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G&L L2000 Question
- Thread starter Sasquatchbreath
- Start date
Case is beat up but that’s no concern. If pricewise, it isn’t a great deal it’s probably worth passing.
I don’t know if I like a jazz neck or not. Right now I’m playing in CV 60s pbass with a big old neck.
I don’t know if I like a jazz neck or not. Right now I’m playing in CV 60s pbass with a big old neck.
If it were me and you were kind of thinking about a G&L L2000, I would look for a used "tribute" models here on the Talkbass classifieds. Tributes are their import line and they use the same hardware and electronics as the US models. The differences are the woods used and the "fit and finish". But you get most of the way there for alot less. Just my opinion, use it as you wish.
Lots of people call G&Ls "CLF" when they are not CLF Research series instruments. People – even people who own them – are in many cases highly ignorant of them.
The CLF Research line isn't that old – about 6 or 7 years. None of them have the standard (since 1983) pro-level G&L headstock, with the point on it.
"CLF" to start the serial numbers began in about 1999, and has continued that way since.
Anything built before 2005 is more likely to be an outstanding quality instrument. Around then, they started heavily focusing on the Tribute line (then starting to be made in Korea), and cutting costs by having components made overseas. However, the build tended to stay OK in general for a little while longer. But they started taking a major dump in the build quality and Q.C. department about 15 years ago, due to a significant loss of income from BBE's other ventures (which had been carrying the guitar division along to that point). BBE suddenly faced major financial pressure to make a lot more profit from G&L, so just like at the CBS musical instrument division in the '70s (led by the same guy who now owns G&L), G&L started digging deeper and deeper in to the cost cutting. It become almost instantly noticeable in the quality of the instruments, if you had followed the company prior. They just stopped putting as much time into them.
They have done nothing but got worse and worse since, IME. You can still get good ones, but the percentage of them has fallen way, way down compared to how they used to be. I have a hard time not finding an unforgivable flaw when I pick up a new G&L now. My last several Squiers have been better built instruments than the average G&L of today, in terms of fretwork and general fit and finish.
If you can get an early CLF serial number for $1,000 or less (which you definitely can, as these things have very low street value), you've done well. In that period, they were still made with primarily U.S. made components, by people who were part of the old school of guitar builders (several still there from the pre-BBE days), and were given the time in the factory to make 'em right.
The CLF Research line isn't that old – about 6 or 7 years. None of them have the standard (since 1983) pro-level G&L headstock, with the point on it.
"CLF" to start the serial numbers began in about 1999, and has continued that way since.
Anything built before 2005 is more likely to be an outstanding quality instrument. Around then, they started heavily focusing on the Tribute line (then starting to be made in Korea), and cutting costs by having components made overseas. However, the build tended to stay OK in general for a little while longer. But they started taking a major dump in the build quality and Q.C. department about 15 years ago, due to a significant loss of income from BBE's other ventures (which had been carrying the guitar division along to that point). BBE suddenly faced major financial pressure to make a lot more profit from G&L, so just like at the CBS musical instrument division in the '70s (led by the same guy who now owns G&L), G&L started digging deeper and deeper in to the cost cutting. It become almost instantly noticeable in the quality of the instruments, if you had followed the company prior. They just stopped putting as much time into them.
They have done nothing but got worse and worse since, IME. You can still get good ones, but the percentage of them has fallen way, way down compared to how they used to be. I have a hard time not finding an unforgivable flaw when I pick up a new G&L now. My last several Squiers have been better built instruments than the average G&L of today, in terms of fretwork and general fit and finish.
If you can get an early CLF serial number for $1,000 or less (which you definitely can, as these things have very low street value), you've done well. In that period, they were still made with primarily U.S. made components, by people who were part of the old school of guitar builders (several still there from the pre-BBE days), and were given the time in the factory to make 'em right.
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This bass is listed in excellent condition. This is what GC means by in excellent condition:
This product is in "like new" condition and shows little to no signs of use. Free from blemishes, scratches, and user wear. All controls are completely functional.
Totally agree that's one big benefit of GC - the return policy, especially if unsure about the model.
