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G&L has a new Jazz Bass

#64
So I'm a bit let down... but if this bass is nicer than a new Fender J Deluxe and is the same price or cheaper... Well... Which might I buy? Heck, I've had several J's and I dig 'em, so I'd give it a whirl...

But I appreciated G&L for being unique... And while they still make their 2000/2500, I guess they sorta *had* to make a J since Fender is getting a king's ransom for a stock model... And I *DO* want to see G&L stay in business - so long as they keep making their unique models... dig?
 
#66
Any bass player who doesn't like the fact that G & L are making a traditional jazz bass made in the U.S.A, please do not buy one...that will leave more of a selection for the rest of us. :smug: I don't get it, First everyone complains about Fender quality and pricing. Second the cost of a Lakland Indonesian Skyline, Third the high price of a Sadowsky. I don't see this as being a negative.
 
#67
Agreed - I've owned a few G&L's (I currently have an old 2000 body, signed by leo fender, that I'm trying to sort out as a project bass!) and they as good as any bolt-on you'll find...I just like unique - which is why I'm not a big fan of what Lakland has done - - and my main bass is a Lakland 4-94, so I have nothing but love for them... Of course, I'm not a big fan of "signature" instruments either...

And I don't think you can compare G&L/Lakland with Sadowsky/Lull - - those guys were, from the get go, doing J-bass clones...

Like I said - When will Ernie Ball start making J basses? Just wait... just wait...
 
#68
Mr. Ray said:
Any bass player who doesn't like the fact that G & L are making a traditional jazz bass made in the U.S.A, please do not buy one...that will leave more of a selection for the rest of us. :smug: I don't get it, First everyone complains about Fender quality and pricing. Second the cost of a Lakland Indonesian Skyline, Third the high price of a Sadowsky. I don't see this as being a negative.
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You know, it *isn't* a negative... it's just a little disappointing in the philosophical sense. More good products is always good, and I too like me a J bass... So you are right - more good US products means more US jobs -- and heck, if the price point is right, some folks will buy a Fullerton made bass over a MIM Fender - and that's *good* -

I just hate conformity. I'm a rebel. And old rebel. ;)
 
#72
hover said:
Ok Mike, so having a differing opinion and not caring for this direction now makes someone's opinion "sad"?

Wrong. Get over yourself on this one. You can get these same options on any one of their more forward thinking (for their time) designs, for the same price points...it's not like they went out of their way just for this model. so your point is moot. I'd rather they take the ballsy route like Ernie Ball and offer an entirely new model like a Bongo or Big Al something...

That said, I love Jazz basses, but really do not feel there's need for yet another...whether the rationale to support it was it was Leo's design first. He gave up the right to that design when he sold and then later left Fender in CBS' hands. I would have figured that's why he didn't revisit it during his tenure at G&L.
If I'm wrong let me know.

Leo's G&L vision had more to do with refining and improving his past design concepts, not looking back on them to cash in. I know he's no longer around, and has not been for some time. I just think it's a step backwards for them. It's my personal opinion and I had this same gripe with their traditional P offering. Don't stoop to cheap shots man. Not necessary.
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I think you're taking this whole thing and yourself a bit too seriously. How about this, if you don;t like it then don;t buy it.
 
#74
KeithPas said:
I think you're taking this whole thing and yourself a bit too seriously. How about this, if you don;t like it then don;t buy it.
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zzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.....huh? whaaaah? Taking my self too seriously? please. Because I feel strongly about my opinion? Whooo, guess I'm not on a bass discussion forum after all. Apparently I'm supposed to just change my feelings on the matter because you all don't agree. Silly really. I'm not trying to get you to agree, just sharing an opposite opinion, I thought that was evident...but apparently unwelcome.

Oh, And, thanks for the option-out for not buying the G&L Jazz, for a minute I thought i'd have to buy it blindly because you all said it was a good idea.

Obviously I'm on a singular thought, do not deviate, hurrah for conformity site. ;)
 
#77
unclejane said:
Hell I think it's a great idea. If you can get it with the #8 neck in unlined fretless, I'm going to have to strongly consider getting one.

If you want MFD's it's a no brainer - just get the L2000 with #8 neck (that's what my L2000 is).

LS
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Ahh but I like the jazz shape, I have an l2000 and I Love that, but if I could have a jazz body with the wider neck option and l2000 electronics\pickups, OH BOY
 
#79
hover said:
It's just an expression Mike.
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My response was "in kind". I was trying to say (with the same terminology) that I had no vested interest in converting people to my way of thinking.

It was, but thanks for the "business 101"...it was more to spark or expand the conversation. I'm not singling you out, and apologize if I appear to be, but you appear to be the strongest opponent to my opinion on the matter.
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I hope this is understood for what it is and nothing more: I don't view it as "your" opinion. You're the guy being most vocal about this, but I knew this overreaction (IMO) was coming last summer when pics of these basses first surfaced.

Just tinfoil hat doomsday scenario speculation on my part. Sorry I shared my thoughts. The auto industry parallel (as loosely as it was drawn) was just illustrative. They went down the "nostalgia trip" hard the past few years, and I was alluding to this G&L move to be similar, as they'd yet to offer a full-on Jazz bass. The Auto industry was not the first segment of industry to go that route and fail. I just didn't want that to be the case here with G&L, that's all. That said, my very first bass was an 82 L-1000. I miss it terribly.
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I agree this move is financially driven, but without a gained market share, they won't be able to R&D new stuff. Other similar sentiments about G&L have called for them to rerelaese the Lynx or El Toro. For the G&L enthusiast, that would be great, but those basses were discontinued for a reason. So, if they want to grow a business, it would make sense that they hit on a known commodity.

When the JB was first shown last summer, it was mentioned that the pickups might possibly single coil MFDs (obviously, this hasn't happened). I'd like to think this might still be the case. The more familiar design of the jazz would be a better place to debut them than the JB-2, which is shown little love by even G&L enthusiasts.

Sure, just felt like I was being chided for my strong feelings for my side of it. That said, I have no real *problem* per se with the move, I just feel strongly that it is a misstep, as not in keeping with I had assumed was their original vision. I am not new to the adapt and survive scenario...sorry if I view the whole deal whilst waxing nostalgic. And we'll leave it as that.
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That's my point. Everyone has their own vision of what a company should be, I know I do. But a company can't stay the way we want them to forever. Yes, it's a step towards the mainstream, but if it helps keep them in business or improves the chances of them releasing a new bass on the market or even gives the 4th BABP bass a chance at something even more obscure, I'm all for it.

Mike
 

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