G&L Club Part 7

[MAJOR METAL]

I think this bass is missing a matching headstock!

 

[TopoChico]

This arrived 2 days ago. Swapped the black pick guard for white pearloid. Action is a bit high and will need adjusting, but super pleased so far.

 

[dave64o]

Good choice, the white pearl looks great with the blocks.

 

[IvanBassist]

View attachment 3538944 This arrived 2 days ago. Swapped the black pick guard for white pearloid. Action is a bit high and will need adjusting, but super pleased so far.

Stunning! I definitely need to try a USA JB. The Tribute one I have at home atm is definitely one of the nicest basses I've played. Great playability and tone

 

[DanTheMan2112]

View attachment 3537818

After selling my Trib L2K/JB2 neck that I didn't bond with I was wondering if I should just not replace it . . . then this popped up on GC used and I had been thinking that I kind of missed the JB2 tone . . . so I got it. Clear blue JB2 - I swapped the pickups out for DiMarzio Model Js (I like the tone, the high output, and the adjustable poles) and wired it up in fulltime series (with the pickups in series as well) with just volume & tone controls. Very nice. Oh yeah, it was 8.8 lbs too so right in my wheelhouse and it turns out the neck is quartersawn. Don't know if it will stick, but I'm definitely enjoying it.

The ModelJs are pretty darn tall - I should probably deepen the pickup routes but I've got it set up and working for me now so laziness will probably prevent keep that from happening anytime soon. If anyone has the clear green equivalent and wants to sell it to me for what I got this one for, I wouldn't resist

That's awesome. What did you use to fill the hole where the 3rd pot would have been?

 

[craigb]

That's awesome. What did you use to fill the hole where the 3rd pot would have been?

At Lowe's I found these black plastic hole plugs - Invalid Link Removed

When I modded my Climax I bought several sizes and they fit both the switch holes and pot holes very nicely, although I don't remember which sizes fit which holes. I would guess most home improvement or hardware stores should have them.

 

[BrentSimons]

View attachment 3537818

After selling my Trib L2K/JB2 neck that I didn't bond with I was wondering if I should just not replace it . . . then this popped up on GC used and I had been thinking that I kind of missed the JB2 tone . . . so I got it. Clear blue JB2 - I swapped the pickups out for DiMarzio Model Js (I like the tone, the high output, and the adjustable poles) and wired it up in fulltime series (with the pickups in series as well) with just volume & tone controls. Very nice. Oh yeah, it was 8.8 lbs too so right in my wheelhouse and it turns out the neck is quartersawn. Don't know if it will stick, but I'm definitely enjoying it.

The ModelJs are pretty darn tall - I should probably deepen the pickup routes but I've got it set up and working for me now so laziness will probably prevent keep that from happening anytime soon. If anyone has the clear green equivalent and wants to sell it to me for what I got this one for, I wouldn't resist

I missed the USA Jb2 boat! I wonder if G&L would still make one? Love the blue on that one @craigb !

 

[BrentSimons]

View attachment 3538944 This arrived 2 days ago. Swapped the black pick guard for white pearloid. Action is a bit high and will need adjusting, but super pleased so far.

That's a beaut! What a blue that is!
Enjoy!
Best wishes,
Brent

 

[Slaphound]

I missed the USA Jb2 boat! I wonder if G&L would still make one?

Tribute

 

[BrentSimons]

Tribute

I hear ya. I would want a few more options that a USA build would need though.

 

[craigb]

I missed the USA Jb2 boat! I wonder if G&L would still make one? Love the blue on that one @craigb !

I was gonna say "MJ4" but they don't exist on the G&L website any more (Trib or US) . . . another stealth discontinuation? I guess the Trib JB2 is it for a new non-offset dual single coil G&L. Maybe through the custom shop? (I'd be afraid to price the custom shop )

 

[Scott Loveless]

I was gonna say "MJ4" but they don't exist on the G&L website any more (Trib or US) . . . another stealth discontinuation? I guess the Trib JB2 is it for a new non-offset dual single coil G&L. Maybe through the custom shop? (I'd be afraid to price the custom shop )

The G&L custom shop prices aren't as scary as that other company's. For example, there's a brand new LB-100 custom shop bass on Reverb right now for $2800. Not cheap, but not stooopid exensive, either.

 

[delta7fred]

Having had a bit of time to think things over the plan now is to use my L-2000 for a while and reconfigure my SB-2 as an SB-2T. This was my intention when I bought it but I wired as an SB-1 while waiting for the parts to arrive, I've probably used them on other projects now!

Change of plan, now there's a surprise.

I took the L-2000 to my buddies last night and used it for our live stream to Facebook. I thought it sounded ok (we didn't futz with the EQ at all) but I got an email today saying he'd listened to it on a variety of speakers and on balance preferred the SB-2 so I will be leaving that at the studio and gigging my L-2000. Funny how things turn out.

(Now I'm GASsing for a Kiloton, preferably in Irish Ale).

 

[jmlee]

I was gonna say "MJ4" but they don't exist on the G&L website any more (Trib or US) . . . another stealth discontinuation?)

