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G&L JB vs JB-2

SJan3

SJan3

Dec 8, 2010
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#1
Question: do looks really win out over functionality?
The JB-2 has 21 frets, JB 20
JB-2 has 6 bolt neck, JB 4
JB-2 has a smaller, better balanced body
The JB was a pickguard, JB-2 doesn't.
I considered the JB-2 a step forward for a J series bass but it has been discontinued in the USA line in favor of the JB.
Was it looks or something else??
 
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#2
SJan3 said:
Question: do looks really win out over functionality?
The JB-2 has 21 frets, JB 20
JB-2 has 6 bolt neck, JB 4
JB-2 has a smaller, better balanced body
The JB was a pickguard, JB-2 doesn't.
I considered the JB-2 a step forward for a J series bass but it has been discontinued in the USA line in favor of the JB.
Was it looks or something else??
Click to expand...
Looks lead to popularity, so yes.
I think the same thing applies with the plainer looking Rickenbacker 4004 models. (Another of my favorites).
I’ve owned Fender Jazz basses from the mid-60s,mid70s,and even a very nice US 2017 one, but my US JB2 is my favorite “jazz” bass ever.
The smaller body is one of my favorite features, but the bridge design, overall quality,
DB7AE9A8-3A1A-4199-94D9-34B05A53062F.jpeg
and the very fantastic sounding alnico5 pickups really make for a great bass. Mine weighs 8 pounds 3 oz.
 
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#3
IMG_20200813_134427223.jpg
woodyng2 said:
Looks lead to popularity, so yes.
I think the same thing applies with the plainer looking Rickenbacker 4004 models. (Another of my favorites).
I’ve owned Fender Jazz basses from the mid-60s,mid70s,and even a very nice US 2017 one, but my US JB2 is my favorite “jazz” bass ever.
The smaller body is one of my favorite features, but the bridge design, overall quality, View attachment 3943764 and the very fantastic sounding alnico5 pickups really make for a great bass. Mine weighs 8 pounds 3 oz.
Click to expand...
That's a beauty! I have a tribute version and it is an excellent bass! It compares favourably to my American Jazz Bass.
 
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#4
88F30F54-03A2-4807-BA60-BFD240917155.jpeg
SJan3 said:
View attachment 3943826
That's a beauty! I have a tribute version and it is an excellent bass! It compares favourably to my American Jazz Bass.
Click to expand...
Thanks! :thumbsup:
Yours is a Beautiful finish/color! I actually prefer the blend on your burst to my more blatant 3 color fade.
I bought my bass used from GC across country,and i think it may have been built before GL started including the build description sheets. I didnt get one, or a case for that matter, but I’m really happy with the bass.
I’ve been thinking the fretboard was some kind of rosewood,but when i was cleaning it up for today’s photo, noticed what looked more like ebony striping in the fretboard wood. Then again,the wood looks kind of more porous,so maybe it’s just some kind of stripey rosewood.
 
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#6
The main reason G&L went to 6 bolts was for marketing reasons. More neck hold-down screws just sold more basses. Originally the L2000 had the old Fender 3 bolt attachment that was on the jazz bass many years ago. My L2K had it. Folks just thought only 3 bolts wasn't enough and they just didn't like it.....

L
 
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#7
Jim C said:
I had read a post on TB that suggested that the 6-bolt neck attachment altered the sound.
Not saying I believe this but wonder if others have solid info on this (and maybe a reason for the disco?).
Click to expand...
I think the 6 bolt attachment,embedded bridge, and plekked frets all contribute to the major clarity of the sound. Both my JB2 and my US LB100 share those same features.
 
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#8
But isn't the only difference (other than body size and pick guard) between a new US JB and an older US JB2 the 6-bolt attachment. In another thread, I think the JB2 has an extra fret although I don't see how that would affect the tone.

I have a JB2 Tribute and a brand new US JB. Different strings so no way to know about tone although the Tribute does seem to have hotter PUPS. (OTOH, it could be pup height and strings.)
 
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#9
Jim C said:
But isn't the only difference (other than body size and pick guard) between a new US JB and an older US JB2 the 6-bolt attachment. In another thread, I think the JB2 has an extra fret although I don't see how that would affect the tone.

I have a JB2 Tribute and a brand new US JB. Different strings so no way to know about tone although the Tribute does seem to have hotter PUPS. (OTOH, it could be pup height and strings.)
Click to expand...
I think you’re right about that. The jb2 is a 21-fretter. I can’t see that as making a big difference from a 20-fret in terms of sound.
 
