Ah, the variable density of wood. Same reason my SBMM StingRay weighs a full pound more than yours.
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SBMM Stingray Short scale
- Thread starter dralionux
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- short scale bass
The fallout has a wider nut and a chunkier neck too I believe. Even an 1/8” of maple over a SS neck will add several oz.
But that still doesn’t explain how the Fallout Tribute weighs more than a Tribute L2000 or a US L1000. Sweetwater had several Fallout Tributes when I was shopping around and every one of them were over 9 lbs., some close to 10 lbs. My L2000 Tribute weighs just over 9 lbs. while my L2000 is 8 lbs. 2 oz. It’s like G&L are adding lead weighs under the pick guard!
There wasn’t much a Fallout was going to offer that wasn’t more than covered by my other G&L’s but I can’t help but feel G&L missed the mark on these basses. Between the outrageous pricing for the ‘racing stripe’ US edition to the absurd weight of the Tribute Series, I’ve never had a second doubt about opting for the SBMM SS Stringray.
Ah, the variable density of wood. Same reason my SBMM StingRay weighs a full pound more than yours.
No doubt. Nevertheless, the Fallout Tributes I saw last fall when I was shopping were a lot more than a pound heavier than my L1000 and in some cases two pounds heavier. That means they were upwards of almost 3 pounds heavier than my Stingray. That’s insane.
That is odd. Perhaps GL is selecting heavier than average blanks for the fallout? Could also be that they got a huge shipment of wood that was denser than typical.
I just took a look at Sweetwater and the weights on the Fallout Tributes they had in stock ranged from 8 lbs. 10 oz. to 9 lbs. 6 oz. So, all weigh at least a half pound more than my US built L1000. Some by more than a pound. Also, more than half weigh more than my L2000 Tribute. It just doesn’t make sense that a short scale, passive bass with one pickup and fewer control knobs should weigh more than an active bass with two pickups, a battery, more complicated wiring and an extra tone knob.
Meanwhile my SS Stingray is more than a half pound lighter than my L1000 and just under two pounds lighter than my L2000.
Ive already said that I’m a G&L fan but the Fallout just isn’t for me. I remember when initial pricing had the ‘racing stripe’ edition at around $1200-1300. When it was officially released it was $1600 with a cheap gig bag. I bought my CLF L1000 with a G&G hard shell case for the same money. Then the Fallout Tributes were released and they all weighed a ton! Now you can get a Fullerton Fallout for $1300 with a gig bag. Sorry, too little, too late. I’d spring for a Music Man short scale before I considered a Fallout.
I can't remember exactly, but I think my Fallout Tribute was 8 lbs 10 oz when I bought it on Sweetwater. It is about the same or heavier than my old full scale Ibanez SR400. My SBMM Stingray is a good bit lighter although I haven't put it on a scale. My Ibanez Mikro is lighter still.
FWIW, the G&L may be heavier than the others, but it sounds sooooooo goood. Sustains forever too as you'd expect from that hunk of lumber. May not be your cup of tea, but I'm very pleased I bought mine. Right now it's in my top 2 for rotation; it may be #1, but it is so close with my SBMM which also sounds really really good, but different good.
My fallout is actually lighter than my stingray.
The fallout really surprised me. It’s a good bass.
The fallout really surprised me. It’s a good bass.
I think I mentioned more than once that I own a CLF L1000 (check my avatar) and a Tribute L2000. I bought my first G&L in December of 1980 while I was in college. I’m all to familiar with how great the MFD pickup is and how amazing G&L’s can be. I also think I mentioned that the main reason I went with the Stingray was because I already had that “G&L MFD” sound covered.
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I never said the Fallout was a bad bass just a lot heavier than just about any other short scale I looked at while I was in the market. Heavier by a significant amount. I bet there are probably as many Fallout Tributes out there that weigh over 9 pounds as there are weighing less. It just seems weird that my two 34” L Series basses (which the Fallout was modeled after) weigh less than just about all the Fallouts Sweetwater had six months ago.
Didn't catch that the first time around, duh on me. LOL. You know what I'm talking about with the sound for sure.
