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Prospective G&L owner seeks answers!

Mastermold

Mastermold

May 5, 2008
11,557
12,720
Orange County, California
#1
I've never owned or even played a G&L bass, but I've been reading all the praise they get so I'm curious about pulling the trigger on one. Their main competition seems to be the MM Stingray. How are they different (generally) from MMs? And how about their Tribute line? Is it like what Squier is to Fender or better?

Any thoughts and information would be appreciated.
:D
 
#2
MMs are active basses all the time, whereas the flagship G&L models- the L2000 and L2500 can be played in active or passive. The EQ on G&Ls is completely passive though, so they retain a more vintage passive tone even in active mode that an MMs actively-voiced EQ can't ever cop in my experience (G&Ls sound kinda like the lost step between Fender and MM, though I essentially think of them as "super-Fenders" tone-wise). By that same token, a G&L isn't as good at really modern scooped and clear tones as a Musicman- definitely more of a vintage and midrangey sounding beast by nature (in my opinion).

Tributes are definitely head and heels over Squiers (although I am a big fan of the Vintage Mod Squiers). The Tributes are basically just the mass-produced G&L equivalent, meaning that there is just a little less attention to detail and less hands on work. The necks on the Tribute 4 strings tend to be chunkier IME than the US counterparts, and the wood can be a little less matched- plus the Tributes don't come with all the different neck size/radius and color options. The pickups are the same as the US ones, though the hardware is a little less formidable (like MIM Fender vs. US Fender if the MIM had US pickups and more consistency). I think a Tribute G&L would kick the crap out of any MIM Fender though, and for around the same price.

Karl
 
#3
G&L vs. MM is a battle that will rage for years, but, as you can tell by my handle, I am clearly biased. Can a MM sound like a P, a J, a Rick, hell, even a Dan-o? Ever heard a StingRay pickup in passive?:spit:.

MM's have their own thing, and are slap-tastic basses, but G&L can NOT be matched for versatility. A StingRay can cut through the mix, but an L-2000 DRIVES THE BUS. No other production bass can match what MFD pickups can do. I've owned both new and vintage MM's and G&L's, and I can tell you through actual gig experience, nothing propels a band like a G&L.

Tribbys have the same Fullerton made MFD pickups, and as far as a comparison to Squier, the Trib's are more in-line with Lakland's Skyline series, where there is obvious quality control.

G&L's are also ridiculously cheap for used on FleaBay, even for vintage. An American L-2000 can go for as low as $550, and vintage G&L's (1980-1982) are insanely low.

I've owned and gigged over 100 basses over the last 30 years, and my #1 go-to is a G&L. I just wish I would have found out about them sooner- I coulda saved a huge pile of money :D.

Now, go get one.
 
#4
Mastermold said:
I've never owned or even played a G&L bass, but I've been reading all the praise they get so I'm curious about pulling the trigger on one. Their main competition seems to be the MM Stingray. How are they different (generally) from MMs? And how about their Tribute line? Is it like what Squier is to Fender or better?
Click to expand...

From a quality-of-build standpoint, I'd put MusicMan and USA-built G&L on equal footing. They do things differently, but both are very good.

Options-wise, G&L is more flexible within any given model line.

Finish and finish options is where G&L shines. They have a wider range of finish options than MM; and MM ain't too bad by anyone's measure. And as good as MM's finish work is (I own one), I also think that G&L's finish work is a cut above.

Tone is very subjective and very different. The 'Ray sounds like a 'Ray, Bongo like a Bongo, and so on. G&L basses have a very distinctive tone that simply has to be heard to be appreciated. Great clarity of tone, huge bottom, and mids that bite.

As to the Tribute line... Consider their quality to be more consistently better than any MIM Fender and at least the equal of Fender's USA Standard basses. The pickups are the USA articles, so the sound will be very close to the same as their USA counterparts. Options are few, but bang for the buck is huge.

My best recommendation is to get out and play as many of these basses as possible. Then you'll hear what we're talking about and can make an informed decision.

Ken...
 
#5
El Tookay said:
...and as far as a comparison to Squier, the Trib's are more in-line with Lakland's Skyline series, where there is obvious quality control.
Click to expand...

The Tributes and Skylines actually come off the same assembly line in Indonesia.

Naturally, the quality we see has to do with the requirements of the OEM, and both G&L and Lakland have set a very high bar. While I don't own a Tribute, I do have a Skyline that is an incredibly good bass.

Having said that: I have had a bunch of opportunities to A-B new G&Ls from Fullerton and Indonesia. As good as the Tribbies are, the USA product is notably better in all aspects.

Ken...
 
#6
Thanks guys for all the fast input!

I've played Fenders and Rics almost exclusively now for decades and figured it's time to try something new, and all your comments are confirming what I've been reading.

