G&L Club Part 7

[woodyng2]

Oh geez, now i see they made it with a white cover, but that’s currently sold out!

 

[Iridescentone]

Ever wonder what a castrated bull stud looks like?

Ta da!....

(seriously, get an MFD for that thing)

 

[richwag]

So, a question for the G&L experts.
I recently got an L1000 from a tb-er that came from the factory with an alnico humbucker.
On its own, it’s a really nice, warm, clear-sounding pickup. In 2 rehearsals with a gtr-bass-drums pop rock trio, I’ve found the sound to be a bit anonymous. It tends to sort of fit in a bit too well, which has always been my “issue” with Precision basses. I really like the bass overall, and am wondering if switching out the alnico pickup with an MFD would make much difference. I tend to think the p-bass pickup position has a lot to do with the sound, but I have never had a MFD pickup on hand for comparison.
I would think the standard electronics would work with the mfd. (?)
Appreciate Any thoughts y’all may have about this.
I should also mention I normally play Rickenbackers, which of course have quite a distinctive sound,either in single coil or humbucker versions. My GL JB2 also has a sound that i love because it stands apart in the mix.View attachment 4073107

Totally do the MFD. That's a great looking bass. Is that a white painted neck too?

 

[jfh2424]

NBD — Tribute JB — and some questions...

Just got this Tribute JB today, the factory plastic film is still on the PUs and pickguard.
View attachment 4072557
(that's just the film hanging on the PG)

It's a 2019, from the S/N:
View attachment 4072554

But there's an upside-down "2" stamped right in the middle of the serial number:
View attachment 4072555

This tag is attached, but it could be for a reclining sofa for all I know:
View attachment 4072556
(other side is blank)

Can anyone enlighten me as to what the "2" means? Does the hangtag indicate that it failed Finish inspection? Is this a factory second?

I can't see a whole lot wrong with the finish. There's some minor marring near the bottom of the bridge pickup, but it's no big deal and might even buff out.

I really can't see anything wrong with it yet, but I did just get it today.

If you have any relevant info, please share. Thanks!

Hi Crankypants.

I own three Tribs, older than yours. There’s no number where yours is.

Maybe they started doing that now, for some reason, I don’t know.

 

[ahbass2500]

NBD — Tribute JB — and some questions...

Just got this Tribute JB today, the factory plastic film is still on the PUs and pickguard.

But there's an upside-down "2" stamped right in the middle of the serial number:
View attachment 4072555

I can't see a whole lot wrong with the finish. There's some minor marring near the bottom of the bridge pickup, but it's no big deal and might even buff out.

I have never seen a complete factory second G&L or Tribute for sale. However, the "2" does indicate B-Stock (factory second) status. G&L sells B-Stock Tribute necks occasionally on their webstore (Clearance Necks - G&L Online Store). They state in the listings "All Tribute necks sold on this web store have a number 2 stamped over the serial number pertaining to a B stock status."

They also state that their B stock necks are functionally fine, but have cosmetic flaws. Where did you buy the bass? It is possible that it just had the neck swapped with one from the webstore. It is also possible that you purchased a full factory second instrument (though again, I have never actually seen one for sale). As long as the price was right and it plays well, likely just cosmetic flaw. If it was sold to you as a new instrument and you paid full price, I would be sending it back or getting some money back on it.

 

[woodyng2]

Totally do the MFD. That's a great looking bass. Is that a white painted neck too?

Started calling a few dealerships looking for a white one,so we’ll see.
Thanks, I do really love this bass, especially the crazy vivid color.
No, the neck is satin untinted maple.
I also just noticed the pickup was adjusted pretty close to the body. (I’m not real quick about noticing stuff like that sometimes.)
I’ve raised the pickup so we’ll see what happens at our next rehearsal.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

NBD — Tribute JB — and some questions...

Just got this Tribute JB today, the factory plastic film is still on the PUs and pickguard.
View attachment 4072557
(that's just the film hanging on the PG)

It's a 2019, from the S/N:
View attachment 4072554

But there's an upside-down "2" stamped right in the middle of the serial number:
View attachment 4072555

This tag is attached, but it could be for a reclining sofa for all I know:
View attachment 4072556
(other side is blank)

Can anyone enlighten me as to what the "2" means? Does the hangtag indicate that it failed Finish inspection? Is this a factory second?

I can't see a whole lot wrong with the finish. There's some minor marring near the bottom of the bridge pickup, but it's no big deal and might even buff out.

I really can't see anything wrong with it yet, but I did just get it today.

If you have any relevant info, please share. Thanks!

That likely denotes a factory second.

 

[dedpool1052]

also just noticed the pickup was adjusted pretty close to the body. (I’m not real quick about noticing stuff like that sometimes.)
I’ve raised the pickup so we’ll see what happens at our next rehearsal.

That's what I was going to ask.
Adjusting the pickup closer (assuming it's pretty far away) could breathe some life into your tone.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Just how rare is an L1000 with an alnico pickup? Interesting choice of colour for a bass which has a more gentle pickup put in it. Not exactly stepping back from the limelight.

 

[JES]

Just how rare is an L1000 with an alnico pickup? Interesting choice of colour for a bass which has a more gentle pickup put in it. Not exactly stepping back from the limelight.

Extremely rare. Only a few were ever made.

 

[woodyng2]

Just how rare is an L1000 with an alnico pickup? Interesting choice of colour for a bass which has a more gentle pickup put in it. Not exactly stepping back from the limelight.

From what I’ve been able to glean from other sources, these were made only for a year or 2 like this.
One of the features I really liked about it is the absence of a plate under the controls. (Rear access panel).
Also, this particular wunkay has an empress wood body, so it weighs just a bit over 7 pounds.
I chuckle to myself every single time I pick it up and strap it on, it’s so light it feels like a Hofner.

 

[bdgotoh]

This looks like the other Empress L-1000 with factory alnico pickup that I used to own. The woodgrain on the body matches my old pic.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Ricky Rioli]

From bassesbyleo.com

Heres the 2015 thread:

BassesByLeo.com, est. 2009 • View topic - New, and different, L-1000

 

[Holdsg]

Brad, I wish you could go to GC and teach them all how to take a picture of a bass.

 

[bdgotoh]

Brad, I wish you could go to GC and teach them all how to take a picture of a bass.

The rule there is grainy and low pixels. They've gotten better, they used to have one pic, now I often see 3-5!

 

[woodyng2]

From bassesbyleo.com

View attachment 4074728

Heres the 2015 thread:

BassesByLeo.com, est. 2009 • View topic - New, and different, L-1000

Thanks for sharing that,very interesting!

 

[bdgotoh]

Here's what the alnico pickups look like, front and back.

 

[richwag]

Brad, I wish you could go to GC and teach them all how to take a picture of a bass.

Right? They're just about the worst at it. You'd think maybe a camera at each store with the same resolution would be a start.

 

[SJLee]

Here's what the alnico pickups look like, front and back.

View attachment 4075017

How doe these compare to the MDF's of the L-1K and L-2K?

 

[bdgotoh]

How doe these compare to the MDF's of the L-1K and L-2K?

Mellower and smoother sounding, with a little less output. Pretty typical ceramic vs alnico tonal difference, think MM Sterling in parallel vs MM Stingray, if you know how those basses sound. Ceramic usually has a bit more grit and bite than alnico to my ears.
I like the tone better than MM Sabre pickups, which are the same size coil and pole diameter.