G&L Club Part 7

[Robert Booker]

I keep reading about the price increase on this thread and how G&L is crazy for doing it. I also read about how BTO takes too long to receive. *start sarcastic tone* I wonder why G&L thinks they can afford a price increase? *end sarcastic tone*

Time will tell, but experience in this thread (and likely their order books) indicates that they will probably be fine after the price increase.

Noting that I do not like the increase either, but it is just part of doing business (particularly with current market conditions).

It seems obvious G&L had someone come in and take a look at their structure and helped them decide to both simplify their product offerings and increase their margins. If the economy tightens up I think we'll see other companies looking to do somewhat the same.

I also have to wonder whether or not larger volume online dealers like Sweetwater and Anderton's were pressing for bigger profit margins so deeper dealer discounts for volume and that may have led to it as well. G&L seems to be sliding more in the direction of Fender now.

 

[Robert Booker]

They're a small company, and I'm sure they are getting slammed with orders from their sale combined with their regular duties. But they should have anticipated the rush and planned for it. They seem like they wake up in a new world every day.

Yup but a world still firmly rooted in Groundhog Day where each day is a repeat of the last and all those before it. Glaciers seem to move faster and change more often than G&L.

 

[Iridescentone]

The same happened with my SB-2, ordered Friday, got ship notice Monday, received it Friday, no surprises.
Perhaps the Black Fallouts need special shipping procedures that take longer, LOL.

Now seriously, about receiving a bass that is not the one advertised shows some inventory inconsistency as well, My SB-2 serial number that was showing on site is different from the one that was pictured, so I found it a bit odd, but in the end I received the bass with pictured serial number.

That is nice that the red came with a case!

Yeah the unexpected gig bag was sweet. The black one is out for delivery today. Not expecting to get a bonus gig bag with this one, which is fine by me. It may or may not be the exact bass that was shown on the site, and I'll be surprised if it actually weighs 7.5 lbs as advertised, but as long as it's not over 9 lbs I'll be happy.

On the Fallout that you ordered...did you get an initial order confirmation email from G&L?...but no typical follow-up emails re shipping? If that's the case have you taken another look at the confirm email? Mine happened to contain a Fedex tracking #, which when the View Your Order link is clicked, shows a page with a tracking # link that goes to Fedex site with updated shipping progress. Could be that yours is on the way, too. Just sayin...good luck.

 

[Hawk600]

Unfortunately, mine wasn't shipped as of yesterday, around 3pm EST.
I confirmed that over the phone with G&L, so I decided to cancel the order.
I did get an order confirmation email with no tracking info and nothing else after that. That's why I called them.

 

[Spidey2112]

Unfortunately, mine wasn't shipped as of yesterday, around 3pm EST.
I confirmed that over the phone with G&L, so I decided to cancel the order.
I did get an order confirmation email with no tracking info and nothing else after that. That's why I called them.

Sad. Not sure how the horse is supposed to pull a wagon, with nothing on the string, in front of him.

With every order cancelled, I really wonder if they're remorseful, or celebratory, being off the hook for another one?

 

[Iridescentone]

Unfortunately, mine wasn't shipped as of yesterday, around 3pm EST.
I confirmed that over the phone with G&L, so I decided to cancel the order.
I did get an order confirmation email with no tracking info and nothing else after that. That's why I called them.

Ah, I see. Bummer. Might be worth another try? I'm really surprised how much I like mine. First shorty that ever sounded great to me, but doesn't feel like one. I attribute the big sound to the well-placed MFD, and the ergos to the forward bridge placement. Also, the build is plenty nice enough that I won't get the urge to buy a USA one for tons more cash. I'm not quitting 34" scales by any means, but now that I'm getting older my usual 20 min hands warm-up time is eliminated by starting practice sessions with the little Fallout. Win!

 

[FearNoEvil65]

Man all this talk of Fallout tribs, if I had the $$ right now I'd buy one LOL !!! I think it'd be a great bass to have

 

[Hawk600]

Sad. Not sure how the horse is supposed to pull a wagon, with nothing on the string, in front of him.
With every order cancelled, I really wonder if they're remorseful, or celebratory, being off the hook for another one?

Well, G&L basses are great products and besides I already have a Sterling short scale, I might try again in the future once they get a new batch.
Take care!

 

[Hawk600]

Ah, I see. Bummer. Might be worth another try? I'm really surprised how much I like mine. First shorty that ever sounded great to me, but doesn't feel like one. I attribute the big sound to the well-placed MFD, and the ergos to the forward bridge placement. Also, the build is plenty nice enough that I won't get the urge to buy a USA one for tons more cash. I'm not quitting 34" scales by any means, but now that I'm getting older my usual 20 min hands warm-up time is eliminated by starting practice sessions with the little Fallout. Win!

