Gold hardware is officially an option through the Custom Shop.
Unfortunately, black hardware is not.
My wallet remains safe from the RMC reverse-pickup fully roasted natural finish SB-1 with black hardware
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
My wallet remains safe from the RMC reverse-pickup fully roasted natural finish SB-1 with black hardware
This is not at a great price, and right now it's in truly terrible location, but still....
Ex-demo LPB L-1500
It doesn't say how old it is, but the serial is CLF50981
While I'm ogling the distressingly discontinued L-1500...
That was from 1998, and is from an advert many years old.
I wonder if there's a Empress L-1500 out there ...... (bonus points for being CAR / rosewood)
Ex-demo LPB L-1500
It doesn't say how old it is, but the serial is CLF50981
While I'm ogling the distressingly discontinued L-1500...
That was from 1998, and is from an advert many years old.
I wonder if there's a Empress L-1500 out there ...... (bonus points for being CAR / rosewood)
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
I doubt there was much (if any) overlap between the L-1500 production dates and the use of empress by G&L.
But I did have an L-1500 for a while that was ash bodied and clocked in at just a hair over 8 pounds.
I think if I were after lightweight L1500, I would also keep an eye out for a Climax bass. Noting that the body shape is a little different and I believe the neck profile that shipped on standard ones was also a little different. That said, they were typically lighter and I believe the pickup/preamp setup was identical.
I think the series/parallel on the L-1500 was actually single coil/parallel on the Climax.
Not that it would be a hard thing to change, though.
Here's my 1998 L1500. I'm trying to find the finish name. You can't see it in the pic but it's a black metallic.
I have a brochure from the period that has a swatch for Sparkle Black under standard finishes. Should be that one.
Thanks. I've heard names like Midnight Sparkle, charcoal sparkle, etc. I've searched hundreds and hundreds of images with Google and haven't found another like mine.
Also, the neck width at the nut is just shy of 1 3/4. 1 5/8? I didn't get much info on it when I did an even trade for my 1989 L5000 that sat in it's case for over 25 years, lol
There was an L5500 a few weeks back in that color. I nearly bought it as I want an L5500, but someone jumped before I did.
G&L L-5500 bass,USA, one of a kind 1996 NAMM Bass, EMG's, ex. cond., HSC | 7th Sun Bassist | Reverb
Back then wasn't 1+11/16" common?
I would love to see a timeline for G&L — models, neck standard widths and radiuses, woods, finishes even — all on a single chart
As I understand it, necks with 1 11/16" nut, 7 1/4" radius and jumbo fat frets were standard on everything until the second gen SB-2 came out in 87 or so. That one had 1 1/2" nut standard. I heard customizable neck profiles could be ordered around then. Maybe 88? Ive seen one L2000 that was an 88 I believe with a 1 1/2" nut.
After that it varies pretty significantly. Each model has always had a factory standard neck profile but could be ordered with different specs. Standard profiles have changes as well. In the 90s the L2000 std was 1 3/4", 7 1/4" that changed to 1 5/8", 9 1/2" in the 00s. Other models I don't know for sure.
12" radius is standard on the L and M series 5s but I dont know if it was on anything else.
I believe it was in the early 2000s if I am remembering my catalog date correctly.
This catalog…
All 12"…
Edit: Assuming this webpage is accurate, looks like that catalog is a 2001...
VintAxe.com Vintage Guitars - Vintage American Catalogs - G&L
Last edited:
It's nice to know they'll send pics of the actual bass they're selling "if you need them". lol
"Product images are samples so there are some individual differences in grain and color. We can take additional photos of the guitar that we'll ship to you if you need it.The photos above may not be of the exact guitar you"ll recieve. The serial number may differ but specs will all be the same. Please feel to get in touch with us for an in-hand description. We can take additional photos of the guitar that we'll ship to you if you need it."
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Yeah the default neck on the Climax was the #6. The default L-1500 #7.
Cool finish. First I've seen of it. G&L had a pretty wide palette of finish choices in the 90's, some rarely seen like yours. Thanks for posting it.
Speaking of a Climax (long gone) and uncommon finishes...one of the Metallic Bursts of the era.
