Fender Precision or G&L LB-100?

[twinjet]

Here is what I gather from my time on the forum.

G&L points

-G&L basses have hotter pickups, which can be a plus or minus for some.
-They have somewhat poor resale when compared to FMIC products. Buying brand new will cost a pretty penny, while buying used will save you a ton. Check TB classifieds.
-Their quality seems to be more consistent. Actually, I've never read a poor review on a G&L instrument on this site.
-Their American products are exceptionally made, as are their import Indonesian products. The G&L Tribute series are an excellent product, built to G&L's standard of quality. These instruments can also be built to your specs.

Fender points

-Fender basses are an industry standard.
-Their quality can be inconsistent, requiring additional tweaks before becoming playable. Many threads in favor and against FMIC can be found here.
-Resale tends to be decent.
-Easily modifiable.

Those are all the pros and cons I can think of between these two companies. I own two American basses; a Fender Precision and a G&L L-2000. While I cannot testify to the attributes of the LB-100, the Fender Precision is an incredible instrument which has certainly earned its reputation as a must-have bass. Judging from experience with my G&L (which is an amazing instrument in it's own right), I can determine the LB-100 would be a more powerful version of Leo's Precision bass, and you'd be less likely to encounter issues with it.

Verdict: LB-100. You can't go wrong with G&L. My own opinion and experience. Hope this helps.

 

[Korladis]

Lakland 44-64/44-51 Masterrace.

Can you not?

 

[Frank77]

I vote LB-100. I tried different Fender basses (Js & Ps) before ordering mine. To me, it has the p-bass tone i was after, but with better fit and finish. Plus you can customize it to match exactly what you have in mind. I guess what it comes down to is whether or not you buy/sell/trade basses often: The Fender will keep a better resale value...but if you're shopping for a keeper, G&L wins in my book.

 

[pudgychef]

I'd vote LB100.

G&Ls are good out the gate. Everything is top notch. They have PLEK jobs and a bone nut. They can take crazy low action. The tuners are aluminum post tuners so they look like full sized tuners but are lighter weight. The bridge is set deep in the body and it really resonates in the wood.

One thing I noticed is how useable thier tone knobs are. If you don't like the sound wide open because it's too bright, roll it back 10%. If you still don't then repeat until you find what you like.

The LB100 I had was much brighter than my Fender 50s P equipped with a Geezer. So use the tone. You'll be surprised at the range it provides. The brightness is there for when you need it.

I traded my LB100 off for a different G&L model because my SB-1 gets more play time. I love G&Ls. Every bass I own (3) is a G&L except for a Ibanez cheapo I have.

There is a certain appeal about owning a Fender for the looks though.

first advocate I thought of when I saw the thread title...

 

[sikamikanico]

I haven't tried many G&Ls, but imo there's enough variation in general that I'd want to try before buying... Seems like you already have a P, so maybe you can wait, see if more pop up in your area?

Then again, G&L seems to have good quality quite consistently (judging by the posts on this forum), so in that case you might be just fine. I'm intrigued by SB1 more than the more traditional LB100, so it could be interesting to add that to the Fender P you already have. Another personal favorite is Lakland, probably the only brand I'd consider buying sight-unseen, but that's again a more traditional P design...

 

[hopwheels]

Quite literally in the middle of the same decision right now. Looking hard at the '63 Fender Precision and the LB-100.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I can't think of anything a P can do better than a G&L, its the direct evolution of the P by the guy who invented it. Get a P if you like tinkering with off the shelf compatible parts, or just want to sound and look like everybody else. Get a G&L if you want a rock solid workhorse that's already been "improved" by Leo Fender, no further tinkering required. I've had my G&L L2000 since 1983, literally zero problems in all those years, built like a tank, original frets barely worn, a survivor and it can sound like almost anything.

 

[Frank77]

Oh and just in case you haven't seen it, Ed Friedland's review / demo should give you a pretty good idea of how it sounds.

 

[Runnerman]

Can anybody comment on the differences between the Gen I (post Legacy) LB-100 and Gen II reissue?

Looks to me like the original had a different neck mounting, with a triangular plate. The new ones have the 6 bolt neck.
Is there any problems with neck stability in the originals?

And any other differences you might be aware of.

Thanks!

 

[bassfootballguy]

Don't think there were any specific issues with the first generation LB-100s, other than it being named "Legacy Bass" and that getting them in a small kerfluffle with another company, hence the change to "LB-100." The three bolt neck was common to G&Ls of the era and - having had many of those - I can vouch for their sturdiness.
If an SB-1 is a possibility the three bolt era ones are my favorite "P type" bass of all time. Great playability on the necks, fantastic sustain and a pickup so hot it would burn the fingers of the devil. Put flats on one, though, and roll back the tone control about 1/4 and you've got Jamerson phat.
I once recorded a whole album of wide varying material with an SB-1 with Chromes and got everything from snarly drive to mellow bump and never had a producer or engineer suggest a change.

