Why aren't G&L basses more popular?

[scubaduba]

Just because every thread can use a little eye candy.

Now back to regularly scheduled discussion...

From earlier in this thread. I really think my Blueburst isn't beautiful at all. In fact it's quite bland, uninspired, and looks like everything else. Especially because it doesn't have a pick guard. Oh well.

 

[JimmyM]

oh, quit your crying!

 

[unclejane]

It's okay if musicians miss out. More G&L and Sadowsky basses for me!

Some people suffer the delusion that G&L and Sadowsky basses are Fender knock-offs. I respectfully disagree.

Yes, I know it's about G&Ls, but I love G&Ls AND Sadowsky basses and they do have that Fender thing in common.

Well that's the thing: the G&L _is_ a Fender - I mean, by definition it's a Fender because it's a Leo Fender design .

That's what I like to tell myself anyway. I still think that, therefore, if you need a Fender style bass, you just can't do any better than a "real" Fender like the G&L. And a guy named George Fullerton had a little something to do with them too, BTW, but you get the point .

Now I have to admit that Fender themselves finally started making decent instruments a few years ago. But it took them almost 50 freaking years just to put a good bridge on the P's and J's and do the neck pocket correctly. Now they're finally good instruments all the way around.

But G&L made good stuff from the git-go and the instruments they make today are still just as good.

I'm a Carvin fanboi nowadays, but my L2000 unlined FL will go to my grave with me and my Bunnies....

LS

 

[Billy Low]

Too be honest, there are a few reasons why I don't own one. I originally checked out a Tribute when they first dropped. I was not crazy about the quality of the tribby at that time. Secondly, when I was in the market for on in 2002, I didn't care for the neck profile.

I could kick myself! Up until about 2 years ago you could score a used US G&L in the $400-$500 range here on TB!!! I have seen a few "barely used" float away for just a few dollars more than Tributes! I so am looking for a used one at the right price !

They really are the Swiss Army Knife of basses.

 

[JimmyM]

Now I have to admit that Fender themselves finally started making decent instruments a few years ago. But it took them almost 50 freaking years just to put a good bridge on the P's and J's and do the neck pocket correctly. Now they're finally good instruments all the way around.

i like the old stamped metal bridge just fine i don't know if i'd go so far as to say that fender only made decent instruments a few years ago. i loved my 98 mia jazz like no other jazz i ever played, and i've played many a pre-cbs jazz in my day...wish i hadn't sold it. stupid bum shoulder!

however, they have been hitting a groove ever since 08 when they got rid of the s1 switch.

 

[Red Planet]

G&L did use poplar back in the day (the 80's) on some student models I think but yours looks like it's swamp ash. Here is Warmoth's description of swamp ash. Swamp Ash is a prized wood for many reasons. It is a fairly light weight wood which makes it easily distinguishable from Hard Ash. A Strat® body will normally weigh under 5 lbs. Many of the 50's Fenders were made of Swamp Ash. The grain is open and the color is creamy. This wood is a very nice choice for clear finishes. Swamp Ash is our second most popular wood. It is a very musical wood offering a very nice balance of brightness and warmth with a lot of "pop". Darker lines on the horns is a dead give away. poplar looks more like a wood smear if you get my drift.

Not sure, I looked at my Bass. It definately has a top on it and the back is a two piece of something. The sides are flamed.

 

[Red Planet]

From earlier in this thread. I really think my Blueburst isn't beautiful at all. In fact it's quite bland, uninspired, and looks like everything else. Especially because it doesn't have a pick guard. Oh well.

That is most definately a sweet looking Bass. The trim sets it off. I had an L-2000 back about 95 or so the same color though it ha no trim like that.

 

[cassanova]

i like the old stamped metal bridge just fine i don't know if i'd go so far as to say that fender only made decent instruments a few years ago. i loved my 98 mia jazz like no other jazz i ever played, and i've played many a pre-cbs jazz in my day...wish i hadn't sold it. stupid bum shoulder!

however, they have been hitting a groove ever since 08 when they got rid of the s1 switch.

