• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Why aren't G&L basses more popular?

Status
Not open for further replies.
#821
It's probably been mentioned already, but G&L got off on the wrong foot from Day 1. The 3-bolt neck attatchment was a marketing blunder.

Fender had already given the 3-bolt concept a black eye with their 70's junk. Leo should have known that. It didn't matter if the 3-bolt neck was properly executed on his Musicman and G&L guitars, players were instantly turned off at the mere sight of those three bolts.

And when you think about it, why was it needed or even desirable? Just another marketing obstacle to overcome IMO, and G&L paid the price for that mistake for many years.

Peavey was smarter in that area, they did a bi-cut neck, added a micro-tilt feature, but used a 4-bolt neck attatchment, knowing full well that players hated the 3-bolt.
 
#822
ksandvik said:
Invalid Link Removed

PS: The trick with gaining market share is to have a staggering price range from very cheap up to high end bass guitars to establish a brand. G&L does not have that. Fender has one, same with EBMM, Yamaha, Washburn. ESP, ....
Click to expand...

The facts do not bear out your theory.
EBMM was widely used and widely well regarded with a very good market share YEARS before they came out with the SUB series (the MIA one) or the SBMM.
Fender has had "budget versions" of their instruments since the 60's at least. But they were half baked instruments that discouraged people form buying upmarket fenders. Then they ditched the Musicmaster tactic and went with Squier. Identical models made cheaply. That worked.
G&L is doing fine. They don't need a $300 model to stay in the game.
 
#823
willsellout said:
I wasn't judging you, I was simply saying it was ironic. But the fact is, your design, no matter how different, is based largely on the imagination of someone else. In fact, your design wouldn't exist without it.
Click to expand...

Actually no. There were pickups before Wal with multiple coils, including some from Gibson, Ovation, Bartolini, etc.

The only reason I got into this project was because someone else asked me to make it. My other pickups are original designs.

My point was that some people only play a Fender, as if everything else is junk. That's a bit narrow minded. And it was intended for the post I was replying to. In that case it was apropos.

And your comment was irrelevant. But nice try.
 
#824
SGD Lutherie said:
Actually no. There were pickups before Wal with multiple coils, including some from Gibson, Ovation, Bartolini, etc.
Click to expand...

Which doesn't change my statement at all. Your design wouldn't exist without those that came before you, specifically, the Wal pickup.

The only reason I got into this project was because someone else asked me to make it. My other pickups are original designs.
Click to expand...

And like I said, I wasn't judging your decision. It would be bad business to not jump at the opportunity to give people a product they want.

My point was that some people only play a Fender, as if everything else is junk. That's a bit narrow minded. And it was intended for the post I was replying to. In that case it was apropos.
Click to expand...

If that was indeed your point, you worded it poorly. As evidenced by the several members who took offense to it.
 
#829
^^^good question really....

The way G&L do it on the SB2, that "J" pup is really "more of a tone knob," unless you set it uber high. Like strings just about touching the poles high. IME anyway.
 
#830
I think it would sound fantastic with a Dimarzio Model J. The SB2 has the potential to be even more awesome if it weren't for the under wound J pickup. I read that Leo intended it to be more of a P bass and that the J was there to add a bit "more" to the sound, but didn't intend the J to be solo'd. I'd normally run that bass with the P turned down a tad in order for the J to take the lead.
 
#833
willsellout said:
If that was indeed your point, you worded it poorly. As evidenced by the several members who took offense to it.
Click to expand...

I didn't see the point in bad mouthing G&L just because it's not Fender or Musicman. They are fine basses, and they didn't fall too far from the tree. They sound like a cross between the two. I think people over look them for no good reasons.

If anything, I think it's noteworthy that the Honorary Chairman is Leo's widow Phyllis Fender who passed management to John McLaren of BBE Sound.

Fender meanwhile is the same company only in name. It wasn't my intention of offend anyone, but honestly, some people play certain brands because they see everyone else playing them. I meet these people all the time. That's not everyone, but they do exist. They are more into the brand name than if it's actually a good instrument.
 
#836
SGD Lutherie said:
I didn't see the point in bad mouthing G&L just because it's not Fender or Musicman. They are fine basses, and they didn't fall too far from the tree. They sound like a cross between the two. I think people over look them for no good reasons.

If anything, I think it's noteworthy that the Honorary Chairman is Leo's widow Phyllis Fender who passed management to John McLaren of BBE Sound.

Fender meanwhile is the same company only in name. It wasn't my intention of offend anyone, but honestly, some people play certain brands because they see everyone else playing them. I meet these people all the time. That's not everyone, but they do exist. They are more into the brand name than if it's actually a good instrument.
Click to expand...

My apologies. I misunderstood your initial post. I agree on all points. I think Leo's best work happened after Fender. Lots of innovations and experiments with basses. If I had to choose one brand to play the rest of my life, it would be G&L.
 
#838
Right, another way to play the SB-2 is to raise the bridge pup volume, then blend in some P pup, adjust overall gain somewhere else in the signal chain. The SB-2 is a different animal that way. Not better, just different.

Great bass, the SB-2, but a niche bass IMO. It was not meant to be an "everything" bass. That job is better left to the L-2000.
 
#839
willsellout said:
I've seen those bounced around and never snagged one. At some point I would like to own one, I think.
Click to expand...

I snagged a couple of them. