Appreciate the info. Definitely sad. Hope it works out well in the end for your friends.
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.
Appreciate the info. Definitely sad. Hope it works out well in the end for your friends.
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,619
- 18,701
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
I see someone laughing at my response…Maybe insensitivity of the internet or an accidental hit.
All I'm going to say is, you try living in one of the most expensive part of the country and trying surviving without getting paid at work.
Last edited:
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,619
- 18,701
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
You probably seen videos of Steve Araujo demoing before. He is my homie and has somethings in the works…The other 2 I'm not sure, however one is a master builder and will probably find work. I know someone who wants to hire him, but it's a big move.
Not a good time to lay down a deposit on a custom order, I guess. Let's hope it's either not true or that it's survivable, but like so many other businesses, surviving these days as a small business is very tough. Seems like the price I paid for my first bass--a 60-something Fender Jazz Bass--is about the price of a Happy Meal these days. Just buying the parts to keep building instruments has to cost a fortune.
Oh man, I just recently exchanged mails with Memo and he sent me some spare parts they had lying around. I saw the rumors today but didn't want to believe it. I hope things pick up. Is Steve not with the company any more?
He left a couple of months ago.
I hope things turn around for them. The 2 G&L basses I have are excellent.
It wasn't me. I only have sympathy for those laid off. It's impressive that 3 manufacturers are still in the state.
Sad news, hopefully something good comes out in the end. Their basses are insanely good.
Such solid feeling and actual history behind.
I'll add something positive in the thread meanwhile. Just last week I got myself L2500, and while testing strings I just loved neck PU with TI Flats, however I wanted to leave rounds on L2500 due to insane versatility.
So I got myself L1000 series 750, new old stock from 2022. That fretboard is thirsty AF.
Grain and color popped nicely after some oil. And TI Flats ofc.
Will probably gently sand the neck finish to satin. Gloss is not sticky, but I like satin more.
Such solid feeling and actual history behind.
I'll add something positive in the thread meanwhile. Just last week I got myself L2500, and while testing strings I just loved neck PU with TI Flats, however I wanted to leave rounds on L2500 due to insane versatility.
So I got myself L1000 series 750, new old stock from 2022. That fretboard is thirsty AF.
Grain and color popped nicely after some oil. And TI Flats ofc.
Will probably gently sand the neck finish to satin. Gloss is not sticky, but I like satin more.
I just came here to see if there was any truth to this. Sad situation. Praying things turn around and they can survive this.
It's incredibly sad, depending on a bunch of factors, the brand could carry on in a different form. Or could be gobbled up by a conglomerate.
Mounting costs for the import situation most certainly is part of the hit to the bottom line.
Other mounting costs of doing business in California, the post Covid slump in sales.
The health of BBE as an entity itself must also be a factor.
@TonyP- my heart goes out to Steve, let him know on my behalf.
(Long time no talk with both of y'all)
We can hope that this has a positive outcome for us, but likely this is the swan song for an incredible legacy. My heart goes out to all those who honored that tradition and kept the legacy alive.
Leo, George, Dale,Lloyd RIP old friends.
I sincerely hope that this somehow works out for the people at G&L.
My G&L SB-1 remains an exceptional instrument, and one that I was hoping to add G&L siblings (another SB-1, and those MFD Js do sound absolutely great) to in the coming years.
Complementing the above hope, I selfishly wish for this to be an option in the future.
My G&L SB-1 remains an exceptional instrument, and one that I was hoping to add G&L siblings (another SB-1, and those MFD Js do sound absolutely great) to in the coming years.
Complementing the above hope, I selfishly wish for this to be an option in the future.
LB-100 with MFD pickups and matching headstock.
G&L USA Custom Shop LB-100 Sunset Coral Andromeda Crackle 4-String Electric Bass Guitar 2025
Super bummer about G&L, losing Steve A. and I'm assuming maybe James from the custom shop is a huge loss.
I had issues with a BTO L2K and Steve helped me get a new bass altogether, I'm grateful to him for that.
