G&L Club Part 7

[soulman969]

Great info. Thanks!
I have noticed that it is somewhat hard to find many used MIA models for sale. Do you think that the Tributes are basically of the same quality as MIA, and the customization and colors are the main differences?

I believe it depends on the specific models you're comparing. Some like the L Series I feel may offer less difference than others since the Tributes use the same MFD pickups and bridge albeit with less costly saddles and tuners and a slighty different preamp.

All of these could be upgraded with parts sold by G&L if someone wished.

I could not find enough differences in my L2500 to justify spending more for a US version but that was a personal choice. You may feel differently or want a finish or specs not available on a Tribute. This is my L2500 and the fit and finish are first rate.

 

[ahbass2500]

I will add one thing to the weight discussion. Empress is great until it does not have enough weight to counterbalance the neck. I have a friend with a JB5 who hates the way the bass balances. He would have been better off with a heavier bass. The point... try before you buy when you can.

 

[dave64o]

I believe it depends on the specific models you're comparing. Some like the L Series I feel may offer less difference than others since the Tributes use the same MFD pickups and bridge albeit with less costly saddles and tuners and a slighty different preamp.

All of these could be upgraded with parts sold by G&L if someone wished.

I could not find enough differences in my L2500 to justify spending more for a US version but that was a personal choice. You may feel differently or want a finish or specs not available on a Tribute. This is my L2500 and the fit and finish are first rate.

View attachment 3329266

Wow, that's beautiful.

 

[soulman969]

Wow, that's beautiful.

Thanks Dave. It's a well cared for 2009 I bought used with a hard case from Upfront Guitars in MA.
Excellent dealer. I'd be happy to do business with them again if the opportunity arises. It arrived in even better shape than described and I can't find any fault with Tribute finishes at all.

 

[XXL]

drooldrooldrool

 

[dagrev]

Finally got it! Neck pocket dates July 28, 1980. Definitely needs a set up, but it's in great shape! View attachment 3328549

I'm late to the party due to being busy, but had to just say, Wow! I'm not sure one Wow! covers it. If you ever get tired of it you have an interested buyer.

 

[gbrooding]

I'm late to the party due to being busy, but had to just say, Wow! I'm not sure one Wow! covers it. If you ever get tired of it you have an interested buyer.

I feel pretty fortunate, kind of lucked into it! Been looking for over a year for one, this came up on Guitar Centers used site and I put it on layaway the next day. Didn't have any neck date info, but turns out to be a July/August 1980 L-1000. I love the sound and feel of it, and it is currently getting a set up and fret leveling. I only had it for a day before it went to the luthier, so it's kind of brutal to have to wait all over again for it!!

 

[dagrev]

I feel pretty fortunate, kind of lucked into it! Been looking for over a year for one, this came up on Guitar Centers used site and I put it on layaway the next day. Didn't have any neck date info, but turns out to be a July/August 1980 L-1000. I love the sound and feel of it, and it is currently getting a set up and fret leveling. I only had it for a day before it went to the luthier, so it's kind of brutal to have to wait all over again for it!!

That has to be the cleanest looking early L2k I think I've ever seen. Congrats on a very cool bass!

 

[keto]

My L2K remains my #1 about 16 months in. It's been with me thru the most gigs I've ever done, and 5 bands, if you can believe it. But it's my most playable, lightest, and sounds great - what's missing? Not much. Starting to show a little wear and tear, the plastic is still on the back but getting ratty. This is pre cleaning right out of the case. It gets a reaction every time, from new band mates, always good. Love it. Still on the strap I took it home on.

 

[dagrev]

View attachment 3332974 My L2K remains my #1 about 16 months in. It's been with me thru the most gigs I've ever done, and 5 bands, if you can believe it. But it's my most playable, lightest, and sounds great - what's missing? Not much. Starting to show a little wear and tear, the plastic is still on the back but getting ratty. This is pre cleaning right out of the case. It gets a reaction every time, from new band mates, always good. Love it. Still on the strap I took it home on.

I understand how well you like it. A good L2k can fit in anywhere, assuming the player knows how to turn knobs on the bass and amp. Over the years I've never used one of mine and thought, "Well, that bass didn't work so well."

I have a BABE blackburst (no binding), and that extra touch sure looks good on your bass. I have a redburst with binding and it's clearly the best looking bass I own. It even sounds good just looking at it!

