Thanks!
I think these were a special run done for Guitar Center or Musician's friend. If I'm decoding the serial # correctly, the 5 string (which I bought used) was built in 2012 and the 4 string would be a 2018 model.
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Thoughts on a G&L L2000 Tribute?
- Thread starter raferalston
- Start date
I think these were a special run done for Guitar Center or Musician's friend. If I'm decoding the serial # correctly, the 5 string (which I bought used) was built in 2012 and the 4 string would be a 2018 model.
No mention of the MIJ Tributes here.
Those are far superior imo to the other overseas made ones.
Ymmv.
Those are far superior imo to the other overseas made ones.
Ymmv.
I’ve had 3 Tribute basses, 7 US G&L basses (and a few guitars), and a few Squier Affinity basses, too, since you’re drawing the comparison.
All 3 Tributes were solid basses. Never had any issues with reliability of the parts, stability of the neck, or anything of that nature. I would trust any of them as regular gigging instruments. In fact, my Tribute SB-2 was my main player for many years and never let me down.
That said, the weakest part IMO is the tuners. Again, I never had any issues. They always held tune, never broke, were easy enough to get accurate tuning, etc. but I will admit they they just don’t feel as solid as their US counterparts.
If the knobs feel cheap, it’s because they are. They’re the chrome knobs with the plastic push-on core. The US models use metal set-screw knobs. Just the weight of the knob can make a difference in the feel. The electronics are functionally the same, though as previously noted, tolerances aren’t as accurate and they do use a split-shaft knob to accommodate the push-on knobs.
The Tributes are definitely more solid than the Squier Affinities. And I say that as a fan of Affinities. From my experience, I’d put the Tributes more on par with a Mexican Fender. I do think the US G&Ls are definitely a step above the Tributes.
All 3 Tributes were solid basses. Never had any issues with reliability of the parts, stability of the neck, or anything of that nature. I would trust any of them as regular gigging instruments. In fact, my Tribute SB-2 was my main player for many years and never let me down.
That said, the weakest part IMO is the tuners. Again, I never had any issues. They always held tune, never broke, were easy enough to get accurate tuning, etc. but I will admit they they just don’t feel as solid as their US counterparts.
If the knobs feel cheap, it’s because they are. They’re the chrome knobs with the plastic push-on core. The US models use metal set-screw knobs. Just the weight of the knob can make a difference in the feel. The electronics are functionally the same, though as previously noted, tolerances aren’t as accurate and they do use a split-shaft knob to accommodate the push-on knobs.
The Tributes are definitely more solid than the Squier Affinities. And I say that as a fan of Affinities. From my experience, I’d put the Tributes more on par with a Mexican Fender. I do think the US G&Ls are definitely a step above the Tributes.
I have a couple of Tribute models, including an L-2500, that I’ve played for years and they’ve been solid and very reliable. You can absolutely count on them for day-to-day gigs to deliver consistent performance. As others have pointed out, you can tell the difference between Tribute and Fullerton models. The woods are better and lighter and the tuners aren’t as good. The pickups are identical so they sound pretty close to the same. Either way, they provide good value for the money
I have also owned several Tribute models as well as a couple of USA G&L's and never had an issue nor have they felt cheap. I even gigged with a Tribute a couple years ago. They are very solid basses. In fact, I just ordered a USA G&L from a smaller guitar shop in Dallas and it should arrive in mid-January 2025. I was going to go full Custom Shop but it would have been a little over 4K so I got cold feet and went with a regular USA model for less than half price. I'm sure it will be just as good. Can't wait!
From my experience using my friend owned one many years ago when Tribute lines were super booming and popular in Indonesia (Korean made around 2007-2010 if I remembered correctly), personally I didn't like the feel on the fret works for the price tag (around $400 that time), and yes the neck was somehow C shaped and it's too fat IMO.
Tone wise, it has wide variations but personally it's not my preference, with a little bit too much mid from it's humbuckers, what ever I did on the knobs and switches never suit me. I managed to compare it with the USA G&L, they're really different on the tonal quality and feels.
Around that time I was into TRB line with their flat neck and super smooth fretboard, so that's probably why I didn't really like the G&L Tribute L series.
I was more amazed with their JB line, even though the sound IMO not even close to jazz bass standard, but it sounded better for me than the Tribute.
Again, it's personal preference.
And one note, it sounds good and clean for recording wise.
Tone wise, it has wide variations but personally it's not my preference, with a little bit too much mid from it's humbuckers, what ever I did on the knobs and switches never suit me. I managed to compare it with the USA G&L, they're really different on the tonal quality and feels.
Around that time I was into TRB line with their flat neck and super smooth fretboard, so that's probably why I didn't really like the G&L Tribute L series.
I was more amazed with their JB line, even though the sound IMO not even close to jazz bass standard, but it sounded better for me than the Tribute.
Again, it's personal preference.
And one note, it sounds good and clean for recording wise.
