G&L Club Part 6

[cyco739z]

I've never seen a $250 Tribute on CL, or anywhere else.

Where do I find one?

Ya, I'll take one of those too!

 

[cyco739z]

There aren't. Not really. My Korean amber Tribute was so great I thought I needed a USA model. Bought a Honeyburst one. Both were rosewood necks and are about as visually identical as you could ask of that color combo.

I like the finish on the the Tribby better.

So now I have two of what are really the same bass and I've decided I won't sell the Tribute - it's too good to sell for $400.


So if your Tribute is the same exact color as the Boston $700 one - the difference in price isn't going to buy you much - you literally would be better off taking the Tribute to Mouradian and having them upgrade it by rolling the fingerboard edges or dressing the frets or anything else your Tribute doesn't really need because it is good enough.

But we don't do that usually because most here wouldn't put money into a "Value" bass because it doesn't pay back in value if you sell it and we're all about the GAS Merry Go Round.

Now having said that let me take it all back.

Because then after getting the L2K I bought Clyph's L-1500 in Cobalt Blue with the narrow 1.5" neck. I still never have seen anyone's G&L with a Cobalt Blue that's the same near-black color as mine (except in the bright light it sparkles a deep, dark metallic blue)

Thereby finding a REAL reason to upgrade. That neck (if you like narrower necks). I love this bass.

So - I can now see that I could have avoided buying those three basses if I had bought just a 1.5" necked L-2000 USA model in the first place. And since so few are around (although Bdgotoh had/has that one for sale in Honeyburst with the narrow neck) on the used market - buying new from Rocket saves you the time and hassle and indecision if you're looking for that neck. And let's you add the vintage tint. And get the cool color other than black if that's what you want.

OR - you can just shop for used ASATs since they're much more likely to have that neck.

Long story short - if all you're looking to compare is a plain black L-2000 USA vs your plain black Tribute - nope - if you "built" yours for a few hundred - lets say $350 - that extra $350 you'll pay for the USA might not buy you enough Satisfaction.

And if you're south of Boston I'm in RI = outta town for this weekend but if you want to demo mine sometime soon PM me and we can set something up if the drive's not too much for you. That way you can compare two nearly identical L2Ks Tribby vs USA yourself. I've got TI Jazz on the Tribby and Dunlop nickels on the USA so let me know what strings you use on your Tribby and maybe I'll even put a set on the USA - always looking to try another string. And then you can also check out the L1500 - and the narrow neck - too. And maybe even leave with one. Or leave with a decision to buy the black one near you. Or stand pat.

Did I mention the '82 L-2000 Series E? See - which one to sell? I just put off the decision. That's easier.

But maybe you can help me buy yet another L2K since Bdgotoh's Honeyburst is still for sale. Wow - this is really bad. And HE's in the middle of trying to sell four but he'd trade for another G&L too. Beware - if you like the USA you'll end up buying it and not selling your Tribute. And then you'll know how great Tributes are so that you can't avoiding buying that $250 SB-2 Tribute when you see it the next town over on Craigslist. And then....

Well you get the picture.

That's the exact advise I was hoping to hear, And from someone who has and knows both. You have obviously made the educated comparison for yourself through experience and love of the instrument. Thank you for articulating that experience in writing so well. Gave me clear examples I understood. I cant wait to play a U.S. model now for myself but until then I will continue to enjoy my Trib. If I find myself in or close to RI, I may just take you up on your generous offer eith a pm. Thanks again!

 

[armybass]

Been an L2000 lover for a long time...I prefer the late 80's and early 90's models but had a sweet sweet fretless 200(?) a few years ago that was very special.

On Friday I am expecting a 1990 nearly as new natural L2000. I am truly hoping that this bass is The One.

Got it..... It is minty. Looks like it has lived in the case since 1990. Tolex case still has green plastic on the latches.




But now I have a taste for more .... :0)

 

[msact]

G&L basses are like lays potato chips. You can't have just one.

 

[theduke1]

I know I have 3

 

[ubnomnar]

anybody selling a SB-2 tribute for 250. plz PM me I'm interested!

I've never seen a $250 Tribute on CL, or anywhere else.

Where do I find one?

Ya, I'll take one of those too!

This is darn close.... Invalid Link Removed

 

[R&B]

This is darn close.... Invalid Link Removed

Wow!! Should go fast.

