G&L Club Part 7

[tubatodd]

Found this too. A bit too dark on th edges, but I love the maple.

 

[bonin in the boneyard]

Found this too. A bit too dark on th edges, but I love the maple.

View attachment 2979382

I love that kind of color so much that I had my natural tribute refinished in something very close. MJT Guitars calls it "cinnamon sunburst":

 

[armyadarkness]

This was the only real-world picture I could find. I hope it's this bright and not almost black like my blueburst is.

View attachment 2979381

Yeah the colors can be way off, but G&L is pretty consistent. Ibanez colors aren't even close! As you can see, I do metal flake almost exclusively and it does vary. Unlike most paint shops, G&L uses silver metal flake on everything and then sprays transparent colors over it to get the colors.

It would suck to not see the wood though!

 

[MAJOR METAL]

How's the quality of what G&L (USA) is sending out today? Are the neck's stable?

 

[mpdd]

according to my boss the 84 L2000 was apparently the victim of some not so good refrets and neck planing in the past
apparently the person or people removed material from the center of the neck thereby accentuating the ski jump somewhat
ugh, that would explain why the super tall frets were on it
we are proceeding with a fret level and new nut, the next round of maintenance will require a new fret board years into the future
i tried to really like the 2016 L2000, but that particular one didn't have the passive punch, clarity, and warmth of my 84 so i returned it to get back my vintage one

 

[mpdd]

How's the quality of what G&L (USA) is sending out today? Are the neck's stable?

the 2011 sb-2 and 2016 LB100 necks have been completely stable

 

[jefff100]

I have a 2013 L1505 that is rock solid, no neck issues and a really great B string. I dont know why it is but the B on the G&L is better than any bass I've ever played before.

 

[Nedmundo]

Found this too. A bit too dark on th edges, but I love the maple.

View attachment 2979382

A few years ago, a local shop had a redburst/maple USA L-2000, and even though I normally don't like bursts, I thought it looked fantastic.

How's the quality of what G&L (USA) is sending out today? Are the neck's stable?

The quality is extremely high, and the necks are very stable. My M-2500 and JB have quartersawn necks, which definitely feel more rigid and seem to add some focus to the tone, but I'm not sure they improve tuning stability. My 2007 SB-2 has a flatsawn neck that's similarly stable.

 

[GroovyBaby]

How's the quality of what G&L (USA) is sending out today? Are the neck's stable?

I have three 2015+ G&Ls and like low action. It takes me a little time to dial it in but I've been playing my lb100 for two years with no neck adjustment. It is very stable. If I were ordering one new I would order quarter sawn but I haven't had any problems with my standard cut necks, including the 5 string L2500. That said, I'm also not playing out much or touring.

 

[RandM]

If I remember correctly the 5's are a17mm string spacing at the bridge - looked at the G&L sight and couldn't see what bridge spacing the 4's have..........anyone?

Thanks Maurie.

 

[jebmd]

If I remember correctly the 5's are a17mm string spacing at the bridge - looked at the G&L sight and couldn't see what bridge spacing the 4's have..........anyone?

Thanks Maurie.

 

[GroovyBaby]

Yea, I THINK they are 19mm for 4 strings and 17 for 5 strings. I've got both and can switch back and forth without a problem. The difference is noticeable but not a problem for me. I've come to prefer that narrower spacing on the 5 strings as the reach is less (compared to 19mm 5 strings I've had).

 

[armyadarkness]

How's the quality of what G&L (USA) is sending out today? Are the neck's stable?

G&L is a very small shop, but they love what they do and they do it well. My last LB100 came in with a bent tuner, they over nighted me a new one. I've even screwed up a few things on my own that they replaced free.

They take care of their own. I've not gone for the quarter sawn neck yet, haven't seen a need to... and, I use heavy gauge strings.

 

[Antisyzygy]

Yea, I THINK they are 19mm for 4 strings and 17 for 5 strings. I've got both and can switch back and forth without a problem. The difference is noticeable but not a problem for me. I've come to prefer that narrower spacing on the 5 strings as the reach is less (compared to 19mm 5 strings I've had).

The JB-5 and Kiloton 5 neck has a bit different string spacing I think. Somewhere inbetween. It's the 5+1 headstock, not 2+3.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

The JB-5 and Kiloton 5 neck has a bit different string spacing I think. Somewhere inbetween. It's the 5+1 headstock, not 2+3.

The width at the bridge is 17mm on all G&L 5-strings, but the nut widths are slightly different between the 2+3 (1.75") and the 4+1 (1.875").

 

[RandM]

Thanks Jeb, GBaby - thought it was, just
couldn't confirm. The spacing on the 5 might ease aging hands with less width in the upper neck and the string spacing I hope - but it will have to be used so exactly what I want might not be there when I want it. Good to know alternatives.

Thanks again, Maurie.

 

[Jim C]

So Jim,

The Blue G&L book authored by George Fullerton and co author (I don know his name) is a great resource for many things G&L.
There are a plethera of items in there one would not know otherwise. That being said there is a stopping off point a number of years ago so some of the information is out of date now as added to modern model changes/additions. For instance in the Blue book it states the LB-100 was discontinued as it wasnt a popular model. Said LB-100 was reissued a number of years ago and is very popular as I have one that will be buried with me.

As to tonal comparisons I have not played the Kiloton so I can only make an educated guess. I have owned a Legacy Strat, ASAT tele guitar, 90'S L2000, and currently own an Empress LB-100 and Empress L1500. I can honestly compare some of those tones, the two I'm closest to are the two I currently posses.

G&L Empress LB-100 vintage white:

Imasgine taking a production Fender P Bass throwing it in the dumpster and having someone build a really nice one (sorry P Bass lovers). The LB-100 Has this particular sonic foot print that can best be described as wide. fat, and round yet it retains clarity. Just an all around good vintage tone to be had here.

G&L L1500 color see through blue:

Can you say spank the plank? This thing has razor sharp precision solid spanky tone that is better heard than described. A total departure tonally form the LB-100. The signal output is very hot and many times I find myself playing with the volume at half mast.

It seems my band mates prefer the L1500 as it has this present signature tone that you cant miss though I actually prefer the LB-100 as its good for the soul.

Hope this helps.

Thanks very much; this is super helpful.
Dumpster comment made me laugh as I have 4 P's and 2 J's.
The 60' is perfect and I think my 80's Tokai has a better neck than the 5 other Fender made in the 70's.

 

[jcburn]

View attachment 2979188 View attachment 2979189 View attachment 2979190 View attachment 2979191 I finally have my LB100s sorted out... except for the red flake kiloton... G&L dropped a lot of the pick guards that I love because they weren't moving... so it took me a while, but I finally perfected jigs and now can make my own pick guards. So far the black pearloid the chrome came out great... or so I think.

Oh daaaaayum...that blue sparkle LB100 is smoking. A slight nod to Steve Harris?

 

[Mammoth_Bass]

I just passed the four week mark in my waiting for my new JB. Greg from rocket said G&L have been shipping quicker than normal lately. Anybody who purchased recently received their bass fairly quick?

 

[armyadarkness]

Oh daaaaayum...that blue sparkle LB100 is smoking. A slight nod to Steve Harris?

Yes. I had the second issue Steve Harris and I loved it. Sold it... big mistake. Went to buy another, now white and made in mexico. Built my own... Had to make the pickguard myself though.