Fresh in from Greg @ Rocket Music. Technically I got it yesterday but I couldn't play it until this morning. This is one of the 22 LB-100's that Greg snatched up before the 20% price hike on July 1st.
Empress Body
Tobacco Burst Satin Frost Finish
#12 Quartersawn Maple Neck/Fretboard w/ Light Tint Satin Finish
Tort Pickguard
7.6lbs
It doesn't seem like many here have Empress G&L's or at least their thoughts on it haven't been discussed all that much. First off, the bass is light, right next to a 7.4lb Alder Mike Lull that I had. There is a little more tendency for the balance of the bass to shift towards the neck, but honestly I don't feel it while playing. I only sit when I play and don't use a strap so I can't comment on how it hangs with a strap while standing.
Tone wise, Greg says that Empress is somewhere between Alder and Ash, and having both Alder and Ash LB-100's over the last year, I would have to agree. I'd say that Empress has the roundness and low-mids of Alder, but the clarity and punch of Ash. Pairing it with the maple neck, I still don't find it to be bright. It has punch and clarity, but it still sounds warm, and as the GHS Precision flats I put on break in, it will darken up even more. It's very sensitive to hand placement and touch. It barks easily if you dig in, which since I'm a huge fan of Bruce Thomas, it's exactly what I was looking for. Adding some foam under the strings gets you in Jamerson territory immediately. I also feel like with the tone rolled off all the way, the tone doesn't get muddy like I found it to get on both the Alder and Ash LB-100's I had. These pickups also seem hotter than the last LB-100 I had and I'm not sure if they actually are or if it's just the wood that makes it seem that way.
Playability wise, it's the nicest playing G&L I've ever had. I'd put it up next to all the Musicman's and a Mike Lull P4 that I had when it comes to achieving low action. The satin neck feels nice, though it isn't my favorite finish. That would have to go Musicman and their oil/wax finish. But when I play I don't even think about it. The neck as a whole just feels extremely comfortable and easy to play.
The Satin Frost Finish is interesting, though if I had to pick something I didn't like about the bass, it would be how it feels. My forearm seems to stick to the body a little more with this finish than if it had gloss. I'm slowly getting used to it, but I'm curious to see if that feeling will change the more I play.
I've kind of had a love/hate thing with G&L over the years, but I think this will finally be one I'll actually hold on to. I definitely know that so far it's the one I've been happiest with right off the bat.
Empress Body
Tobacco Burst Satin Frost Finish
#12 Quartersawn Maple Neck/Fretboard w/ Light Tint Satin Finish
Tort Pickguard
7.6lbs
It doesn't seem like many here have Empress G&L's or at least their thoughts on it haven't been discussed all that much. First off, the bass is light, right next to a 7.4lb Alder Mike Lull that I had. There is a little more tendency for the balance of the bass to shift towards the neck, but honestly I don't feel it while playing. I only sit when I play and don't use a strap so I can't comment on how it hangs with a strap while standing.
Tone wise, Greg says that Empress is somewhere between Alder and Ash, and having both Alder and Ash LB-100's over the last year, I would have to agree. I'd say that Empress has the roundness and low-mids of Alder, but the clarity and punch of Ash. Pairing it with the maple neck, I still don't find it to be bright. It has punch and clarity, but it still sounds warm, and as the GHS Precision flats I put on break in, it will darken up even more. It's very sensitive to hand placement and touch. It barks easily if you dig in, which since I'm a huge fan of Bruce Thomas, it's exactly what I was looking for. Adding some foam under the strings gets you in Jamerson territory immediately. I also feel like with the tone rolled off all the way, the tone doesn't get muddy like I found it to get on both the Alder and Ash LB-100's I had. These pickups also seem hotter than the last LB-100 I had and I'm not sure if they actually are or if it's just the wood that makes it seem that way.
Playability wise, it's the nicest playing G&L I've ever had. I'd put it up next to all the Musicman's and a Mike Lull P4 that I had when it comes to achieving low action. The satin neck feels nice, though it isn't my favorite finish. That would have to go Musicman and their oil/wax finish. But when I play I don't even think about it. The neck as a whole just feels extremely comfortable and easy to play.
The Satin Frost Finish is interesting, though if I had to pick something I didn't like about the bass, it would be how it feels. My forearm seems to stick to the body a little more with this finish than if it had gloss. I'm slowly getting used to it, but I'm curious to see if that feeling will change the more I play.
I've kind of had a love/hate thing with G&L over the years, but I think this will finally be one I'll actually hold on to. I definitely know that so far it's the one I've been happiest with right off the bat.
