NBD: 1981 G&L L-1000 "closet classic"

[dalkowski]

I'm dead. Amazing score!

 

[T-boneParish]

Vintage Wunkay? Check!
1st-gen headstock? Check!
3-bolt neck? Check!
Pristine condition? Check!

Dang, that's an amazing find! Enjoy it!

 

[luciens]

Vintage Wunkay? Check!
1st-gen headstock? Check!
3-bolt neck? Check!
Pristine condition? Check!

Dang, that's an amazing find! Enjoy it!

Yes, and even has the original "skunk-stripe" neck. Which, not to be a worry-wart, you do want to keep an eye on. These had similar problems to the Fender necks, which Leo Fender brought with him to G&L and put into the original Wunkay design. If it's got no ski-jumps, warps, etc. you're good.

But Leo Fender knew about this, and the later G&L's had the "bi-cut" neck (his fix for the traditional neck design), which I had on my first L2000. That was the most stable neck I've ever seen on a bass....

L

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Nice score! I saw one very similar to that on the Seattle Craigslist recently.

This is indeed that same bass.

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Yes, and even has the original "skunk-stripe" neck. Which, not to be a worry-wart, you do want to keep an eye on. These had similar problems to the Fender necks, which Leo Fender brought with him to G&L and put into the original Wunkay design. If it's got no ski-jumps, warps, etc. you're good.

But Leo Fender knew about this, and the later G&L's had the "bi-cut" neck (his fix for the traditional neck design), which I had on my first L2000. That was the most stable neck I've ever seen on a bass....

L

No issues Neck is flat and no buzzing anywhere.

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Congratulations, that is a lovely specimen!

Hope it doesn't weigh a ton.

9.8 lbs

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

At first I thought you found my old bass from when I was in high school, but mine had a black control plate and neck plate. It also had a striped ebony fingerboard and the color was slightly different. I bought it in 1983 after I outgrew my starter bass. I occasionally check eBay and Reverb to see if it (or one just like it) turns up. I thought I found it once, but that bass was over 10 pounds and mine was surprisingly light.

- Steve

 

[A9X]

I thought I found it once, but that bass was over 10 pounds and mine was surprisingly light.

That might have been it. Like many wives, they gain weight as they get older...

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Nice score. I'm always on the lookout for the right 1kay. I think I want a slightly beat up, light weight brown version.

 

[Scarysharkface]

I've been on the hunt for a nice G & L L-1000 for a while - even considered buying one of the newer clf models. But out of the blue this amazing bass popped up on Craigslist. It was tough to tell from the pictures the exact condition but the listing did say no scratches or dents. When I got it I was absolutely Blown Away. Basically the bass was purchased in early 1982 and played very little. Probably spent 30 plus years in the case under a bed or in a closet. Zero fret wear no dents or scratches no dings and the case is absolutely perfect and Immaculate as well. Additionally in the case I found the 1981 G & L brochure, the original music store purchase receipt , two keys for the case (probably never been used) and a G & L instruction sheet that is actually for an L2000. I'm guessing that may have been all the music store had at the time of purchase. I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon this beauty. It is clear blue over poplar i believe. It has a rosewood fretboard. The neck is stamped October 15th 1981 in the body October 23rd 1981. Interesting smooth black Bridge and chrome Hardware combo. If there's any wear it is a tiny bit of surface rust on the pole pieces and the tuning pegs are decently oxidized , other than that it is pretty mint. I've spent all day setting it up! Truss rod is nice and smooth and works well got the poll pieces adjusted so string volume is nice and even. And a new set of roundwounds installed. Wow is this thing a beast! Throaty and aggressive. Full-bodied and present with a decent top and grind. I am beyond psyched!View attachment 4482218 View attachment 4482219
View attachment 4482220 View attachment 4482221
View attachment 4482223
View attachment 4482225 View attachment 4482226 View attachment 4482227 View attachment 4482229 View attachment 4482236 View attachment 4482237 View attachment 4482240 View attachment 4482238
View attachment 4482251

I've never seen one that clean!

John

 

[Chicken Wing]

Simply WOW! What a score.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Yikes! That's downright amazing! Congrats.

