P Bass Poll: Fender or G&L

[birminghambass]

G&L by a half-mile. I currently own 2 Fender Ps and no G&Ls but every G&L I've owned or played (20+) was of higher quality than any USA Standard Fender (over 100) I've played. The recent quality of Fenders is better but still trails G&L and Musicman IMO.
Some TBer said Fender was better because they sell more. Huh? Does that also make them better than Foderas and Sadowskys? Is a Hyundai better than a Porsche because there's more on the road?

 

[UK Philip]

I've been a G&L guy since 86.
I do agree that difference between the passive modes is minimal so a good choice either way. I also am not into active basses, so I modify both of my L 2500s to passive with full coil tapping giving me a multitude of sounds.
and for the G&L lovers here
View attachment 645191 View attachment 645196

If they offered this finish to be shipped today, I would order one. There is a serious lack of GREEN basses in the world!

G&L by a half-mile. I currently own 2 Fender Ps and no G&Ls but every G&L I've owned or played (20+) was of higher quality than any USA Standard Fender (over 100) I've played. The recent quality of Fenders is better but still trails G&L and Musicman IMO.
Some TBer said Fender was better because they sell more. Huh? Does that also make them better than Foderas and Sadowskys? Is a Hyundai better than a Porsche because there's more on the road?

Why did you get rid of them, out of curiosity?

 

[hdracer]

4 string- G&L
5 string-Fender

 

[birminghambass]

Why did you get rid of them, out of curiosity?

The only bass I've ever regretted selling is a 99 SB2. Fit/ finish was perfect, the neck was flawless. I sold it because it was not black (I was playing metal, yeah I know). I've never kept a L2k for long because the pickups were too hot to tame. I've played several SB1 /100s but never actually owned one. G&L s are rare in these parts, no dealers locally.

 

[mpdd]

One Direction is better than Marcus Miller? One Direction makes more $$$

my students keep correcting me, but i call them one dimension, and i keep asking the kids when the no dynamics album is coming out

 

[rmars]

The LB-100's sound awesome! That said I've bought and returned 5 of them. The first one I returned because of weight (was promised a sub 9lbs'er and got a one over 10). The other 4 had major dead spots, extremely bad (unlevel) fretwork and one had extremely high action and a bottomed out truss rod.

I've played my share of Fender duds but the G&L issues bummed me out. The finish and tone are exceptional and I really liked their neck profile but I won't put up with the other issues.

 

[audreycashin]

Just ordered an L1000, Shoreline Gold - I'll get back to yah

you won't be sorry......

 

[audreycashin]

The LB-100's sound awesome! That said I've bought and returned 5 of them. The first one I returned because of weight (was promised a sub 9lbs'er and got a one over 10). The other 4 had major dead spots, extremely bad (unlevel) fretwork and one had extremely high action and a bottomed out truss rod.

I've played my share of Fender duds but the G&L issues bummed me out. The finish and tone are exceptional and I really liked their neck profile but I won't put up with the other issues.

go to Rocket Music, Greg wouldn't let a bad one by him.....

 

[sigmafloyd]

I see the rocket music thread has gotten to someone else

I have an 08 P but am gassing for a belair Green lb100 with a jazz width neck.

 

[audreycashin]

I see the rocket music thread has gotten to someone else

I have an 08 P but am gassing for a belair Green lb100 with a jazz width neck.

Rocket Music - GLLB100BelairGreen
you mean this one...?

 

[Tunaman]

I have a 2014 g&l lb-100 and a 2015 fender jazz v

The quality is very close, both excellent. Any other opinion is outdated. Each isn't perfect.

If you can play the fender p I'd get that. I got the g&l lb100 because I wanted a custom neck, a bad ass color.

I tested the fender lakland and lb-100 side by side and they were all very close. String choice would produce more tonal difference

 

[sigmafloyd]

Rocket Music - GLLB100BelairGreen
you mean this one...?

If it had the Jazz width neck it would be in the mail

 

[Burwabit]

Used - G&L
New - Fender

Fender holds its value better and is easier to resell later.
As far as quality, playability, looks, and sound, I give a slight edge to G&L, so that got my vote.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

The subsidiary question is Squier (VM/CV) versus Tribute?

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

Fender here. I really hate any bass that looks very like a classic design, but is just a bit different, like a G&L LB-100. It looks like a P bass, but it just...different...

 

[-Asdfgh-]

One day I should probably find a place that stocks G&L Tributes and try one out. The problem with YouTube is the often uncertain recording details and the fact that they are often not in a mix, so it's hard to really determine if they sound good. When I do listen to my own recordings with the bass solo I am often surprised how aggressive they can be sometimes too!

 

[R&B]

Comparing my 2012 American Standard and 2014 LB-100, the Fender wins by a nose. Both great basses, both well made and supremely playable. The Fender CS60 pups sound a touch better to me. YMMV.

 

[bassWR]

Currently have an SB-2T with an LB100 on the way but either brand is a great choice.
It really comes down to what feels good in your hands and what sounds good to your ear.

 

[CrUiSeR]

If you're looking at tributes look for a used made in korea. I hate to say it but the new made in indonesia pales in comparison.
Then again they should just drop the line altogether!

 

[rmars]

go to Rocket Music, Greg wouldn't let a bad one by him.....

Yeah, for the record none of these came from Rocket and Greg seems like a great guy. Kinda over the G&L thing, wasn't impressed when I called them about working out the issues with one of the basses. I think a Mike Lull is in my future, now there's someone who gets the most from the Plek process.