Why aren't G&L basses more popular?

[gjbassist]

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

Oh man! That is a nice bass! I have been wanting an ASAT for several years. I can't ever find a used one when I have the money and just can't bring myself to spend $1500 for a new one.

 

[flipper_gv]

worst marketing ever.

 

[Skeletomania]

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.

That's a very valid point, but it can also be said that both Martin and Gibson are well established brands. Also be known that names are easier to remember and associate with. That is why online retail sites uses names like "1800-contacts" because it's easier to remember names than phone numbers when they order stuff. For instance, if right now you tell me that you own a Stingray, I would know what company it's from, and conjure up an image of the model in my head. On the other hand, if you tell me that you own a 55-02, I know that it's made by Lakland, but shamefully I actually had to hop into their site to look up the model.

 

[JimmyM]

i'm finding it hard to come back with an argument.

 

[AztecViking]

I think it was about 10 years ago that I went to NAMM last. I tried out countless basses and amps. At that time what I would have taken home if I'd had the cash was something by Genz Benz ( I forget exactly what it was now ) and a G&L L2500.

And I do own an '82 L2000 which is still my favorite bass I've ever owned.

Going to NAMM again this year and I've got a mile long list of stuff to try. But I surely won't pass up the G&L booth! And this year I'm LOADED with money.

MUAHAAHAHAHAHA!!

 

[rickreyn]

Here’s a couple of reasons I see, having been toying with the idea of getting a 2500. Yes the headstock is neither traditional or sexy looking. It is somewhat of a drawback. In my area with two Guitar Centers and two Sam Ash stores, two popular local guitar stores, and a Best Buy, there is one G&L 2500 (turquoise sparkle). I have to go to Bass Central in Orlando to play a selection, and they don’t have but four. Here in Florida, you can order a G&L of your choice through a dealer in Jupiter and wait 10 weeks; like getting a Carvin. Finally, I really don’t need the active/passive choice, and prefer the Musicman electronics if going with the two big humbuckers. When you listen to the sound variations on G&L’s website, they are all variations on a theme. Nevertheless, they are well made versatile basses reasonably priced for the excellent quality. G&L make less of them and ostensibly they may stand a better chance at quality control then Fender might IMO.

 

[lousybassplayer]

I can see sonic's point, although I disagree. I think the G&L guitars are sexy as hell, and those P/Strat hybrid pickups they use are just cool. Not sure if they really do anything a regualr strat pup couldn't but they are just nifty. Different strokes I guess.

 

[johnboy65]

This is your answer right here!

Too many individuals are stuck on what an instrument "isn't" and don't take the time to appreciate what an istrument IS! Yes, the G&L 2000 & 2500 both can give you tones similar to the Fender Jazz, & Precision, and somewhat close to the MM Stingray. Does it nail those tones exactly, NO. What it does give is a VERSATILITY that neither of the other instruments CAN give on their own. Does the instrument scream with an instantly identifiable tone, maybe not. Do the tones that are provide fall within a realm that is highly serviceable...you can bet your gear on it!

You have a valid point here, but it's my opinion and personal taste. I like certain types of beers (IPA), cigarettes, motorcycles... does that mean I'm close minded, maybe. I just like what I like.
For the record I have given them a chance several times. I think that they are a fine bass... for someone else.

Besides...the listening audience could care less. They wouldn't care what brand of instrument you played.

This isn't unique to G&L, we could say that about most instruments.

I also want to note that I am VERY picky about what I want from a bass (feel/sound). Even within brand. I've passed on good deals for any number of reasons. I can't explain it but I know when I've got the one that I want. I'll still play them at the music store and if I play one that I really like I'll buy it...I promise

 

[JimmyM]

I also want to note that I am VERY picky about what I want from a bass (feel/sound). Even within brand. I've passed on good deals for any number of reasons. I can't explain it but I know when I've got the one that I want. I'll still play them at the music store and if I play one that I really like I'll buy it...I promise

not me...i'm done buying gear. i have everything i need now. not going to buy another thing, no siree.

seriously.

no, really.

probably.

 

[Billy Low]

I also want to note that I am VERY picky about what I want from a bass (feel/sound). Even within brand. I've passed on good deals for any number of reasons. I can't explain it but I know when I've got the one that I want. I'll still play them at the music store and if I play one that I really like I'll buy it...I promise

I understand your position.

