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G&L USA users - Need advice!

NickInMesa

NickInMesa

Jan 1, 2009
3,397
51
57
Mesa, Arizona
#1
I am looking at G&L basses right now.

I love the action on the JB-2 I tried a couple weeks ago (Plankspanker's).

What are all the pros and cons of these basses?

I like Jazz basses better, but the JB-2 has a P body with J pups and a J neck. Which would work better for me? Is the contour body identical on the JB?

Also how good are the pickups stock? Is the bridge that much of an improvement?

What wood is usually used? Are the neck 1/4 sawn? Always, or on certain editions?

I play lots of modern, classic and heavy rock, sometimes dab into metal, being one of the few metal bassists who play a Jazz.

Thanks!!!!!
 
#2
The bridge and pups are considered by many to be a vast improvement over anything else Leo Fender designed. If you change out either, G&L owners thoughout the land will stone you. Wood on the USA models is normally 2nd to none. The 5 strings are all quartersawn, not sure about the 4 strings but their necks are almost uneversally rock solid. These people really know wood. I have no expreriences with the G&L jazz style models but they use most of the same hardware and I'm sure the attention to detail is the same as the other models.
 
#3
Nick, I tried a JB when the Bass Place was still on our side of town; it is a dead ringer for the Fender J-bass, in terms of feel, shape, and the other ergonomic things that you ask about (not to mention sound). Your preference may be for that shape, but mine is for more bilateral symmetry in the booty (much like women), which the P-style body affords.

A lot of the questions in the OP would have been easily answered with a visit to www.glguitars.com
 
#5
Here's a G&L L2000:

L2000_ChyBrs_MP.jpg


JB-2:

JB2_HnyBrs_PFMT_RW.jpg


JB:

JB_BabyBlu_MP.jpg


The JB-2 uses the L2000 body, not a P-bass body, while the JB uses the traditional Jazz Bass shape with offset waist.

I love G&L pickups, whether MFDs or their in-house Alnicos. I have a G&L Legacy guitar with G&L's alnicopickups and they are really nice.

I do have an ASAT bass and have played several L1000s and L2000s. The last L-2000 I played, I really wish I'd walked out with, but it sold the next day.

I love-love-love their Saddle-Lock bridge. I consider it a major step up from typical stamped metal bridges and also better than the cast aftermarket bridges.

The L2000/JB-2 shape is very comfortable. It balances nicely, puts the fretboard at the most comfortable and playable position, and the body is contoured in all the right places for playing comfort.

Their woods are top notch. Usually alder body & maple neck. Ash bodies on the transparent finishes or when specified. The 4-bangers don't have quartersawn necks but I've never felt the need. The necks are wonderful. I have a nice little Cort Artisan that I enjoy a lot and it's very playable and well set up. But when I strap on the ASAT it feels like i just stepped into a Mercedes with leather interior. Substantial, comfortable, and luxurious.

The JB-2 should be a real sleeper when it comes to getting a J-bass sound from a near boutique quality bass for mass-produced money (about $1275 from MF).
 
#6
NickInMesa said:
Lol, dude, I am famous around my friends for being obsessed with the female body, but you're pushing the obsession a bit farther.

Do you think about Kim Basinger, or Gina Lollobrigida when you play it?

(If you catch the movie reference, you win a beer).
Click to expand...


Yes, but it doesn't take me "9 1/2 Weeks" to play a song or master a new one. The weather's warming; make it a good European lager.
 
#9
JohnnyB53 said:
Here's a G&L L2000:

I love-love-love their Saddle-Lock bridge. I consider it a major step up from typical stamped metal bridges and also better than the cast aftermarket bridges.

The L2000/JB-2 shape is very comfortable. It balances nicely, puts the fretboard at the most comfortable and playable position, and the body is contoured in all the right places for playing comfort.

Their woods are top notch. Usually alder body & maple neck. Ash bodies on the transparent finishes or when specified. The 4-bangers don't have quartersawn necks but I've never felt the need. The necks are wonderful.

The JB-2 should be a real sleeper when it comes to getting a J-bass sound from a near boutique quality bass for mass-produced money (about $1275 from MF).
Click to expand...

I agree with all of this, especially about the body shape. The JB-2 I tried out was so comfortable. In the end, however, when I was purchasing a Jazz style bass I ended up going the USA Fender route but afterwards had some regrets not going the G&L route.

The only downside I can see with G&L seems to be re-sell value, but that's only if you're looking into this as an investment or if you're just trying out for sh!ts and giggles with the possibility of unloading at a later time down the road.
 
#10
Z-Bass said:
I agree with all of this, especially about the body shape. The JB-2 I tried out was so comfortable. In the end, however, when I was purchasing a Jazz style bass I ended up going the USA Fender route but afterwards had some regrets not going the G&L route.

The only downside I can see with G&L seems to be re-sell value, but that's only if you're looking into this as an investment or if you're just trying out for sh!ts and giggles with the possibility of unloading at a later time down the road.
Click to expand...

So you mean that buying used may not be such a bad idea?
 
#11
Probably not a bad idea, but even buying new you're getting a well contructed, great sounding bass for a good price. But it doesn't hurt to search around for a used one in good condition. The one I stumbled upon was in excellent condition for around $850. That one sold before I had a chance to decide.
 
#13
I had a JB-2 and it was a killer jazz bass. The only downside is that the barrel style jack they use has a high failure rate. Mine was intermittent when I bought it. Otherwise the bass was light, set up nicely, and had a clear crisp jazz tone. A top notch jazz bass expecially for the price used. Possibly the best jazz clone value available.
 
#14
My main bass for the past 7 or 8 years has been a G&L JB-2.
IMO & IME it's one of the best jazz bass' available.(Played Fender, Vintage pre CBS Fender, Lakland......etc....

Real stable neck , high quality everything. It balances perfect sitting & on a strap (major important for me). Also have to mention mine is a real work horse, never had one problem with it (except usual electronic wear).

The only thing I did to it was swap the original Pups for Lindy Fralin split coils. But that's a matter of personal taste. (plus I love Jazz split coils since I often change between Pups & blend them)

Next step for me is finding a good G&L P-bass.

Hope this helps.
 
#16
NickInMesa said:
Wrong movie. Aaahhhh... Sorry...
Click to expand...

Never saw The Commitments; go figure.

Yep, the JB2 Legion thread may be dormant, due to the demise of the sponsored forum here on TB, and the JB2 is considered the red-headed step-child among most G&L afficionados, but that just means that it's a distinctive enough instrument for those of us who love it.

Haven't played mine in 2 weeks, due to the recent gigs requiring the P-bass (Green Day tribute), or being special enough to warrant the 'wick coming out. Looking forward to reconnecting with the "wife" tonight.
 
#19
NickInMesa said:
So you mean that buying used may not be such a bad idea?
Click to expand...

Absolute great idea...unless your problem is an excess of cash you are trying to unload! Got mine dirt cheap. Since it was in excellent shape it seemed the only problem was that all the knobs and switches were loose and rotating around. Obviously the previous owner was a guy who didn't know which end of the visegrips to grab. His dumbness was my gain. It has needed nothing but new strings since I got it and tightened up all the knobs and switches. That bass (L-2500) simply kills! I don't know about the Fender clones because I've never played/owned one.
 

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