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.
Not sure about that, but you can still order one here:
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/g-l-l-1000-bleg.1081380/page-8
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/g-l-l-1000-bleg.1081380/page-8
They're pretty cool. But I'll be kinda surprised if much demand for another L-1000 reissue is there.
Is the L-1000 a great bass? Yes absolutely, its legendary.
But....is a new RI worth $1300, when the best example of an original vintage one can be had for less?
Hypothetical analogy; Would anyone spend $1500 for a new AVRI Fender Jazz stacker clone if beautiful examples of the vintage originals were selling for $1200, and readily available? No, the only reason to buy a RI '61 Jazz stacked knob instead of an original, is the extremely high value of the originals, which are completely unaffordable for the vast majority.
This is not the case with the L-1000. They're all over the place and prime examples are not wildly expensive. Not to mention that the RI's are not exact replicas.
As far as I can see, the only advantage to spending more for a new reissue than for an original is the warranty. Am I alone on this?
Is the L-1000 a great bass? Yes absolutely, its legendary.
But....is a new RI worth $1300, when the best example of an original vintage one can be had for less?
Hypothetical analogy; Would anyone spend $1500 for a new AVRI Fender Jazz stacker clone if beautiful examples of the vintage originals were selling for $1200, and readily available? No, the only reason to buy a RI '61 Jazz stacked knob instead of an original, is the extremely high value of the originals, which are completely unaffordable for the vast majority.
This is not the case with the L-1000. They're all over the place and prime examples are not wildly expensive. Not to mention that the RI's are not exact replicas.
As far as I can see, the only advantage to spending more for a new reissue than for an original is the warranty. Am I alone on this?
Last edited:
Templar, I do agree to an extent. but, I think it would come down to personal preference when considering new or original. the neck profiles are different, the body outlines are different (wider waist on the originals), 3-bolt over 6-bolt, topload over rear-routed, nitro over poly, getting the color combo you want vs what was available back then. I love my '81, but there are enough differences to where I don't view these new L1Ks as a straight up "re-issue".
Good points. But I remember when the BABP RI L-1000 was in the works. Most of the interested parties were somewhat disappointed that G&L was unable/unwilling to recreate the originals to the same specs. I didn't hop on the band wagon for one then for that reason (and the fact that I already had a few originals). My impression at the time was that enthusiasm for the RI would have been huge if it could have been faithful to the original specs.
Last edited:
I agree 100%. Being left-handed, coming across an L1K in decent condition is few and far between. It took me probably 7 or 8 years before I stumbled across mine at GC. If G&L did some sort of "Retro-style" line with those old wide 'n flat neck profiles, original body lines, top-loaded controls and nitro finishes in any of their colors, you better believe I'd be far more interested in those than the current run.
Yeah I get that. Being a lefty must open up a whole different perspective.
I'm lefty too, and I have managed to find two lefty 1Ks over the past 5 years, but I would not expect the new ones to measure up necessarily. I ordered a 5 string on this run because that they have not offered before, and I always wanted a 5 sting version.
this would be a L-1500
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
unfortunately G&L's model names for their 5'ers doesn't seem to be consistant.
L-2000 = 4
L-2500 = 5
L-1500 = 4
L-1505 = 5
years ago they did a 5-string p-style named the L-5000. they also did a bass similar to the L-2500 with EMG pickups and preamp and called that the L-5500. I'n not sure what my point was, but I'm sure somebody will get what I'm saying.
I didn't jump on the BABP limited run b/c there were limited option choices. There were only a few colors, and only one neck option (#8). I've had an '81 L1000 and I found the neck to be not chunky enough for me. It was also very heavy. I would order a new "re-issue" and get the options that I like and especially if the weight was under 9.5 lbs. The top load with the metal plate would put it over the top but G&L won't do that.
The metal control plate is a better, more stable solution in my mind. Also it looks quite badass.
On the whole "why would anyone buy a new L1000 question" I think you don't want to look at it as a "reissue" because it is not. What it is, IMO, is making an older model available again with all the current features/changes (I won't call them upgrades as not everyone will agree that every change/difference between then and now is an upgrade 
).