So where's a good place to buy? Ken, you're a local OC guy, where would you suggest? I've been looking online and MF/GC seem to have a few but their selection is sparce. I saw a few 2500 Tributes on ebay for real cheap ($599) and am tempted but I think I'd rather hold out for a US made.
 
#7
sunbeast said:
MMs are active basses all the time, whereas the flagship G&L models- the L2000 and L2500 can be played in active or passive. The EQ on G&Ls is completely passive though, so they retain a more vintage passive tone even in active mode that an MMs actively-voiced EQ can't ever cop in my experience (G&Ls sound kinda like the lost step between Fender and MM, though I essentially think of them as "super-Fenders" tone-wise). By that same token, a G&L isn't as good at really modern scooped and clear tones as a Musicman- definitely more of a vintage and midrangey sounding beast by nature (in my opinion).

Karl
Click to expand...

That's perfect! I much prefer vintage tone. :bassist:
 
#8
Mastermold said:
So where's a good place to buy? Ken, you're a local OC guy, where would you suggest?
Click to expand...

Try Jim's Music Center in Irvine to see if they've got Tributes. They also carry USA G&Ls. They're selection might not be really big, but you might get lucky. I've not bought any instruments from them, but they've been around for years.

There's also Buffalo Bros. In Carlsbad. They've seen nearly all of my G&L money. Top notch dealer with the best trade-back policy in the business. If you're into guitars and basses, this place is just plain dangerous. See John Salcido for help in electrics.

Come to think of it, I'm overdue for a chicken store run...

Ken...
 
#11
Just to confirm what has been said--G&L's are top notch instruments. I played a Trib and could tell it was not a US model just by the feel. Good, but not the same.

One thing to note about the L-2Ks--nothing sounds like them. They have a distinct sound while many instruments make their living off sounding like something else (generally Fenders--and for good reason) this isn't true of the L2K. It can approximate the P, the J and a little more aggressive MM SR, but they have their own wonderful sound due to the PUs.

One thing not mentioned--feel and playability. My L2Ks are the most comfortable basses I own hands down.

I would hang loose and look for a use US model my self.
 
#13
livewire78602 said:
So how do I know where this bass is made? USA or Indonisia, Im thinking about buying one.
Click to expand...

The headstock face will tell you. It'll have made in Fullerton or Tribute Series on it. The back of the Tribute headstock should have a "CE" sticker and a large-ish "Made in Indonesia Sticker. The back of the USA will only have a serial number that should start with "B", "CL" or "CLF".

Ken...
 
#14
I've now decided I really want both an L-2500 and an L-2000. I was tempted to grab a Tribute but thought better about it. Instant gratification is fine on a new SX bass but I want my first G&L to be top of the line. (Nothing against you Tribute players, I've read all their praise reports too, I'm just saying for me I want to hold out for better.)
 
#16
I haven't played an 09 2500, but I've never liked G&L 5 strings overmuch. Until they make the neck a little wider, and less deep, they have work to do to make a 5 string neck I'll like. A 2500 neck feels like they've shoved 4 strings into a 4 string width, to me. YMMVm, and plenty of folks like them. I'm sticking to G&L 4's til they change that design feature.

Nothing sounds like an L2X00. The MM-SR is smoother, and nowhere near as present in the mix. an L2X00 can be a mad bull in a china shop in the mix. It's easily tamed by rolling the volume shut a lil, and rolling treb and bass back. The passive mode is really nice.
 
#18
I've run into the same problem, looked around for an american G&L for years and now that i'm about to buy a 92 stingray, i stumbled into one shop the other side of town thats got a brand new L2000 thats been sittin there for almost 2years. Gonna have to take a day er 2 and sit down to play em both. Only downside is im not exactly feelin the colour of the L2000 but if it plays like a dream i might just have to suck it up n go for it.

Mike.
 
#19
IMHO:
The MM sound, and the G&L sound are two completely different deals.

One might like them both: I don't.

Additionally, two and three band MM preamps are pretty different as well.
 
#20
Chef said:
I haven't played an 09 2500, but I've never liked G&L 5 strings overmuch. Until they make the neck a little wider, and less deep, they have work to do to make a 5 string neck I'll like. A 2500 neck feels like they've shoved 4 strings into a 4 string width, to me. YMMVm, and plenty of folks like them. I'm sticking to G&L 4's til they change that design feature.
Click to expand...

Yeah - I hear you. But I bet it's more a thickness issue than width, as they tend a little toward the Louisville Slugger mold. I got lucky with mine with its thin(ner) neck - about the same as my Skyline. The measurable difference probably isn't large between mine and a "normal" L-2500, but the feel is. String spacing is the same as EBMM.

Ken...
 
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