G&L Club Part 7

[Wicked G]

Hi all, I just scored a G&L M2000 GTB from the classifieds here and thought I would post some pics of it.

It's my first G&L and I'm pretty happy with it, but then again I just got it.

 

[dave64o]

Classy!

 

[woodyng2]

So...it's looking like i might want a gl in my future.
The bass i really want to build would be like a tribute jb2,only with a classic pbass neck.(like my 57 RI P,7.5" radius,1.75 nut).
Do i need to go through a gl dealer,or can i order direct?
The MJ4 seems to be the platform,only i want it with the passive,3 knob configuration of the tribute jb2. And i love fender's custom shop '60s pickups,so i'm wondering if gl's '60s pickups are the way to go?
And is there much difference between indian and Caribbean rosewoods?
These and lots more decisions to be made.
I am planning to sell 3 basses to arrive at this one. ( a fender j,avri 57 p,and a 78 yammie bb)
I'm hoping for something that feels like my 57,only with jazz bass tone and rosewood fretboard)

 

[TDR1138]

@woodyng2 AFAIK, the JB-2 platform is only available on their Tribute line (no customization). They pulled it from their US line a couple of years back. They do have a custom shop now, so anything is possible, but just keep that term ("custom shop") in mind for pricing. I'd talk to a dealer first and see if they can still entertain the JB-2 at a reasonable price. You never know. I'd bet they still have the CNC programming for it.

 

[woodyng2]

@woodyng2 AFAIK, the JB-2 platform is only available on their Tribute line (no customization). They pulled it from their US line a couple of years back. They do have a custom shop now, so anything is possible, but just keep that term ("custom shop") in mind for pricing. I'd talk to a dealer first and see if they can still entertain the JB-2 at a reasonable price. You never know. I'd bet they still have the CNC programming for it.

Just looking on the website,it looks like the MJ4 is pretty much the same,albeit with active eq I don't want. It does allow for all the customising for neck/fret size,types of pickups,etc.

 

[jmlee]

Just looking on the website,it looks like the MJ4 is pretty much the same,albeit with active eq I don't want. It does allow for all the customising for neck/fret size,types of pickups,etc.

The JB-2 series is a passive jazz bass with the L-series body shape. Very comfortable to both lift and play.

 

[woodyng2]

Not familiar with the designation/shapes on all of these. Looking for more of a p bass body and neck with j bass pickups as the overall design. Prefer no pickguard.

 

[armyadarkness]

Not familiar with the designation/shapes on all of these. Looking for more of a p bass body and neck with j bass pickups as the overall design. Prefer no pickguard.

I wasn't trying to brainwash you, based on what your requirements were, I really feel like G&L is going to be the solution. I know it first their line can seem a little confusing, but this thread is the best source of information. Between it and the website you'll be an expert by the time the weekend is up. Hit me up if you have any questions that you can't find answers to in here, and as the guys have mentioned, your best bet is a phone call to a dealer and they can really help you out.

 

[tubatodd]

Need some help.

Had a few mystery pops while playing my new LB100, like when a string touches a magnet. I have no idea what caused it.

Because i removed the input jack from the pickguard to take the plastic off, l tried wiggling the cable in the input jack. Nope. No pops. Can't reproduce it.

Could have been at the amp end? I had the bass going into my zoom b1on, then into my amp head. I was playing at very low living room volume.

Thoughts??

 

[Iridescentone]

Not familiar with the designation/shapes on all of these. Looking for more of a p bass body and neck with j bass pickups as the overall design. Prefer no pickguard.

Yeah the JB-2 might have met your requirements. All manner of necks are/were available from G&L, but a JB-2 (or MJ4) with a P neck would have been an unusual special order and all but impossible to find a used one with that neck. The JB-2 default neck was the #8 jazz profile.

 

[Iridescentone]

Need some help.

Had a few mystery pops while playing my new LB100, like when a string touches a magnet. I have no idea what caused it.

Because i removed the input jack from the pickguard to take the plastic off, l tried wiggling the cable in the input jack. Nope. No pops. Can't reproduce it.

Could have been at the amp end? I had the bass going into my zoom b1on, then into my amp head. I was playing at very low living room volume.

Thoughts??

Is the action set low on the bass? If it's not the jack or a string hitting a pole piece, it might be a string hitting the butt end of the fret board or the last fret, if the action is crazy low. BTDT.

 

[TDR1138]

I do remember coming across a used JB-2 with a #7 (1.75" & 12" radius) neck once. Seller had noted it was a custom order.

 

[jmlee]

Not familiar with the designation/shapes on all of these. Looking for more of a p bass body and neck with j bass pickups as the overall design. Prefer no pickguard.

