Why aren't G&L basses more popular?

[OleJohnnyMac]

I don't think the problem is just marketing--it's design, not in terms of ergonomics or quality, but character. The Fender Jazz, the Fender P and the MM Stingray are all iconic designs. I haven't yet seen a G&L that didn't strike me as some combination of those three instruments, plus or minus, say, a tele-ish body, a pick guard, a figured top, etc. If I wanted a Fender or an MM, I'd buy one. If I wanted a Fender on steroids, I'd buy a Lakland.

Also, speaking of marketing, who's famous for playing G&L that kids would recognize? Jerry Cantrell? That chubby kid from Silverchair?

G&L has a pretty good reputation where quality is concerned, and Leo's name adds some cred too. But they're still a bit bland, IMO. Of course, YMMV. One man's Halle Berry is another man's Marilyn Munroe, etc. etc., and this thread is full of people talking about how great their G&L's sound, how pretty they look, how nicely they play, etc.

I wouldn't buy any of the G&L's I've tried out. They just don't stand out to me.

 

[juggernaut7]

Get a Will Lee or a Ricky Minor or a Beatle (you know what I mean) playing one and BOOM G&L everywhere....case closed. But wait they'll catch on....just wait

 

[MAJOR METAL]

I absolutely love their finishes and the MFD Humbucker. Unfortunately the year I ordered my first G&L bass they had a massive problem of sending out instruments with defective truss rods. I have often thought about getting a custom bass built and getting the G&L MFD Humbuckers put in it with a really good preamp.

 

[Martin89]

It's because Leo's last name sells basses, not his first initial.

 

[PluckyThump]

The truss rod issues are all sorted out. They recently changed the design.

 

[zachoff]

It is hard to find a dealer who carries them, that might have something to do with it.

This. I'm aware of one dealer that carries them around here and he's always out of stock.

 

[groooooove]

if i was playing 4 string basses, i'd have one.

a local shop near me has a bunch of them- most were much higher all around quality than the fenders they have- all MIA- and were almost all about $100 cheaper than the fenders.

 

[Chef]

The do make 5 strings:

 

[unclejane]

The truss rod issues are all sorted out. They recently changed the design.

True. My L2500 was an 08 or 09 model and it had the new truss rod and neck design. It got stolen only a month or so after I'd bought it so didn't get to really mess around with it, but I loved the new neck. The truss rod is a dual rod type thing (probably like the ones you can buy at StewMac) that worked really well. My Carvins use this too and it allows adjustment both ways.

My L2000 is an older "bi-cut" neck design with the traditional truss rod. I kind of clinch my teeth every time I give it its seasonal/temperature adjust..... But the neck sure enough has never warped or moved or anything.....

LS

 

[basss]

Unfortunately the year I ordered my first G&L bass they had a massive problem of sending out instruments with defective truss rods.

What year was that?

 

[Need2KnowBasses]

I think the reason G&L's marketing is weak most likely revolves around the issue that they probably can't use their founders last name in any way to promote their products.

 

[Slaphound]

I think G&L likes being in the position they are in. They have a solid spot in the market. They are not too big. They are manageable.

 

[810wmb]

The truss rod issues are all sorted out. They recently changed the design.

what was wrong with the truss rods?

on my L2000 when you look down into the truss rod hole, the end of the truss rod is crooked.

i would have to get into the wood to adjust it.

i have had it over a year and have never had too...luckily.

i have been meaning to post about this, but keep forgetting.


i tried to find G&L's warranty number, but can't.

any help on with either or both of these things would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Chef]

Get a T-handle, ball end, allen wrench of the appropriate size.
Fender ships these with their basses, they work great.

 

[Ken Baker]

Unfortunately the year I ordered my first G&L bass they had a massive problem of sending out instruments with defective truss rods.

And that was when? There was an issue, a great deal less than massive, with the trussrod bullet crushing the wood of the neck. It was an old design that needed to be updated, and it was when G&L went to CNC-based roughing.

Info on the new-design trussrod can be found here.

what was wrong with the truss rods?

Old design that occasionally crushed the wood of the neck. It's been fixed for several years now.

on my L2000 when you look down into the truss rod hole, the end of the truss rod is crooked.
i would have to get into the wood to adjust it.
i have had it over a year and have never had too...luckily.
i have been meaning to post about this, but keep forgetting.

I thought we discussed this? Oh well.

i tried to find G&L's warranty number, but can't.

For USA warranty issues, contact the dealer where you (the original purchaser) bought the bass. For all other repairs, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The truss rod is a dual rod type thing (probably like the ones you can buy at StewMac) that worked really well. My Carvins use this too and it allows adjustment both ways.

No. Not dual-action, but a modern design single action that works in an unconventional way. Again, details can be found here. If it was dual action, adjustment could provide either forward or back bow. Tightening the G&L bullet counteracts the tension of the strings by providing back bow. Loosening it just loosens it and nothing more.

Ken...

 

[810wmb]

ken - thanks for the info!

i don't believe i've ever discussed this before...i could be wrong. i bought the bass new/old store stock on ebay, so returning it to the dealer is out.

i just took some crappy pics to show what i was talking about.


Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

 

[basss]

Does anyone know when G&Ls with these truss trod issues were produced?

 

[Chef]

I had one like that....mighta been 2007?
Can't remember for sure.
It functioned perfectly, aside from needing the aforementioned ball-end T-wrench to get in there effectively.

 

[810wmb]

I had one like that....mighta been 2007?
Can't remember for sure.
It functioned perfectly, aside from needing the aforementioned ball-end T-wrench to get in there effectively.

i just adjusted it a little. i was always too scared to even try it! it sure looks worse than what it is i guess.

thanks for encouraging me to take the plunge.

 

[Chef]

Just a "routing oddity."

Ken Baker:
those pix convey what we talked about a week or so ago...