That looks sweet. I still regret not having pearloid block inlays put on my BTO.
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I think replacing it would be best. Would a right angle cable end help with that at all? Sorry if that's a dumb question.
You're right there. A right angle plug is more of a suggestion to try in the future. I'm casting my vote for a new pickguard. The store at glguitars.com might be a source. I got one made for my SB-2 by Pickguard Planet (also called Pickguard Heaven). I have no affiliation with them, but they do excellent work
Typical weakness with the SB-2
Pickguard Planet is the place to go, their SB-1/2 template is perfect.
The clear blue SB-2 with its new white PG at the top of their SB-1/2 page is mine
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Thanks gang! Replacement from pickguard planet it is.
My suggestion to improve the robustness of the pickguard...
On my now sold Fender AVRI P 62 shown below, there was a sheet of steel under the PG.
The purpose was protection against unwanted noise.
I think cutting something similar (or only a part of it) is easy, it's invisible and would reinforce the plastic PG horn near the jack.
On my now sold Fender AVRI P 62 shown below, there was a sheet of steel under the PG.
The purpose was protection against unwanted noise.
I think cutting something similar (or only a part of it) is easy, it's invisible and would reinforce the plastic PG horn near the jack.
My G&L L5000 has a black powder coated pickguard. I know there is a cost/ease of manufacturing reason for using various plastics for PGs, but I really like the metal ones. Would be neat to see G&L bring it back as an option.
Thats actually a great idea. The SB-2 is very susceptible to environmental noise. I also get a lot of pickguard static being so dry here. This should mitigate both things.
Agree I have the metal one on my SB-1 and its great. Much preferred over plastic. The earliest second gen SB-2s had metal guards in the late 80s.
Did the same to my SB-1 pickguard a few months into owning it. Ordered a tortoise replacement off of G&L, started using a right-angle cable, and... well, have looked back since, but more at the bass even having a pickguard to begin with rather than the specific color. Pickguards are silly, my Sandberg doesn't have one, and it didn't cost me extra.
Maybe if I win the lottery without participating in it I'll get a custom shop SB-1 with RMC as I've been been lusting to do ever since they introduced the Custom Shop.
Maybe if I win the lottery without participating in it I'll get a custom shop SB-1 with RMC as I've been been lusting to do ever since they introduced the Custom Shop.
I bought a new guard for a "newer" SB-1 from the G&L store a couple years ago. Great price, $60 shipped. But I have to say the quality was a tad suspect. Softer plastic that scratched pretty easily (tip; don't let the strings contact the guard during install) and felt a kinda flimsy compared to the Chandler guards of "olden days". More cost corners cut, apparently.
Evidently G&L has been making their own guards since ~ 2015 (?) So I was told by the folks at Pickguard heaven. PH has the guard templates for G&L's made prior to that date (not 100% sure of the year), but not for ones built afterwards. And vice-versa.
IOW, either seller may ask for the bass's birth date. Good luck.
Evidently G&L has been making their own guards since ~ 2015 (?) So I was told by the folks at Pickguard heaven. PH has the guard templates for G&L's made prior to that date (not 100% sure of the year), but not for ones built afterwards. And vice-versa.
IOW, either seller may ask for the bass's birth date. Good luck.
Man, I forget what model bass we've been talking about. That's important because if the bass hasn't changed dimensions and / or controls in the years since Chandlers / Pickguard Planet / Pickguard Heaven was G&L's regular supplier, their template will still be good and they'll make you one. I had them make me a guard for my '07 SB-2 and my '18 Kiloton. Both fit perfectly. If they don't have a template, you can send them your old one so they can make a template. The turnaround time on both of mine was just a couple weeks.
Hey all, sorry for breaking in here, but as a (very) longtime user of headless basses, I'm a long way from g&l land, but I used to own and use an L 5500 a lot. Great machine. In any case, I just studied up on the Kiloton model. Whoo man that looks like a bass after my own heart!