Pretty much all G&L models that have current and older models available you can get the older versions at a significant savings over the current. Vintage valuation has not hit them, or at least it hasn't to the degree it has hit say, Fenders (although I curse the fact that 90s SB2s are no longer available for $450 every day). You could ask the same question "Why would anyone buy a new G&L XYZ when the originals are available so cheaply" for pretty much every model currently available (JB*, M*, & MV4 excepted)? I know where I fall on that question (I'd guess I'm in the neighborhood of 50-1 on used G&Ls vs. new that I've gone through) but everyone has to make their own decision.
So not "Why would anyone by an L1K reissue when the originals are so cheap?" but "Why would anyone buy a new L1K when there are used ones available so cheap?" -- which you can ask about pretty much every bass make & model.
I'll be curious to see if the demand for new L1000s is enough to have G&L add them to the model list or not like they have with the SB-1 & LB-100. They obviously have the capability to build them pretty easily, I suppose it will just come down to demand and feedback from their dealers. That's the reason I've always heard that they don't offer a JB-5 or JB5 - lack of demand from dealers.
Oh yeah, my personal reason for getting one of these is because I'm a skinny neck weenie and have yet to see a classic L1K with a narrow neck (same reason I've never tried a Lynx/1st gen SB2) and don't want to do a neck swap with an SB2 or other classic skinny necked G&L.
).Pretty much all G&L models that have current and older models available you can get the older versions at a significant savings over the current. Vintage valuation has not hit them, or at least it hasn't to the degree it has hit say, Fenders (although I curse the fact that 90s SB2s are no longer available for $450 every day). You could ask the same question "Why would anyone buy a new G&L XYZ when the originals are available so cheaply" for pretty much every model currently available (JB*, M*, & MV4 excepted)? I know where I fall on that question (I'd guess I'm in the neighborhood of 50-1 on used G&Ls vs. new that I've gone through) but everyone has to make their own decision.
So not "Why would anyone by an L1K reissue when the originals are so cheap?" but "Why would anyone buy a new L1K when there are used ones available so cheap?" -- which you can ask about pretty much every bass make & model.
I'll be curious to see if the demand for new L1000s is enough to have G&L add them to the model list or not like they have with the SB-1 & LB-100. They obviously have the capability to build them pretty easily, I suppose it will just come down to demand and feedback from their dealers. That's the reason I've always heard that they don't offer a JB-5 or JB5 - lack of demand from dealers.
Oh yeah, my personal reason for getting one of these is because I'm a skinny neck weenie and have yet to see a classic L1K with a narrow neck (same reason I've never tried a Lynx/1st gen SB2) and don't want to do a neck swap with an SB2 or other classic skinny necked G&L.
Chef
In Memoriam
New L1000:
I think it's neat that they're even doing it.
You get a bass made from a better process, I guess. Maybe get a quartersawn neck, if that's important to you.
It's a bummer they woudn't do the control plate, IMO, nor do the coil taps the original way.
So, if I were still a 4 string player, I don't know that the new one would draw me in.
I really dig the idea of a 1005; but, I don't dig the string spacing.
So I guess I'll keep holding out for an MJ5, and then, if they ever actually do that,
buy it from someplace with a good approval period to see if I like it enough to "get over the string spacing," as I assume they'll stick to the narrower spacing they always use.
I think it's neat that they're even doing it.
You get a bass made from a better process, I guess. Maybe get a quartersawn neck, if that's important to you.
It's a bummer they woudn't do the control plate, IMO, nor do the coil taps the original way.
So, if I were still a 4 string player, I don't know that the new one would draw me in.
I really dig the idea of a 1005; but, I don't dig the string spacing.
So I guess I'll keep holding out for an MJ5, and then, if they ever actually do that,
buy it from someplace with a good approval period to see if I like it enough to "get over the string spacing," as I assume they'll stick to the narrower spacing they always use.