IMHO I'm not sure that the MJ line is much of a loss if discontinued. I had both an MJ-4 and MJ-5 and didn't enjoy either. The pickups were uninspiring and the pole pieces weren't grounded properly; ergo they had hum issues—add to which the control cavity had a thin, ineffective coat of graphite paint. The preamp—which is absolutely lovely in the M-series—just didn't add much either to a rather bland tone. Now, of course YMMV.

I've been worried for some time that the M-series would be discontinued without notice but it's still there. Those basses are a joy and oh so different in practice from their L-series brethern (despite Invalid Link Removed). In my use, my M-2500 is (duh) active full-time and modern in feel, and my L-2500 passive full-time with the battery removed and more vintage in feel. They make great bookends for my gigging, whereas I could never figure out where to place the MJs.

 

[DLaunder]

Recently swapped-out the stock Jazz pups in my JB with the Nordstrand NJ4SE stacked Humbuckers and wow what a difference. It was a bit hard to tell at first in my office environment but definitely noticeable in a gig environment at gig volumes. Just made my favorite G&L that much better. And no more hum in our practice space where it was ALWAYS an issue with lights on a dimmer!

 

[Scott Loveless]

I thought I'd check in and give an update on the US Kiloton I purchased 3 months ago. This is still easily the very best bass I've ever owned. When I received it I made a small truss rod adjustment and dropped the strings about as low as they'd go. String height at the 12th fret is 1.5mm on the E string. I really think with a slight neck shim they could go even lower and not really cause any problems if I don't play too hard, but it's very playable as is and I think it's just going to stay that way. And that's it for setup. Intonation is spot on and I haven't had to adjust anything since.

Every time I pick this thing up and play, it puts a smile on my face. There are 4 other basses here and if someone stole all of them I wouldn't care.

I've not been overly pleased with the tone control, but a gentleman over at BassesByLeo suggested not maxing out the volume. And he was right. With the volume pot set at about 75-80%, the tone control is very nice. I still think the Kiloton would greatly benefit from the L-1000 circuit. I'm loathe to modify this one, but I'm seriously considering a Tribute Kiloton to use as a test bed.

I thought you might want another photo. While I'm still not generally a fan of burst finishes, I'm giving this one a pass because the finish quality is top notch and the bass couldn't be better. Whee!

View media item 21193

 

[_seafarer]

Took it (Tribute SB-2) in to a local repair shop and he confirmed that the truss rod nut is totally stripped , so it needs a new one. Bummer, but lesson learned to check under the hood a bit more when buying used. Asked him for a setup since it'll be in for a few days anyway. Oh well! Just more to look forward to in a few days I guess

Unfortunately this seems to be a more complex (and expensive) issue than I'd anticipated because the truss rod nut in post-2015 Tributes is welded to the truss rod and therefore the nut itself is not replaceable .

So the shop owner said the options are: (1) replace the truss rod, (2) heat and reshape the neck, which he gave a 50/50 chance to hold the shape, and (3) new neck. (3) is out since my understanding is that G&L doesn't sell necks. (1) is unfortunately just about the same price I paid for the bass in the first place, but since it's the only permanent fix I'm leaning towards that. I would rather just front the cash, eliminate the issue, and not risk further and more serious issues down the road.

Seems to be pretty clear cut but has anyone else faced this issue? The shop is pretty reputable so I assume there isn't some other easier fix out there, but this seems like the right place to ask.

Anyway, lesson learned x2! And another little weight on the scale for custom ordering something myself some day (that glguitarsgenerator site really is incredibly dangerous).

 

[Kriegs]

truss rod nut in post-2015 Tributes is welded to the truss rod and therefore the nut itself is not replaceable

I must not be understanding you correctly.... if the nut is welded to to the rod, how does the nut move to allow for adjustment?

 

[jmlee]

Unfortunately this seems to be a more complex (and expensive) issue than I'd anticipated because the truss rod nut in post-2015 Tributes is welded to the truss rod and therefore the nut itself is not replaceable .

Puzzling. If the nut is stripped, it should be removable and replaceable with another such nut. If the *rod* is stripped, then unless you can get the rod out, you're out of luck. It just depends on which was made out of the harder alloy: the nut or the rod. In either case, the nut cannot have been "welded to the truss rod" since it would thence not move and no adjustment would be possible.

BTW, G&L bodies and necks do occasionally show up in the classifieds here.

 

[_seafarer]

I must not be understanding you correctly.... if the nut is welded to to the rod, how does the nut move to allow for adjustment?

Puzzling. If the nut is stripped, it should be removable and replaceable with another such nut. If the *rod* is stripped, then unless you can get the rod out, you're out of luck. It just depends on which was made out of the harder alloy: the nut or the rod. In either case, the nut cannot have been "welded to the truss rod" since it would thence not move and no adjustment would be possible.

BTW, G&L bodies and necks do occasionally show up in the classifieds here.

Puzzling indeed! But as far as I can tell (which is admittedly only so far) it's the case. Here is what Ken Baker said on the bassesbyleo forum in this thread: "The current trussrod also applies lateral pressure but is double action, meaning it can apply either back-bow or forward-bow and the nut is not removable." And G&L's store page for truss rod nuts state that "Current US models and Tributes built 2015 and later have dual-action truss rods with integrated truss nut that is welded on, not replaceable."