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G&L's vs BIG $$$$$$$$$$$

D

drumbook

May 20, 2006
121
0
#1
O.K., I understand quality, workmanship, and tone BUT>>>>> are those Big City Axes really worth the big $$$$$$ they ask for over good, solid G&L's?

My only comparison is that I am a USA Gretsch drummer in addition to bass and I honestly understand why they get the the big bucks for their USA built jasper/maple cast hoop drums. Accoustically they are the benchmark. However, a wellbuilt and dialed in jazz bass with premier electronics can cost $4K +++++???? I can buy a KILLER vintage "set" of Gretsch's that would rival any modern day drum for the same.

I consider the G&L one of the best built and sounding basses at a very reasonable cost. I don't get the $4k for the other ones. Maybe I am off base here. No bashing...but what am I missing here? :confused:
 
#2
drumbook said:
O.K., I understand quality, workmanship, and tone BUT>>>>> are those Big City Axes really worth the big $$$$$$ they ask for over good, solid G&L's?

My only comparison is that I am a USA Gretsch drummer in addition to bass and I honestly understand why they get the the big bucks for their USA built jasper/maple cast hoop drums. Accoustically they are the benchmark. However, a wellbuilt and dialed in jazz bass with premier electronics can cost $4K +++++???? I can buy a KILLER vintage "set" of Gretsch's that would rival any modern day drum for the same.

I consider the G&L one of the best built and sounding basses at a very reasonable cost. I don't get the $4k for the other ones. Maybe I am off base here. No bashing...but what am I missing here? :confused:
Click to expand...

Alot of times it seems like an image thing to me- you want to be seen with some really fancy instrument, like it makes you more of a player or something! The screwy thing to me is that, with some exceptions (Alembic, Nordstrand, etc...), alot of those really big dollar instruments use the exact same pickups/ electronics (Bartolini, Aguilar, Seymour Duncan, etc...)- which in my experience has the biggest effect on tone. So, being the thrifty person I am, I would rather buy a beater bass and toss in some nice electronics... luckily G&L made it unnecessary to play a suped-up beater to have a good tone!

If you take the tone out of the equation, the playability and image are all that remain for me. My L2000 and SB-2 both play as well or better than every "boutique" instrument I've played with the exception of a couple of Laklands maybe.... I prefer a little heftier neck profile on a skinny neck (1.5" or 1 5/8" nut width) than alot of high-end builders make. As far as image- I don't really care what other players think is cool at the time- hell, I figure I just know a secret they don't! And I think my basses are some hot s#&% looks-wise!

That said- some people may find the perfect tone, playability and looks in a bass that costs them a couple thousand dollars- more power to 'em. At least they're not spending it on drugs!:smug: Me- I'd just buy a G&L and a car (or new amplifier!) for that money.....

Karl
 
#5
Don't get me wrong, those Big City axes are gorgeous, but I have seen some KNOCK OUT G&L's right here on this forum.

I am still an intermediate student at the bass, but "if" I wanted a big buck bass, I'd go for it with cash left over from liquidating some expensive percussion equipment. Rather than spend the big bucks there, I will certainly invest in two/three amp configurations for a variety of jobs and a competent stable mate for my L2K.

Listening to a nice axe with well thought out amplification has ALAWAYS energized me as a drummer. I would want the same as a bassist as well.

Wished I had the disposable money those dudes spend on expensive axes. :bawl: :bassist:
 
#6
I think G&L's, sort of like StingRays and Sterlings, can't be directly compared to most boutique basses, because none of the latter can duplicate the MFD tone. If you want that sound, you simply must go G&L, and they happen to be well built, great playing instruments with some of the best finishes available. (You should have seen the looks on other players' faces at my last gig when they saw my Electric Blue L-1500 under the stage lights! :bassist: ) On the other hand, if you want a super-smooth, modern, neck through tone, G&L probably isn't your thing. (And you probably aren't having as much fun as we are. :D )
 
#7
Nedmundo said:
I think G&L's, sort of like StingRays and Sterlings, can't be directly compared to most boutique basses, because none of the latter can duplicate the MFD tone. If you want that sound, you simply must go G&L, and they happen to be well built, great playing instruments with some of the best finishes available.
On the other hand, if you want a super-smooth, modern, neck through tone, G&L probably isn't your thing. (And you probably aren't having as much fun as we are. :D )
Click to expand...

Well said. :hyper:

Jim
 
#11
No sir, I don't think you're missing anything.
I've played some amazing basses, brands that start with "S" or "A" ro whatever.
Are they light, tonepacked, well finished, amazing basses?
Heck yeah!
Are they worth 8 of my 1981 L2000e?
Heck no!
 
#12
On one of my last gigs, the lead guitarist and I were facing the drummer during a jam solo and grooving like two monkeys out of control. When it came time to hit the change and back into another verse, we turned at the same time and clanked our guitar necks running back to the microphones. The audience dropped their jaws, we laughed our azzes off and finshed the song. We never even bothered to check for damage.

Once upon a time I had a boutique bass (not even one of those big buck kind) and that kind of accident would have ruined the show for me. Now I chalk it up as giving my bass "character". :D
 
#19
Chef said:
There are basses worth *two-hundred-and-fifty thousand dollars?*

I don't want to be in the same room with one.
Click to expand...

No basses, electric guitars of course.

Let's say there a some people who are willing to pay such an amount of money for a 57'er Gibson Les Paul sunburst. And some people are owning such a 57' Gibson Les Paul sunburst and are playing some blues rock songs just for the fun of it.

Gruesse, Pablo
 
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