G&L L2000 Premium?

[2cooltoolz]

G&L guys. What's this? (Not about to jump. I've owned, and own, some nice G&Ls. Just curious!)
Obviously MIJ. Are these legit?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[jfh2424]

I believe @fcleff has experience with MIJ Tribs...

 

[mouthmw]

Yeah they're legit. Japanese L2Ks. I have a Japanese Tribute L2K (without the "Premium" logo). But yes, they're legit.

Mine:

 

[2cooltoolz]

Cool! I bet they're nice! It's just new to me.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

I think when Tribute production moved away from Japan, initially to Korea and then Indonesia, the company that had been making them were permitted to carry on making them for while, under this Premium label. (Possibly only JDM??) Sorry can't remember the details, I only read about them once.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Found this on a BassChat thread 8 years ago:

If it's branded G&L "Tribute" then it's an early example, and quite rare. If it's branded G&L "Premium" then it's a later example, and not so rare.

Quality-wise, the early MIJ Tribute line had a few teething troubles, but was soon outputting instruments of typically high Japanese craftsmanship.

After G&L moved production of its diffusion line to South Korea the original contract allowed G&L Japan to continue making G&L branded product, and that's when the "Premium" name came into existence. Those instruments offered more options that the MIK Tribute line, including, as mentioned above, more exotic finishes, as well as optional neck profiles, much like G&L USA.

The quality is bullet-proof, and, in my opinion, MIJ Premium instruments had better build/finish quality than the comparable BBE era G&L USA instruments.

Without knowing what you've been offered it's problematic to advise on trade value, but, when the MIJ Premium line appeared an L2000 MIJ had a sticker price around 80-85% that of an MIA example, when an MIK example was around 40-45% of an MIA example.

 

[filler83]

I saw that on MF/GC Used, too. They also have 1.5" jazz neck, correct?

 

[fcleff]

I believe @fcleff has experience with MIJ Tribs...

They are absolutely legit. The build quality equals and sometimes surpasses that of any current USA G&L. I’ve owned a couple (one is for sale here on TB). They are beautiful basses. The one I currently have is just a beast of an instrument. I don’t know why but the double MFD buckers (it’s a Tookay) seem to be hotter and louder and any G&L MFD I have ever played. It absolutely smoked my Indonesian L-2500 in terms of output and volume.

 

[fcleff]

Found this on a BassChat thread 8 years ago:

If it's branded G&L "Tribute" then it's an early example, and quite rare. If it's branded G&L "Premium" then it's a later example, and not so rare.

Quality-wise, the early MIJ Tribute line had a few teething troubles, but was soon outputting instruments of typically high Japanese craftsmanship.

After G&L moved production of its diffusion line to South Korea the original contract allowed G&L Japan to continue making G&L branded product, and that's when the "Premium" name came into existence. Those instruments offered more options that the MIK Tribute line, including, as mentioned above, more exotic finishes, as well as optional neck profiles, much like G&L USA.

The quality is bullet-proof, and, in my opinion, MIJ Premium instruments had better build/finish quality than the comparable BBE era G&L USA instruments.

Without knowing what you've been offered it's problematic to advise on trade value, but, when the MIJ Premium line appeared an L2000 MIJ had a sticker price around 80-85% that of an MIA example, when an MIK example was around 40-45% of an MIA example.

The Tribute branded is the one I currently own (and have for sale ).

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I think the Japanese market had a rare pick guard for the L2K. I've seen a few pics and they're kinda awesome.

EDIT: oh crap!!! You can buy aftermarket pick guards now! [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Lucca]

Hi, since the G&L MIJ Tribute L-2000 from the early 2000s has a 4-bolt neck attachment, can its neck be replaced with a Fender or Warmoth neck?

 

[lug]

Hi, since the G&L MIJ Tribute L-2000 from the early 2000s has a 4-bolt neck attachment, can its neck be replaced with a Fender or Warmoth neck?

As far as I know, all the Tributes have the same squared off pattern at the heel of the neck so a Fender neck will not directly fit.

 

[Lucca]

Thank you very much for kindly replying, lug. I'm sad to learn this because I'm in love with Warmoth P necks and G&L electronics and was very much wanting to combine them...

 

[lug]

Thank you very much for kindly replying, lug. I'm sad to learn this because I'm in love with Warmoth P necks and G&L electronics and was very much wanting to combine them...

I learned this when I bought an unfinished Tribute neck off a blow out sale. Took me a year or so to find a body online that had a square neck cut. Worked out.......eventually.