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#10
woodyng2 said:
View attachment 3943849
Thanks! :thumbsup:
Yours is a Beautiful finish/color! I actually prefer the blend on your burst to my more blatant 3 color fade.
I bought my bass used from GC across country,and i think it may have been built before GL started including the build description sheets. I didnt get one, or a case for that matter, but I’m really happy with the bass.
I’ve been thinking the fretboard was some kind of rosewood,but when i was cleaning it up for today’s photo, noticed what looked more like ebony striping in the fretboard wood. Then again,the wood looks kind of more porous,so maybe it’s just some kind of stripey rosewood.
Click to expand...
Looks like a very nice piece of rosewood.
I like it!
 
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#12
luciens said:
The main reason G&L went to 6 bolts was for marketing reasons. More neck hold-down screws just sold more basses. Originally the L2000 had the old Fender 3 bolt attachment that was on the jazz bass many years ago. My L2K had it. Folks just thought only 3 bolts wasn't enough and they just didn't like it.....

L
Click to expand...
Could be so. I had both Musician and G&L basses with 3 bolt tilt necks. They were no problem but I always thought it better to have the neck butt flush with the body wood. The tilt feature prevented this unless the set screw was fully retracted which resulted in the action too high in the upper register.
 
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#13
Jim C said:
But isn't the only difference (other than body size and pick guard) between a new US JB and an older US JB2 the 6-bolt attachment. In another thread, I think the JB2 has an extra fret although I don't see how that would affect the tone.

I have a JB2 Tribute and a brand new US JB. Different strings so no way to know about tone although the Tribute does seem to have hotter PUPS. (OTOH, it could be pup height and strings.)
Click to expand...
I don't think the extra fret affects tone but it sure is nice to have that high E natural.
 
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#15
jthisdell said:
Why doesn't G&L make either the JB or JB2 in a five? It looks like the only Tribute 5 is the L-2500. Or for that matter a JB2 in the Fullerton line? or an ASAT 5?
Click to expand...
They used to have the JB-2 In the Fullerton line but abandoned it in favor of the JB(jazz bass clone). They may still do the JB-4 which is an active JB-2. Im a passive guy but I'd consider a JB-4.
EDIT: I don't see any evidence of the JB-4 anymore
 
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#16
SJan3 said:
Could be so. I had both Musician and G&L basses with 3 bolt tilt necks. They were no problem but I always thought it better to have the neck butt flush with the body wood. The tilt feature prevented this unless the set screw was fully retracted which resulted in the action too high in the upper register.
Click to expand...

I used the "micro-tilt" on my L2K and it didn't alter the tone at all that I could tell. My neck had a ski-jump in it and I had the neck tilted backwards a few turns on the screw until it got so bad I needed to fix it.

Sanding off about half the thickness of the fingerboard to fix the ski-jump made a rather large change in the tone, though (added about another 1/2lb of wool to the tone).

But in point of fact, just the front two screws take all the "upward" pulling force; the neck will stay in place fine with just those two screws and nothing else. Though obviously you don't want to do that :). The other screws more firmly press the heel against the body preventing the neck from moving side-to-side.

As for the JB2, I guess it just wasn't a big seller. Maybe because they already had the JB, so players gravitated towards it instead?

L
 
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#17
luciens said:
I used the "micro-tilt" on my L2K and it didn't alter the tone at all that I could tell. My neck had a ski-jump in it and I had the neck tilted backwards a few turns on the screw until it got so bad I needed to fix it.

Sanding off about half the thickness of the fingerboard to fix the ski-jump made a rather large change in the tone, though (added about another 1/2lb of wool to the tone).

But in point of fact, just the front two screws take all the "upward" pulling force; the neck will stay in place fine with just those two screws and nothing else. Though obviously you don't want to do that :). The other screws more firmly press the heel against the body preventing the neck from moving side-to-side.

As for the JB2, I guess it just wasn't a big seller. Maybe because they already had the JB, so players gravitated towards it instead?

L
Click to expand...
Agree on the top 2 screws bear all the string tension. Re: the JB vs JB-2, It was the JB-2 that came 1st for G&L. I guess it's looks didn't sell so G&L went to the conventional jazz bass shape, and compromised on the features, IMHO.
 
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#19
SJan3 said:
Question: do looks really win out over functionality?
The JB-2 has 21 frets, JB 20
JB-2 has 6 bolt neck, JB 4
JB-2 has a smaller, better balanced body
The JB was a pickguard, JB-2 doesn't.
I considered the JB-2 a step forward for a J series bass but it has been discontinued in the USA line in favor of the JB.
Was it looks or something else??
Click to expand...
The Fender Jazz Bass is probably the best (or second best) selling electric bass in history. The G&L JB is obviously their version of the classic instrument. It is intended for people who prefer the vintage aesthetic over the modern. It would be foolish for G&L to NOT make a vintage-inspired bass, simply because of the company's heritage.
 
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