Well, as I stated, their lack of market penetration clearly isn't because of quality control or playability - and I don't really buy the premise that they stayed small by design... but I do think that there aren't enough of them on the market for it to be viable for aftermarket pickup manufacturers to make pickups for them... This isn't necessarily a slam on G&L, just the way it is... After all, nearly anyone who buys a Rickenbacker also buys them for their unique sound - yet, there are aftermarket pickups available for them...
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Fender vs. Musicman vs.G&L
- Thread starter Papajewrry
- Start date
Well, as I stated, their lack of market penetration clearly isn't because of quality control or playability - and I don't really buy the premise that they stayed small by design... but I do think that there aren't enough of them on the market for it to be viable for aftermarket pickup manufacturers to make pickups for them... This isn't necessarily a slam on G&L, just the way it is... After all, nearly anyone who buys a Rickenbacker also buys them for their unique sound - yet, there are aftermarket pickups available for them...
It would be interesting to know the production numbers for Rickenbacker and for MFD-equipped G&L basses. Rickenbacker is not known as a builder of huge numbers of instruments. It's hard to imagine Rickenbacker outstripping G&L in production volume to any significant degree. In fact, for all we know the reality may be the opposite.
As for why players buy Rics, there are multiple factors at work. Yes, they have a unique iconic sound that many Ric fans love, but that is not the sole reason people buy Rics, It may not even be the primary reason. Consider that....
Rics are also much beloved because;
> They are some of the prettiest basses ever conceived. Let's be honest here, they are flat out gorgeous.
> Their slightly shorter scale length adds to their ease of play.
> And the BIG ONE, Rics have been played by some of the biggest mega-stars in the music biz...Squire, Macca, Geddy.
G&L: None of the above reasons factor into the purchase of a G&L bass.
They're not pretty, very plain, not going to win a beauty contest. Some even avoid them because they hate the headstock shape.
Nobody's "bass hero" plays G&L's. Never have.
The main attraction of G&L over the years has been their electronics, chiefly the MFD pickup(s). Not everyone likes the MFD sound, but G&L owners do. Which is why we rarely (if ever) hear about players changing out their MFD's. In short, apart from the MFD elecs, there's no compelling reason to own an L-series G&L.
I suspect that after 37 years of L-series production, the G&L "numbers" are out there enough to warrant after market replacement pickups, provided there was any real interest by G&L owners. That interest appears to be virtually non-existent.
Since the current topic is aftermarket pickups for a G&L, this is the only time I've ever seen such a thing
Original thread here SOLD - Nordstrand Big Single G&L shape
Original thread here SOLD - Nordstrand Big Single G&L shape
Sometimes, depending on the gig, I have to use a Boss Bass /Enhancer limiter with my SB-1 and the SVT.
Yes, pups are hot, and, "they are the best pups for heavy, heavy metal" lol!
I picked up a new G&L L2500 five string and it is now my go to bass. The Jazz V is the backup.
I wanna say that back in the day, when I first got interested in G&Ls - say 98 or so, Bartolini did offer a G&L replacement humbucker. But that could be early onset senility, and they certainly don't now.
I suspect the lack of replacements is a combo of low volume and that folks who like the MFD sound keep their G&Ls, and those that don't sell them rather than try to replace the pickups. I'd be curious to see a timeline of when things like the EMG humbucker, first replacement Stingray pickup, and the like came out to understand chicken&egg scenarios (eg if MM won't sell a standalone Stingray pickup without getting the carcass of the old one, when did the MM replacement market get big enough that other makers started using the form factor in their basses?). I'm also curious about what happened with the L-5500 sales-wise. That was G&L build quality with EMG pickups - that they got rid of for 5-string MFDs right quickly. I know I could easily be convinced to buy an L2K-equivalent that had standard humbucker sized holes to go with my MFD-equipped G&Ls.
I suspect the lack of replacements is a combo of low volume and that folks who like the MFD sound keep their G&Ls, and those that don't sell them rather than try to replace the pickups. I'd be curious to see a timeline of when things like the EMG humbucker, first replacement Stingray pickup, and the like came out to understand chicken&egg scenarios (eg if MM won't sell a standalone Stingray pickup without getting the carcass of the old one, when did the MM replacement market get big enough that other makers started using the form factor in their basses?). I'm also curious about what happened with the L-5500 sales-wise. That was G&L build quality with EMG pickups - that they got rid of for 5-string MFDs right quickly. I know I could easily be convinced to buy an L2K-equivalent that had standard humbucker sized holes to go with my MFD-equipped G&Ls.
A while ago I purchased a used G&L LB-100 fretless that just didn't sound right. I ended up replacing the pickups on that one with Nordstrand NP4's. Granted, the LB is a G&L copy of a Fender P bass, which sounds weird on its face, but the difference in tone improved by leaps and bounds.