 

[sailri]

See, that's my point.

If you have 15 G&L's you'll still buy that SB-2 Tribute - you know how good it is and the sub $300 price makes it irresistable.

I bought one just like it, Korean, for $250. Of course I also bought an '83 Sb-2 for less on New Years day a few years back via Craigslist.

They're out there if you keep looking. JB-2 Tributes at Guitar Center especially.

And the 1983-84 L-2000 in Mahogany w/maple neck for $479 that's on that site right now looks like it would be an even better deal.

 

[BrianMarc]

All,
Can you recommend a set of strings for my recently acquired G&L JB-2 (used, Tribute). It is a 3 tone sunburst with maple neck. I am a beginner, but would like a quieter set of strings than the round wounds that came with it, but not too mellow (a hint of punch would be cool). I am learning on blues/finger funk, and walking bass lines.

Thanks very much.

Brian

 

[Mastermold]

All,
Can you recommend a set of strings for my recently acquired G&L JB-2 (used, Tribute). It is a 3 tone sunburst with maple neck. I am a beginner, but would like a quieter set of strings than the round wounds that came with it, but not too mellow (a hint of punch would be cool). I am learning on blues/finger funk, and walking bass lines.

Thanks very much.

Brian

D'Addario Chromes sound like they may do the trick for you. They're easy to find too.

 

[Chef]

they're semi high tension
if you don't dig that, TI Jazz flats might be easier for you to play.

 

[BrianMarc]

First, thank you.

I am not sure about tension but as the TI's cost $30 more a pack, buying them could result in "tension" in the household budget, if you know what I mean...

If keeping action low as possible is a preference, would the "light gauge" strings be viable or do/will they sound weak?

 

[lowfreqgeek]

First, thank you.

I am not sure about tension but as the TI's cost $30 more a pack, buying them could result in "tension" in the household budget, if you know what I mean...

If keeping action low as possible is a preference, would the "light gauge" strings be viable or do/will they sound weak?

TI's last forever, like years. So even if you spend a little extra now, you'll get your money's worth.

 

[Freddels]

Or you can get the lighter gauge LaBella's. I used TI flats for years and have found that I like the LaBella's even more. There's richer harmonic content with them.

 

[2saddleslab]

I've had TI flats on my ASAT for years [maybe 5 or so] and they seem to last forever. And the tone is always amazing.

 

[R&B]

Staying on topic as much as possible... My one G&L is a Tribute L-2000. I replaced the rounds with GHS Precision Flats. Nice.

However, I just took TI flats off a non-G&L jazz bass yesterday. (The bass is from Indonesia via Chicago.) Too undefined and lacking punch on that bass. Put on GHS Pressurewounds. Better to my ear.

Love TI and La Bella flats on a P.

 

[Freddels]

I put LaBella 760FM's on one of my L2K's.

 

[dewbass4]

TI's last forever, like years. So even if you spend a little extra now, you'll get your money's worth.

I used one set of Chromes on a P bass for over 20 years (talk about getting your money's worth). My Tribute L2K has been wearing [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] for the last 6 years. I like the sound of the half rounds better than the Chromes on this bass. Tried [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] they looked very good, but the coating wore off under right hand position in less than than 6 months then the strings died. YMMV
My '03 Tribute L2000. IMHO it has some of the best grain ever.

 

[OzanOner]

Hello everybody, that's my first post

That's me with my G&L L-2000 Butterscotch/Maple at the soundcheck. The ultimate rock bass sound in my opinion.

 

[Crabby]

Well here she is, my first G&L. She is a 1997 left handed L2500 and despite some normal wear and a bit of grunge, seems to be in very good shape. After I took these pics, I cleaned everything including the pole pieces, full fret buff, cleaned and oiled the board, polish on the body and buffed the entire bridge and saddle assembly. She looks amazing now.

New strings and a setup are done and I'm letting her acclimatize before getting too worried about the final setup as she just came from the eastern part of Canada to the west coast. My initial impressions are that the neck is a bit wider and chunkier they my Stingray 5 and I cant seem to get the action quite as low as I like but what a sound! Those pickups are fantastic and there doesn't seem to be a bad tone in this bass no matter how the switches are set.

I have lots of messing around to get her dialed in but for my first crack at a G&L and as a die hard Musicman fan, this is a fun new bass. Any assistance with setup tips would be appreciated.