Remaining G&L Empress Basses

[/\/\3phist0]

This is only an observational post not to be perceived as negative.
Empress is Paulowina. Really a less expensive wood (not that that is bad) that is really light and due to many factors is highly resonant.
It is a very green choice as the tree grows in many climates and very quickly at that.
But when it is presented as Paulowina much snobbery comes to the surface .. complaints about its softness etc. To tem it's no matter that Fender is using it Dean has used it and many others..
Commonly known Elsewhere as "Asian mahogany"
...; )

 

[RocketMusic]

is it possible to have a pic from Fullerton before ordering?

I'm afraid not. All of these "available list" basses are already boxed up and just sitting there waiting for somebody to order them.

You might take a peek at G&L's facebook page. They post a lot of pictures there, so they MAY have posted one or both of these...

 

[RocketMusic]

This is only an observational post not to be perceived as negative.
Empress is Paulowina. Really a less expensive wood (not that that is bad) that is really light and due to many factors is highly resonant.
It is a very green choice as the tree grows in many climates and very quickly at that.
But when it is presented as Paulowina much snobbery comes to the surface .. complaints about its softness etc. To tem it's no matter that Fender is using it Dean has used it and many others..
Commonly known Elsewhere as "Asian mahogany"
...; )

Yep, that's exactly right. IIRC, it is the fastest growing tree in the world by some measure...

According to G&L, one of the reasons they have not yet made this a generally available option yet is that they are on the prowl for "instrument quality" Empress. So they're being somewhat selective in the Empress they purchase, if you believe what they say (and if I'm interpreting what they say correctly)...

 

[craigb]

next up

 

[RocketMusic]

Hah! You beat me to it, Craig! You really are watching that page like a hawk, aren't you?

 

[darwin-bass]

Nice JB-2. This is the 2nd one that has made me sort-of-kind-of wish I had chosen a different finish. I may have to order another one

:-(

 

[Notch Johnson]

Now that these are finally coming together I must admit that I probably check the G&L Facebook several times a day waiting to see if/when my bass will show up on there.

Greg, is there any way to find out the weights on these? It seems like G&L is listing the weight on some of these Empress guitars, but not all of them.

 

[RocketMusic]

I can weigh the ones that arrive here, otherwise G&L is our only source of info...

 

[bhunt1]

I am happy I ordered Old School Tobaccoburst for my L2500

 

[bhunt1]

Another one:

 

[craigb]

Hah! You beat me to it, Craig! You really are watching that page like a hawk, aren't you?

Just hoping for a glimpse of clear red Plus spending my entire work day on a computer means it's only a couple of clicks to check if they've posted any more. Do you know how many instruments they complete in a normal day?

 

[RocketMusic]

I don't know what their daily run rate is, but I would be curious to know. When we do these runs of instruments, it can feel like I'm the only G&L dealer in the world. Hah. But I'm sure I'm not monopolizing their production schedule. There are some heavy duty guitar dealers out there that put me to shame.

Here's another one they just posted on facebook. This one is for Keith in OR.

 

[darwin-bass]

Here's another one they just posted on facebook. This one is for Keith in OR.

Awe, man, you beat me to the post! I worked a long day today (12.5 hrs) and checked FB right before bed only to find MY BASS!

Whoo Hoo!

 

[darwin-bass]

Well, I see no more basses posted to G&L's FB page. Apparently mine is the last bass they will ever build. So sorry for the rest of you waiting for a bass ...

 

[RocketMusic]

Hah. I did just receive an invoice for another one, but this one doesn't have pics posted on G&L's page. I'm sure they don't post every single instrument they make, and it seems they were pushing out guitar photos yesterday..

 

[Notch Johnson]

Hah. I did just receive an invoice for another one, but this one doesn't have pics posted on G&L's page. I'm sure they don't post every single instrument they make, and it seems they were pushing out guitar photos yesterday..

Guessing this one is mine, even though it wasn't up to par to make the cut for g&l's facebook page I am guessing Greg will have a picture of it on his website. I can't be the only bass player with a soft spot for lake placid blue!

 

[darwin-bass]

I can't be the only bass player with a soft spot for lake placid blue!

LPB was my 2nd choice! Love it.

 

[darwin-bass]

Quick update for those who are watching.
I ordered on 3/29. The pic of my bass appeared on G&L's FB page Monday 4/40 (3 weeks later). It arrived at Rocket Music about 5 days after that so apparently G&L shipped the bass shortly after taking the pics.

 

[justbass57]

I've just received a notification from USPS, so they must be on their way (at least mine is! Lol!).

 

[RocketMusic]

Yessir, it is at the post office as we speak! I also got another one (the Spanish Copper LB-100) headed to Oregon via FedEx.

I've got pics of yours to post yet, but I wasn't able to shoot the Copper one before I shipped it. G&L's photos of that one will have to do!

Both of these LB-100's have been spectacular all around: tone, good looks and playability are all there in spades.

At this point, I'm ready to say without hesitation: the LB-100 is my favorite G&L model. Of course, my main bass is a 4-string Lull P4... so I'm a little biased towards P basses these days.