I sale Fenders at GC and I play G&L's. My LB 100 is by far the best P Bass I have ever Played. TO ME it is not even close. I don't dislike Fenders I just think G&L's are that much better.
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P Bass Poll: Fender or G&L
- Thread starter joeinca
- Start date
I was gonna do a Fender salesman skit, but this will suffice
Both makes have their advantages. One thing I like about the G&L is the modified body with a slightly offset waist contour. But the Fenders tend to be around a pound lighter. The G&L's can be customized out the wazoo on anything from neck width to frets to a wider range of colors, gloss neck or satin, etc., while Fender has significantly reduced the number of colors on the Am Std this year. Soundwise, you can't go wrong with the Fender CS pickups, but supposedly the G&L's are modeled after good exemplars of actual vintage P pickups.
Where I'm going is that no one can give you the "right" answer, it comes down to trying both and seeing which one you bond with more.
Where I'm going is that no one can give you the "right" answer, it comes down to trying both and seeing which one you bond with more.
Agreed, you need to play them both to decide. I also agree that in general the Fender MIA Standards are lighter than the G&L's. Of course you will find lighter and heavier examples of each but in general I find the MIA Standards to be pretty consistently around 8.5 lbs. Personally I like the way the Fender necks feel so thats what I choose to play, but there is no right answer for everyone. Find a bass that speaks to you and buy it!
It's a difficult choice for me, but cutting all the BS, if I was going to music store today with a fistful of money I'd probably leave with a Fender because that's what I like and what I'm most familiar with.
I don't think I could vote in good conscience; I've had my Fender P-bass for 27 years now, and it was made a year before G&L was founded, anyway. I like it well enough that I've never felt the need to replace it, and probably never will. Supplement it with other, much different basses (and I have), but not replace. I've played around with a G&L, and honestly, as a passive bass, it wasn't enough different to make me want one. And I really don't care for active basses at all... but, they are very nice.
Stop being so damn reasonable--
You woke up with no bass and had to choose between the two in the poll…
Which would you pick?!
I want to tank Joe for starting this thread, as I too am on the fence between an LB-100 or AVRI or even an MIM 50's P that I almost bought today. I don't really like the American standard simply for style preference.
I must say, I am leaning toward the LB-100.
From what I have read here on TB, everyone raves about the LB-100's great vintage sound and top notch quality.
I have yet to read a single review from a person who has actually played an LB-100 that says they would choose a Fender over it... Not one.
Even all the Fender votes here appear to be from people without any direct experience with an LB-100.
I must say, I am leaning toward the LB-100.
From what I have read here on TB, everyone raves about the LB-100's great vintage sound and top notch quality.
I have yet to read a single review from a person who has actually played an LB-100 that says they would choose a Fender over it... Not one.
Even all the Fender votes here appear to be from people without any direct experience with an LB-100.
I clicked on the G&L LB1.
And, some sweetie made it onto my IGNORE list from this thread.
And, some sweetie made it onto my IGNORE list from this thread.
G&L. I have one bass. Bought it in '83. It's a G&L.
No vote from me. My #1 is an 06 American Standard Fender P. Many basses have come and gone, all unable to bump my P from its spot.
I've only tried a Tribute SB2 from G&L and it didn't come close. I'd give a USA G&L a shot if I came across one.
I did come across a Lakland skyline 44-64 that felt and sounded as good as my P. I would have bought it if I wasn't on vacation and/or if it was any color other than teal...
I've only tried a Tribute SB2 from G&L and it didn't come close. I'd give a USA G&L a shot if I came across one.
I did come across a Lakland skyline 44-64 that felt and sounded as good as my P. I would have bought it if I wasn't on vacation and/or if it was any color other than teal...
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Stop being so damn reasonable--
You woke up with no bass and had to choose between the two in the poll…
Which would you pick?!
If I started from scratch again? This one.
Seriously, though.. probably the Fender. Simply because I can get an American-made lefty Fender if I want to, but not A G&L. And, as I said, I don't care for active basses.
I voted Fender, mostly beause it's what I'm familiar with, but to tell the truth, I wouldn't turn my nose up at a G+L, they look like fun basses to me. I may come off as a Fender fanboy, but I can't help but think that anything Leo had a hand in designing has to be good.