Yeah, honestly, my one negative is that this G&L short scale is about as big and/or heavier than some long scales. I wish it was smaller overall (smaller body, smaller head stock). That would reduce the weight and make it even more fun to play I think. I can fit my SBMM SS Stingray easily in my PRS guitar gig bag. This G&L in the same bag cannot be zipped and sticks out the top by about 4 or 5 inches.
Who knows, I may wind up buying a Fallout anyway. I was put off by the price of the ‘racing stripe’ edition but was excited by the Tribute. But when I saw the weights I said way. However, I periodically check Sweetwater to see the weights of instruments I may be interested in and if I see a light one, I may snag it.
Meanwhile, my CLF L1000 makes me smile every time I play it. Thankfully, I don’t suffer from any physical issues so a 34” scale bass still feels perfectly fine.
Meanwhile, my CLF L1000 makes me smile every time I play it. Thankfully, I don’t suffer from any physical issues so a 34” scale bass still feels perfectly fine.
I'm interested in buying a Fallout to complement my SBMM (and other basses). I'm likely to buy one of the Fullerton models if I get one, and and their lower average weight is a part of that in addition to warranty. Most of the reason I want it is because due the high bridge mount it's about the size of a medium scale bass, but with short scale fret spacing. Wish there was a vendor in Michigan though. I'd really like to try one first.
Sadly, sadly, I returned my white Sterling Short Scale to GC. I really would've liked to keep her; beautiful passive tones, a fast and slim neck, and great looks too... But at 9lbs the weight was just too much for this old codger, and playing it became painful after a good month's sincere attempt to become accustomed to it.
Anyway my bad ju-ju can be your gain; in the classified "Parts And Accessories" section here I'm selling both a new tort pick guard and a new Zero-Mod thumb rest at discounted prices; -items I got for the Sterling but never used.
{And there is also a happy ending for me too; I used the refunded Sterling $$ to buy a very light 5lb 14oz Squire Mustang!}
Enjoy,
Greywoulf
Anyway my bad ju-ju can be your gain; in the classified "Parts And Accessories" section here I'm selling both a new tort pick guard and a new Zero-Mod thumb rest at discounted prices; -items I got for the Sterling but never used.
{And there is also a happy ending for me too; I used the refunded Sterling $$ to buy a very light 5lb 14oz Squire Mustang!}
Enjoy,
Greywoulf
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Here's a pic for perspective. 3 shorties on the left, then 34" SR400 on the right. The G&L has an enormous body and head stock for its short scale. It is like less than an inch shorter overall than my full sized Ibanez. The neck starts way up the body on the G&L. The tone is great though and I wear the bass a little more to the right as I look down so it doesn't feel like a huge stretch or anything. Still plays like a short scale and looks great.
Now back on topic:
These pics don't do justice for the SBMM. This dropped copper is beautiful. It plays like butter and sounds awesome. I need to take it outside and photograph it sometime. Here's my best pic I took a while back of the color with the body in some sunlight. Not a great perspective photo though. I will get another at some point outside. I LOVE this bass. It plays so nice and I was able to set it up to my liking with no problems at all. Very good bass for the money. Very good quality. I just need to add a thumbrest since I like to position more in the middle.
I think of all of your's shown the only one I could be really pain free and comfortable with would be the Mikro. Although I've found that sometimes the Ibby 34" ones are fairly light and easy also. -Even easier to play sometimes than a lot of short scalers, and I have a GSR100ex that often proves this to me... But I am now, as an older person, usually more interested in (and more comfortable with) short scalers...
Enjoy,
Greywoulf
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Wow. I guess that explains the weight difference!
BTW nice Mikro. I have the same one.
Wow, that huge body and headstock on the Fallout to my thinking generates a lot of unnecessary weight! When I handle the smaller body of the Mikro and enjoy it's decent tones it makes me wonder; why all the extra wood in some of these big 'short scale' basses?
Greywoulf
It is. And it's a great sound. It'd be a nice complement to the Stingray Short Scale IMO. Two very different tones.
If you sit it on your lap, the Fallout position will feel more like a full size bass with a short scale neck.
I find the SBMM Stingray Short Scale a bit awkward to play sitting down. Everything seems to be rightward of where I'd like it.