 

[dave64o]

View attachment 3332974 My L2K remains my #1 about 16 months in. It's been with me thru the most gigs I've ever done, and 5 bands, if you can believe it. But it's my most playable, lightest, and sounds great - what's missing? Not much. Starting to show a little wear and tear, the plastic is still on the back but getting ratty. This is pre cleaning right out of the case. It gets a reaction every time, from new band mates, always good. Love it. Still on the strap I took it home on.

Please feel free to find any reason at all to post more pictures of your bass. drool

 

[keto]

Good news I think. Pre and post repair on the late 80s L2K. Fret out, press and fill, shave flat, fret back in. $84CDN. I love Doc at Stang. Oh, and he gave the truss rod a clean bill of health.

 

[jcburn]

I would love to see the following, maybe as custom options even. ...
L1000\L2000 pickups and preamp on J body
SB2 pickups on L2000 or J body
Slimmed down 4+1 headstock or even 5 inline headstock on a 5er

 

[golfnsubie]

Pics of my G&Ls at work....and a group pic I took yesterday that includes my guitars...
Just because..

 

[Slaphound]

How does the L series compare to the M?

 

[dagrev]

How does the L series compare to the M?

I have two Ls and one M. The M is more smooth, more polite. It is as loud, but the Ls are more aggressive, in a good way. The M sounds like a G&L, but a slightly toned down or modern sounding version. Bumping up mids (which you can do on the M) will make it more aggressive. The M is slightly more versatile due to the 3 band EQ (instead of 2 on the L). With the bass bumped up half way it has more lows then the L with the bass maxed.

I like my M. Not as much as the Ls but I do like playing it. I got a great deal on a Tribute version and it is worth every penny. I have no need for a second one but am happy with having this one. I always wanted to be able to blend the PUs and have a 3 band EQ, so I thought the M was ideal. I'd rather have all that in the L, but it is what it is. Blending is less useful than I thought. The blending is so subtle that in the mix you can notice all one PU or both equal, but anything in between is practically lost. It's still a nice bass and for what I paid for a new one I'm happy.

 

[TomB]

I have two Ls and one M. The M is more smooth, more polite. It is as loud, but the Ls are more aggressive, in a good way. The M sounds like a G&L, but a slightly toned down or modern sounding version. Bumping up mids (which you can do on the M) will make it more aggressive. The M is slightly more versatile due to the 3 band EQ (instead of 2 on the L). With the bass bumped up half way it has more lows then the L with the bass maxed.

I like my M. Not as much as the Ls but I do like playing it. I got a great deal on a Tribute version and it is worth every penny. I have no need for a second one but am happy with having this one. I always wanted to be able to blend the PUs and have a 3 band EQ, so I thought the M was ideal. I'd rather have all that in the L, but it is what it is. Blending is less useful than I thought. The blending is so subtle that in the mix you can notice all one PU or both equal, but anything in between is practically lost. It's still a nice bass and for what I paid for a new one I'm happy.

I think blending pickups is VERY useful, and I always considered swapping out my L2000/2500 pickup selector switch for a blend knob - using the same body hole. I never did it though. It shouldn't be too challenging, whether L or M series, but I'm not sure how well it would work in passive mode.

 

[dagrev]

I think blending pickups is VERY useful, and I always considered swapping out my L2000/2500 pickup selector switch for a blend knob - using the same body hole. I never did it though. It shouldn't be too challenging, whether L or M series, but I'm not sure how well it would work in passive mode.

I like that idea on an L, but I most always play passive. I think blending on the more aggressive L would be a nobrainer and can't figure out why that hasn't been an option. For years I've wanted the blend and 3 band EQ on an L. If you ever make the mod--do post your results.

 

[TomB]

I like that idea on an L, but I most always play passive. I think blending on the more aggressive L would be a nobrainer and can't figure out why that hasn't been an option. For years I've wanted the blend and 3 band EQ on an L. If you ever make the mod--do post your results.

I can't make that mod because the lack of blendability of pickups was one reason I sold my L2500 many moons ago. Generically speaking, I think you can blend pickups in passive mode with some success - the wiring itself is straightforward - but I think it might compromise tone if I remember earlier TB advice correctly.

 

[TDR1138]

The blending on the M is passive and before the preamp. So it could be easily translated to the L.