I heard about that back in the 80s when they switched (possibly in Guitar Player magazine), so it predated TB by 15 years. I know it is hard to believe, but there was life before TB!
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G&L Basses - Why no love?
- Thread starter BassVibes
- Start date
I heard about that back in the 80s when they switched (possibly in Guitar Player magazine), so it predated TB by 15 years. I know it is hard to believe, but there was life before TB!
I don't think there's a single answer to why G&L's aren't more popular. Maybe a combo of factors?
One thing for sure, the 3-bolt neck attachment was a turn off for a lot of potential buyers. I think it was one of Leo's mistakes. He should have known better, especially after years of Fender having a gotten bad rep for sloppy QC during the years they used it.
I've never heard an explanation for why he chose the 3-bolt. It has no relation to the micro-tilt feature (another questionable judgement call IMO), as proven by other builders who offered micro-tilt with a 4-bolt attachment. In fact, G&L themselves used a 6-bolt neck plate with micro-tilt on some fivers.
Fast forwarding to more recent years, it strikes me as odd that when G&L reissued the LB-100 and then introduced the JB (both clones of Fender's most iconic designs), all of a sudden interest in G&L seems to be picking up steam.
More recently we see EBMM jumping into the P and PJ business. It should be interesting to see how that pans out.
One thing for sure, the 3-bolt neck attachment was a turn off for a lot of potential buyers. I think it was one of Leo's mistakes. He should have known better, especially after years of Fender having a gotten bad rep for sloppy QC during the years they used it.
I've never heard an explanation for why he chose the 3-bolt. It has no relation to the micro-tilt feature (another questionable judgement call IMO), as proven by other builders who offered micro-tilt with a 4-bolt attachment. In fact, G&L themselves used a 6-bolt neck plate with micro-tilt on some fivers.
Fast forwarding to more recent years, it strikes me as odd that when G&L reissued the LB-100 and then introduced the JB (both clones of Fender's most iconic designs), all of a sudden interest in G&L seems to be picking up steam.
More recently we see EBMM jumping into the P and PJ business. It should be interesting to see how that pans out.
Before I go outside and cut the lawn, I'm wasting some time here on TalkBass.
G&L Basses - Why no love?
Well, G&Ls certainly have a following so there is love for their basses. But, why not the same love as for Fender Basses? After all, Leo Fender and George Fullerton were the same guys for Fender Music and G&L.
My opinion...............by the time G&L came on the scene, bass manufacturing was pretty much getting up to a "full tilt boogie". Fenders, MIJ Fenders, Musicman, Gibson, Yamaha, Aria, Ibanez, Alembic, Ken Smith and many, many more bass makers and boutique bass makers were already putting out fantastic stuff. Many, many choices for bass guitar purchasing.
So, how could G&L really make something "over the top"? Something special? They couldn't.
And so, not to be insulting to G&L, with the exception of the L-2000, their basses were basically refried Fenders with an ugly headstock. The older models has the terrible 3 bolt, tilt-o-matic neck plate and MFD (ceramic magnet, yuck) pickups.
Why no love for G&L basses? Too much competition by the 1980s!
G&L Basses - Why no love?
Well, G&Ls certainly have a following so there is love for their basses. But, why not the same love as for Fender Basses? After all, Leo Fender and George Fullerton were the same guys for Fender Music and G&L.
My opinion...............by the time G&L came on the scene, bass manufacturing was pretty much getting up to a "full tilt boogie". Fenders, MIJ Fenders, Musicman, Gibson, Yamaha, Aria, Ibanez, Alembic, Ken Smith and many, many more bass makers and boutique bass makers were already putting out fantastic stuff. Many, many choices for bass guitar purchasing.
So, how could G&L really make something "over the top"? Something special? They couldn't.
And so, not to be insulting to G&L, with the exception of the L-2000, their basses were basically refried Fenders with an ugly headstock. The older models has the terrible 3 bolt, tilt-o-matic neck plate and MFD (ceramic magnet, yuck) pickups.
Why no love for G&L basses? Too much competition by the 1980s!
I'm not a fan of the micro tilt design either no matter how many screws or bolts are holding the neck on. I consider anything that reduces the contact patch between the neck and the body to be a bad idea. If a shim is needed, and it should only be a one time job, I'd go with a shim the full length and width of the pocket tapering from the required thickness needed down to zero at the other end.
BTW, here's my Monkey Pod 7.4 lb L2K.
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Fender is like the wholesome girl everyone loves (Mary Ann)
Musicman is the gorgeous girl every one wants (Ginger)
G&L is the technically beautiful girl everyone should want on paper, but lacks something intangible that puts her in neither category.
Musicman is the gorgeous girl every one wants (Ginger)
G&L is the technically beautiful girl everyone should want on paper, but lacks something intangible that puts her in neither category.
I won't fall asleep tonight if we don't finish the analogy:
Laurie Partridge? Or Marcia Brady??
Oh, nooooo...I can't stand the headstock, I can't stand the headstock. 
That effin bass is beautiful, I don't care what her name is, she is the kind of woman that gives me wood!
That effin bass is beautiful, I don't care what her name is, she is the kind of woman that gives me wood!
I've owned two of those - and those neck pockets were rock SOLID. Not terrible at all, in fact better than a lot of 4 bolt necks I've owned and played. A lot of people equate them with the 70s Fender 3 bolt that people hate, but the G&L had a much more consistently tight neck pocket than the Fenders did.
There is nothing inherently wrong with a 3 bolt neck if it is done well.
The neck pockets on G&L's are nice.
My Tribute JB-2 had a nice neck pocket fit as well.
The tightest neck pocket I've ever laid hands on was my 2012 Warwick Rockbass Double Buck made in China!
Unfortunately, the Warwick fretboard radius is 20" which is just too damn flat for me.
I still don't think the Tilt-O-Matic feature is worth the effort in production.
Hopefully, most people won't need to shim their necks, and if they do, hopefully it will be a one time event.
I won't fall asleep tonight if we don't finish the analogy:
Laurie Partridge? Or Marcia Brady??
I was thinking Ethel Mertz.
Yeah my 82 L2KE is pretty darn solid. I'm even actually USING the Micro Tilt! Hasn't changed the sustain any perceptible amout.
Their pocket is tighter and deeper than the original fender design. The reason you go three bolt on a tilt function is hat you don't want to put different stress on both sides of the raised tilt with the two different screws. This is not a problem when you are butted up against the body on a traditional 4 bolt.
I agree. Pretty nice neck pockets on those older 3 bolt G&Ls which leads to the question.............then why did they go 6 bolt?
Perhaps in reaction the the number of people trashing 3-bolt necks...?
It's almost certainly this. People are too lazy to even do their own setups most of the time. That micro-tilt isn't rocket science, but it does take some practice to make use of it effectively.
As to why G&L isn't more popular? They are a pretty specific flavor of bass. Their pickups are not for the faint of heart in most cases. They are aggressive and ballsy. That isn't everyones gig. Some people like polite little dainty basses that go to church every Sunday. G&L's ain't that
all my 3 bolts came to me missing the little hex screw you're supposed to use to adjust the neck