My local one rarely procures the hard cases with trades, so nice this one comes with
Swamp Ash, Light Satin Tint, Quartersawn neck — these are options that cost money.
The neck has both a flatter than usual 12" radius and a more narrow than usual 1½" nut — also options that cost more back then, and are now unavailable.
Rosewood means what's now called Indian Rosewood, which would be another upgrade, as Chechen ("Caribbean Rosewood") is the basic option now
As already said, plekking doesn't happen any more (my 2022 SB-1 most definitely would have benefitted from that)
I think the only question is, would you adapt to the neck specs happily?
The neck has both a flatter than usual 12" radius and a more narrow than usual 1½" nut — also options that cost more back then, and are now unavailable.
Rosewood means what's now called Indian Rosewood, which would be another upgrade, as Chechen ("Caribbean Rosewood") is the basic option now
As already said, plekking doesn't happen any more (my 2022 SB-1 most definitely would have benefitted from that)
I think the only question is, would you adapt to the neck specs happily?
I believe the OP has found this bass after some search and I assume it matches his taste and targets
His question to us was: is there anything wrong with it that I don’t know?
From the investigation, I am confident that the answer is no. Except the bad looking older G&L molded case, everything is better than expected (like new condition, superb finish, quartersawn neck, tinted neck, PLEK, etc…)
I have no experience of values on the used market in the US, but if it’s found too pricey, the OP can tentatively negotiate some discount (say 10%) based on the older hardcase (that is by the way probably safer than the original G&G case).
If there is still something hidden that the OP is not pleased with (some here say the neck), he would benefit from the GC return policy. He can also test the bass when it arrives at the local GC store (and ask for adjustments if required).
Personnaly I currently own a 2016 JB-5 and a 2017 Kiloton 5, i.e. US made and from the very same period as the discussed L-2000, and both are top notch quality. As was indeed my 2013 M-2500.
Good luck!
His question to us was: is there anything wrong with it that I don’t know?
From the investigation, I am confident that the answer is no. Except the bad looking older G&L molded case, everything is better than expected (like new condition, superb finish, quartersawn neck, tinted neck, PLEK, etc…)
I have no experience of values on the used market in the US, but if it’s found too pricey, the OP can tentatively negotiate some discount (say 10%) based on the older hardcase (that is by the way probably safer than the original G&G case).
If there is still something hidden that the OP is not pleased with (some here say the neck), he would benefit from the GC return policy. He can also test the bass when it arrives at the local GC store (and ask for adjustments if required).
Personnaly I currently own a 2016 JB-5 and a 2017 Kiloton 5, i.e. US made and from the very same period as the discussed L-2000, and both are top notch quality. As was indeed my 2013 M-2500.
Good luck!
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This comment makes no sense.
1. We are discussing one specific instrument. There's no choice of where to buy it from.
2. You haven't been able to buy directly from G&L for a long time.
3. The retailer generally has nothing to do with whether an instrument comes with a case. What the instrument is equipped with from the source determines whether or not it comes with a case, nearly universally regardless of retailer. On a new instrument, if the manufacturer ships with a case, then the retailer sells with a case. On a used instrument, if the instrument is taken in with a case, it's sold with that case. GC's online listings (new or used) state whether or not a case is included.
As much as GC is awful in nearly every way, and deserves to be ragged on to the Nth degree, your statement about them is false. They don't have the smarts, knowledge, initiative, or work ethic to bother deliberately separating cases from the instruments they came in with and selling them separately.
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Those two pix tell you everything you need to know.
2017 L-2K with a quartersawn neck with the old #8 specs.
Original wood and vinyl G&G OEM case has been replaced with a '90s–'00s SKB OEM case. This is an upgrade from the original case IMO, however, it does kill some value for the bass (missing original parts/accessories).
The bass is nice, but overpriced, IMO. You can get more L-2K for less money, and from a much better seller than the Guitar Center.
The case isn't even close to "beat up." It has some marks on it; that's all. A beat up SKB case has cracks, collapsed or missing feet, etc. That only happens when they are mistreated. They are very sturdy cases.
