NBD: G&L Custom Shop CLF L-2500

[Edgetone]

Well, after an 8 month wait, my first custom shop ordered bass finally arrived. Unfortunately, they didn't do my neck binding, so now I'll be waiting on the replacement neck. But that's a minor issue as this thing is glorious.

A black CLF L-2500 in alder with wood binding, a Modern C5 neck, maple board, black blocks, and the modern rather than classic head stock. The only reason it has the modern head stock is that they told me the were having trouble doing neck binding with the classic head stock. Then, apparently, they forgot to do it.

She plays beautifully, and I have the K-mod for the coil tap. Bridge pickup with coil tap is now my favorite tone. I also found that the overall output is quite a bit lower than the '98 I had.

Here she is with her fretless Kiloton sister.

 

[jd56hawk]

I really like the look of the binding on that.
White wouldn't quite be the same.

 

[SJan3]

I really like the look of the binding on that.
White wouldn't quite be the same.

Honestly, I love the blocks without the binding. I wouldn't change a thing! Beautiful bass and I always felt the binding might interfere with vibrations.
Just MHO.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

This is awesome.
I inquired about the Modern 4+1 on a hypothetical custom shop L2500, because I prefer it over the Classic 4+1. The vendor I corresponded with didn't even see the option on his list of CS options, so there was no price to quote.

I am actually happy that it is possible, not that I will be getting one any time soon...or even ever...

Through which vendor/dealer did you get it?

 

[Edgetone]

This is awesome.
I inquired about the Modern 4+1 on a hypothetical custom shop L2500, because I prefer it over the Classic 4+1. The vendor I corresponded with didn't even see the option on his list of CS options, so there was no price to quote.

I am actually happy that it is possible, not that I will be getting one any time soon...or even ever...

Through which vendor/dealer did you get it?

My local dealer is Arbutus Music in Nanaimo, BC, Canada (That's on Vancouver Island; the greenbelt of Canada).

As for Custom Shop orders, the base price is about $400 CAD more than just an option order, and they can do most anything you ask. It just might cost a little more.

 

[Edgetone]

Honestly, I love the blocks without the binding. I wouldn't change a thing! Beautiful bass and I always felt the binding might interfere with vibrations.
Just MHO.

We each have our own loves. 15 years playing a CIJ Geddy Lee jazz made me love blocks, bindings and thinner necks. My new rule is blocks and binding are must haves (except on my fretless, then no lines is the must have).

 

[jcburn]

Congrats on a killer bass man.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

You ordered this headstock on purpose?
Its the only thing I would change on my L2500.

 

[JRA]

beautiful ax! congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[Edgetone]

You ordered this headstock on purpose?
Its the only thing I would change on my L2500.

I like the look of G&L headstocks. They make it clear that "this is not a Fender". I find the older headstock looks like they wanted to look "like" a Fender, but they took away the character by rounding out anything that looked close to an angle.

That being said, if my replacement neck has the older headstock I won't mind. I just want my binding.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I love the look of the L-2500 with blocks!

 

[80jazz]

You can order these things with changes? If so, it makes me want one even more!

 

[eastcoasteddie]

View attachment 3750884

I wonder why they stopped using the short-stem tuners...

 

[Edgetone]

I wonder why they stopped using the short-stem tuners...

Maybe it's easier to get the longer stem versions. Cheaper?

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Congrats, enjoy!

 

[Tbone76]

Beautiful, congrats! I love the metal control plate on vintage L-series basses, and I'm glad they released the CLF version with it. To me it shows the Leo lineage of the Jazz Bass and the Stingray. It's not as refined looking as the more modern rear-routed L-Series basses, but to me, it just pops in all the right ways. It's all-business.

Enjoy that beauty!

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

Honestly, I love the blocks without the binding. I wouldn't change a thing! Beautiful bass and I always felt the binding might interfere with vibrations.
Just MHO.

I LOVE blocks/no binding on maple or rosewood, always have. Binding looks nice and there's nothing wrong with it, but I prefer the feel of none, plus it makes fretwork an awful lot easier.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Beautiful, congrats! I love the metal control plate on vintage L-series basses, and I'm glad they released the CLF version with it. To me it shows the Leo lineage of the Jazz Bass and the Stingray. It's not as refined looking as the more modern rear-routed L-Series basses, but to me, it just pops in all the right ways. It's all-business.

Enjoy that beauty!

I agree, definitely prefer with the control plate. I'd never thought about why, but that 'Leo lineage' explanation makes sense to me.

 

[Tbone76]

I agree, definitely prefer with the control plate. I'd never thought about why, but that 'Leo lineage' explanation makes sense to me.

Even the G&L headstock has elements of Leo's prior designs. The hook on the headstock is similar in shape to the Musicman Stingray's headstock shape, and the overall shape is similar to the Fender design. It's neat little touches like that that make G&L's cool, on top of all the other innovative things they put in their instruments.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Even the G&L headstock has elements of Leo's prior designs. The hook on the headstock is similar in shape to the Musicman Stingray's headstock shape, and the overall shape is similar to the Fender design. It's neat little touches like that that make G&L's cool, on top of all the other innovative things they put in their instruments.

I do really like G&Ls, had a tribute L2000 but it was too heavy really & sold it. I was planning on looking at US models in the summer when I get my bonus, but that might be slightly less likely now lol. Wish the used bargains popped up as much on the UK as they seem to in the US.