G&L Club Part 7

[bonin in the boneyard]

It is still not clear to me what value pole pieces add to a ceramic bar magnet in the case of this specific pickup.

From the patent:

According to the present invention, the ends of pole pieces 71-76 remote from strings 14-19 are machined such that they are flat and planar. Furthermore, at least surface 83 of magnet 81 is also flat and planar. Bar magnet 81 is positioned with surface 83 in contact with the machined ends of pole pieces 71-76. By providing good surface contact between magnet 81 and pole pieces 71-76, the magnetic lines of flux pass therebetween over a large surface area. Furthermore, it can be seen that these magnetic lines of flux pass between magnet 81 and pole pieces 71-76 without a change in angular direction.

By making this simple change in the orientation and position of bar magnet 81, a significant result has been achieved. It has been found that the change from the configuration of FIG. 4 to the configuration of FIG. 6, results in a much stronger magnetic field at the ends of pole pieces 71-76 adjacent strings 14-19. This stronger field causes a response in coil 78 which is much richer in harmonics and far more pleasing than the response in the coils of pickups 20A-20D.

US4220069A - Electromagnetic pickup for stringed musical instruments - Google Patents

 

[bonin in the boneyard]

FIG. 4 for comparison:

 

[Edgetone]

Anyway, I believe a Kiloton (or any MFD equipped bass) would just have too big a sound for a fretless. But that's just me.

Some time ago I recorded some sound samples of my Kiloton 5 Fretless. You can check them out here on Soundcloud.

 

[svtbass]

I can understand why you think that way.

I own an L2000 fretless, epoxied board. So there are pluses and minuses to all this stuff. Personally, I use my fretless L2000 a lot, my fretless J sits in it's case. But to each his own.

Fretless: the territory where less is so much more.

My Dulcamaras. Down to three of these.

 

[Holdsg]

mind blown when I see that collection

 

[jglunt]

Some time ago I recorded some sound samples of my Kiloton 5 Fretless. You can check them out here on Soundcloud.

Thanks!! I will check those out. If I weren't in a Monday morning rush, I'd do it right now, but I promise to do it soon. I'm really curious to hear them.

 

[TDR1138]

Fretless: the territory where less is so much more.

My Dulcamaras. Down to three of these.

View attachment 4279075

I’d be happy with any single one of those, but those two Wunkays....

 

[FJBass82]

I'm on the fence about buying a G&L USA LB-100 in Fullerton Red. I have a 2005 Fender American Standard Precision Bass that I love and will not sell. I've had it for over 6 years, which is the longest I've ever owned a bass, out of the 30-plus that I've owned and sold over the past 22 years. I've never had a G&L bass.

Anyway, I've been checking out the G&L line of basses and want another P-like bass, IF I don't buy a Fender American Pro or Pro II. The only other bass I have right now besides the P is a 2014 Fender American Standard Jazz Bass. It's a nice bass but I prefer the tone and feel of a P-Bass. I've only had the Jazz since early February and it's up for sale.

So, sell me on the G&L LB-100 as far as why I should get it instead of another Fender P. Is the G&L a better-built bass than the Fender P? BTW, I sold an Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Bass to put the cash towards the Jazz Bass I'm selling. I regret it every day, because that Cutlass was a great bass. I wouldn't mind getting another one but the ones I've seen online for sale are high $$$.

 

[jefff100]

My new custom strap arrived yesterday. Today will be its church debut.
View attachment 4277989

Beautiful hand stitch leather. Thats a craft you dont see much anymore. Thanks for the link to her website.

 

[NOLA Bass]

My main band is an original metal band. We tune down to C, so I use a Dingwall and a 35" scale 4 string Spector. That means that my collection of "normal" basses mostly get used at home.

Well, I joined a duo that is expanding to a full band doing a wide variety of covers. We had 4 rehearsals to get everyone up to speed and debut this Thursday. It's been fun to break out all my 34" scale basses, most of which I've never used in a band. After trying my All Parts P, a Fender J, and my Sadowsky PJ, I brought out my CFL Research L-2000 to Sunday's rehearsal. I played it in passive single coil mode, and it was just awesome. We have our first show Thursday, and it is going to get the gig so to speak. Even in passive single coil mode, it sounded so big. It was fatter than the jazz and PJ, smoother than the P bass, etc. We took some band and individual pictures. Bonus, the L-2000 looks like a million bucks too!

 

[richwag]

I'm on the fence about buying a G&L USA LB-100 in Fullerton Red. I have a 2005 Fender American Standard Precision Bass that I love and will not sell. I've had it for over 6 years, which is the longest I've ever owned a bass, out of the 30-plus that I've owned and sold over the past 22 years. I've never had a G&L bass.

Anyway, I've been checking out the G&L line of basses and want another P-like bass, IF I don't buy a Fender American Pro or Pro II. The only other bass I have right now besides the P is a 2014 Fender American Standard Jazz Bass. It's a nice bass but I prefer the tone and feel of a P-Bass. I've only had the Jazz since early February and it's up for sale.

So, sell me on the G&L LB-100 as far as why I should get it instead of another Fender P. Is the G&L a better-built bass than the Fender P? BTW, I sold an Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Bass to put the cash towards the Jazz Bass I'm selling. I regret it every day, because that Cutlass was a great bass. I wouldn't mind getting another one but the ones I've seen online for sale are high $$$.

Since you already have a p bass that you like maybe an SB-2 would be a better choice. You’d have more tonal range and it can still do a p bass like sound.

 

[dedpool1052]

Last I checked, Nordstrand will do custom shapes but only on pickups they already make.

Maybe if you sent them the G&L pickup you have, they could re-house it in the shell/dimensions you want.

