I love G&L basses, esp. the L2000 and M2000 series, but the headstock looks like Goofy to me...
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G&L vs Fender vs Music Man
- Thread starter Mr Cheese
- Start date
I must be one of the few who the hooked headstock.
I want people to know I'm playing a G&L!
Well, the older style headstock also says G&L, so it's not like you're hiding what you're playing lol (I kid, I kid). Plus the control plate with the specific knobs and switches (and the specific shape of the L2000 control plate too). To me, it gives them even more identity, a continuation of Fender and Music Man sort of vibe. Just like Leo designed them. I know what you mean though, one look at the hook headstock and you know what it is. But I'd be hard pressed to not recognize an L2000 or L1000 CLF versions just from a quick glance.
I've been known to complain about unfinished headstocks, so my opinion is somewhat suspect!
none "earn my loyalty" but i'd give the nod to G&L having owned them and comparing them to fenders i've owned and MMs i've played.
my loyalty to leo rests solely on his 'duh' moments of inspiration: "assemble these parts" to make an instrument!
i like leo. i'm almost certain that he would've liked me.
The G&L 40th anniversary SB-1 doesn't have the 'Hook' headstock or 'sparkle' body, so it would be only one I might consider. I have had a few Fender American Precisions [starting in '75], An American Jazz[ not for long], Musicman Stingray and Reflex over the years; now have a Fender Precision Ultra [Plasma Red]. Was looking at all 3 before I bought my Ultra P. Played a few G&L's and they were competitive in sound and quality but not any better than Fender or Musicman Basses IMO and I was just not drawn to their overall 'Style/look';[any of them] so all things fairly equal went with what attracted me. Along with I got a great deal, best playability of 3 and Ultra had most flexibility for playing in Cover Band [can cover all genres with minimal fuss.] As for overall build/fit quality all 3 are close and excellent for production basses. If I had to pick; MM & G&L a hair over Fender but as to Finish the Ultra I got is almost boutique level. Also I considered resale ease for my son when I kick off.
So to answer the question
Fender, Since I can't afford Sadowsky NYC PJ [long time Gas for that one] first time I played one in NYC long time ago, if I could have bought it I would still have it.
So to answer the question
Fender, Since I can't afford Sadowsky NYC PJ [long time Gas for that one] first time I played one in NYC long time ago, if I could have bought it I would still have it.
They're all good imo in their own way - that's my boring answer.
I like to think of G&L as the active Fender bass models Leo would have come out with if he was still with Fender. Of course G&L offer passive basses too, but their bread and butter are those versatile MFD pickups.
Fender=Leo classic
Musicman=Leo Dimension (experimental design)
G&L = Leo active
I like to think of G&L as the active Fender bass models Leo would have come out with if he was still with Fender. Of course G&L offer passive basses too, but their bread and butter are those versatile MFD pickups.
Fender=Leo classic
Musicman=Leo Dimension (experimental design)
G&L = Leo active
I'm not brand loyal as much as I am a disciple of Leo. If the bass has Fender in the lineage, I will like it to some degree.
I have quite a few Fenders and Squiers, a single G&L (El Toro!) and a couple Musicman Rays (just because they have that sound). I also have quite a few 80s era US Peaveys-all of which are riffs on the Fender recipe and therefore loved and played all the time.
I have quite a few Fenders and Squiers, a single G&L (El Toro!) and a couple Musicman Rays (just because they have that sound). I also have quite a few 80s era US Peaveys-all of which are riffs on the Fender recipe and therefore loved and played all the time.
I bought a MusicMan Stingray in 1978 and had it for nearly 40 years until selling it. It was a beast and had, well, a unique sound that I don't like today.
But I just bought my second G&L USA Kiloton 4 string so now have one white with maple and one tobacco with rosewood neck. I absolutely adore this bass for quality, feel, playability and tone. The narrow (1.5 jazz) nut width, neck finish, contoured body, passive killer pickup and simple controls make it a totally under-appreciated and under valued instrument IMHO. I use it for mostly a hard rock band but I just LOVE it and smile every time I get a chance to play it.
So now I have a newish Precision (with Jazz bridge pickup), a Sandberg J-style, a hollow Warwick and the Kilotons for playing aggressive, fun rock and roll. Am I done? Maybe, but not likely.