 

[HiEnd Basses]

I have two Fender Precisions. A USA G&L is on my short list, but it's a Blue Burst L-2000. The G&L has a really good bridge, and of course Magnetic Field Design PUP's. It will be a good companion to the Fenders. The USA Fenders are fantastic.

 

[TDR1138]

The older ones had a 3-bolt neck attachment with micro tilt; new have 6-bolt. The 3-bolt necks are slightly shorter than the 6-bolt necks, so they're not interchangeable. They're made with the old bi-cut method where it's basically two pieces of maple joined down the center. Traditional truss rod design, whereas the new truss rod is one that adjusts differently - I apologize, but I'm forgetting the details behind it. They stopped the bi-cut necks about '02-'03, I think.

The old ones also had a "vintage P" profile as standard - 1.75" wide nut and 7.5" radius. Currently they have a lot more options, and standard has 1.625" width and 9.5" radius, though 12" radius was standard on the 2-gen ones for the first few years. But in theory, any bass could have any neck profile if ordered.

1-gen pickups are generally Gotoh, wound to 10,500 turns per G&L's spec. New ones are proprietary make, again wound to 10,500 turns.

My '93 has Schaller tuners, not the G&L ultralights. Not sure if that was common or not.

 

[_godspeed_]

If aesthetics matter to you like they do to me, G&Ls are available in a wide range of amazing-looking colors. I currently own a Fullerton Red LB-100 and love it.

Aesthetics is the only reason I won't own G&L

 

[Susqmike]

I can't say enough great things about USA G&L!! Phenomenal.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

My L2000 has the 3 bolt neck and has never moved. Overall, the neck is very stable. The neck tilt function works great, though I haven't had to touch it in years. I don't know if they are still doing it, but mine had brass inserts for the battery box screws (!) , and brass plate shielding inside the control cavity, just another example of superb build quality and attention to detail throughout. If you buy New and have the option, get it with stainless frets, mine still look damn near pristine after years of round wounds.

 

[cnltb]

current G&L vs current Fender?

I'd go G&L.

 

[hopwheels]

Ed Friedland's review is what is pushing me towards the LB-100, along with the many favorable posts here. Mind's made up...LB-100 on the way in sonic blue.

 

[pudgychef]

Lakland 44-64/44-51 Masterrace.

but a big chunk of cash more for a US Lakland than either a G&L or Fender...and the days of the MIK Skylines rivaling pre 2008 MIA Fenders has passed IMHO....The MIIs are good...maybe as good as a 2002 MIA Fender..but I don't think they are as good as a 2016 MIA Fender Standard, with a great case and warranty and CS PUs for the same $$ - YMMV, IME, IMHO 2cents

 

[JES]

I own a Precision, I have a G&L L2000 and I have a custom bass with the SB-1 pickup. I've played LB-100s and SB-2s.

The answer, of course is, "it depends."

What's important to you?

What kinds of music do you want it for? What performance or recording contexts?
If you need the Fender headstock, then /thread.
If you want lots of custom options on body colour, etc., then G&L is a bargain. Or if you want neck options.
Soundwise, the LB-100 and a good Precision will be indistinguishable in a mix. Yes, you might have slightly different tone and volume settings to get the "same" sound but that only matters if it matters to you.
They feel different, though there's also a lot of variance bass to bass. I've played Fenders that clicked with me right away and Fenders that didn't do it for me. The same with G&Ls. But then the G&Ls are good, they're as good as any production bass. Custom shops are a whole other level but you'll pay for it.

The SB-1 pickup has more lows, more evenness, and more highs. With a tone, you can get P-like tones if you don't run wide open. If you like the "P-bass on steroids" sound like I do, it's the best thing going. It also records incredibly well.

My feeling is this. If you really don't know:

--buy used and live with one for awhile, but pay for a professional setup if you don't know how to do that yourself
--or buy new if you can return
--better, play a bunch and see what you like.

I find these discussions online so much less illuminating than walking into a store (or up to another bassist) and playing the bass. I know within seconds, usually. Mail order has been hit or miss with me. Two amazing finds, including a G&L, lots of instruments that sort of worked for me that eventually went on their way.

 

[socialleper]

The LB-100 is a little expensive for a P bass. So is the Lakland P, but I guess you have to pay a little more to not have to buy a Fender.