I'm a G&L fanboy, so here goes:
I have an 81 hog body L1K with a new MFD humbucker on it, the original slot pole pickup basically fell apart. I love the sound of it. The Nordstrand guys almost convinced me to let them build me a custom pickup to put into the old housing, but I'm glad I stayed with the MFD. I also have an old SB1 that I picked up in 1994; my first real bass. After all these years, I've begun to tire of the harsh tone from that bass. It's actually hotter than the L1K, and has subsequently been sidelined as my go-to bass for recording. I'm almost ready to get an identical set of Nordy NP4's into my SB1. Let the flaming begin.
I'm a G&L fanboy, so here goes:
I have an 81 hog body L1K with a new MFD humbucker on it, the original slot pole pickup basically fell apart. I love the sound of it. The Nordstrand guys almost convinced me to let them build me a custom pickup to put into the old housing, but I'm glad I stayed with the MFD. I also have an old SB1 that I picked up in 1994; my first real bass. After all these years, I've begun to tire of the harsh tone from that bass. It's actually hotter than the L1K, and has subsequently been sidelined as my go-to bass for recording. I'm almost ready to get an identical set of Nordy NP4's into my SB1. Let the flaming begin.
I agree that the MFD P pickup is not for everyone. Lucky for us, it fits in a standard P slot and the world of replacements are available.
Then, there are the proverbial red-headed step-children of the G&L world; folks who play the JB-2. After spending my time on a P, and with various active basses (ending in a Warwick mania), I began to appreciate the simplicity and infinite possibilities of the Jazz, once again. The JB-2 represents refinements of less-Fenderish nature; no pick guard, a J neck and pickups on a P-style body, while still maintaining a Fender-like sound and feel. I have two USA specimens, each with different body wood, and thus, different aftermarket J pickups. I'm really a G&L guy for the build quality and the Leo lineage; never a member of the MFD cult.
Even G&L does not seem to give us JB-2 folk any love. The USA model has been discontinued, in favor of the active MJ-4/5 basses. The Tribute JB-2 model is quite a great value, and apparently still being made, but features two pickups of the same size, thus limiting the aftermarket options. Some of us a wary of active electronics, and appreciate a passive instrument, with a pedal preamp, if needed.
After a lot of experimentation and gigging, I came to find that DiMarzio Model J's really did justice to both the Tribby and a QMT-over-alder USA instrument, whereas the ash-bodied USA instrument likes DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups. Honorable mention goes to the Basslines Quarter Pounders, which have done both USA instruments proud, at one time or another (especially the QMT). Pedal preamp is for a different discussion altogether.
Even G&L does not seem to give us JB-2 folk any love. The USA model has been discontinued, in favor of the active MJ-4/5 basses. The Tribute JB-2 model is quite a great value, and apparently still being made, but features two pickups of the same size, thus limiting the aftermarket options. Some of us a wary of active electronics, and appreciate a passive instrument, with a pedal preamp, if needed.
After a lot of experimentation and gigging, I came to find that DiMarzio Model J's really did justice to both the Tribby and a QMT-over-alder USA instrument, whereas the ash-bodied USA instrument likes DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups. Honorable mention goes to the Basslines Quarter Pounders, which have done both USA instruments proud, at one time or another (especially the QMT). Pedal preamp is for a different discussion altogether.
Correction on the tread's title...............................
FENDER vs FENDER vs FENDER
FENDER vs FENDER vs FENDER
If I were to buy a new P Bass today, it would be the G&L LB-100.
I've noticed, and your post reminded me that I was going to say to the rest that on the G&L site, the Tribute JB-2 which had not been in their catalog for a couple years and was reported at the BassesbyLeo forum as discontinued in 2015 is once again on the G&L site but no more swamp ash . This time basswood with an MFD neck pickup and alnico bridge. No maple fingerboard option either. I'm very happy I still have my ash/maple necked Tribby. It's a great bass. Not a great bass for the money, but a great bass period.
MF sold new Tribby JB2s the whole time they were discontinued/off the G&L site. They still offer the natural & sunburst versions - I just bought a natural from them last fall and it sure looks like ash. The serial number on it was 2017 IIRC so it was not NOS. Maybe they'll run out and move to the basswood ones, but they haven't yet.
I feel there was so much design work that went into the P-Bass and J-Bass that they will live on forever. Lot's of input from the old pro's went into them. Much of what came after, which the RIC being an exception, was a spinoff of sorts. I disagree that people still buy them for nostalgic reasons. These old designs work.
Yeah it is ash I'm sure and they even run out of them from time to time, but keep getting them in from?? I don't know but the "new" version is now listed on their site and a few shops are carrying them for $399 I think.
Agreed 100% - no question that Leo was a MI visionary... The P, Jazz, Strat, and Tele have all left considerable marks on music as we know it...