 

[Lucky Chuck]

I'm on the fence about buying a G&L USA LB-100

Say hey, FJ,
Sorry I can't help in your decision process, but if you encounter an LB with 1.5" nut and rosewood fingerboard, would you let me know about it? It's atop my GAS list...

Thanx for helping out a bass brother, and good luck in your quest.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Say hey, FJ,
Sorry I can't help in your decision process, but if you encounter an LB with 1.5" nut and rosewood fingerboard, would you let me know about it? It's atop my GAS list...

Thanx for helping out a bass brother, and good luck in your quest.

Not having any luck, Chuck ?

 

[Lucky Chuck]

When the time is right, it will suddenly appear. I'm lucky that way...

 

[jmlee]

So, sell me on the G&L LB-100 as far as why I should get it instead of another Fender P. Is the G&L a better-built bass than the Fender P? BTW, I sold an Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Bass to put the cash towards the Jazz Bass I'm selling. I regret it every day, because that Cutlass was a great bass. I wouldn't mind getting another one but the ones I've seen online for sale are high $$$.

Too bad about that Cutlass. Nice Bass.

However...I have a '68 Fender P-Bass that as you can imagine I'm not selling, ever.

Nonetheless, I have a beautiful Trans Blue G&L LB-100 with a quartersawn maple neck and fingerboard, white pearl blocks, white pearl pickguard, light vintage tint. It's body is Empress wood and the whole bass weighs 7 lbs 2 oz. I've got a Lindy Fralin pickup in it with a custom white cover. Seeing how the bass is a G&L, it has a great bridge, string-seating lightweight tuners, and fit and finish are first rate. Sure, I could have bought a "professional" Fender P-bass, but this option build is precisely what I wanted, it's resonant, responsive, sounds great, plays great, and looks better. That's why I have a US G&L LB-100.

 

[Lucky Chuck]

Oh, man... You're pouring gasoline on my ... GAS. Fire on my GAS. GAS on my ...

Ah, you know what I mean...

 

[jmlee]

Oh, man... You're pouring gasoline on my ... GAS. Fire on my GAS. GAS on my ...

Ah, you know what I mean...

 

[ShawnG]

I'm on the fence about buying a G&L USA LB-100 in Fullerton Red. I have a 2005 Fender American Standard Precision Bass that I love and will not sell. I've had it for over 6 years, which is the longest I've ever owned a bass, out of the 30-plus that I've owned and sold over the past 22 years. I've never had a G&L bass.

Anyway, I've been checking out the G&L line of basses and want another P-like bass, IF I don't buy a Fender American Pro or Pro II. The only other bass I have right now besides the P is a 2014 Fender American Standard Jazz Bass. It's a nice bass but I prefer the tone and feel of a P-Bass. I've only had the Jazz since early February and it's up for sale.

So, sell me on the G&L LB-100 as far as why I should get it instead of another Fender P. Is the G&L a better-built bass than the Fender P? BTW, I sold an Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Bass to put the cash towards the Jazz Bass I'm selling. I regret it every day, because that Cutlass was a great bass. I wouldn't mind getting another one but the ones I've seen online for sale are high $$$.

I have both a Cutlass and an LB-100 and am preferring the LB-100 for now. The Cutlass is, to me, an amazing “rock” P-bass, but I am finding the LB-100 to be more versatile as with volume and tone dimed, it does the rock thing very well, but back it off some and it also does the 60s P-bass thing well, too. The LB-100 does have a slightly overwound pickup, so can probably be more aggressive than your Am Standard when desired.
Mine’s a USA model, fit and finish are top notch. Neck pocket on my LB-100 is perfect, better than my Cutlass. Mine is Alder, weighs 9.1 pounds and balance is excellent with the standard G&L lightweight tuners (aluminum barrels). I also like the fact that the LB-100 has 21 (vs. 20) frets and prefer the enhanced contours of the LB-100 body style over the standard Fender Precision.
Unlike the various Fender P versions over the years, G&L have pretty much stuck with the same pickups through the entire run of LB-100s, so if you have a chance to play one, the pickup tone should be similar through the line. They did have the pickups slightly closer to the bridge until sometime in 2016 when they moved them to the “standard” P position, so a pre-2016 LB-100 may be slightly brighter than one after.
IMO, the reasons to buy a USA G&L over another Fender are more consistent fit and finish, WAY more finish options, more neck profile options, six-bolt neck attachment, the G&L Saddle Lock bridge and the lightweight tuners. All of these combined add up to make a superior bass, to me.
An SB-1 would also be worth looking into for someone who wants a P-bass, but different.

 

[Ampig]

I'm on the fence about buying a G&L USA LB-100 in Fullerton Red. I have a 2005 Fender American Standard Precision Bass that I love and will not sell. I've had it for over 6 years, which is the longest I've ever owned a bass, out of the 30-plus that I've owned and sold over the past 22 years. I've never had a G&L bass.

Anyway, I've been checking out the G&L line of basses and want another P-like bass, IF I don't buy a Fender American Pro or Pro II. The only other bass I have right now besides the P is a 2014 Fender American Standard Jazz Bass. It's a nice bass but I prefer the tone and feel of a P-Bass. I've only had the Jazz since early February and it's up for sale.

So, sell me on the G&L LB-100 as far as why I should get it instead of another Fender P. Is the G&L a better-built bass than the Fender P? BTW, I sold an Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Bass to put the cash towards the Jazz Bass I'm selling. I regret it every day, because that Cutlass was a great bass. I wouldn't mind getting another one but the ones I've seen online for sale are high $$$.

I don't know that there is a big difference in the sound of an LB100 and Fender P. I've never had both in the same room to A-B them. G&L basses feel different from Fenders and I like that feel. You may not.