I sir, am extremely picky and particular about everything! So much so that I learned that one instrument cannot do it all for me. I currently own 12 basses, not because of greed, but because each one is unique in it's sound. I had to appreciate each one for being different and have used each one for a different project each time. For my Motown sound I use a Lakland 44-01 with D'addario flats, for my rock stuff I use my Lakland Duck Dunn P-MM. For my jazz funk I use my Reverend Rumblefish PJ.....

Each one is a different tool that I can use on various ocassions. No different than a painter using different brushes or various paints. It is thru my pickiness that I learned that one instrument is not capable of doing it all. But in all fairness I would have to say that if I were one that needed various sounds all in one night and wanted to minimize my gear, but maximize my tonal options I would only carry 2 instruments (neither of which I own): A Lakland 54-94 (no longer in production), and a G&L L-2500.

No disrespect to anyone that does not like the product, I understand. I too disliked it for many years due to the neck profile. But with all of that said, I still have to appreciate what that instrument brings to the table.

 

[Chef]

Jimmy;
your stead-fast-icity is one of the reasons i admire you

-alan

not me...i'm done buying gear. i have everything i need now. not going to buy another thing, no siree.

seriously.

no, really.

probably.

 

[lmfreeman9]

Changing pickups on a G&L is like an abortion or blasphemy!

I love mine.

Though I did change the pickups and electronics.

Here it is with the new knobs I installed after I got done changing the electronics. The first picture has my Shuttle 9.0 knobs on it just to see how it would look.

 

[lmfreeman9]

not me...i'm done buying gear. i have everything i need now. not going to buy another thing, no siree.

seriously.

no, really.

probably.

and Jimmy your my hero. I wanna be (GAS free) like you when I grow up.

 

[dpbass66]

4 String...if that is Lee Sklar in your profile pic, I just saw him last night on WXXI with James Taylor and he is just SMOKIN'...what an incredible player...I always kind of knew this, but seeing him again for the first time in a long time reconfirmed for me...gonna listen to him more.

 

[oldrookie]

Couldn't read the last several posts. The sound of the credit card machine was too distracting.

 

[Throckmorten]

There was a thread just like this about Peavey two weeks ago. And one about Ibanez.

You could leave the name out and substitute just about any brand and have the same thread from one week to the next.
Or just make it a sticky.

 

[isaman67]

I owned a US made JBass . And sold it after 6 month. Like some said...hard to GET the sound for the instrument, and the worst distributor/service in eastern Canada, some music store don't even want to keep them in store. G&L rep saying for defense at poor service that retailer do more then them on each instruments. Can you guess...never again for me.:scowl:

 

[JohnnyB53]

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 thing is, the L2K/L2500/L1500/JB2 body works where it counts--hanging on your shoulder. It balances very nicely, positions the fretboard for easy reach of all fret positions, and snuggles comfortably against your body for comfortable playing, thanks to its front contour and rear belly cut. It was designed by the man (Leo) who basically invented the ergonomic musical instrument, and for what he designed it to do, it does it very well.

 

[JohnnyB53]

... I think the G&L guitars are sexy as hell, and those P/Strat hybrid pickups they use are just cool. Not sure if they really do anything a regualr strat pup couldn't but they are just nifty. ...

I take it you're talking about G&L's "Z" pickups used on the Comanche and ASAT Z-3.

I can tell you that they aren't just a gimmick. I went through a G&L guitar phase about a dozen years ago when these first came out. I never bought one but I sure wrung a couple of 'em out at a local shop, comparing them side-by-side with several other guitars.

For tone, they can completely cop the glassy single coil Alnico Strat pickup sound, even though they use ceramic magnets.

For volume, their output is in the range of active pickups.

For noise issues they may be the quietest pickups on the planet. I played a Comanche back-to-back with a Gibson ES-335 in a 90-year-old building with noisy wiring. I could detect a faint buzz when I plugged in the Gibson with humbuckers, but the Z-coil pickups were dead quiet.

 

[shade615]

I have to say, my 85 SB 1 is the ****. So is my 83 SC 1.