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G&L Reset.....

BulbousMoses

BulbousMoses

Jun 26, 2008
1,412
142
Ottawa, Canada
#1
So last night, I called the only G&L dealer in my city (Lauzon Music) and was told by the owner that they no longer carry G&L (even though it says otherwise on their website). Anyway, I start talking to the guy about why they dropped the line and he starts telling me that they weren't selling and that the Tribute line were not very good, going on to state that the US made G&L's were just "ok". Now I've shopped at this store before and always had good experiences there and it's been in business for over 50 years so it's a well respected place around my part of the world.

So my question is, should I be worried about G&L as a brand, specifically the Tribute line or is this guy just talking sour grapes over something. He stated that they are now a Lakland dealer FWIW and when I asked about the availablity of a Skyline Joe Osborn (or whatever they're calling that model now) I was told 6 to 8 months to get one. Whaaat? It's a production bass, fer the love of Gawd!
 
#3
G&L's marketing is definitely not the best but their basses are great! I have two Tributes (L2000 & L2500) and they are fantastic. They were so good they made me sell the Ric I had a couple of years ago. They may not be selling, again, because alot of people dont know much about them, but IMO I doubt its because the quality of the merchandise.
 
#6
I don't have a problem with my Tribute L2000.

You don't see them advertised all that often. I compare them to the SVT Focus (when it was around), great car, but only people that knew, knew.

If that makes sense...
 
#11
Reaper Man said:
You don't see them advertised all that often. I compare them to the SVT Focus (when it was around), great car, but only people that knew, knew.
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Thats exactly it. If a line of products isnt selling, and thats how you make your living, you probably wouldnt carry that product for long. Maybe the owner just didnt care for the G&Ls himself combined with low sales, hence the bash? But he showed that he doesnt exactly know what he is talking about because the L in G&L is for Leo and most of the products are nothing like Fenders. Maybe he meant Lakland were fender wannabees?:hiding:
 
#12
If there was no Bass Player Magazine, I never would have known what a G&L bass was! I have never seen one in any of the musc stores I've ever visited! I met a bassist/producer who had one (played the hell out of it too). This was well over 10 years ago though. I do wonder how they stay in business. I never saw one onstage in NY/NYC or down here in Virginia!

From all accounts though, they are what Fender should have been!
 
#13
Chef said:
I sure wouldn't pass judgment on the health of a company based on what one retailer says.
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*yup*. It could be that G&L dropped *him*, so he's going to bad mouth them.

I will say this: G&Ls don't fly off the shelf. I've known several retailers over the years, and they've all had the same problem. That they don't have the brand recognition of Fender means that n00bs (And their parents) will walk into a store and buy the MIM Fender before they'll buy a US made G&L - and it's really hard to make the case that the Fender is the superior instrument.

The lack of retail support is reflected in the poor resale value of these instruments -- Which is *good* if you want a good value on a used instrument -- not so good if you bought it new and now want to sell it...
 
#16
BigOldHarry said:
*yup*. It could be that G&L dropped *him*, so he's going to bad mouth them.

I will say this: G&Ls don't fly off the shelf. I've known several retailers over the years, and they've all had the same problem. That they don't have the brand recognition of Fender means that n00bs (And their parents) will walk into a store and buy the MIM Fender before they'll buy a US made G&L - and it's really hard to make the case that the Fender is the superior instrument.

The lack of retail support is reflected in the poor resale value of these instruments -- Which is *good* if you want a good value on a used instrument -- not so good if you bought it new and now want to sell it...
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What I see around TB as far as G&L is concerned is mostly positive and I've watched a few of Ed Friedland YouTube reviews of G&L basses (one was the Tribute L2000) and he likes them alot. But maybe you're correct in saying that G&L dropped him. That sounds like a more plausible scenario, given his reaction.
 
#17
G&Ls are harder for a retailer to sell than fenders, ibanez, peavey, and other better known brands. The quality of any bass is purely subjective. G&Ls may not have been making him very much money, but IMHO G&Ls are great instruments, I've played G&Ls from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and the consistency of quality is unmatched by similarly priced basses. My main axe is a 2009 L-2500, and when I get the money I'll be seeking out an SB-2 or a JB-2 or both! As far as I'm concerned, for the price, you will be hard-pressed to find a more functional, practical, work-horse of a bass than a G&L.

I'm even a fan of the Tributes. Their quality to price ratio is probably the same or better than the USAs, IMHO.

Additionally, never trust a salesman.
 
#19
IMO, G&L make the best basses. I'm stunned at how many people don't know them. There are no dealers in my area. There was one 2 hours away but they dropped the line and I got a great deal on their last one, a USA ASAT semi-hollow in transparent orange. Best. Bass. Ever.
I also use a MIM Fender Jazz as my 2nd bass. I like it, too.
As for G&L's marketing, it IS terrible. I remember ads in BP. There would be a blurry photo of a bassist from a band I've never heard of with a small logo on the bottom. Just awful.
 
#20
Need2KnowBasses said:
From what I've seen both the Tribute and US series are fantastic instruments but there is very little name recognition among the general public.
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They're certainly not as well known as Fender or Gibson if you're just throwing out names but I'm not as concerned with that as I am with getting the best bass for my money. And for me, resale value is secondary as well. If I buy a G&L and I love the thing, it'll be with me for life.
 

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