Anyway, if anyone is considering the Kiloton or a Stingray style (not sound, mostly looks), G&L is a wonderful choice.
Any other K-ton users out there?
But I just bought my second G&L USA Kiloton 4 string so now have one white with maple and one tobacco with rosewood neck. I absolutely adore this bass for quality, feel, playability and tone. The narrow (1.5 jazz) nut width, neck finish, contoured body, passive killer pickup and simple controls make it a totally under-appreciated and under valued instrument IMHO. I use it for mostly a hard rock band but I just LOVE it and smile every time I get a chance to play it.
So now I have a newish Precision (with Jazz bridge pickup), a Sandberg J-style, a hollow Warwick and the Kilotons for playing aggressive, fun rock and roll. Am I done? Maybe, but not likely.
Anyway, if anyone is considering the Kiloton or a Stingray style (not sound, mostly looks), G&L is a wonderful choice.
Any other K-ton users out there?
And so much more was learned about bass/guitar building by then. I agree, its his best work.
Maybe what "Fender" would have evolved to building/selling if Leo was still there for rest of his career (along with their "classic" bass lineup of course..I think..?).
I don't currently own a G&L but they are my top choice. I've had a few in the past. Mostly the Tribute models but I did have an American made SB-2 for a short time. I would like to have another G&L again. I've never cared much for MusicMan Basses. Not putting them down. I know they're extremely popular but they're just not my thing. I currently have one of those Korean made Fender Jazz deluxe 24 Basses they made in the late 90's. That's my main bass right now. I have 1 other bass & it's an Epiphone Les Paul bass with flat wounds on it.
I currently own 1 Fender, 2 Musicman and 3 G&L basses, and have owned others through the years. They're all at least oldish, ranging from '71 through '96. That means my G&Ls are somewhat different than their current offerings, if only for the bi-cut necks.
My general take is that Fenders are cool and they created the form, but are maybe less careful in selection and construction. Still, I'd love an early 60s Jazz...
Musicman are the best built of the bunch, with really complete designs and impeccable material selection. Neck rod adjustment is incredibly precise, a great feature in the NE.
But those G&Ls, with bi-cut direct fretted (on maple anyway) stiff necks, massive locking inset bridge and MFDs, give a rock solid tone and feel that seriously appeals to me. Certainly the best used bargain of the bunch.
All that said, my #1 is a '98 Lakland 4-94 which is more 'alive' than any of my others (on most days, anyway).
Rainbows are lovely.
My general take is that Fenders are cool and they created the form, but are maybe less careful in selection and construction. Still, I'd love an early 60s Jazz...
Musicman are the best built of the bunch, with really complete designs and impeccable material selection. Neck rod adjustment is incredibly precise, a great feature in the NE.
But those G&Ls, with bi-cut direct fretted (on maple anyway) stiff necks, massive locking inset bridge and MFDs, give a rock solid tone and feel that seriously appeals to me. Certainly the best used bargain of the bunch.
All that said, my #1 is a '98 Lakland 4-94 which is more 'alive' than any of my others (on most days, anyway).
Rainbows are lovely.
Great to hear. I have a Tribute Kiloton coming so I'm stoked to see that model getting some love in this thread.
I think it's a very bold and interesting model. Unfortunately for me, there are no local examples and the online demos are lacking IMO. I hope you enjoy your new bass. Please come back and let us know your impressions.
Fender jazz bass. I own 5 different basses, Jazz, P, G&L 2000, Aerodyne jazz with EMG P/J's, and a Lakland 4401 deluxe with Nordstrand big splits and Bart pre-amp. That all being said, I recently sold my real 1964 jazz bass after owning it for 49 years. I picked it up used because I couldn't afford a new one. $100. with case. After I sold it I really missed the feel, looks, and sound that I grew up on. So, I got a 'barely used' Original 60's Jazz Bass. Not the one touted as American, but the one that I'm told is all American parts with lacquer sunburst finish, assembled in Mexico. I gotta tell you, that it looks, feels and sounds just like my real 1964 jazz bass! It's my 'go to' bass now.
Musicman for me. Initially the 3/1 headstock got me looking at them. Bought my 1st one, a 76 for $400 from a guy that just didn't know what he had!! Felt and sounded the way a bass should. Bought my 93 brand new. Checks all the right boxes for me. I would like to get acquainted with G&L someday. The headstock never appealed to me, but I hear good things.
