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G&L made in Fullerton vs. Indonesia (Tributes)

I mean: how long did it take for them to ship you a replacement?
What do you mean?

The neck didn't move, the nut broke, I called them, I sent it back.

They sent me another one that was jacked up cosmetically. I called them, I sent it back for a refund. I bought a 100 dollar Harley benton instead. It had no problems whatsoever, and sounded great.

The one tribute I got that had zero issues at all, was a kiloton. I just returned that within the 30 days because the pickup is so damn hot that It's fairly impossible to get a clean tone out of it. But, it looked and played amazing.
 
Hopefully, I will get an opportunity to try an American made G&L at some point. I've already decided if I do eventually buy an American made bass it'll be a Rickenbacker. Chris Squire, Geddy Lee and Steven Terebecki have the tones I most want to emulate. My Tributes cover the rest of the tones that I'm drawn to.
 
Hopefully, I will get an opportunity to try an American made G&L at some point. I've already decided if I do eventually buy an American made bass it'll be a Rickenbacker. Chris Squire, Geddy Lee and Steven Terebecki have the tones I most want to emulate. My Tributes cover the rest of the tones that I'm drawn to.

I've owned several USA Rickenbackers, not my cup of tea so to speak. I got them same reason, Geddy Lee and Chris Squire. I couldn't get that tone, the pickups to me were weak and lacked bass umph. I didn't like the body shape either, but they do look cool as heck. Maybe you've already played them and love them, many do. If you haven't played one, do so first. I think a USA Rick is a lot of $$ now, sadly like everything has gone up in price
 
I've owned several USA Rickenbackers, not my cup of tea so to speak. I got them same reason, Geddy Lee and Chris Squire. I couldn't get that tone, the pickups to me were weak and lacked bass umph. I didn't like the body shape either, but they do look cool as heck. Maybe you've already played them and love them, many do. If you haven't played one, do so first. I think a USA Rick is a lot of $$ now, sadly like everything has gone up in price

Thanks. I could go the Chickenbacker cheap option first https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803699921158.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.27.2f5d7f6fVeiLm0&pdp_npi=3@dis!USD!US $239.00!US $239.00!!!!!@2103209516884429506995582e4427!12000029776362154!sh!US!4358509041&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Terebecki's Rick tone

 
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My wife and I spent the night in a nearby town and I got the chance to play a 70's Rickenbacker 4001 and 70's Fender JB at a high end music store. Based on that limited experience I would say the G&L Tribute's seem to be a very close match in quality, tone and playability. Given the price difference it's not even close as far as value for price. However, a Tribute will likely never increase in value compared to the other two since they were originally built and into the future.

(IMO) If Rickenbacker didn't have a few legendary players in it's past and was a new company in today's market it wouldn't even warrant a $1,000 price tag. I'm glad I got a chance to play one because even though I really like it's iconic tones and it is cool looking I personally couldn't justify the price.
 
My wife and I spent the night in a nearby town and I got the chance to play a 70's Rickenbacker 4001 and 70's Fender JB at a high end music store. Based on that limited experience I would say the G&L Tribute's seem to be a very close match in quality, tone and playability. Given the price difference it's not even close as far as value for price. However, a Tribute will likely never increase in value compared to the other two since they were originally built and into the future.

(IMO) If Rickenbacker didn't have a few legendary players in it's past and was a new company in today's market it wouldn't even warrant a $1,000 price tag. I'm glad I got a chance to play one because even though I really like it's iconic tones and it is cool looking I personally couldn't justify the price.

I don't think any (new) basses are worth their current prices !! Was just looking on the net at G&L USA JBs and Kilotons, between $2100 and $2500usd for the ones I like, ouch !!
 
I don't think any (new) basses are worth their current prices !! Was just looking on the net at G&L USA JBs and Kilotons, between $2100 and $2500usd for the ones I like, ouch !!

Agree with that concerning G&L's Fullerton made.
Even new Tribute's are $100 more than they were a year ago when I bought the JB-2 (new) for $450. I purchased the 2021 Tribute JB used in excellent condition for $400 eight months ago and the 2003 Tribute L2000 for $375 about three months ago.
 
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I have owned several G&l 5 string USA basses and all were great except for an L 1005. It had a bad neck which the factory replaced and then the B string sounded lousy.

I presently own a fantastic Kiloton 5. The workmanship is first class and it sounds so very good. I recently bought a used Tribute L2500 from Guitar Center online. It is also a fantastic bass with wonderful workmanship, however, it weighs over 11 pounds. It plays, feels and sounds so good that I just put up with the weight. It arrived in perfect new condition and has a nicely figured swamp Ash body.

Both are keepers for me.