A gently use Lakland Skyline "Duck Dunn" has the Jazz width neck, and could probably be found for less than $800.

If you want to stick with G&L, the Tribute SB-2 has the skinny neck. These sell for about $600 new, and perhaps $350 to $450 used. The Tribute JB-2 also has that neck. The current version American SB-2's also have that neck, and can be found for bargain prices, as well.

When your financial situation improves, you may want to pull "Jesus" back off the wall and pour more $$$$ into him.

But for now, I think you should play your current bass "as is".

Get your church to buy a decent player for you. It sounds like they are willing

My $.02

- Mike

P.S. I think we'd all like to see pictures of "Jesus the bass"!

 

[curandero]

If the bass has sentimental value, which is sounds like it does, I'd do one of two things. Pay a luthier to repair the original neck, or shelf it [indoors this time!] and get another bass. If you prefer a narrow neck, sounds like a no-brainer.

But that's just me and I have a soft spot for the early L2000e.

 

[lmfreeman9]

I own an '81 G&L L2000e which I sold, in 1991 when I quit playing, to a plumber for installing a washer/dryer for my newly wedded wife. When I started playing again 2.5 years ago, I tracked the plumber down and bought the bass back. He sold it to me cheap but like Jesus, it had issues. Mainly, the neck and fingerboard were kind of warped and it needed a refret. They heated up the neck and straightened it out and refretted it for about $200-300 as I recall.

The bass roars like a lion, but it's still not perfect, and it's not my main bass, but I'm glad I did it and would not sell it for any price.