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P Bass Poll: Fender or G&L

If you had to choose between Fender or G&L which P Bass would you rather have

  • G&L LB-100 USA 4 Stirng

    Votes: 165 47.1%

  • Fender American Std. Precision 4 String

    Votes: 185 52.9%
  • Total voters
    350
#81
Linnin said:
I'm a BOLD MAN! Bass players prove my point with their hard earned $$$. My personal opinion doesn't matter. Sales do.
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By that theory, the finest food you can get is at McDonalds as it sells more food than any other restaurant - and more than pretty much all the independent chef run restaurants combined - popularity does NOT equal quality.
This is not a slam on Fender - my P is a Fender, and I like it better than my G&L, but that's a model issue - the general construction and care put into the G&L are WAY better IMHO - though I am comparing to the dreaded CBS - but I too have had numerous MIJ, MIA as well as played many vintage, used and current basses - I was a dealer (and tech) for several decades and pay a visit to the local shops at least weekly to see if there's anything I need more than the money I haven't yet earned.
In the end - both of these are REALLY good options and this thread is a bit pointless as the end decision is going to be which one the individual prefers - the Fender is definitely more 'vintage' accurate - but the G&L has some nicely done updates that really add to the bass.
 
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#83
-Asdfgh- said:
The subsidiary question is Squier (VM/CV) versus Tribute?
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Tributes are in a higher price and quality bracket, more comparable to Fender MIMs IMO.

The pickups on the Tributes are actually made in Fullerton, California. They use the same pickups on their American and Tribute basses. The wood choice might be slightly better too than Squier depending on the model. You can get a Tribute with a hard rock maple neck and a swamp ash body with MIA pickups for 600 bucks for example.
 
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#84
I really like the newer A.S. Fenders, though I'm not too crazy about the feel of their necks-- too shallow for me as I like them chunky. Fit & finish are good on the Fender's I've played, but I don't like the limited color options-- yes, I could order something directly from them but then we are pushing the price to the $2k mark, and that's just not right :)

G&Ls have a ton of colors and options to choose from, and their heritage is true-- It's Leo's company, so these aren't an imitation of anything, and I appreciate that. Other options are really nice as well-- especially their necks; want a "J" neck on a "P" bass? No problem! Modern fingerboard radius, or vintage? That too :D

The form fitting cases that come with the A.S. Fender are much better than the generic empty rectangle being shipped with new G&Ls... that's really my only complaint with G&L these days.

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When shopping for a new Fender P back in 2013, I was almost ready to compromise on the things I wasn't real happy with and settle on the Fender, but then I tried one of the LB100s and was quite happy I did. A long story short, I now own two LB-100s :D Anytime I'm in the music shop I always check out the Fender rack, and leave smiling every time, reassured that I got the right instrument for me ;)

The blue LB is a heavy one, and the purple is light/medium. I love them both-- they each have their own voice, which I believe the weight has a factor in. Fit & finish are spot on-- I don't see how they could be any better than they are now. The A.S. Fender's I've played were very close as well; the only difference being in the neck joint-- some have larger gaps than others, but when they are tight, they are very close in quality to the G&L.

While the Fender's do have better resale, it's really not a factor for me. I don't sell my basses-- when I get 'em I keep 'em ;) I've traded/sold a few guitars in my day and regretted just about each transaction, so I've learned my lesson :D LOL!

To the OP, or anyone "on the fence": It's pretty tough to go wrong with either one. Find one you like, then go out and make some music!

Just my $0.02
 
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#85
From what I've seen, the quality and consistency of the G&L instruments are outstanding. That's not to say that the Fenders are bad, but I think G&L is better. Fender may have better resale, but I'm not sure about that. There is never a shortage of used Fenders around.
 
