G&L Club Part 7

[Jim C]

From what I've read, Tributes are pretty solid.

I have had a few and most are good. My JB2 has a ski jump and the neck pickup died in the bass.
The reason was, the pup route was much too tight and the pup had been forced in at a slight angle.
I'm going to route for standard size Fender pups and then file the frets after #12 to make it a decent player on the cheap.

 

[dave64o]

Likewise. They're very high value builds. I have a Kilo, an M2000, an L2500 in addition to two ASAT Special and Comanche six strings with MFD and Z-Coil pickups. Here's a few pics.
View attachment 4919491

View attachment 4919493

View attachment 4919494

Wow, the finishes on those instruments are beautful!

 

[Holdsg]

This one is kicking out my LE L-2K from the collection.
I hope to hold on to this mahogany El Toro as long as I can.

 

[Hutch801]

Just curious how do tributes compare to their mia counterparts? I love my tribute kiloton but I'm getting the inch for a L2000. I'm thinking about saving up for the USA version but I have been so impressed with the tributes I'm not sure it can get much better.

 

[dedpool1052]

Just curious how do tributes compare to their mia counterparts? I love my tribute kiloton but I'm getting the inch for a L2000. I'm thinking about saving up for the USA version but I have been so impressed with the tributes I'm not sure it can get much better.

From the one Tribby I own (and a few that I've played)
Compared to the 7 US models I've owned (currently only 4)
Tributes compare very favorably, IMHO.
If your ok with the currently available options on them, and are not stuck on specific specs, Tributes are the way to go.

However, if you're patient, you can find some nice used US models for very reasonable prices.

 

[dedpool1052]

Truth be told,

If I had to start over from scratch,
I'd start with a Tribute.

 

[ahbass2500]

Just curious how do tributes compare to their mia counterparts? I love my tribute kiloton but I'm getting the inch for a L2000. I'm thinking about saving up for the USA version but I have been so impressed with the tributes I'm not sure it can get much better.

US offers options, better materials, and usually better build quality. My Tribute is great, but it needed some fretwork cleanup (sharp ends). I have not had that issue on any of my US G&Ls. Noting that this is an easy and relatively cheap issue to fix (cheap compared to price difference Tribute v G&L).

If it is worth it to spend the extra for US is up to you. Tributes get you most of the way there for significantly less money.

 

[jfh2424]

One thing to keep in mind is that Tribs sound the same as USAs.

 

[Hutch801]

One thing to keep in mind is that Tribs sound the same as USAs.

That's really what I care about, if they sound the same tribute is the way to go then.

 

[dedpool1052]

That's really what I care about, if they sound the same tribute is the way to go then.

Any Tribute with an MFD pickup, uses the same US made MFDs in the US basses.

Only Tribbys with alnicos use cheaper overseas pickups.


The Tribute L basses do use a cheaper preamp/harness, but I haven't found it to perform any differently than the US models I had.

 

[Hutch801]

Any Tribute with an MFD pickup, uses the same US made MFDs in the US basses.

Only Tribbys with alnicos use cheaper overseas pickups.


The Tribute L basses do use a cheaper preamp/harness, but I haven't found it to perform any differently than the US models I had.

Good to know, thanks for the info.

 

[jglunt]

When it comes to a Kiloton or any MFD-equipped G&L bass, the pickups are exactly the same. Alnico pickups on the Tributes I'm told are built overseas to G&L specs. Other electronics like preamps, pots, switches, etc. on the Tributes are made overseas to the same specs as the USA models. The G&L Saddlelock bridges appear to be the same, but I don't know where they're made. Both USA & Tributes use dual action truss rods, but the USA models have a graphite rod running through them for some added stability. The neck radius on a Tribute is 12". The normal neck radius on a USA is 9.5", but that can vary if you have one built-to-order. To me, the finishes appear different, especially the clear coat. Somehow, the clear coat on the USAs looks deeper, though in truth the clear coat on the Tributes is thicker. And one more important difference: the USA models run 3 to 4 times as much as a Tribute, though an occasional good deal can be found on the used market. That's all I can think of off the top of my shiny bald head.

 

[jglunt]

Just a quick added note...I currently own 3 Tributes and 2 USAs. The USAs don't get played any more often than the Tributes.

