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NBD - G&L LB-100 (Build to order)

Ian774

Ian774

Jan 27, 2007
1,755
3,040
Edinburgh, Scotland
#1
4FECB63D-1F92-4ED0-83F5-D97BD731D0A0.jpeg






Hey people of TB, today is a NBD for me.
The G&L LB-100 (Build to order) that I ordered on April 27 has arrived today, July 27. I was quoted 6/7 months, it's here 3 months after the initial deposit. Well done G&L! Big thanks to Greg @RocketMusic for the incredible customer service.

As you can see, I went very classic: alpine white finish on Empress body, black pickguard, Indian rosewood fingerboard, quartersawn maple neck, and logo delete option for the headstock (model number is removed, only showing G&L).

First impressions: it's light! Apparently not the lightest for an Empress body bass at 7.4lb but I'm fine with that as it already has a bit of neck dive, however nothing major and maybe a different strap would fix that. I feel like I'm holding a guitar!
I gotta say, such a light bass is a weird feeling. You feel like you've kind of been ripped off, that you're holding a chinese plywood instrument that you bought for $90 on AliExpress :D

But it actually is a great instrument. Really liking it so far. It sounds quite punchy through my sh*tty home amp, can't wait to play it in practice with my band on a bigger amp. Very resonant!


Finish is quite good, not much to write home about, it's what you'd expect of an American made instrument.
I might do what I've been recommended, which is to give it a proper shielding as there's a bit of noise. Shame G&L can't do that properly, it seems to be a common issue.

Overall, happy with the bass, it arrived waaay quicker than expected, plays great, looks rock'n'roll af.

I played it safe with the options/look, but I've always loved white basses. I'm already thinking of the next one though, not to replace it of course, but to complete it. Probably a JB-5, still in Empress. We'll see…


Any thoughts? How do you guys like the LB-100?
 
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#2
Happy NBD to you. As far as what I myself think of the LB- If I were in the market for another P-Bass-
An LB would be right at the top of my list, and I've done a lot of window shopping. G&L's options are 2nd to none, not many other builders offer such a nice variety.
A 3-month lead time is awesome, I was quoted about 6 months on an SB-1 not too long ago.
Go break 'er in.
 
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#3
Ian774 said:
View attachment 4763213





Hey people of TB, today is a NBD for me.
The G&L LB-100 (Build to order) that I ordered on April 27 has arrived today, July 27. I was quoted 6/7 months, it's here 3 months after the initial deposit. Well done G&L! Big thanks to Greg @RocketMusic for the incredible customer service.

As you can see, I went very classic: alpine white finish on Empress body, black pickguard, Indian rosewood fingerboard, quartersawn maple neck, and logo delete option for the headstock (model number is removed, only showing G&L).

First impressions: it's light! Apparently not the lightest for an Empress body bass at 7.4lb but I'm fine with that as it already has a bit of neck dive, however nothing major and maybe a different strap would fix that. I feel like I'm holding a guitar!
I gotta say, such a light bass is a weird feeling. You feel like you've kind of been ripped off, that you're holding a chinese plywood instrument that you bought for $90 on AliExpress :D

But it actually is a great instrument. Really liking it so far. It sounds quite punchy through my sh*tty home amp, can't wait to play it in practice with my band on a bigger amp. Very resonant!


Finish is quite good, not much to write home about, it's what you'd expect of an American made instrument.
I might do what I've been recommended, which is to give it a proper shielding as there's a bit of noise. Shame G&L can't do that properly, it seems to be a common issue.

Overall, happy with the bass, it arrived waaay quicker than expected, plays great, looks rock'n'roll af.

I played it safe with the options/look, but I've always loved white basses. I'm already thinking of the next one though, not to replace it of course, but to complete it. Probably a JB-5, still in Empress. We'll see…


Any thoughts? How do you guys like the LB-100?
Click to expand...
Happy NBD! I love the contrast between the rosewood and the white body. I think they really make each other pop. I agree about the shielding, it seems that for what we're paying for build to order instruments, that would just be part of the assembly process. That said, it looks like there are many more pros than cons. Have fun! Let us know how it does with the rest of the band. Cheers!
 
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#5
Runnerman said:
I don't own an LB but I would like to have one. Yours is beautiful the rosewood board looks awesome.
I'm thinking the noise issue is amp or cord related, I'd be very surprised if it was shielding.
Click to expand...

I've owned an SB-2, L2K, M2K, and an ASAT, no noise whatsoever, but have heard others discuss G&L shielding issues. Never played an LB, so I hope its not a thing.

I did take my '69 P-Bass to an excellent tech who did shielding and there was a marked improvement, so that might be an option if the problem persists.
 
#6
According to Greg, the lack of shielding is very common with G&L. However I live in an old apartment in Edinburgh, Scotland, so the electrical system might be responsible also.

Good thing to mention: it came perfectly set up (at least to my taste), playable straight out of the case despite doing California -> Virginia -> Scotland.

Stock strings suck though. Will replace asap.
 
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#8
Ian774 said:
According to Greg, the lack of shielding is very common with G&L. However I live in an old apartment in Edinburgh, Scotland, so the electrical system might be responsible also.

Good thing to mention: it came perfectly set up (at least to my taste), playable straight out of the case despite doing California -> Virginia -> Scotland.

Stock strings suck though. Will replace asap.
Click to expand...

Thank the PLEK machine for the good set-up. I always put a lighter gauge than stock on my basses (40-95), but I'm surprised that the D'addarios(?) suck.
 
#12
I love a white bass, Especially paired with a nice dark fretboard.
I'd have gone with a classic tort pg on this combo, but the black one looks very classy.
I have a crazy light (6.5 pounds) empress L1k, and love it. I don't find it lacking in tone compared to my Kiloton or JB2, which are ash bodies weighing a pound or more than.
 
#14
Confunk said:
I've owned an SB-2, L2K, M2K, and an ASAT, no noise whatsoever, but have heard others discuss G&L shielding issues. Never played an LB, so I hope its not a thing.

I did take my '69 P-Bass to an excellent tech who did shielding and there was a marked improvement, so that might be an option if the problem persists.
Click to expand...
I have an ASAT Tele and it's dead quiet as well...just seems surprising they would not find that on a final QC check and deal with it.
 
#17
Congratulations - and I'm glad you seem to be happy with what they delivered.

Yes - - G&L does a nice job. They are one of the companies that I'd let build me an instrument (as they have before) and not worry a bit about issues.

The only thing that I'd do differently is that I'd have to have the G&L logo with "guitars by Leo"! I'm okay with no model ID!

Enjoy it!
 
#18
Ian774 said:
It could just be my apartment. My Fenders are a bit noisy too to be fair.
I can always take it to my local tech and see if he can copper up that bad boy.
Click to expand...

Sadly, some of the wiring in our house is sometimes sketchy, and at times, causes interference when I hook up in my studio. It's an on-off thing too. When I move to rehearsal or stage, I generally don't have that problem, and I understand that local power grids in some areas can cause hiccups to.
 
#20
Beautiful build and congratulations.

Nice to see that G&L is gaining on their backlog of orders. I have an L2K on order (also through Greg at Rocket Music....he's the man!!) and I was quoted 6 months. That was at the end of March. I'm hoping this all means my bass will be at my doorstep soon.

Regarding the noise, none of my other G&L basses have noise issues except for my Jazz bass.
 
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