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G&L.... Cheap???

#2
Two lines of G&L basses: Tribute (well-made in Korea) tend to go in the $5-900 range new; US G&L tend to go for more. Both are good quality. Some argue the Tributes are a great bargain. Personally, I've seen many great US models in excellent condition going for Tribute prices. To me that's the real bargain - I've owned one and would place it among the top five basses I've had. Let it go in a weak moment, looking for another one as we speak.

G&Ls have never achieved the marketing acceptance that Fender and MM have. Musicians tend to know a lot about them, but amateurs less so. Take advantage of a well-kept secret.
 
#3
bassman10096 said:
Two lines of G&L basses: Tribute (well-made in Korea) tend to go in the $5-900 range new; US G&L tend to go for more. Both are good quality. Some argue the Tributes are a great bargain. Personally, I've seen many great US models in excellent condition going for Tribute prices. To me that's the real bargain - I've owned one and would place it among the top five basses I've had. Let it go in a weak moment, looking for another one as we speak.

G&Ls have never achieved the marketing acceptance that Fender and MM have. Musicians tend to know a lot about them, but amateurs less so. Take advantage of a well-kept secret.
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Actually, new Tributes tend to run between $450-$650. I have never seen a Tribute anywhere near $900. New USA G&Ls run between $1,100-$2,000. They are a great deal new and steal used.:D
 
#5
G&L's are fantastic values and very well made. As Leo Fender's last musical enterprise (and according to him, the best basses he'd ever built) they also hold a warm place in the heart of many Leo Fender fans. The older ones (Leo era basses made before his death) are being discovered by the vintage market and prices have been climbing steadily on these eralier models. Deals still abound on used G&L's and the value for what you spend is great.

The G&L bass brain trust hangs here: Link Removed

Lot's of good info and quick answers from BABP. Matter of fact, G&L is now making a THIRD Limited Edition bass for BadAssBassPlayers.
 
#7
Spiritfield said:
Additionally, I see you are in Sweden.. the falling value of the US dollar is making for some great deals for folks outside of this country on US products.
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I was just thinking that.

Ok, Thanks for all the replies. It sets things in perspective. I think I'm gonna go for an american G&L when the time comes. Also, being in sweden makes the G&L some what rare. I've never seen one in a store or in the local band circuit.

Thanks for the advice bros,

Wh4len
 
#10
I'm still playing the 1985 L-2000 I bought for $350 near new in 1986. This has been a wonderful bass for me. I think G&L is possibly the best value around. "More Fender than Fender" someone once said. Best of luck.
 
#11
Wh4len said:
Also, being in sweden makes the G&L some what rare. I've never seen one in a store or in the local band circuit.
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Really?? They're all over the place in Denmark, so I figured Sweden would be about the same :hmm:

I mean, there are not as many in the shops as there are Fenders, but there are at least as many as there are Stingrays.

I'd also go for a US G&L, they're great quality, and with the current currency exchange rates you can make a real bargain, especially when looking at used ones. I like the tone of G&L's, but my right hand is not in love with playing over those big humbuckers.
 
#17
Hey all,

They are a phenomenal deal (IMO & based on others' experiences). To sum up my experience with them:

The tone is REALLY ballsy & strong if you play with a heavier plucking style, and smooth and defined if you plat with a lighter touch. The output is very high also - the use of the overall volume is encouraged, and padding the amp input by -12dB (depending on your amp). The bass is heavy - not as heavy as a MM fiver, but on the heavier side. The five string basses only come with one neck profile. The finishes are quite nice - the sunburst on my L2500 is amazing. The poly on the body is very durable & the satin finish is ok - I sanded mine off about 3 months after buying the bass.

I got mine (2005 L2500) for $1100, brand new, which I consider a phenomenal deal. You can get used US models for under $1k.

imp.

P.S. Since this is TB & we love pics, here's mine. Be sure to check out the G&L forum on TB!
DSC_0750.jpg
 
#18
To my ears & fingers there's a lot of variation between G&Ls that I play in the store. Unlike MM basses that seem to be all about the electronics & there's little variation between one and the next, you really have to play a G&L before you buy it because tone wood seems to make a much greater impact. All of them have excellent build quality, but the electronics have more of a passive feel, even if they are active (they certainly have all the switches and knobs of my '78 Sabre).
 
#20
a few years ago I had a tribby L2000 (in natural). never wanted to sell it, but i found a fender maiden bass on the cheap, and had to sell something to get it.

the tribute is an awesome deal, but a used american G&L is an even better one. i still want to get an american G&L L-2000 or 1500 myself, but I am still filling back up the coffers after buying a stingray.

L-2000s output is very very hot, you may have to use the pad on your head's input. i would say the sound is more stingray or Wal than p-bass or j-bass.

i not the biggest fan of their 5 stings. I wish they had a blend knob versus the mini-switch. The EQ seem to be set to kill all the time, but that's why it rules.

overall, probabably in the top 5 of best sounding basses out there easy.
 

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