Yeah I think you're probably spot on. I recall Baby Blue (or was it Baby Boy Blue?) being on an older G&L finish menu list at one time. Don't recall ever seeing it on a bass, though. Not even a picture of one.
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Yeah I think you're probably spot on. I recall Baby Blue (or was it Baby Boy Blue?) being on an older G&L finish menu list at one time. Don't recall ever seeing it on a bass, though. Not even a picture of one.
I found a 1981 l1k today that I really loved the feel and tone of. I'll post pics tomorrow, but I'm starting to think it may be refinished. But a long time ago.
It's black and is definitely nitro finish. But in spots with wear, you can see bare mahogany and other spots that are the clear coat finished mahogany.
Anyone know if G&L ever did black finishes over clear coat mahogany? I know fender did that back in the day with sunburst, but wasn't sure about G&L.
It's black and is definitely nitro finish. But in spots with wear, you can see bare mahogany and other spots that are the clear coat finished mahogany.
Anyone know if G&L ever did black finishes over clear coat mahogany? I know fender did that back in the day with sunburst, but wasn't sure about G&L.
My only '80's mahogany L2000 had no clear coat under what I expect was white poly.
I didn't know they used poly? Or was that later in the 80s? My black paint is definitely nitro
It was too long ago so I'm not sure. I think mine was mid-eighties but I'm not sure I ever checked the date.. …crinkle black hardware. My understanding is they used both finishes from early on.
Both Kilos are long gone but the L-1500 I'm putting together with parts from the G&L factory old stock.
So no pics of the L-1500 yet cause I'm still working on it.
I've refinished the natural Kilo bridge in crinkle black to match the rest of the hardware.
That's interesting. I'd like to see pics, too. Never say never with Leo Fender. Don't know what the S.O.P. was re nitro vs poly, or whether black was usually sprayed over clear on mahogany. Or if there may have been a last minute order for black hog, so they sprayed one that already had clear on it to fill the order.
I know that some early mahogany G&L's were painted factory black for sure. I lost the pics long ago, but an '82 L2K of mine was black mahogany. It was at the time when G&L hardware was all "smooth" black. It looked pretty badass...stealthy! But it was in excellent condish without any paint chips or worn-thru areas, so no clue what may have been under the black.
Maybe there's a clue in these pics? '81 factory black over whatever "white" wood (maple, poplar?) the body is. If I had to guess I'd say it looks like nitro paint to me, but I'm speculating. Not seeing any evidence of a white or gray primer coat under the black paint like Leo usually did during his Fender Days. Surely there must be something acting as a sealer coat? Could it be a "clear" coat?
I have what I think is a 83 L2K that is finished like yours, black nitro finish over a clear finish on Mahogany. I *think*. I read somewhere they were done at the factory that way. If you zoom in you can see it on the bottom edge where it is worn. Although it's hard to see in the picture that some of the worn part is shiny.
Here's some more info and pics. I played it at a gig tonight and it killed! I'm really happy with my purchase, but still perplexed by it. Rosewood doesn't seem to be common in these early years either, but here we are.
I bought this from a vintage guitar shop and the owner said it had been played a lot. I can tell this one of the good ones. As soon as I picked it up at the store, I knew it would be coming home with me. The action is great and the tone is to die for. I love the deep wear in the wood by the pickup. You could tell this was someone's favorite bass.
I bought this from a vintage guitar shop and the owner said it had been played a lot. I can tell this one of the good ones. As soon as I picked it up at the store, I knew it would be coming home with me. The action is great and the tone is to die for. I love the deep wear in the wood by the pickup. You could tell this was someone's favorite bass.
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In my mental picture, back when it was first bought, this was someone's only bass, and they were well pleased with it
I had the same idea. I played it at my gig last night and my thumb sat perfectly in that worn spot. Definitely has that good mojo.
The more I look at this pic, I wonder if it is an early refinish. The 4 black dots in this neck pocket would be where 4 holes for a fender style neck would be. So if someone took a piece of wood to attach the body to use as a handle while painting, this is where the 4 holes would be if that board was previously used on a fender body.
