Vintage G&L L-1000: Thoughts?

[JoshuaD]

I’ve played guitar for about 30 years and I’m now looking at picking up my first bass.

After looking at several, I found I was somewhat set on getting a Fender P-bass. Then I stumbled upon the G&L L-1000. I started reading up on them, and I think I found one I might take the plunge with.

It is a 1981 G&L L-1000 in trans red finish. Looks to be all original, but I won’t know until I actually go to look at it. I’m planning to go tomorrow. I know typical guitar things to check for, and I’m assuming they would apply for bass as well.

The biggest question for me is, wild this be a good choice for a solid first bass? Also, what is the going value for a vintage L-1000?

Everything I’ve read presents them as being very underrated and great for the money. I’ve also read that anything under $1k is a decent deal.

I’m hoping some folks here will have some thoughts and advice. I would appreciate it all. Thanks!

 

[Iridescentone]

'81 was a great year for G&L. I'd look for a straight neck and a functioning truss rod. Deduct major points for any mods that may have been done. Add points for an original tolex case. Good luck.

 

[JoshuaD]

Here are two pics I have of the bass. Looks pretty clean, but it’s not the best photo so I’ll have to wait to see it in person. You can see it has the correct pickup/poles for an ‘81. Can see, but not make out the serial number on the bridge. Original case, based on what I’ve seen others with.

The gentleman selling seems to be a straight shooter. He is not the original owner and has only owned it a short period of time. He is selling due to medical issues that will not allow him to play anymore. I’m fairly certain he’s been a bass player longer than I’ve been alive. He is asking $900.

 

[lildrgn]

Go get it and report back.

 

[Lammchop93]

I’d be all over that!!! Get it!

 

[JMacBass65]

$900? Sounds under priced to me, I’d run, not walk, to go grab that.

 

[Yahboy]

The older , the greater ?

Look like a set of EB Group flat loaded.

 

[funkmaster p]

I picked up my '81 this year for $850. I love everything about it except the weight.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

They’re beautiful basses, as said before check the neck, and the preamp to make sure it’s stock! Other than that, the radius on those is amazingly comfortable

 

[jd56hawk]

For $900 it's a steal.
I can't say you'll find another bargain like it.
You'll forget all about Fender once you bond with it.

 

[JoshuaD]

$900? Sounds under priced to me, I’d run, not walk, to go grab that.

I’m going out there tomorrow morning.

The older , the greater ?

Look like a set of EB Group flat loaded.

Being my first bass, I’m pretty green when it comes to strings. Is that a good thing?

I picked up my '81 this year for $850. I love everything about it except the weight.

How much does yours weigh? Is there a big range with these?

They’re beautiful basses, as said before check the neck, and the preamp to make sure it’s stock! Other than that, the radius on those is amazingly comfortable

I’m fairly confident in checking out straightness of the neck. When it come to truss rod, is there an easy test, or is that something I should just accept if the neck looks to be straight?

What exactly do you mean when you say “pre-amp”? Based on what I’ve read, I was under the assumption these were passive and didn’t have any.

 

[TomB]

I’m going out there tomorrow morning.



Being my first bass, I’m pretty green when it comes to strings. Is that a good thing?



How much does yours weigh? Is there a big range with these?



I’m fairly confident in checking out straightness of the neck. When it come to truss rod, is there an easy test, or is that something I should just accept if the neck looks to be straight?

What exactly do you mean when you say “pre-amp”? Based on what I’ve read, I was under the assumption these were passive and didn’t have any.

They are passive.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I had one with the mahogany body, very much like that.
But it was around the time that I was too enamored of the "new" flashy pointy stuff... BC Rich's, Jackson, Ibanez... all cool, modern (usually) slim necks, 24 frets and a lot of electronics. The G&L was a rock-solid bass, bigger (than I was used to) neck, single pickup. Kinda square with obvious influence from that same group of old pocket-protector wearin' Fullerton guys. I was too hip.
I'm now older and wiser. That was a rock-solid, no-BS instrument. I'd like to have one again, of course.

 

[salmon256]

Honestly I would say tried a bunch of basses but, G&L are amazing imo and Leo Fender left a great last mark before leaving this world. I think it's a great deal and you should hope on it. Doesn't have to be your last bass too unless you want to get into DB . But for real I would jump on it as others are saying, they are great basses with lots of tone options and if you want that p-bass sound IMO it's get pretty damn close. GL!

 

[Yahboy]

I’m going out there tomorrow morning.



Being my first bass, I’m pretty green when it comes to strings. Is that a good thing?



How much does yours weigh? Is there a big range with these?



I’m fairly confident in checking out straightness of the neck. When it come to truss rod, is there an easy test, or is that something I should just accept if the neck looks to be straight?

What exactly do you mean when you say “pre-amp”? Based on what I’ve read, I was under the assumption these were passive and didn’t have any.

If that string sound great to your ears, thats the good string to you.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

I’m going out there tomorrow morning.



Being my first bass, I’m pretty green when it comes to strings. Is that a good thing?



How much does yours weigh? Is there a big range with these?



I’m fairly confident in checking out straightness of the neck. When it come to truss rod, is there an easy test, or is that something I should just accept if the neck looks to be straight?

What exactly do you mean when you say “pre-amp”? Based on what I’ve read, I was under the assumption these were passive and didn’t have any.

confused it with the later l1000s. You could turn it one way or another, if you want to annoy the person you’re buying it from you could ask to see if it’s maxed either way, but turning it in one direction should confirm it works

 

[Iridescentone]

Here are two pics I have of the bass. Looks pretty clean, but it’s not the best photo so I’ll have to wait to see it in person. You can see it has the correct pickup/poles for an ‘81. Can see, but not make out the serial number on the bridge. Original case, based on what I’ve seen others with.

The gentleman selling seems to be a straight shooter. He is not the original owner and has only owned it a short period of time. He is selling due to medical issues that will not allow him to play anymore. I’m fairly certain he’s been a bass player longer than I’ve been alive. He is asking $900.

View attachment 4767074 View attachment 4767075

Okay, that's an ash body with what should be an ebony fretboard for that year. The case is legit. The bass looks all original from the front, it has the right cool-ass slotted pole pickup. Hardware is all orig. Most likely it's all good inside, too.

When you go look at it check the neck for straightness, especially where it meets the body. Not seeing any bad dings or paint chips, looks like the PO ('s) took good care of it. If it all checks out and you like it, $900 is a darn good deal. Nice ones are getting harder to find, you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal on an orig L-1000. The cool factor is strong in this one, Luke.

 

[CaribooBass]

I recently picked up a SB2 G&L and I really enjoy playing it.
Try this one out and if it feels good, get it. Basses that play as nice as a G&L cost a lot more than what this Gentleman is asking.


Let’s us know what you end up doing.

Thanks

 

[flannel cat]

Did ya get it? Did ya get it? Did ya get it?.....

 

[Kawai2g4b]

Honestly, assuming good structural integrity and truss rod operation, if you choose to pay to have a trusted luthier do a setup for you then you are still coming out ahead in terms of how good of a deal you will be getting for this bass.

Also, if it hasn’t been mentioned already for you here in the thread, these basses have treble cut and bass cut knobs. The bass cut knobs can coax out some relatively unique tones that many other passive basses can’t achieve.

I say get the bass.