This may be a little out there, but you can pretty much achieve your goals with an L-2000 with the K-mod switch to allow use of single outer coils. In single coil mode it's pretty close to a jazz bass with a p body and wider neck (Tribute L-2000 has 1.75" nut width) and no pickguard. Here's what you get extra: bass and treble cut controls plus all the various humbucking options in series and parallel—a heap of extra interesting sounds. Here's what you don't get: separate volumes to blend the two pickups (selector switch instead, neck, bridge, both) and MFD pickup design rather than the standard alnico magnet jazz pickups. The latter might not be much of a loss, really. The K-mod isn't very hard to do if you have a modicum of soldering experience.

 

[TomB]

This may be a little out there, but you can pretty much achieve your goals with an L-2000 with the K-mod switch to allow use of single outer coils. In single coil mode it's pretty close to a jazz bass with a p body and wider neck (Tribute L-2000 has 1.75" nut width) and no pickguard. Here's what you get extra: bass and treble cut controls plus all the various humbucking options in series and parallel—a heap of extra interesting sounds. Here's what you don't get: separate volumes to blend the two pickups (selector switch instead, neck, bridge, both) and MFD pickup design rather than the standard alnico magnet jazz pickups. The latter might not be much of a loss, really. The K-mod isn't very hard to do if you have a modicum of soldering experience.

Great advice! When I owned a 2500 I always wanted to swap in a blend pot for the pu selector switch. Has anyone done that?

 

[woodyng2]

This may be a little out there, but you can pretty much achieve your goals with an L-2000 with the K-mod switch to allow use of single outer coils. In single coil mode it's pretty close to a jazz bass with a p body and wider neck (Tribute L-2000 has 1.75" nut width) and no pickguard. Here's what you get extra: bass and treble cut controls plus all the various humbucking options in series and parallel—a heap of extra interesting sounds. Here's what you don't get: separate volumes to blend the two pickups (selector switch instead, neck, bridge, both) and MFD pickup design rather than the standard alnico magnet jazz pickups. The latter might not be much of a loss, really. The K-mod isn't very hard to do if you have a modicum of soldering experience.

Thanks, I saw that model on the website,too.
I really don't want the electronic tonal options,as my favorite sound is just the unfettered standard j bass circuit. And to be honest,i find that chrome control plate exceedingly ugly. I could maybe deal with a pickguard mod,but i find i prefer simpler designs for the most part nowadays.
Edit....apparently you can get these without the contol panel. Nice. Still,i want the alnico j pickups.....

 

[dwellers]

Hi all...quick question: I changed the 9 volt batteries out on my MJ-4 (first time since purchased) and there is now a noticeable hum that wasn't there before. I replaced all the foam so that the fit is the same. Any thoughts? Is there some other insulation I might have missed or lost? Anyone else have this issue?

Thanks!

--David

 

[fcleff]

Had my first real experience with neck dive today. I was playing *gasp!* my new G&L! I think it may be the combo of my button down shirt, smooth strap, and the heavy neck. Didn't really bother me that much but it was noticeable.

But I was surprised. G&L gets a lot of praise so I didn't really expect to encounter this. I can probably fix it by simply switching to my leather strap, which will grip a little more. But in all my 33 years of playing I have never really experienced it to the point of noticing it. All my basses, even my EB0, never gave me this issue.

 

[Luigir]

Had my first real experience with neck dive today. I was playing *gasp!* my new G&L! I think it may be the combo of my button down shirt, smooth strap, and the heavy neck. Didn't really bother me that much but it was noticeable.

But I was surprised. G&L gets a lot of praise so I didn't really expect to encounter this. I can probably fix it by simply switching to my leather strap, which will grip a little more. But in all my 33 years of playing I have never really experienced it to the point of noticing it. All my basses, even my EB0, never gave me this issue.

Were you playing an ASAT?

 

[fcleff]

Were you playing an ASAT?

L-2500 Tribute.

 

[TomB]

Had my first real experience with neck dive today. I was playing *gasp!* my new G&L! I think it may be the combo of my button down shirt, smooth strap, and the heavy neck. Didn't really bother me that much but it was noticeable.

But I was surprised. G&L gets a lot of praise so I didn't really expect to encounter this. I can probably fix it by simply switching to my leather strap, which will grip a little more. But in all my 33 years of playing I have never really experienced it to the point of noticing it. All my basses, even my EB0, never gave me this issue.

5-strings do have a lot of extra weight on the headstock vs. 4, and Tribute tuners are heavier than USA tuners. It's especially noticeable if the body is lightweight. A number of folks on this thread have suggested solving this by installing G&L USA tuners. Not cheap, but effective, assuming you plan to keep the bass.