That’s the one. GC matched the MF sale price. It looks great. It plays nicely. It sounds decent. It’s a nice introduction to the 30” world.
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G&L Introduces Short Scale Fallout Bass - Launch Edition
- Thread starter TalkBass
- Start date
That’s the one. GC matched the MF sale price. It looks great. It plays nicely. It sounds decent. It’s a nice introduction to the 30” world.
I’d expect a GC Black Friday coupon. In fact, my plan was to buy one, then return it and rebuy it when the GC coupon came out. I’ve had the GC employees suggest that for items that might sell out as it gets closer to a big sale day. The MF sale just happened to be on the day I went shopping.
I’m seeing the G&L basses on Reverb stores. Not expecting them to go on Black Friday sale.
For price perspective $1,799 for a Spector Bantam.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BANTAM4BC--spector-bantam-4-black-cherry-gloss
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BANTAM4BC--spector-bantam-4-black-cherry-gloss
The $600 sale price was actually 20 percent off of $750.
I didn't realize that $750 was the normal price; I thought it was $600. So I asked my friend at GC to score one for me at an employee discount. $550 plus shipping was the price she got, and I was a bit surprised that it was only $50 lower. I also gave her a tip for her help, so in the end, I ended up paying $625, which is only about a $40 savings over me having bought it on sale (once you factor in the sales tax). So in the end, it kind of ended up not even being worth calling in the favor. Oh well. I've got it on the way, and assuming it isn't a total dog, I'm happy.
I didn't realize that $750 was the normal price; I thought it was $600. So I asked my friend at GC to score one for me at an employee discount. $550 plus shipping was the price she got, and I was a bit surprised that it was only $50 lower. I also gave her a tip for her help, so in the end, I ended up paying $625, which is only about a $40 savings over me having bought it on sale (once you factor in the sales tax). So in the end, it kind of ended up not even being worth calling in the favor. Oh well. I've got it on the way, and assuming it isn't a total dog, I'm happy.
doh. i just heard the GC guy checking with his manager for approval and he said "15%" which is what stuck in my head. don't tell anyone that I do math for a living
Neither do I.
G&L will sell them to dealers OK...but retailers will probably have them for a while, and have to come down in price to move them.
Like I said, I was only willing to buy mine since my retailer came down to the originally intended retail price of $1,300, plus shipping. The retailer decided to eat the 400 bucks, since I am a repeat customer who tends to buy higher end stuff, and because they knew the “unfortunate” price switcheroo G&L had pulled with this one. Retailers are probably buying them for about $1,200, and spending $60-$100 on two way shipping, so they are not going to make much on these once they have to inch the prices down. G&L won’t be hurt by it; only their dealers.
Very accurate description. I am sure they are great playing/sounding basses. Price just seems a bit steep for what you get. G&L builds quality stuff.
I ordered one in the green, got em to do it for $1400. Totally worth it if you ask me. It’s a stellar quality instrument, and they are doing these colors only for the initial launch order. I think this one is an instant classic. From what I understand it comes with a gig bag as well.
this is true about the run. From what I understand the order window closed this week.
WTH? A $1,700 U.S.A. G&L without a G&G HSC? I didn't even think to check that, because it is such a given that U.S.A. G&Ls come with HSCs.
Other than this, the only U.S.A. G&Ls that don't come with a HSC are the $1,000 Fullerton Standards, which are recent introductions.
That should shave another $100 to $200 off the price right there. Knowing this, I feel that even the $1,356 I paid is too much, because I'll be buying a Fender HSC to put it in, to the tune of about $200.
Kicking myself for not reading to the bottom of the specs list...but who wouldn't assume that it would come with the G&L standard HSC?
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Regardless, I’ll look forward to snagging one of these when they become more affordable post limited intro run. I’m a long-time G&L player and only really like passive, 1-pickup basses. I’ll be happy to expand to an MFD equipped bass beyond my old L-1000.
G&G makes G&L’s cases. They not only have pre-existing short scale bass patterns, but can make any case to spec.
It’s just G&L cheaping out.
From my perspective, I couldn't agree more. I grew up in the 70's and had always looked at these (and the Gibson EB's) as starter instruments, entry level, built for the ergonomics of small hands and short arms (women and children) and priced as entry level. The people I associated with then (friends in the music community) had the same perceptions. These were always the dustiest instruments hanging on the wall, music store or pawn shops, often mocked when compared to a P or J bass. Dirt cheap prices on them too. Today, nostalgia and road worn seems to command a higher market value. If someone can get $1300 for them, so be it. Buyer beware, what comes around, goes around, then comes back again. Only time will tell what the market value of these will be in ten or twenty years.
Well, I actually think $1,300 with a case would be fair. But it turns out they're retailing for $1,700 with a gig bag. A short scale bass gig bag is about $40 or $50. A G&G short scale bass hard case is $180 (and that has a Fender logo on it).
I bought mine at $1,356, thinking that it had a hardshell G&G case, like G&L has traditionally provided with every instrument until the Tribute line, and the very recently introduced Fullerton Standard series (both are sub-$1,000 retail price instrument lines). The Fallout Bass is otherwise in line with the build details of a Fullerton Deluxe level instrument, and that line not only comes with HSCs, but is priced in the $1,450 to $1,500 range. Bad on me for not reading all the way to the bottom of the specs list, and for assuming that it would be business as usual in regards to the case.
FWIW, I have played a '76 Musicmaster for 31 years. It's a well built bass. Mustangs were even nicer in terms of specs, and just as well built. I certainly don't fall into the "these are just student instruments" camp. But the bottom line is that shorter neck = lower price, and it always has, for Fender and for Gibson. Same reason a company's midsize car costs less than it full size, even though both likely share the same build quality.
I don't think these basses are going to sell that well. Even if they enter standard production (which is still up in the air according to one of their sales reps), they will probably still be $1,500 basses with a gig bag, while comparably spec'd long scale models are the same price with a HSC. I feel the same way about Music Man's new $2,000 short scale. I think both companies are seriously misjudging the potential market for high priced short scales.