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They do not use the same electronics. It's just the same pickups. Pots, switches, and even the pre-amp, are cheaper.
They do not use the same hardware throughout. They use the same imported bridge plates; that's it. All the other hardware is different (bridge saddles, tuners, knobs, strap buttons, string retainer, neck mounting ferrules, screws).
They are not "a lot less." With used Tributes going for $500 to $700 these days, and used U.S.A. models from G&L's good years going for $1,000 or less, you're talking about waiting just a little bit longer to save up and buy a U.S.A. model for $300–$500 more. As such, Tributes are not even worth it unless you can get them for $300–$400 including tax and shipping, IMO.
Tributes are perfectly OK in their own right, but if you really know the market for used U.S. G&Ls, then you know that the Tributes are a false economy, in comparison. Why on Earth would I even think about spending $500–$600 on a Tribute L-2K, when I was easily able to buy a beautiful '84 for $800 just recently, and used L-2Ks pop up on Craig's List frequently and end up going for $1,000 or even less?
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L2K + Jazz neck is somewhat unusual and a realllllly nice combo IMO
Pretty good price. If that bass speaks to you, buy it. No red flags and these things keep getting more expensive.
I bought used from GC once and it was great, only I went in person on a trip to Chicago because they don't ship used stuff to Canada under ANY circumstances. A Landing at that price was hard to pass up. I still see that bass come up for sale every couple of years. It's up now for over twice what I paid five years ago!
I had an American L2000. I believe it had the 3 bolt neck joint. Nice bass. Active. Swamp ash body, ebony FB. Heavy as hell. I also have a well set up CV Squier Precision. I actually prefer the latter for its simplicity. tone and response and passive electronics. A matter of personal opinion.
25 years ago, G&L replaced the 3 bolt micro-tilt neck plate on L-2x00 with a 6 bolt and washer attachment.
The fastest way to tell if a G&L is a USA model is the tuners. If they are Schaller with aluminum posts - it is a USA G&L. If they are unmarked generic Indonesian tuners, you have a Tribute model.
On the USA G&Ls, the CLF prefix has been used on their serial numbers since the early 2000's.
The CLF research models only came into being in the last 3-5 years.
On the USA G&Ls, the CLF prefix has been used on their serial numbers since the early 2000's.
The CLF research models only came into being in the last 3-5 years.
I’ll add my thoughts…
Beautiful bass with a few neck upgrades. Whether or not you like the neck profile is completely subjective. A lot of people seem to really like that profile (1.5” nut with 12” radius, aka the old #8 profile). It appears to be in great condition, and, as has been said, the GC return policy is pretty good if you ended up not liking it.
Price-wise, I’d say decently priced, not an incredible deal by any stretch. I’d expect to pay $1000-$1200 for a US L-2000 in that condition. Also, don’t forget with GC (or Reverb) you’re paying tax & shipping, which can add another $100 or so to the cost.
As has been mentioned, it’s not a CLF Research model, but rather just a normal option order model. And that’s not the original case. You can even see that the spec sheet specifies a tolex case. So those points could be bargaining chips with the price. That said, last time I tried to talk a price down with GC for a used item, I was told that they don’t negotiate used prices. Probably varies by store, but still, you may run into a wall there.
Beautiful bass with a few neck upgrades. Whether or not you like the neck profile is completely subjective. A lot of people seem to really like that profile (1.5” nut with 12” radius, aka the old #8 profile). It appears to be in great condition, and, as has been said, the GC return policy is pretty good if you ended up not liking it.
Price-wise, I’d say decently priced, not an incredible deal by any stretch. I’d expect to pay $1000-$1200 for a US L-2000 in that condition. Also, don’t forget with GC (or Reverb) you’re paying tax & shipping, which can add another $100 or so to the cost.
As has been mentioned, it’s not a CLF Research model, but rather just a normal option order model. And that’s not the original case. You can even see that the spec sheet specifies a tolex case. So those points could be bargaining chips with the price. That said, last time I tried to talk a price down with GC for a used item, I was told that they don’t negotiate used prices. Probably varies by store, but still, you may run into a wall there.
