G&L Club Part 7

[woodyng2]

The JB-2 is built on the L2K body, so not on the skewed JB-type body. No control plate or pickguard. Still the 1.5" nut like a J-bass, though, and J-bass VVT control strategy. Lighter and shockingly comfortable to play.

That combination of the streamlined body and passive alnico J bass pickups is what led me to seek one out.
I've owned a handful of Jazzes over the years,and the JB2 is my favorite. It gets that classic J sound and is way comfortable to play. I think mine might be empress body,it's very light. I really like the no pickguard look too.

 

[dave64o]

The first BABP G&L run was an L-2000 with some nice factory upgrades:
Swamp ash body
Blackburst finish (was not on G&L's menu at the time)
Quarter sawn #8 neck, satin finish
Ebony fret board, face dots-delete
Black painted headstock w/ BABP logo
K-switch mod

The forum members voted for which builder would get the order, and then what features the basses have. G&L was chosen, deposits were taken. I voted for John Wymore to build them, so didn't place an order. I forget how many were built....maybe ~ 20-ish? I'll check the ser #, but I had it in my head that they were built in '06 (?).

Years later I bought one from the TB classifieds. Still have it. The L-2000 is G&L's flagship bass IMO, and the BABP Ltd Ed is about as nice a bass as G&L is capable of building. They went the extra mile. Hats off to Pete for putting in the effort to coordinate the project.

View attachment 3811224 View attachment 3811228 View attachment 3811231 View attachment 3811232 View attachment 3811233 View attachment 3811235 View attachment 3811237 View attachment 3811238

That finish with a markerless ebony board is sex-eeeeeeeee!

 

[Iridescentone]

Oh, I don't think the M-2K series is going anywhere. That's a very successful line where the re-designed MFDs and the preamp are a terrific match. For some of us, they're more interesting stage instruments than the L2K line. I'm with @One Way on this one. Every time I've played an M2000 or M2500 on stage, someone comes up and talks with me about the tone from the instrument. [BTW that *never* happened with my MJ-5.] They're instruments where the home tone really doesn't tell the tale.

So the M-2K series is still available? Did not know that, assumed they were disco'd along with the MJ's. Funny that I looked on G&L's site, didn't see any M's displayed in either USA nor Tribute categories. What's up with that?

Anyway, it's great that you've found your sound in the M bass. I didn't, so different strokes I guess. I feel the same about the L-2K....alone, it sounds a bit harsh, but in a mix that harshness translates to presence to my ears. I have a couple basses like that, sound totally unpleasant alone, but are magical mixed live. My Tobias Killer B comes to mind, sounds like ass at home, nasally and honky. Almost sold it until I brought it to jam where, magically, it found the perfect spot to sit. Now I like it, but never play it at home. Again, different strokes. Cheers.

 

[rohi]

 

[Iridescentone]

That is a beauty!

Thanks! Unfortunately, it's a tad over 9lbs. At my advanced age, I don't see my spinal issues improving. When the economy recovers from this latest virus-bio-attack, I'll probably set it free.

 

[Iridescentone]

That finish with a markerless ebony board is sex-eeeeeeeee!

Thanks! Yeah Pete and the guys at BABP put together a nice upgrades package for the run. IICR, a matching Blackburst headstock was originally spec'd, but for a reason I can't recall, G&L weren't able (or willing?) to do it at the time. Although they did agree to the custom finish for the body. Everyone seemed to like the Blackburst, which as I understand it, was what led to G&L later adding Blackburst to their finish options. Long time ago, so don't quote me on that.

 

[jmlee]

So the M-2K series is still available? Did not know that, assumed they were disco'd along with the MJ's. Funny that I looked on G&L's site, didn't see any M's displayed in either USA nor Tribute categories. What's up with that?

Nothin' up with that. This is from the option order listings today:

 

[Iridescentone]

Nothin' up with that. This is from the option order listings today:

View attachment 3811923

Cool. Maybe G&L should feature the M-series under "Basses" (the obvious location) on their site, because I'm not seeing them there. But then, G&L was never renowned for their website effectiveness. Cheers.

Made in Fullerton Basses

JB

 

[jmlee]

Cool. Maybe G&L should feature the M-series under "Basses" (the obvious location) on their site, because I'm not seeing them there. But then, G&L was never renowned for their website effectiveness. Cheers.
Made in Fullerton Basses
JB

Ah, there's the problem. Look under "Basses", "USA Models", "Option Order Models". There's no Fullerton or Tribute versions. There used to be some lovely Tribute versions like this one. Gone now other than used.

 

[Jim C]

Still wish I could get a US JB-2.

Anyone know what years US JB-2's were made?
Also, how similar are the US JB's and JB2's are to my tribute JB2?

Since it is impossible for me to try one without driving hundreds of miles, weight and neck shape will have to be my guide lines.
I'm assuming the pups are different although my tribute sounds killer through a Ampeg tube pre/ power amp into a GB 2x12 NeoX.

Waiting on tools to fret level and crown; and to introduce a bunch of fall off for the last few ski jumped frets!!
No money past the 12th so no worries

 

[coyoteboy]

Curious how he M lines up against a Bongo.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Curious how he M lines up against a Bongo.

I have both a M2500 and a Bongo HHp 5. They are very different, because the preamps are very different. The M can do both modern and smooth, as well as vintage. The Bongo is mostly all modern, although still versatile. I prefer the M, although the Bongo has the best slap tone I've heard.

Their bridge pickups are in similar position and can sound very similar but the neck pickup is different.