Like I mentioned to Spidey, G&L basses are great products so, I might try again in the future once they get a new batch.
I never played a Fallout, but from the videos I have seen they sound awesome, no matter if the USA version or a Tribute!
Congratulations on your new Fallout!

 

[Spidey2112]

Well, G&L basses are great products and besides I already have a Sterling short scale, I might try again in the future once they get a new batch.
Take care!

Agree... my SB-2T isn't going anywhere. As a matter of fact, it's getting the nod for tomorrow's gig!

You as well, mi amigo! It'll happen... timing is everything.

 

[MrB64]

It seems like every time I've played a gig since I've been playing G&Ls, a bass player or other musician who's been there has told me, "That's a nice G&L," It's happened for both my JB and my L2K. I just smile and say thanks.

 

[Lammchop93]

I have no proof of this other than years of random observations but.... I expect G&L has grown significantly in both sales and brand recognition since the introduction of the Tribute line. I do not think their service operations have grown to match the scale of their production (based on what I read here, a few personal interactions with G&L, the names I see repeatedly over the years for handling issues, and other forums).

I remember buying my first G&L before Tributes existed and I was able to find two shops in central and southern Indiana that even knew G&L existed. One was a dealer that had 1 bass in inventory. The other was a mom and pop shop/former G&L dealer who had several G&Ls in his personal collection. The worst of the shops that did not recognize the G&L brand told me they did not sell cheap off brand stuff when I asked about G&L. This store had one Italia and 5 Trabens for their bass inventory. I laughed at the comment and left. Not trying to bash on Italia or Traben (liked the Italias I have played), but neither are at US G&L quality. I doubt this interaction would happen today given that many local shops sell them and most of the major online retailers do too.

was the one in southern Indiana called Far Out music by any chance?

 

[mmbass21]

Does anyone know if the saddle screws on the bridge are different lengths from the E to G string? Recent string change and I kept running out of thread on the A string trying to get it intonated. I eventually got it but wondering if the D and G string has longer screws sine those saddles on my L2k are past where I am with the A string.

 

[jglunt]

Does anyone know if the saddle screws on the bridge are different lengths from the E to G string? Recent string change and I kept running out of thread on the A string trying to get it intonated. I eventually got it but wondering if the D and G string has longer screws sine those saddles on my L2k are past where I am with the A string.

I don't know for sure, but you could always take them out and sit them side by to see. Or call Memo at G&L. If anybody can tell you, he could. I recommend the first way--much faster.

 

[mmbass21]

I don't know for sure, but you could always take them out and sit them side by to see. Or call Memo at G&L. If anybody can tell you, he could. I recommend the first way--much faster.

I'm sure someone on here will know or I'll ask Greg from Rocket. I really don't want to have to re-intonate the bass to find out, everything was perfect except for the A.

 

[jglunt]

I'm sure someone on here will know or I'll ask Greg from Rocket. I really don't want to have to re-intonate the bass to find out, everything was perfect except for the A.

Sorry, I misunderstood. When you asked if the bridge saddle screws were different lengths, I thought you were referring to the saddle height adjustment screws.

 

[RocketMusic]

I'm sure someone on here will know or I'll ask Greg from Rocket. I really don't want to have to re-intonate the bass to find out, everything was perfect except for the A.

I know the e-string spring is usually cut shorter so you can pull that saddle back far enough… I seem to recall the e and a screws being shorter, but don't quote me on that.

 

[Hawk600]

I had to disassemble a USA L2K bridge for a Ultrasonic cleaner bath and at least on my case the E string saddle screw was slightly shorter. All other 3 had same length.
All 4 springs looked to be same length.

 

[ahbass2500]

was the one in southern Indiana called Far Out music by any chance?

The two were Guitarworks in Greenwood and Kenny's Instruments in Oolitic. This was around 25 years ago. Guitarworks is still there and has a large G&L inventory now. Kenny's closed shop a long time ago. I bought 3 G&L branded guitar scratch remover bottles during his closing sale. I have not seen any before or since. Still have them (unopened and not using them, they were old when I bought them).

Edit: found a picture of the scratch remover.

 

[Hawk600]

Not sure if anybody else here has used an Ultrasonic Cleaner before, but I wanted to share, as it is a great way to clean strings and parts.
String get a new life after just like 15 minutes in a cleaner bath with Simple Green Pro HD.
I also have used it for parts like bridge, tuners, even screws.
This is a 2008 bridge after I cleaned it up, it was crusty as it can be seen in the saddles picture I posted above.

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