If anyone wants to share pics of their early 80 neck pockets, I'd love to know!
Pretty sure thats original. Their paint stick had holes. Ive had some with the same pattern.
I spent time dressing the frets and giving the fretboard a good conditioning. This grain is beautiful!
I also love how much the treble side of the neck was rolled edges for decades of playing. Someone in the past lived between the 5th and 7th frets.
I also love how much the treble side of the neck was rolled edges for decades of playing. Someone in the past lived between the 5th and 7th frets.
NBD. I just got this bass a few days ago -- a Tribute Lake Placid blue JB. To me, it has such a gentle, eloquent look. I made my usual electronic changes, changing the pickups to a set of Aguilars that were gifted to me by a wonderful friend and installing an EMG concentric 2-band active EQ that I had laying around. When I got it, the original pickups were better sounding than some other Cort pickups that I've experienced, but I had the Aguilars, and there's no comparison. I wired both pickups in parallel to a single volume control ... just a personal preference. I very much prefer a bass with a single master volume. I love the way a Jazz Bass looks and plays, but I'm not so fond of its sound and control set up. Wiring it like this leaves enough room in the control cavity to squeeze in a battery, eliminating the need to rout a hole in the back for a battery box. Tribute basses have gotten rather rare, so if you find one for sale that appeals to you and that is priced reasonably you'd best grab it.
Next interesting bit of the L1K…
I noticed in the right light, there was a faded remnant of a sticker that had been removed at some point, but it had bled into the paint
It pretty clearly says "George Clinton P Funk All Stars 1992 Tour" and then "All Access" below that. Definitely looks like pass that was stuck on to the bass.
Might just have been a fan's pass, but the history of where this bass may have been is pretty fun to think about.
I noticed in the right light, there was a faded remnant of a sticker that had been removed at some point, but it had bled into the paint
It pretty clearly says "George Clinton P Funk All Stars 1992 Tour" and then "All Access" below that. Definitely looks like pass that was stuck on to the bass.
Might just have been a fan's pass, but the history of where this bass may have been is pretty fun to think about.
LPB Jazz with a white guard! Classic combo. Nice score.
Here's my Tribute LB-100. I was going to sell it, but since G&L's demise and your post, I'm thinking maybe I'll keep it. Especially as it's a smidge under 9lbs, in mint condition, plays very nicely, and has a finish that I like. Plus I have some time invested in rewiring the whole messed up control array and replacing the pots, cap, and output jack.
I'd say it sounds a bit raspy with the stock pickup**. I have some other pickups to try out, including a Wilde that I've been waiting for a chance to audition. For a cherry on top, there's a set of Hipshot Ultralites in my parts drawer begging for a bass to live in.
** Better a little raspy than too thuddy IMO.
Should save a few oz when the Hipshots go in...yes!
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That weight is outstanding, and the bass is beautiful! Unfortunately, my new Tribute JB is the heaviest bass I own, and I actually own a Peavey T-40. The JB weighs in at 10 lbs even. It makes me glad that, at 75 years old, I exclusively play very short gigs. No more 4.5 hour bar gigs for me. For an hour, I can take it, though if I knew it weighed that much, I probably wouldn't have bought it.LPB Jazz with a white guard! Classic combo. Nice score.
Here's my Tribute LB-100. I was going to sell it, but since G&L's demise and your post, I'm thinking maybe I'll keep it. Especially as it's a smidge under 9lbs, in mint condition, plays very nicely, and has a finish that I like. Plus I have some time invested in rewiring the whole messed up control array and replacing the pots, cap, and output jack.
I'd say it sounds a bit raspy with the stock pickup**. I have some other pickups to try out, including a Wilde that I've been waiting for a chance to audition. For a cherry on top, there's a set of Hipshot Ultralites in my parts drawer begging for a bass to live in.
** Better a little raspy than too thuddy IMO.
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Should save a few oz when the Hipshots go in...yes!
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