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#87
rmars said:
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.
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Greg at Rocket Music has a batch of 26 brand new G&L LB-100s, he's got the whole stock but one at the G&L factory before the 7/1/15 price increase, for his customers' benefit.

sigmafloyd said:
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.
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Greg has one with a RW neck (1-1/2" nut, #8 neck) and matching H/S, empress wood body (7.4 lbs) in stock, but it's on hold... Gorgeous! Insanely gorgeous!

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And I like the 21st fret, I'm pleased I can get an E4 once in a while on soloing!!!
 
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#89
Kmonk said:
I voted Fender. I have owned both. The G & L tone was very good but I didn't like the feel of the bass.
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Yeah, I'd say if you get a P-bass and you only have one, get a Fender. If you have a Fender P bass and you want another one, entertain a G&L LB-100. The LB-100 is their classic P-model.

G&L Is great for all their OTHER models IMHO, including the SB-1 and SB-2 which are different animals from a classic P design. Fender has a history of making the classic P and J, G&L has Leo Fender classics all of their own.

Again, in my humble opinion. I don't think the LB-100 is actually going to be lower quality than any Fender P.
 
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#91
VWbug said:
I would go for the classic Fender P bass. They seem better these days.

I want the posiflex rods in the neck and the new lightweight hipshot machines and the string through body OR bridge option and the classic look of the Fender. G&L is certainly a respectable cousin but Fender would be my choice. Final answer.
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Mike Sorr said:
I've never played a G&L that wasn't really heavy. My American Special P bass is right around 8 pounds, so that's the difference for me.
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I forgot to mention the tendency for Fender P basses to be gotten on the light side. As you get older you tend to appreciate a lighter bass. I ordered a SB2 Tribute from GC after reading threads about their light weight and no dead spots. It was heavy Ash and had more than one significant dead spot and the finger board seems wide or flat or something compared to my MIA Jazz. It didn't have the Jazz bass tone I was hoping for too. I returned it the same day. It was made VERY well for a cheaper off shore and the neck pocket was WAY tighter than my older Jazz. I visit a "Guitar Works" out in Indiana when visiting and they are the only place I've visited that stocks many G&Ls. I noticed they tend to be very heavy. :(

As others have said, G&Ls are nice basses and cousins. I guess I also get a little thrill from the "history" of the P bass, to be thinking I'm playing one pretty much unchanged like the ones on Gazillions of recordings by folks who made music history. :thumbsup::D

Silly but....;)
 
#93
danosix said:
By that theory, the finest food you can get is at McDonalds as it sells more food than any other restaurant - and more than pretty much all the independent chef run restaurants combined - popularity does NOT equal quality....
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+1. McDonalds' successful business model is based on the premise of Brand recognition and precisely-controlled mediocrity. People stop there because it's fast, reasonably priced, and it's customers know exactly what to expect of the product. There are no unexpected/disappointing surprises.

If Fender's output-consistency was as stable as McDonalds, they'd be unstoppable in the low-to-mid market.
 
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#97
-Asdfgh- said:
For an PB- type or JB-type and a CV P or J in the UK there's not really much to chose price-wise. Maybe 10% Looks like CV P for about 340 pounds, SB-2 for 365.
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Interesting. Well, the G&L Tributes do have USA made pickups in them so I'd personally put them a slot or two above the CVs. If you can get a SB-2 for close to a CV price I'd get the SB-2 hands down personally.
 
#100
As far as construction, weight and quality
I think g&l is a quantum above fender even these days.
Had some fender jazz, played even more and currently own a 8 lbs wonder branded g&l, it's a jb, incredible resonant instrument with a big true, almost "acoustic" tone, addictive. It's not perfect, but very very close and a joy to play. The tone remains distinct albeit classic jb, no matter what pickups are installed. It seems the bass has a strong personality on its own, slightly different from a fender, i suspect partially due to the massive bridge, with added sustain and clarity. A tad more modern maybe.

if i could afford a CS fender p ok, if I were on a budget, these is no contender fir me, lb 100.
 
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