 

[Jfp]

Sweet! Great score, congratulations.

 

[bolophonic]

Holy mackerel, that is SWEET!

 

[dalkowski]

I occasionally check eBay and Reverb to see if it (or one just like it) turns up.

I do the same for my first, a guild B301A. If no one's changed out the knobs, I'll know it instantly.

 

[lbbc]

That's amazing!!

 

[L. L. Elwood]

One more pic with my other G&L-1988 fretless L1000 also in clear blue..but certainly a different shade.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

One more pic with my other G&L-1988 fretless L1000 also in clear blue..but certainly a different shade.

Mine was more like the fretless one in terms of the finish color.

- Steve

 

[Bright Midnight]

I've been on the hunt for a nice G & L L-1000 for a while - even considered buying one of the newer clf models. But out of the blue this amazing bass popped up on Craigslist. It was tough to tell from the pictures the exact condition but the listing did say no scratches or dents. When I got it I was absolutely Blown Away. Basically the bass was purchased in early 1982 and played very little. Probably spent 30 plus years in the case under a bed or in a closet. Zero fret wear no dents or scratches no dings and the case is absolutely perfect and Immaculate as well. Additionally in the case I found the 1981 G & L brochure, the original music store purchase receipt , two keys for the case (probably never been used) and a G & L instruction sheet that is actually for an L2000. I'm guessing that may have been all the music store had at the time of purchase. I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon this beauty. It is clear blue over poplar i believe. It has a rosewood fretboard. The neck is stamped October 15th 1981 in the body October 23rd 1981. Interesting smooth black Bridge and chrome Hardware combo. If there's any wear it is a tiny bit of surface rust on the pole pieces and the tuning pegs are decently oxidized , other than that it is pretty mint. I've spent all day setting it up! Truss rod is nice and smooth and works well got the poll pieces adjusted so string volume is nice and even. And a new set of roundwounds installed. Wow is this thing a beast! Throaty and aggressive. Full-bodied and present with a decent top and grind. I am beyond psyched!View attachment 4482218 View attachment 4482219
View attachment 4482220 View attachment 4482221
View attachment 4482223
View attachment 4482225 View attachment 4482226 View attachment 4482227 View attachment 4482229 View attachment 4482236 View attachment 4482237 View attachment 4482240 View attachment 4482238
View attachment 4482251

My God man! Willing to share with us less fortunate souls how much you paid? What a beauty it is!!!!!

 

[SJan3]

I've been on the hunt for a nice G & L L-1000 for a while - even considered buying one of the newer clf models. But out of the blue this amazing bass popped up on Craigslist. It was tough to tell from the pictures the exact condition but the listing did say no scratches or dents. When I got it I was absolutely Blown Away. Basically the bass was purchased in early 1982 and played very little. Probably spent 30 plus years in the case under a bed or in a closet. Zero fret wear no dents or scratches no dings and the case is absolutely perfect and Immaculate as well. Additionally in the case I found the 1981 G & L brochure, the original music store purchase receipt , two keys for the case (probably never been used) and a G & L instruction sheet that is actually for an L2000. I'm guessing that may have been all the music store had at the time of purchase. I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon this beauty. It is clear blue over poplar i believe. It has a rosewood fretboard. The neck is stamped October 15th 1981 in the body October 23rd 1981. Interesting smooth black Bridge and chrome Hardware combo. If there's any wear it is a tiny bit of surface rust on the pole pieces and the tuning pegs are decently oxidized , other than that it is pretty mint. I've spent all day setting it up! Truss rod is nice and smooth and works well got the poll pieces adjusted so string volume is nice and even. And a new set of roundwounds installed. Wow is this thing a beast! Throaty and aggressive. Full-bodied and present with a decent top and grind. I am beyond psyched!View attachment 4482218 View attachment 4482219
View attachment 4482220 View attachment 4482221
View attachment 4482223
View attachment 4482225 View attachment 4482226 View attachment 4482227 View attachment 4482229 View attachment 4482236 View attachment 4482237 View attachment 4482240 View attachment 4482238
View attachment 4482251

What a beauty!! Enjoy!