AGREED! That's the main reason I'd never buy a G&L. 3+2 just never did it for me.
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G&L JB-5 introduction
- Thread starter Killed_by_Death
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- g&l
Was just recently wondering when they'd bring this out - every one else has one.
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- PICKUPS: Two G&L Alnico jazz pickups
- BODY WOOD: Alder on Standard and all solid finishes, Swamp Ash on Premier Finishes
- NECK WOOD: Hard Rock Maple with Rosewood or Maple fingerboard
- NECK PROFILE: G&L [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] with 9 1/2" radius
- FRETS: Medium Jumbo, Jescar 57110 18% nickel silver
- TUNING KEYS: Custom G&L "Ultra-Lite" with aluminum tapered string posts
- BRIDGE: G&L Saddle Lock with chrome-plated brass saddles
- ELECTRONICS: Dual volume controls, one tone control
- CASE: deluxe Tolex hardshell
Do these sound like a J or a G&Lified J - (I'm hoping for the latter, but I'd take the former.
Never gonna happen. The JB has been around for several years, already. Do you see a Tribby version? No, you don't, because that market segment is already way too crowded, mostly by the Squier and MIM J-basses, and their ilk.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
- PICKUPS: Two G&L Alnico jazz pickups
- BODY WOOD: Alder on Standard and all solid finishes, Swamp Ash on Premier Finishes
- NECK WOOD: Hard Rock Maple with Rosewood or Maple fingerboard
- NECK PROFILE: G&L [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] with 9 1/2" radius
- FRETS: Medium Jumbo, Jescar 57110 18% nickel silver
- TUNING KEYS: Custom G&L "Ultra-Lite" with aluminum tapered string posts
- BRIDGE: G&L Saddle Lock with chrome-plated brass saddles
- ELECTRONICS: Dual volume controls, one tone control
- CASE: deluxe Tolex hardshell
Nice!
I'm hoping for some new P basses from them. I've heard rumors there might be a PJ coming in the LB style, and maybe a 5-string P of some sort (not sure if SB or LB style).
I spent a lot of time jamming with friends (guitar and drums) and my new JB5 (rosewood fb, red Empress body/tort, standard 1/2 sawn maple neck in 9.5" radius) since i picked it up Friday and am very pleased. It came well set up, with excellent fit/finish. I swapped the stock, generic strap buttons for Dunlops and it was ready to go. It's wonderfully light. The published weight for the Empress versions is 7.4 lbs. I haven't weighed it, but it's definitely under 8 lbs. Good balance on a strap. Minimally neck heavy when seated that's easily controlled with the plucking hand forearm on the upper body edge-a non-issue for me and very well worth the low overall weight! The sound is pure, beautiful, single coil Jazz.
The passive pickups have decent output. Fingerboard edges and neck feel great, but I am used to 18mm spacing at the bridge and 12" radius FB, so it took me an hour or 2 to really settle in. To my surprise it wasn't an issue after that. I am a passive bass lover and this one is a winner. For me, the light weight and many selectable options (finish, neck construction, fb radius, etc) make this bass preferable to a Fender and many boutique offerings.
The passive pickups have decent output. Fingerboard edges and neck feel great, but I am used to 18mm spacing at the bridge and 12" radius FB, so it took me an hour or 2 to really settle in. To my surprise it wasn't an issue after that. I am a passive bass lover and this one is a winner. For me, the light weight and many selectable options (finish, neck construction, fb radius, etc) make this bass preferable to a Fender and many boutique offerings.
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Aha...found you...and thank you for your review
Still don't know what Empress body is? Thought they came in ash or Alder depending on finish?
Empress is an optional body wood that's lighter than ash and alder, and more sustainable. It's an upcharge. I have a G&L Comanche guitar with an empress body, and it's lighter than my alder Strats. Tone-wise, it's supposed to be between alder and ash, but I can't tell based on my Comanche.
Eye candy:
I'm a tone wood skeptic. She sounds just like a traditional passive J to me. I couldn't tell her from a Fender J5 or my Lull JJ5 (with Duncan singles) if my eyes were closed, regardless of what dead trees their bodies were made from
. They all sound great to my ear, and what subtle differences there are between them are entirely eclipsed by the string type/age, my eq settings and rig. YMMV.
I'm an Empress believer.
I'm a tone wood skeptic. She sounds just like a traditional passive J to me. I couldn't tell her from a Fender J5 or my Lull JJ5 (with Duncan singles) if my eyes were closed, regardless of what dead trees their bodies were made from
. They all sound great to my ear, and what subtle differences there are between them are entirely eclipsed by the string type/age, my eq settings and rig. YMMV.I'm an Empress believer.
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I'm a tone wood skeptic. She sounds just like a traditional passive J to me. I couldn't tell her from a Fender J5 or my Lull JJ5 (with Duncan singles) if my eyes were closed, regardless of what dead trees their bodies were made from
I'm an Empress believer.
I'm thinking about a JB-5, and "traditional passive J" is exactly what I want, so this is great news. And if it's comparable to a Mike Lull, even better!
I've never been fussy about body wood, but for some reason have only bonded with alder basses, apart from a mahogany semi-hollow DiPinto. Also, my empress Comanche doesn't "ring" like my alder Strats, but this might have nothing to do with body wood, and it's an outstanding guitar regardless.
These experiences have made me a little apprehensive about empress for a JB-5, but now that I'm in a cover band that plays long sets, I don't think I would be able to resist the weight savings.
I hear you. Frankly, after playing some great 5ers at 8lbs or less, I no longer own any bass over 8.5 lbs. The tone of this JB5 is great. It burps if that's your thing. Mine is pretty much always played with both pups up full and the tone rolled back about 25%. Glorious
IMO it's very comparable to my Lull 5ers. The fretwork is excellent. Neck joint is tight. No dead spots. Quiet electronics. Great finish job. It lacks graphite rods, but so would a 65 Jazz, LOL. Regarding the headstock shape and tuner configuration.....I don't have any issues with the 4/1 or 3/2.....as long as it's not pointy like Klingon battle axe!
Similar experiences with my three USA G&L basses. I think the quality is comparable to boutiques like Mike Lull, but the boutiques were typically lighter . . . until the empress option arrived. Two of mine, the M-2500 and JB, have quartersawn necks that feel stiffer than my MIA Fender with graphite rods. They are unbelievably solid, and the JB has excellent tuning stability that seems to have improved with age (it's a 2010).
The more I think about this, the more I think I want a JB-5. I should stop thinking about it, but I think we all know how likely that is! Just a matter of time I'm afraid. . .
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