G&L LB-100: Tribute vs. Fullerton

[Chicken Wing]

Has anyone played both the LB-100 Tribute (price new $549) and the Fullerton model ($1,499)?

I’m wondering how they compare in quality and would love to know your thoughts.

I am looking for a bass to run flats on for blues jams and to accompany an acoustic player w/drummer at small winery gigs.

I’m only looking to own a couple of basses, so quality and detail is important to me. My current bass which I’d keep is a MusicMan Cutlass, an excellent P Style bass (this guy has rounds for my main rock band). The Cutlass has the best fit and finish of any instrument I’ve owned.

I don’t really need custom options. C shape neck and 1 5/8” nut with 9.5 radius is fine.

I’m debating between this and a Nash PB 63 without all the crazy relic. Can find them used $1,500 or so. The necks feel great and the Lollar PU’s are sweet, plus nitro finish.

$1,500 is really the most I want to spend... thanks!

the burst and natural are the Tribute and the Red is the Fullerton.

 

[EmaTheMirror]

I cannot help with the comparison, but one thing I love about those Tribute is how close they actually look like to their US counterpart when it comes to branding and labelling.

 

[Spupilup]

For what it’s worth, I own a CLF L-1000 and an L-2000 Tribute. While I enjoy my Indonesia G&L and think, if I had to, I could hang on to it for a long time and be reasonably satisfied, the truth is, I’ll probably sell it and buy a US CLF L-2000 before the year is out. When push comes to shove the US version is better in every single way. Is it almost three times as good, for me, that’s a resounding yes. However, that’s a decision you and you along can make. If you can, play both before you commit otherwise, you may be left second guessing your decision.

 

[leegreenman]

I have a Tribute S-500, which I love. Much nicer than a Mexican Fender, which would have run me a bit more.
I wouldn’t compare it’s quality to any of the US made G&Ls I own.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

For what it’s worth, I own a CLF L-1000 and an L-2000 Tribute. While I enjoy my Indonesia G&L and think, if I had to, I could hang on to it for a long time and be reasonably satisfied, the truth is, I’ll probably sell it and buy a US CLF L-2000 before the year is out. When push comes to shove the US version is better in every single way. Is it almost three times as good, for me, that’s a resounding yes. However, that’s a decision you and you along can make. If you can, play both before you commit otherwise, you may be left second guessing your decision.

What he said^. The USA LB100 is my favorite P bass, hands down. I agree with the previous comment that a tribute is better than the MIM fender, BUT also remember that the USA G&L is without a doubt better than any USA fender (imo). If you have the money, definitely get the Fullerton. And honestly, getting a completely custom build from G&L for under 2k is one of the best deals in electric bass history. If you’re already willing to spend $1500, then a few more hundred for things like custom finishes or a quartersawn neck is totally worth it.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

Also, awesome LB100s pop up In The classifieds. You can get a used for 800-1000 depending on condition.

 

[Scott Loveless]

I recently purchased a US Fullerton Deluxe LB-100. My local pusher routinely has Tribute models in stock. As such, I've played both. The most noticeable difference is the neck. The tribute neck feels chunkier to me, and has a gloss finish. The neck on my US model is more of a satin finish and feels much faster. While the Tribute's bridge, pickup and tuners look like the US model's, they're not really the same, but you probably wouldn't notice at first glance.

With this whole Covid-19 thing, I was never able to play my US model in the store, or A/B it next to a Tribute, so I can't really comment on tone. I've also since replaced the stock strings with Chromes.

The finish on G&L US instruments is as nice as it gets. Period. My LB-100 is black and it looks like you could dive right into it, it's so deep. Way, way, way better than the finish on any Tribute I've looked at.

Is the Tribute a very nice instrument? Yes, without a doubt. Is the US model better? Abso-f'ing-lutely. Here's my initial write-up: G&L Club Part 7

 

[SJan3]

I second the neck difference and I believe the USA Bass has graphite reinforcement rods, not a bad idea if your flats will be of the high tension variety.
The Cutlass is a fine bass, no doubt, but a Fullerton G&L LB-100 will definitely rival your musicman. And, if your looking for P tone, you may prefer the G&Ls pickup. There are a couple of YouTube videos with Ed Friedland playing an LB-100 with flats and rounds. Take a look.

 

[jeff7bass]

This is the G&L I would be really interested in trying out. P-bass with a more playable neck.

 

[Jim C]

I have both in the Jazz flavor.
#1. Some of these basses are far too heavy for me. Nothing over 8.5 lbs and I had to go to Empress on my US model (about 7 1/2 lbs and well balanced)

Is the US 4X better. No but it's better and my new go to.
The tributes are really nice for the money and agreed better than MIM Fender (I have a 2018).
Custom order is like playing with fire and off the rack is a home run.
Somewhere in between is the Sandberg Electra series for about $800 which is the biggest bang for the buck IMO.
These are really close to my US G&L but prefer the G&L neck shape and tone. Sandberg is active.

 

[Jeff K]

What he said^. The USA LB100 is my favorite P bass, hands down. I agree with the previous comment that a tribute is better than the MIM fender, BUT also remember that the USA G&L is without a doubt better than any USA fender (imo). If you have the money, definitely get the Fullerton. And honestly, getting a completely custom build from G&L for under 2k is one of the best deals in electric bass history. If you’re already willing to spend $1500, then a few more hundred for things like custom finishes or a quartersawn neck is totally worth it.