Wow I'm a bit shocked.
I hope G&L pulls it together. We here obviously all like G&L basses.
I had issues with a BTO L2K and Steve helped me get a new bass altogether, I'm grateful to him for that.
Wow I'm a bit shocked.
I hope G&L pulls it together. We here obviously all like G&L basses.
I just traded my fretless jb away. I think maybe I'll hold on to the fretted purple sparkle one. Love these basses and the company too. Real bummer for guys like Steve, anyone who relied on that job, and last, for us. Dang.
All G&L lovers.
Take heart!
They could file for chapter 11 and continue.
It's possible that EB could buy the rights to the brand, and continue the brand as is without too much disruption, and keep their own birthplace alive!
Without The Fullerton plant, there would never have been a Stingray that so many love.
73nder could easily prop up the brand, they did well with the adoption of the Charvel, Jackson brand.
They COULD keep their own father's plant alive. To NOT do so would be incredibly insensitive and short sighted. The backlash for allowing the plant to be turned into another auto repair location, or a cabinet shop would be such bad Karma!!!
FFS it is in FENDER FREAKING AVE!!!
That said: not retaining the 2nd an 3rd birthplace of electric guitar design in memorial for future generations would be criminal.
On another front:
I had these thoughts prior to this news, and will continue forward.
In the next year I will be launching my own guitar company, after a pending relocation.
IF , and I pray not! G&L does shutter, there is a possibility that I will pay tribute to Leo's and George's legacy.
A pickup builder I'm working with can emulate the MFD design and we are working on prototypes at this very moment. A set of prototypes is complete and going to tour with Prong.
I initially plan on focusing on the past no longer offered models, and bring up 5 string versions of models that were never issued in that configuration.
35" and multiscale could also be possible.
Of course I'll infuse every build with the Experience I gleaned during the time on the line at G&L, and will do honor to Leo's legacy, without doing harm to the vision.
I'll be a player for getting as much of the raw material and components from the factory if it comes to a bitter end, as I can, rather than just let it flood an auction site.
Take heart!
They could file for chapter 11 and continue.
It's possible that EB could buy the rights to the brand, and continue the brand as is without too much disruption, and keep their own birthplace alive!
Without The Fullerton plant, there would never have been a Stingray that so many love.
73nder could easily prop up the brand, they did well with the adoption of the Charvel, Jackson brand.
They COULD keep their own father's plant alive. To NOT do so would be incredibly insensitive and short sighted. The backlash for allowing the plant to be turned into another auto repair location, or a cabinet shop would be such bad Karma!!!
FFS it is in FENDER FREAKING AVE!!!
That said: not retaining the 2nd an 3rd birthplace of electric guitar design in memorial for future generations would be criminal.
On another front:
I had these thoughts prior to this news, and will continue forward.
In the next year I will be launching my own guitar company, after a pending relocation.
IF , and I pray not! G&L does shutter, there is a possibility that I will pay tribute to Leo's and George's legacy.
A pickup builder I'm working with can emulate the MFD design and we are working on prototypes at this very moment. A set of prototypes is complete and going to tour with Prong.
I initially plan on focusing on the past no longer offered models, and bring up 5 string versions of models that were never issued in that configuration.
35" and multiscale could also be possible.
Of course I'll infuse every build with the Experience I gleaned during the time on the line at G&L, and will do honor to Leo's legacy, without doing harm to the vision.
I'll be a player for getting as much of the raw material and components from the factory if it comes to a bitter end, as I can, rather than just let it flood an auction site.
Last edited:
I had this thought too. Fender could get the rights to the name and MFD pickups, and continue some MFD classics like the L-2000 and Comanche guitar, which are clearly different from anything Fender makes. Unfortunately, I suspect many (probably most) models would disappear, and there's no way the build-to-order line would continue, though maybe the Custom Shop would.
And I'm excited to learn more about your company, and very intrigued by the five-string concepts. (Especially if those include a JB-5 MFD!!!)
