I've wondered about that myself since all the hex nuts on the newer USA models are metric.
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.
I've watched some luthier videos on YouTube, and the one common issue they all seem to mention with Tributes is sharp fret ends. That's not a big deal at all, IMO. True, they should take care of that at the factory, but at least it's not like the bridge is on all cockeyed with cold solder joints and the nut not in the slot properly. It sounds to me like Tributes are the equal of, if not better built than, some of the other so called top of the line instruments from those other companies.
I have owned a few Tributes.
Generally good quality on par with other imports made by Cort, etc.
good basses to practice your fret end filing skills (as has been mentioned).
Only one that was an absolute disaster was the J bass with the wrong neck on it that would not intonate as a result. G&L gave me a full refund on that one.
I do prefer the US ones, for many of the reasons others have shared. Used US G&Ls, even with inflation in recent years, are still among the best values out there.
Generally good quality on par with other imports made by Cort, etc.
good basses to practice your fret end filing skills (as has been mentioned).
Only one that was an absolute disaster was the J bass with the wrong neck on it that would not intonate as a result. G&L gave me a full refund on that one.
I do prefer the US ones, for many of the reasons others have shared. Used US G&Ls, even with inflation in recent years, are still among the best values out there.
US built or assembled is no assurance every that every part or even raw material comes from the US. Brazilian Rosewood doesn't grow in New Jersey and Indian Rosewood isn't gathered from trees planted hundreds of years ago by Native Americans. Only the labor to put them all together is based in the US.
Nice score on that one. That's the first El Toro I've seen with that finish combo. Lots of El Toros had matching color headstocks, but seeing one with a burst'd headstock finish seems pretty rare. IICR, burst'd headstocks are usually seen on post-Leo G&L's, when they are seen at all.
El Toro production years were allegedly 1983-1988. Your example would seem to prove that G&L were offering matching burst'd headstocks prior to BBE. Learn something new every day, I guess.
The hog body is icing on a unicorn cake IMO. Color me jelly.
I'd be interested in knowing its birth year. Have you popped the neck?
Anyway thanks for posting those pics!
Last edited:
I agree, I have 2 US made (L2K & JB), and I think they're the best I've ever owned.
In my own experience that's been more true on those with maple neck which means all of my basses. I'm another who wishes they would actually have Cort take care of that since G&L doesn't seem to be structured to do in Fullerton but I grown so accustomed to it I've already created my own kit of tools for fine finishing fret ends and rolling the fingerboard edge.
This really isn't a G&L specific question. Got a Fallout Bass (US) recently and there's a slight buzz on my #1 string. Catch is, I just had eye surgery this week, and what's not working yet eye-wise is focusing on close fine detail, so I can't see what's going on.
I'm expecting it's most likely fret buzz, but I can't quite narrow it down. Anyone have some good diagnostic tips that aren't so reliant on eyes?
I'm expecting it's most likely fret buzz, but I can't quite narrow it down. Anyone have some good diagnostic tips that aren't so reliant on eyes?
I'm sure you know there are multiple potential causes for buzzing: either truss rod adjustment, ski jump, warped neck, fret levelling or saddle height.
Otherwise, it might simply be a noise from a vibration in the tuning pegs or the bridge...
My experience: when something goes wrong on a particular string (i.e. noisy), I do not discard the string faultiness and I test with another string from another set (or from another brand if I have no spare set of the same brand). I recently had to combine strings from different (brand new) sets to get rid of bad sounding, having occured on my JB5 and a Sire P7 fretless. Should I tell what string brands?
I wish you a quick eye recovery and a Happy New Year 2023.
Last edited:
That's a good point, and I can't discount the strings.
I hadn't ordered different ones for it because I hadn't decided whether I wanted flats on it or not.
I hadn't ordered different ones for it because I hadn't decided whether I wanted flats on it or not.
Tuner paddles are also a source of vibration/buzz. A tiny drop of CA glue where the paddle connects to the tuning machine stem cured mine.
+1 for checking the tuners for vibration first. Frequent issue with the way they are made. If under warranty, G&L sends replacements for free. If not, then they are less than $20 on their web store.
I haven't checked this for awhile but the US models tended to be lighter than the Tributes assuming the same model. Amazing weight differences for the same model Tribute on Sweetwater.
The pots in the Tributes are junk and I think the non MFD pups aren't as good sounding.
If they only offered Empress as an option for Tributes the weight thing could be conquered. I'm assuming it prices similarly between swamp ash and alder.
The pots in the Tributes are junk and I think the non MFD pups aren't as good sounding.
If they only offered Empress as an option for Tributes the weight thing could be conquered. I'm assuming it prices similarly between swamp ash and alder.
Thanks for all these. I did a setup class last year.
I did try putting a finger on the bridge, which neither stopped the buzz, nor felt like that was the place it was buzzing.
No frets that felt high, and the string itself didn't seem to be the issue. If it were the truss rod, wouldn't it be more likely to manifest in the low string rather than the high one?
The tuner is something I didn't think of, so I'll check that out.
Eye's healing up well, but it's another three weeks before my eye exam and new glasses. Meanwhile, it's frustrating trying to see small details.
I did try putting a finger on the bridge, which neither stopped the buzz, nor felt like that was the place it was buzzing.
No frets that felt high, and the string itself didn't seem to be the issue. If it were the truss rod, wouldn't it be more likely to manifest in the low string rather than the high one?
The tuner is something I didn't think of, so I'll check that out.
Eye's healing up well, but it's another three weeks before my eye exam and new glasses. Meanwhile, it's frustrating trying to see small details.
It's easy to check if it's a clover on one of the tuners. Just puck the offending string an start grabbing tuner paddles, beginning with the tuner for that string. If it only does it when the string is depressed (like mine did), just put a capo at that point, or borrow another human being to depress the string for you.
I haven't yet. But will probably do so when I'm ready to put it into the Registry.
I agree it is a pretty unique finish. it could have been a one-off, or artist bass or something like that.
Hi Jim C, maybe I just got lucky. I chose my JB Tribute because the tone was really good, I wasn't looking for another Jazz bass, I was trying small combo amps to find one to take to open mic events. I pulled an L-2500, Kiloton, LB-100, and this JB (all Tribute models) from the display wall at my local music store and played them through some small combos. In the end I walked away without a new combo amp but couldn't get the tone and playability of this JB Tribute off my mind. I returned several days later and bought it. FWIW, the volume and tone pots on this JB feel very high quality, equal or possibly better than the CTS pots I installed in my MIM P Bass. The Tribute pots have a smoother, more viscous feel when adjusted through their range. All hardware and electronics are functioning as-new on my 4 year old M-2500 which has played many practice sessions, rehearsals, and gigs. Again, maybe I just got lucky.
Was the JB Tribute perfect as delivered? No, there was a fair amount of single coil hum if the bridge and neck pickup volumes were not set equal. I also noticed hum was affected by touching the strings. I took the bass apart and applied copper tape to the pickup and control cavities. I also removed the bridge and discovered the ground wire was not firmly attached to the bridge, which I also corrected. Single coil hum is now greatly reduced. My JB Tribute was manufactured during 2021.
I once read that Tribute preamp components have a wider tolerance than the USA versions. I also read the material used to manufacture the Tribute saddle lock bridge is lower quality than the material used for USA models which makes sense to achieve the lower price point. I have no factual evidence one way or the other. I do enjoy my M-2500 and JB Tributes and look forward to the day when I can try or perhaps own a G&L manufactured in the USA.