Taking this fever dream just a little further, I envision a natural ash body, black pickguard and matching headstock, rosewood board-I don't know if they're better but it's what I'm used to-uh, what'd I leave out....?
Nah, I'm old and probably have enough basses
Taking this fever dream just a little further, I envision a natural ash body, black pickguard and matching headstock, rosewood board-I don't know if they're better but it's what I'm used to-uh, what'd I leave out....?
Nah, I'm old and probably have enough basses
I’ve been wanting a Kiloton done like that. Hopefully my non participation in purchasing lottery tickets has the same result
I’ve been wanting a Kiloton done like that. Hopefully my non participation in purchasing lottery tickets has the same result
Find an L1505 and passivate it.
I don't think I'm a member yet. Am I a member? If I already am, sorry.
This is my 1980 passive L-1000, s/n B000587. It has a special place in my heart as my 1968 Telecaster had just been stolen, and I was so devastated, a groupie actually bought and gave me this! I am certainly no groupie-magnet, but she was such a sweet girl and loved our band and certainly had the where-with-all to do it. And it cheered me right up!
The CAR finish has completely come to pieces. You see the weird discoloration on the lower left and the few little chips - in that area the paint finally just chipped away in chunks. I had a friend who works in wood sand that area down through the finish to try to give somewhat of a roadworn effect, which worked well enough to make it presentable. Thing is as much as I love the sound and playability of it, I can't play it any longer as I'm rapidly losing my vision and I can't use anything but maple fingerboards onstage as I can no longer see white dots on a dark fretboard. I guess I should face facts and sell it. Are early L-1000's bringing anything? I don't have a pic in its current condition and it's cased up in the closet.
This is my 1980 passive L-1000, s/n B000587. It has a special place in my heart as my 1968 Telecaster had just been stolen, and I was so devastated, a groupie actually bought and gave me this! I am certainly no groupie-magnet, but she was such a sweet girl and loved our band and certainly had the where-with-all to do it. And it cheered me right up!
The CAR finish has completely come to pieces. You see the weird discoloration on the lower left and the few little chips - in that area the paint finally just chipped away in chunks. I had a friend who works in wood sand that area down through the finish to try to give somewhat of a roadworn effect, which worked well enough to make it presentable. Thing is as much as I love the sound and playability of it, I can't play it any longer as I'm rapidly losing my vision and I can't use anything but maple fingerboards onstage as I can no longer see white dots on a dark fretboard. I guess I should face facts and sell it. Are early L-1000's bringing anything? I don't have a pic in its current condition and it's cased up in the closet.
Update: the GAS did not win. My wife is okay with me getting another instrument after all, however I realistically only have room for one more so I want to make it really count. It was easier to think clearly about it in that light.
Opinions on the purple burst basses:
Fallout: very cool looking, but I'd need to swap the pickguard for pearloid, and maybe swap the tuners too for neck dive, plus I've learned this year that I generally prefer narrow spacing. Seems like too much hassle for what would be my most expensive bass, let alone one that I'd have never tried before.
JB4: Beautiful. But completely redundant for me! I've got a Fender CIJ Geddy that I love.
JB5: I've got this weird thing against 4+1 (or 3+1) tuner configuration, which sucks since 5's are my fave.
Beautiful instruments though.
All others (L-1000/2000/etc): The pearl pg + purple burst was what drew me in initially.
It appears that I am not joining the G&L club (for now)
That being said, sweetwater still has all of that color on sale through end of today. jussayin
I’ve been looking into that route, too. They tend to have the beefier necks I prefer, but I really love the smaller Kiloton bodies.
Apparently I'm full of sh**, I ordered a JB at the last second of the sale!
I might cancel it, I feel like I'm having regrets as I woke up. I was sober for the decision but maybe I was actually drunk on bass.
I believe the L-1500/1505 have slightly downsized bodies relative to the L-2000/2500, so you might dig it.