 

[dedpool1052]

When it comes to a Kiloton or any MFD-equipped G&L bass, the pickups are exactly the same. Alnico pickups on the Tributes I'm told are built overseas to G&L specs. Other electronics like preamps, pots, switches, etc. on the Tributes are made overseas to the same specs as the USA models. The G&L Saddlelock bridges appear to be the same, but I don't know where they're made. Both USA & Tributes use dual action truss rods, but the USA models have a graphite rod running through them for some added stability. The neck radius on a Tribute is 12". The normal neck radius on a USA is 9.5", but that can vary if you have one built-to-order. To me, the finishes appear different, especially the clear coat. Somehow, the clear coat on the USAs looks deeper, though in truth the clear coat on the Tributes is thicker. And one more important difference: the USA models run 3 to 4 times as much as a Tribute, though an occasional good deal can be found on the used market. That's all I can think of off the top of my shiny bald head.

I believe that G&L introduced the graphite reinforcement when the CLF series was launched.
Also, depending on the year, the standard radius on US models has varies.
I believe they started with 7.5"
Then went to 12"
Then went to 9.5"

 

[jglunt]

I believe that G&L introduced the graphite reinforcement when the CLF series was launched.
Also, depending on the year, the standard radius on US models has varies.
I believe they started with 7.5"
Then went to 12"
Then went to 9.5"

I'm not sure when the changes or additions were made. I was thinking of the currently available specs. If you're looking into a used one and want info on something like "Did that year have a graphite rod in the neck?" you might check with Ken Baker, who runs the Basses by Leo forum. He and some of the other folks there are very knowledgeable.

 

[dedpool1052]

I'm not sure when the changes or additions were made. I was thinking of the currently available specs. If you're looking into a used one and want info on something like "Did that year have a graphite rod in the neck?" you might check with Ken Baker, who runs the Basses by Leo forum. He and some of the other folks there are very knowledgeable.

Yup.
I'm aware of KB.
But you are correct WRT current specs.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I have a Tribute Kiloton. I keep trying to justify a US one because I'd like the paint and wood options. However, a matching headstock is not gonna affect the tone I'm getting one bit. I did have my Kiloton plek'd, so it plays as good as my custom shop L-2000 does.

 

[Robert Booker]

Wow, the finishes on those instruments are beautful!

Thanks. This is just one other area where I believe G&L stands above others in their price range and it also goes for all of their US builds. As much as possible they seem to have perfected the art of an instruments cosmetic appeal with a variety of finish options and the 3D depth of the finish itself. I've never owned one but many say their metal flake finishes are one of a kind as well.

 

[Robert Booker]

Any Tribute with an MFD pickup, uses the same US made MFDs in the US basses.

Only Tribbys with alnicos use cheaper overseas pickups.


The Tribute L basses do use a cheaper preamp/harness, but I haven't found it to perform any differently than the US models I had.

And even then that along with other parts/hardware specific to the US builds can be ordered from the G&L Store and used to upgrade most Tributes for far less than the difference in their costs. What you can't get with Tributes is the broad variety of finishes and specs.

What it really comes down to is a G&L Option Order build is a personalized one off instrument getting closer to custom shop attention for significantly less than most custom builders charge. That to me is the biggest advantage of a US built version of any G&L instrument.

 

[Robert Booker]

When it comes to a Kiloton or any MFD-equipped G&L bass, the pickups are exactly the same. Alnico pickups on the Tributes I'm told are built overseas to G&L specs. Other electronics like preamps, pots, switches, etc. on the Tributes are made overseas to the same specs as the USA models. The G&L Saddlelock bridges appear to be the same, but I don't know where they're made. Both USA & Tributes use dual action truss rods, but the USA models have a graphite rod running through them for some added stability. The neck radius on a Tribute is 12". The normal neck radius on a USA is 9.5", but that can vary if you have one built-to-order. To me, the finishes appear different, especially the clear coat. Somehow, the clear coat on the USAs looks deeper, though in truth the clear coat on the Tributes is thicker. And one more important difference: the USA models run 3 to 4 times as much as a Tribute, though an occasional good deal can be found on the used market. That's all I can think of off the top of my shiny bald head.

Pretty good summary of their differences I'd say. I also have to wonder that much like Fender and others just how many of the components on US produced models were manufactured every place else but in the US as well. Mexico, China, other Asian, Indonesia, etc.

Asian/Indonesian/Chinese companies just seem more adept at producing a higher volume of excellent quality builds at a far lower cost than US manufacturers do. We excel at building those models which can't be as easily mass produced and as a result cost far more to buy.