I think it is partly that the price of the Squiers have increased recently. But if I was in the market for a P (I have an old Squier Standard from around 2005 filling in for the hole left by various Fender and JV Squier Ps in the past) I would not be tempted by the G&L.
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P Bass Poll: Fender or G&L
- Thread starter joeinca
- Start date
I think it is partly that the price of the Squiers have increased recently. But if I was in the market for a P (I have an old Squier Standard from around 2005 filling in for the hole left by various Fender and JV Squier Ps in the past) I would not be tempted by the G&L.
Actually I did choose. I ordered a G&L LB100 a few months ago. For a little more that an off the rack USA Fender P bass I got to pick quite a few upgrades including: lightweight Empress wood body; neck width width and radius; quatersawn neck; vintage Shoreline Gold w/matching headstock; pick guard color. And it came with a G&G case, weighing in at 7.6 pounds. My first passive bass in around 20 years! Feels great and has tons of low end, I can't believe it's not an active bass. Blows away the dozen or so Fenders I've owned.
45/55 from a panel of 291 experienced bass players as of now.
Given the size/exposure gap between the two companies, that's to me an unexpectedly good score for G&L!
Given the size/exposure gap between the two companies, that's to me an unexpectedly good score for G&L!
As far as quality...
I must admit that i' totally happy with my jb but yesterday tried a pickup swap. Put into the bass a set if sadowsky singlecoils and, just for being safe, i recorded a precise set of bass lines before and after the swap.
To my surprise, using studio grade headphones (i am a sound engineer), the two setup sounded so close to each other to be identical, i mean truly identical with the only exception of the neck pu, with the g&l being slightly warmer by itself. A difference hardly perceivable in this setting, impossible in a live performance.
This time, just as in the past, i learned that g&l pickups are amongst the finest you can find, and that my bass keeps to sound the same, monstrous, regardless pickup changes. Great solid personality and performance
I must admit that i' totally happy with my jb but yesterday tried a pickup swap. Put into the bass a set if sadowsky singlecoils and, just for being safe, i recorded a precise set of bass lines before and after the swap.
To my surprise, using studio grade headphones (i am a sound engineer), the two setup sounded so close to each other to be identical, i mean truly identical with the only exception of the neck pu, with the g&l being slightly warmer by itself. A difference hardly perceivable in this setting, impossible in a live performance.
This time, just as in the past, i learned that g&l pickups are amongst the finest you can find, and that my bass keeps to sound the same, monstrous, regardless pickup changes. Great solid personality and performance
More people spend their money on toyotas than lexus's, so does that mean the toyotas are better cars?
G&L. There seems to be a consistency that a company as large as Fender can't guarantee. Definitely some amazing Fender Ps out there but I've also played a lot of duds, which I can't say of G&L.
I have 2 Fenders (an AVRI '62 P and an AVRI '62 J) and 3 USA G&L (L-2500 Custom, SB-2 and ASAT Bass fretless, each one always used passive + an M-2500 I sold).
I take all them out equally for gigging... no one is neglected...
I take all them out equally for gigging... no one is neglected...
Have you tried an LB-100?
And if so, how does it compare to your AVRI 62 P?
No, not available in my country for a try, but it's #1 on my GAS list.
Thomann in Germany has one in honeyburst (still at the old price)...
I am just hesitating in case they release an LB-105 some day soon...
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I own a 2014 American Standard P, and she's a monster. She'll go to the grave with me. However, every time I see a G&L LB100, I drool. Every picture and audio sample I've come across screams quality to me. I just haven't had the pleasure of trying one yet...
I'm in the same boat with my American special precision. So many lb-100 NBD's lately...
I voted for Fender, because I just bought myself a new MIA P as a graduation/bday gift and it is an amazing instrument. The main thing that sealed the deal for me with a fender MIA as opposed to another instrument was the weight (8.0 lbs). I bought it 100% for the weight (it was also 3TS which is what I ultimately wanted), and now that I've owned it for a month+ I am all but ready to clear house on my other instruments. It's not that they aren't nice or anything, but this one is just so nice that everything else is on the chopping block.
I would do my diligence and try to play both as much as possible before you decide if you can. Sometimes stuff just happens and you end up going in one direction vs another (killer deal at the time, something like finding a super-light one like I did, etc).
If you plan to purchase online, I just found out that sweet water lists the weight of their instruments that are for sale, so you might be able to wait it out a bit for a really light one if you are into that.
I would do my diligence and try to play both as much as possible before you decide if you can. Sometimes stuff just happens and you end up going in one direction vs another (killer deal at the time, something like finding a super-light one like I did, etc).
If you plan to purchase online, I just found out that sweet water lists the weight of their instruments that are for sale, so you might be able to wait it out a bit for a really light one if you are into that.