The Bongo is brighter in general too

I'm probably going to sell the Bongo. It's a really nice bass though

 

[jmlee]

Anyone know what years US JB-2's were made?
Also, how similar are the US JB's and JB2's are to my tribute JB2? Since it is impossible for me to try one without driving hundreds of miles, weight and neck shape will have to be my guide lines. I'm assuming the pups are different although my tribute sounds killer through a Ampeg tube pre/ power amp into a GB 2x12 NeoX.

There was some discussion quite a while ago here about this one. Don't know the years. If I recall correctly, the pickups in the USA JB-2 were very good and perhaps different lengths per a typical jazz bass. The pickups in the Tribute JB-2, at least for some period (including mine), were less inspiring and were the same length, neck and bridge. I replaced the pickups in my Tribute and have been very happy with it.

 

[Iridescentone]

Anyone know what years US JB-2's were made?
Also, how similar are the US JB's and JB2's are to my tribute JB2?

Since it is impossible for me to try one without driving hundreds of miles, weight and neck shape will have to be my guide lines.
I'm assuming the pups are different although my tribute sounds killer through a Ampeg tube pre/ power amp into a GB 2x12 NeoX.

Waiting on tools to fret level and crown; and to introduce a bunch of fall off for the last few ski jumped frets!!
No money past the 12th so no worries

I can offer some info on the USA JB-2, but not the Tribute version. Been a JB-2 fan since 2002, have had at least eight of them, still have two.

First production year was 2001, and they were first displayed at 2002 Winter NAMM. That was the first, and only year it was available with an optional solid birdseye maple neck. What I discovered with them is that they can sound very different, one from another, even when built with the same wood combos and same strings. Some had a nice lively snap, some were totally blah and non-descript.

I suspect there may have been some variances in the s/c pickups, not sure. I asked a G&L dealer if the pickups were made in-house like the MFD's were, or out sourced. Never got an answer.

OTOH, the more lively sounding ones were noticeably more microphonic, picking up every little sonic detail, even the faint squeaking noise from a leather strap rubbing against the body. Those were the ones I liked the most because along with the unwanted extraneous little noises (spring ping renders a JB-2 virtually unplayable), every playing nuance was also highlighted, which means a more expressive instrument. For my tastes, the JB-2 really likes flats, especially TI's and Labella Deep Talkers.

Only two of mine weighed in at just above 9lbs. The others all came in at 8 1/2 lbs, or slightly less, if that's a concern. All mine came with the default #8 neck, which most of us fans think is pretty comfy.

In the early days there were lots of JB-2's floating around with figured tops. There were great deals to be had on slightly used ones early on, as G&L had neglected to install the all-important little rubber dampeners inside the pickup mounting springs on all their basses during that time. Spring ping on a JB-2 is intolerable. On an MFD equipped bass, not so noticeable. Hence the great JB-2 deals popping up.

Hope this helps, if I think of anything else, or if you'd like to see pics, I'l post. Cheers.

Edit: The USA pickups are different lengths, so may sound different than the Tribute ones.

 

[Iridescentone]

Ah, there's the problem. Look under "Basses", "USA Models", "Option Order Models". There's no Fullerton or Tribute versions. There used to be some lovely Tribute versions like this one. Gone now other than used.

View attachment 3811951

Found 'em!

Seems odd to not find them even after previously spelunking through their site. Do they not want casual observers to know about the M's?

Are there any specific directions needed to find the Tribute M's?

 

[Jim C]

I can offer some info on the USA JB-2, but not the Tribute version. Been a JB-2 fan since 2002, have had at least eight of them, still have two.

First production year was 2001, and they were first displayed at 2002 Winter NAMM. That was the first, and only year it was available with an optional solid birdseye maple neck. What I discovered with them is that they can sound very different, one from another, even when built with the same wood combos and same strings. Some had a nice lively snap, some were totally blah and non-descript.

I suspect there may have been some variances in the s/c pickups, not sure. I asked a G&L dealer if the pickups were made in-house like the MFD's were, or out sourced. Never got an answer.

OTOH, the more lively sounding ones were noticeably more microphonic, picking up every little sonic detail, even the faint squeaking noise from a leather strap rubbing against the body. Those were the ones I liked the most because along with the unwanted extraneous little noises (spring ping renders a JB-2 virtually unplayable), every playing nuance was also highlighted, which means a more expressive instrument. For my tastes, the JB-2 really likes flats, especially TI's and Labella Deep Talkers.

Only two of mine weighed in at just above 9lbs. The others all came in at 8 1/2 lbs, or slightly less, if that's a concern. All mine came with the default #8 neck, which most of us fans think is pretty comfy.

In the early days there were lots of JB-2's floating around with figured tops. There were great deals to be had on slightly used ones early on, as G&L had neglected to install the all-important little rubber dampeners inside the pickup mounting springs on all their basses during that time. Spring ping on a JB-2 is intolerable. On an MFD equipped bass, not so noticeable. Hence the great JB-2 deals popping up.

Hope this helps, if I think of anything else, or if you'd like to see pics, I'l post. Cheers.

Edit: The USA pickups are different lengths, so may sound different than the Tribute ones.

Thanks for this and would love to see pics whenever you get a minute.
My JB2 (January of 2011) has the same size pups too.
They are not particularly high output which generally works for me.
I like the full range clarity I get out of the lower output single coil J pups.
Mine is 8.5 lbs which is now my max weight for a bass. You have been lucky; so many are 10+ lbs.
--- Depending on timing and availability I might be forced to empress.
Really like this neck profile and hopeful that the US JB's use the same.

 

[woodyng2]

View attachment 3811912

What knobs are those?

 

[rohi]

What knobs are those?

They're the CLF research "bass" knobs available on G&Ls web store

 

[woodyng2]

They're the CLF research "bass" knobs available on G&Ls web store

Thanks! I like them better than the standard knobs.

 

[donahue]