I can't answer the question of Fullerton vs. Tribute. But I have a Fullerton LB-100 that's very nice. But I'm not sure that I agree with the above sentiment that the U.S.G&L is better than any U.S. Fender. Better than some? Sure. Better than any? Not in my experience. (Shane, I know you said, "imo"; but you also said, "...without a doubt...")

As far as pure P-Bass goodness, I have two Fenders that I'd keep over the G&L. That is NOT a knock on the LB-100. It's just that I like those two Fenders even better. I've had a lot of U.S. Fenders over the years that I ended up selling. Nothing wrong with them. Just didn't grab me like these two. One is an American Special. The other is a MIJ E-Series P from '84-'87. I just love both of them. I like the G&L also, but if I was told I could only keep one or two P's, those Fenders would get the nod. But they're not all created equal. Just as I'm sure not ALL G&L's are created equal either. Probably BETTER consistency from bass to bass though. Here are the ones I've mentioned:

G&L LB-100

2012 Fender American Special

MIJ Fender E-Series ('84-'87)

 

[jd56hawk]

The Tributes are very nice basses, the best in their price range, but the USA models have the choice of thinner necks with different fingerboard and fret options...pleked frets and rolled fretboard edges, lightweight tapered tuners, and quite a lot of different finish options.
Anything you can do with a USA L2000, you can do with the Tribute, of course, so there's that to consider, but I want just a little bit more.

 

[Maynard46]

I just got the Natural G&L Tribute LB100 today. Immediately fell in love with the bass. The neck feels amazing! I love a thicker neck and this feels a little thicker than my AO 60s P Bass. A little heavier too. But the sustain is long and just rings out.

This bass felt so good I ordered the Clear Orange G&L Tribute L-2000 - the orange should do well as my Browns Bass! It has a 1 3/4 neck so its even thicker than the LB-100 so I am very excited to play that one too.

I have never played a G&L before. Rick, Fender and Ibanez and this $550 G&L is built just as good as those $2000 bass. Sounds fantastic too.

 

[friend33]

While the Tribute's bridge, pickup and tuners look like the US model's, they're not really the same, but you probably wouldn't notice at first glance.

The tuners are different, but the bridge and pickups on the LB-100 Tributes are the same as the US models.

 

[Scott Loveless]

The tuners are different, but the bridge and pickups on the LB-100 Tributes are the same as the US models.

That's not quite correct. Here are the differences:

1. The tuners are different. You can put USA tuners on a tribute neck, but you'll have to drill new mounting holes.
2. The bridges that are installed on a Tribute are not made in the USA. The bridges installed on USA instruments are made in the USA. However, both foreign and domestic bridges are made using the same pattern and are interchangeable.
3. Basses equipped with Alnico V pickups, like the LB-100, are not the same. The USA models come with American-made G&L pickups. The Tribute models come with something sourced overseas. Tributes that come with MFD pickups, like the SB-2, are equipped with the same USA pickups as their American counterparts. The remaining electronics (pots, jacks, wires) are not the same.

HTH!

 

[knight of ni]

I have bought 2 Tributes, an M-2500 and an MJ-4. Both are very good basses. Both need some fretwork to be perfect. They're very good basses but I believe US made basses to be vastly superior in terms of craftmanship. This does not mean you can't play on a Tribute what you would play on a US G&L. But if you plan an owning very few basses, do yourself a favor and buy US. You'll thank yourself afterwards.

 

[GreyBeard]

I own the lb-100 tribute and I've played the USA lb-100. The tribute is as good as I need, and the USA model is probably as good as it can be. The action on my tribute is set low enough to give me a nice bark when I dig in and still stay buzz free otherwise. It plays in tune and it stays in tune. The USA model didn't sound ANY different but, it did have a more refined feel and, like I wrote, was probably as good as it could possibly be made. I would love to have a USA model but, I really don't need one as the tribute is totally good enough for me.

 

[Szyszaczek]

From what I've seen fullertone is 4X time more expensive than tribute in Europe. Is it worth it?

 

[mellobud]

26404693[/URL], member: 267424"]From what I've seen fullertone is 4X time more expensive than tribute in Europe. Is it worth it?

Probably not. And I say that even though I own a US LB-100.
4x the cost is too much to justify in my opinion (even though I love my Mine.)

If I were in Europe and looking, I’d look at a Maruszczyk because I dig what they are making.


Link Removed

 

[Eric Burdick]

What he said^. The USA LB100 is my favorite P bass, hands down. I agree with the previous comment that a tribute is better than the MIM fender, BUT also remember that the USA G&L is without a doubt better than any USA fender (imo). If you have the money, definitely get the Fullerton. And honestly, getting a completely custom build from G&L for under 2k is one of the best deals in electric bass history. If you’re already willing to spend $1500, then a few more hundred for things like custom finishes or a quartersawn neck is totally worth it.

The Tributes are very nice basses, the best in their price range, but the USA models have the choice of thinner necks with different fingerboard and fret options...pleked frets and rolled fretboard edges, lightweight tapered tuners, and quite a lot of different finish options.
Anything you can do with a USA L2000, you can do with the Tribute, of course, so there's that to consider, but I want just a little bit more.

I have a 2017 Fullerton LB-100 and it out precision the precision...I have a 2006 American Fender P bass and I rarely play it. I'm always reaching for the G&L...Great Great bass