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My story is that I sold all my G&Ls when I moved to 5-string Lull basses. The one I really missed was my USA JB-2. I have now left my soul/covers band and have joined the Rutland Big Band here in the UK after the best part of a year off playing gigs. It has been a time to re-assess my equipment needs. I fancy a return to 4 string basses now I am doing a lot more sight reading; perhaps the 34" scale helps. Great as the Lulls as, I have a soft spot for G&L. The JB and MJ just feel like old friends. Jazz basses with non-offset bodies - that is my preference.
As UK-based G&L fans will know there is not a great choice of USA G&Ls over here, unless you custom order of course. The situation with Tributes is slightly better, but you still have to hunt them down. I have a slight preference for rosewood fingerboards, but not enough to stop me buying a good bass when I find it. This is my choice of what I found in Manchester, and was possibly the only USA MJ-4 for sale in the UK (I'm happy to be proven wrong if anyone has better information).
Next, I would like to try an LB-100. I had an SB-2 and although it was a great bass I personally prefer the sound of a more traditional pickup. I emphasise that this is my personal taste and not for one second am I saying one is better than the other.
Silver lady was imported from US, still cheaper all in and honeymonster is a second hand from UK, lucked on a great deal
As you say Cuzzie, the black/blonde contrast does actually work well. 
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Ah, a fellow JB-2 fan. My all-time fave passive jazz bass, the JB-2. I'm currently on my 8th one and it's the best sounding one to date. What I've found is that they can sound very different from one another, despite wearing the same strings (mostly TI flats in my case). Some sound tame and nondescript, while others can have a perky, slightly microphonic tone that I love. I believe it has to be differences in the pickup windings.
Currently, a 2004 build...
A few from days gone by. A couple of which, were outstanding basses...
This Cherryburst one was a pre-production employee-built model with what I believe were Duncan Antiquity pickups. It sounded blah compered to the others, so I ordered a pair of JB-2 pickups from Buffalo Bros, but I sold the bass before getting around to installing them. I kinda miss this one.
First year, 2001 NAMM bass...
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The MJ-4 is excellent but then again there is not a lot wrong with a good JB-2, as you say Templar. No batteries to worry about either. I really like the red-burst.
I have not played the MJ a whole lot yet, but so far the whole set up sounds to be very well judged. The preamp controls are not too fierce either and are easy to adjust with well-chosen frequency points. The proof though will be how it performs on its first gig and that is a few weeks away.
I have not played the MJ a whole lot yet, but so far the whole set up sounds to be very well judged. The preamp controls are not too fierce either and are easy to adjust with well-chosen frequency points. The proof though will be how it performs on its first gig and that is a few weeks away.
Yep, i hate it when that happens!
My guitarist actually found my L1500 for me, it's nice having good friends, even got his father in law to pick it up and drive it from Essex across to me in the West Country!
Bit of a gamble not playing it before, but was so worth it.
I know I like G&Ls, I know what neck I like and he had the serial number to check so I just pulled the trigger
My guitarist actually found my L1500 for me, it's nice having good friends, even got his father in law to pick it up and drive it from Essex across to me in the West Country!
Bit of a gamble not playing it before, but was so worth it.
I know I like G&Ls, I know what neck I like and he had the serial number to check so I just pulled the trigger
Hehe, I already spend (waste?) enough time on TB and 3 other forums that I frequent, the last thing I need is more!
First year, 2001 NAMM bass...
Wowza, do you still have that one Templar? Does it look as cool in person as in pics? Do you have any more pics?
John
No, sold it ten years ago. It was beautiful in person, too. It had the birdseye maple neck upgrade, although the pics don't show it. 2001 was the only year the JB-2 was offered with a solid birdseye maple neck.
I only saved two other pics, but they're just more frontal shots.
