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G&L Ideas

RocketMusic

Gold Supporting Member
Commercial User
Oct 31, 2007
10,754
8,929
Blacksburg, VA
www.rocketmusic.net
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Owner, Rocket Music
So I've decided to order up several G&L USA basses just to kinda stick my toe back in that pool, check the temperature so to speak. I've had a lot of interest in the cherry burst L2K that just came in, and this morning I just sold the honeyburst JB-2 that's been hanging here for a couple years...

Soooo... I figure why not see what you guys would want ordered? Feel free to get super specific if you like - model, color, fretboard & any options...

Have fun! :hyper:
 
I've been thinking about G&L for a while now, would love to try an ASAT(worried about balance though), or a L-1505 someday.

I wanna suggest a L-1505 with a maple board, and one of their sparkle finishes(green, maybe :hiding:), but I imagine that being a retail stock nightmare...:D

Do they have a custom shop, btw?
 
Weight is always a concern with G&L's so maybe try to request some lightweight pieces. Alder will usually be lighter than Ash but sometimes they have a nice light piece of Ash.

I like the fancy tops but it just adds so much to the price that I tend to not get them. They have some nice solid colors. And a nice natural Ash body is always welcome. The clear reds are quite beautiful. IMHO, G&L's are players' basses and it's more important to have a great player than all the bling. The K wiring option on the L2K's is a must. Different necks is great too (#6 or #5) for different radius.
 
Do they have a custom shop, btw?

I sort of think of their whole deal as a custom shop. They've got a pretty good list of choices that are for the most part interchangeable. You pick the choices you want, and they mash 'em all together for you. I guess that's not quite a custom shop in the sense that they'll do just about anything you want. It's more Henry Ford and interchangeable parts... or ala carte bass ordering...
 
I sort of think of their whole deal as a custom shop. They've got a pretty good list of choices that are for the most part interchangeable. You pick the choices you want, and they mash 'em all together for you. I guess that's not quite a custom shop in the sense that they'll do just about anything you want. It's more Henry Ford and interchangeable parts... or ala carte bass ordering...

Aha, I get exactly what you mean, which is still very cool, espcially with the variety of neck shapes as options.
 
The L-2500 is usually mentioned as a great swiss-army bass. I'm still wondering about a 5-string fretted "vintage-ish" instrument. What kinda shies me away is the weight and descriptions of the necks as being "chunky." That said, I saw a sunburst L-2500 that looked beautiful.

I still think Lull is viable.
 
Let's try these on for size with "Retail" pricing shown per option. Street price is 75% of Retail, and I'll usually come off that another 5-10% if I'm asked nicely. :)

Bass #1:
MODEL: JB ($2000)
FINISH: Clear Red ($100 Premier color, which means Ash Body)
FRETBOARD: Maple (N/C)
NECK: #8 (N/C)
PICKGUARD: 3-Ply White (N/C)
TOTAL RETAIL: $2100
STREET: $1575


Bass #2:
MODEL: JB ($2000)
FINISH: Midnight Blue Metallic (N/C standard color, which means Alder Body)
FRETBOARD: RW
NECK: #8 (N/C)
OPTION: Color Matched Headstock ($150)
PICKGUARD: 3-Ply White Pearloid ($50)
TOTAL RETAIL: $2200
STREET: = $1650


Bass #3:
MODEL: L-2000 ($1700)
FINISH: 3 Tone Sunburst (N/C standard color, which means Alder Body)
OPTIONS: K Wiring (N/C)
FRETBOARD: RW
NECK: #7 (N/C)
TOTAL RETAIL: $1700
STREET: = $1275


Bass #4:
MODEL: L-2000 ($1700)
FINISH: Blue Burst ($100 premier color, which means Ash Body)
OPTIONS: Wood Binding ($120), K-Wiring (N/C)
FRETBOARD: Maple
NECK: #6 ($50)
TOTAL RETAIL: $1970
STREET: = $1479


Bass #5:
MODEL: L-2500 ($1850)
FINISH: Tobacco Burst (N/C standard color, which means Alder Body)
OPTIONS: K-Wiring (N/C)
FRETBOARD: RW
NECK: #10 (N/C)
TOTAL RETAIL: $1850
STREET: = $1389
 
The L-2500 is usually mentioned as a great swiss-army bass. I'm still wondering about a 5-string fretted "vintage-ish" instrument. What kinda shies me away is the weight and descriptions of the necks as being "chunky." That said, I saw a sunburst L-2500 that looked beautiful.

I still think Lull is viable.

Yep, Mike Lull is definitely on my short list. I'm not sure when I'll get around to making a decision and actually picking up the phone, but it'll probably be soon-ish...
 
Nice choices but while you're thinking, need to add the 2500. I've had both the 2k and 2500, and they are much misunderstood and underused. Don't care for the fancy tops but G&L make beautiful bursts and clears. #8 jazz neck is a nice option. Personally, I think the JB's are a tougher sell because of all the competition.
 
Yep, Mike Lull is definitely on my short list. I'm not sure when I'll get around to making a decision and actually picking up the phone, but it'll probably be soon-ish...

Do you have a minimum first order requirement? I pinged Paul with some neck questions. I'm still looking at options for a "classic" 5-string fretted bass.
 
Nope, no min order. I could order just one if I wanted. I'm very much an official G&L dealer (and have been for 3+years), I just haven't partaken of their services to the same extent that I have, say.... oh, I don't know... Roscoe!!

To my mind, there's very little point limping around with just 1 or 2 basses from any brand. If I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna hang at least 5-6. You have to have a little variety both in terms of woods/colors/models, and also in terms of price. That give folks a chance to make some choices rather than just "take it or leave it".

I did consciously go all 4-string on the basses that I threw out there, and that's just my 35" scale bias coming through. I should probably make one of them a 5...
 
Heres my vote:

MODEL: L-2000 ($1700)
FINISH: Blonde Nitro over Ash
OPTIONS: K-Wiring (N/C)
FRETBOARD: Maple GOT!
NECK: #6

Questions:
What does the nitro paint option cost? What is K-wiring? What would be the cost for the above bass?

Thanks!