Why aren't G&L basses more popular?

[Iridescentone]

Frankly, they're not very pretty or refined in appearance. In fact, they look downright primitive. Rough hewn. Like a throwback to a (much) earlier time in the bass guitar's history & development.

The bodies, generally, are not contoured at all - just a block of wood without any "tummy cuts" or forearm cuts. Not even rounded very much at the edges. They give new meaning to double bass players' use of the term "slab" to refer to electric bass guitar.

The headstocks aren't much better. They look somewhat "Fenderesque" in the own way, but that sharp notch along the lower edge (when worn/played horizontally) looks ragged and out of place.

Similarly the neck to body bolt joint looks almost as if it was slapped together. Again, no particular attention to detail, much less any artfulness or style. Just crude.

I reckon their main saving grace, as ever, is the sound. As long as they continue to sound great, a lot of players will continue to forgive the retrograde design.

For years, I just couldn't get past the look & feel of G&L bass guitars. But even I have recently reconsidered my ways, and may yet pick up an L-2500, probably sometime during 2013. We shall see...

MM

Finally, exactly what this thread needs, some comic relief!

Good one!

 

[kjpollo]

I have an L2K trib in 3TS and I'm hoping to add an L2500 Trib very soon. My new gig is a modern country band and from everything I've read & heard a 5er is standard equipment. I already have my old Carvin LB75 but I need a backup, right??

 

[mystic38]

All,

1. "G&L marketing sucks"
It is totally unfair to make any statement that G&L marketing effort sucks... in order to express even a valid opinion on that particular issue, you would first need to know the G&L business plan, and their performance against it. If they are meeting or exceeding their business plan then their marketing efforts are more than worthwhile. In fact, if they do NO marketing and meet their business plan, then their strategic intent is being fulfilled... Be well aware that when G&L starts making huge marketing efforts then either they a) are looking for dramatic growth or b) they are not selling even close to plan.

2. "leo's best designs" discussion
Leo designed these guitars some ~30 years after his first efforts... by comparison, when i look back at my early design work I laugh at the mistakes, misses, and shortfalls of those design... 30 years ago i didnt know what i didnt know.. Nobody ever makes a worse design 30 years later, so yes, there is zero reason for Leo not to make that statement, and also disengenuous for us not to accept it.

3. "Its not a Fender"
Well... first, of course it is a Fender design and second, Fender (the company) have imo come out with nothing of original design since Leo left.. That is the real Fender legacy, .. a large manufacturing company with significant market share and no vision. Fender is simply a manufacturing company milking 1000 variations of the same theme without pushing the envelope or adding value to the guitarist... THAT is sad for a "market leader"

There is no need for anyone to start quoting their qualifications in a forum as a means of pushing their agenda perspective... it is a poor substitute for a badly stated opinion.

In summary, If the G&L look, sound or uniqueness dont do it for you.. thats all cool..

But me?.. my SB-2 is on the way

 

[Iridescentone]

This thread needs more pics.

Some more boring looking, rough-hewn crude slabs with no contours and a brushed on finish.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

I actually know quite a few G&L players. They certainly have their fans among blues, country and roots rock players.
I know a few punk and metal guys that swear by them as well.
Don't own one myself, but I will eventually get an SB2 and L-1000.
Probably custom ordered, because unlike Musicman, they do that.

 

[spiritbass]

'07 Tribute, my best beast:

Templar - those G&L's rock.

 

[willsellout]

Another boring, ugly G&L

 

[Iridescentone]

 

[Chef]

Yeah.
Them are all crummy basses.

Send them to me, and I'll make sure they're disposed of compliant to all pertinent hazmat guidelines.

 

[scubaduba]

This thread needs more pics.

Some more boring looking, rough-hewn crude slabs with no contours and a brushed on finish.

So ugly they make even a Fender look awesome!

 

[RobJ]

Geez guys knock it off, all those crappy looking slabs of wood, now I have to wash my eyes out with clorox.

Funny I'm suddenly jonesing for an L-2000.

 

[Chef]

Good luck un-seeing all those.

 

[RobJ]

@Templar, assuming it's your bass; what's the story on that cherry burst L-2000? It looks like it has different knobs (perhaps stacked pots)? Great looking crappy slab of wood. lol

 

[willsellout]

I really really want an L1K. Haven't found the right one yet, though.

 

[spiritbass]

This thread needs more pics.

Some more boring looking, rough-hewn crude slabs with no contours and a brushed on finish.

This one's really hurtin' my eyes...

 

[guymanndude1]

I will say that I have never owned a G&L bass, although I have tried many of them out. The one time that I did try to talk some one out of one, it was a 1981 SB 1000 mahogany body fretless.

It was very light, but every one after that seemed a bit too heavy for me. They all seemed to have been made very well, sounded great too, but all, except the bass mentioned earlier were too heavy.

I own 30 basses, none are G&L's, the problem for me has been related to not quality, or sound, but the chunky bodies designs have been too uncomfortable for me.

 

[Chef]

There was no SB 1000.
Musta been an L1000

 

[SGD Lutherie]

G&L may indeed be a fine instrument but it is a flawed brand.

The designs are pretty nondescript, they sound good but nondescript. They have little identity.

You don't see many pro's playing G&L instruments. Why?

They may have been designed by two of the greatest electric guitar designers of all time, but this was not their best work. (George & Leo)

Fender basses - the measure by which all else are judged
Musicman - radical departure from everything sonically, new sound, another design triumph for Leo.
G&L - ummmmm. good basses zzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz (sleeping) zero sex appeal and no identifiable sound ala pBass, Jbass or Stringray - just plain vanilla

I think G&Ls are a combination of the two both in looks and sound. Every time I played them I thought they sounded great.

Most people use Fenders because they have no imagination. They see everyone else using them so they use one too. They also use the exact same tone as everyone else. That's what I call nondescript. You should be looking for your tone, not everyone else's.

 

[scubaduba]

I think G&Ls are a combination of the two both in looks and sound. Every time I played them I thought they sounded great.

Most people use Fenders because they have no imagination. They see everyone else using them so they use one too. They also use the exact same tone as everyone else. That's what I call nondescript. You should be looking for your tone, not everyone else's.

+1

 

[kjpollo]

Yeah.
Them are all crummy basses.

Send them to me, and I'll make sure they're disposed of compliant to all pertinent hazmat guidelines.

If you need help handling the overflow, let me know!!