I've owned a few Fenders since 1986 when I started playing. I'm not a Fender fan boy or anything, but I can't really remember Fender ever not putting out decent instruments. Even the cheap 1970's era Musicmaster I had was of good build quality.

I also have to agree with you on the 98 MIA Jazz, mine was a late 98 or early 99 model and I miss it. IMO, the mid 90's-early 2000's were a very good era for their MIA Jazz and P basses.

 

[unclejane]

i like the old stamped metal bridge just fine i don't know if i'd go so far as to say that fender only made decent instruments a few years ago. i loved my 98 mia jazz like no other jazz i ever played, and i've played many a pre-cbs jazz in my day...wish i hadn't sold it. stupid bum shoulder!

however, they have been hitting a groove ever since 08 when they got rid of the s1 switch.

Well I think the new instruments are really great regardless. At least with the MIA's, none of them are bad now and look, sound and play better than ever.

If I could get the american standard Jazz in unlined fretless, I'd strongly consider getting one....

ls

 

[Red Planet]

Quality should be up for everyone right now as sales volume is dramatically lower due to the economy.

 

[Iridescentone]

If only they weren't so boring to look at.

 

[Spiritfield]

*yawn*... those are making me sleepy Jack!

 

[JimmyM]

i like the ones with the body binding like that red one. and i like the asat. but i don't know...the overall shape of the l2000 just doesn't resonate with me. the lower half of it is a little too round and the horns seem a little too small for the body. sorry, no offense.

 

[Iridescentone]

i like the ones with the body binding like that red one. and i like the asat. but i don't know...the overall shape of the l2000 just doesn't resonate with me. the lower half of it is a little too round and the horns seem a little too small for the body. sorry, no offense.

The extra roundness is to make it easier to CYN.

 

[Iridescentone]

*yawn*... those are making me sleepy Jack!

Sorry DK, but you know it's past your bedtime anyway.

 

[Skeletomania]

Realy? You care that much about the name of an instrument... Too sad.

Yup, because coming up w/ unique names for products are an important marketing strategy that provoke buyer's interest, and have them remember that these products are out there.

 

[JimmyM]

Yup, because coming up w/ unique names for products are an important marketing strategy that provoke buyer's interest, and have them remember that these products are out there.

true, but i've always believed that buyer's interest comes first, and then the name is built up, and it can be called anything and still catch on. lots of guitar players love the gibson es-335 and know it by name. that's not an especially catchy name. neither is the martin d-28, but it's probably the most well known guitar of martin's line, all of which have letter/number naming schemes.

 

[Madwatch]

Man I miss my G & L but Im not a 4 string guy and I didnt like the neck or spacing on the 5 strings. But they sound amazing. Love that G&L growl. When I have some extra money and can get an extra bass for no good reason at all, I will get another G&L

Here is a pic of my old ASAT 4 string

 

[Boot Soul]

I find it interesting how it has been noted here that no big name bass players are associated with G&L, but oddly it was seeing and hearing Phil Lesh play an L2000e with the Grateful Dead back in 1982, that first called the very existence of the brand to my attention. I thought he sounded so great using that bass that I wanted one for myself, which led me (more than a decade later) to getting a 1983 hog/maple L2000e. But I guess that Phil didn't think it was as great a bass as I did, as it never appeared again on stage after that tour, and he started playing Modulus basses a lot after that. But Phil has a track record of switching around...played a stock Fender P Bass with the GD for a tour, played various Ken Smiths, and of course Alembics. Now playing a Ritter.

here is a website with Dead pics from '82 showing Phil playing the L2000e:
http://www.mediaspin.com/grateful_dead1.html

 

[mntngrown]

I bought all my USA G&Ls used cept the one from Amazon with the beautiful cherryburst finish for less than 800.00, which is light, but well balanced no shielding issues and a heavy duty case too. I have owned 5 US G&L's to date. All well made and great values used.