I’ve been thinking about getting a PJ bass again (after I sold mine last year in a fit of pandemic-induced insanity.) With my love of J necks and a limited budget, plan A was a Squier parts bass. I can’t tell you how many times I scrolled eBay, Reverb and GC used, and loaded/unloaded my shopping cart! 
Well I thought I’d stop by the local shop and see what was there. I tried an Affinity PJ 2021 in LPB. Balanced well, sounded nice, beautiful color; but wasn’t wowed by the neck. I could (probably would) swap the neck, but $279 + more $ for parts seems like an expensive Affinity project.
Then I looked up. The “please ask for assistance” rack. There it was: 2008 G&L SB2 tribute! In budget! In my local store! PJ, Jazz neck!
Ive kind of written this bass off due to the “no tone pot” thing. But honestly so far it’s been a non-issue. Volume pot(s) at 80% seem to roll off some of the aggression, and switching from the fresh cheapo strings to some lightly broken in DR Pure Blues from another bass has really mellowed it out. Any other treble adjustments can just be made at the amp.
The neck is divine, and very close profile to my Fender Jazz MIM Standard neck. (Both 0.78” at the 1st, ~0.95” at the 12th; but for some reason the G&L feels a little beefier as you go up the neck, which I’m liking.)
The only con I’m finding is the hang on a strap. I don’t think the G&L has much more than a few ounces on my parts P (bathroom scale inconsistent estimates) but it’s the angle of the dangle. The G&L wants to drop a little lower, and I’m finding a little knot in my left shoulder blade. I’m using a neoprene strap (Neotech) but ordered two straps to play with (Comfort, Levy’s) and I’m hopeful that I can fix it/find comfort by playing with angle, height, and/or technique.
And it’s Black Sparkle!
I absolutely despise unmarked knobs, especially on 2 pickup basses. Here’s my (temporary?) fix- gaffer’s tape!
And here it is along with the bass that’s possibly getting knocked down to #2
Special shout out to Ithaca Guitar Works for excellent customer service. Offered me a one week return option, Free setups for 90 Days, and the “lifetime trade-in guarantee”- I can bring it back at any time (in original condition) and get full purchase price minus $50 towards another instrument. Pretty cool!
Well I thought I’d stop by the local shop and see what was there. I tried an Affinity PJ 2021 in LPB. Balanced well, sounded nice, beautiful color; but wasn’t wowed by the neck. I could (probably would) swap the neck, but $279 + more $ for parts seems like an expensive Affinity project.
Then I looked up. The “please ask for assistance” rack. There it was: 2008 G&L SB2 tribute! In budget! In my local store! PJ, Jazz neck!
Ive kind of written this bass off due to the “no tone pot” thing. But honestly so far it’s been a non-issue. Volume pot(s) at 80% seem to roll off some of the aggression, and switching from the fresh cheapo strings to some lightly broken in DR Pure Blues from another bass has really mellowed it out. Any other treble adjustments can just be made at the amp.
The neck is divine, and very close profile to my Fender Jazz MIM Standard neck. (Both 0.78” at the 1st, ~0.95” at the 12th; but for some reason the G&L feels a little beefier as you go up the neck, which I’m liking.)
The only con I’m finding is the hang on a strap. I don’t think the G&L has much more than a few ounces on my parts P (bathroom scale inconsistent estimates) but it’s the angle of the dangle. The G&L wants to drop a little lower, and I’m finding a little knot in my left shoulder blade. I’m using a neoprene strap (Neotech) but ordered two straps to play with (Comfort, Levy’s) and I’m hopeful that I can fix it/find comfort by playing with angle, height, and/or technique.
And it’s Black Sparkle!
I absolutely despise unmarked knobs, especially on 2 pickup basses. Here’s my (temporary?) fix- gaffer’s tape!
And here it is along with the bass that’s possibly getting knocked down to #2
Special shout out to Ithaca Guitar Works for excellent customer service. Offered me a one week return option, Free setups for 90 Days, and the “lifetime trade-in guarantee”- I can bring it back at any time (in original condition) and get full purchase price minus $50 towards another instrument. Pretty cool!
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Myself, and the whole band thinks the G&L sounds fantastic; a bit tighter, punchier and more articulate than my Parts P.
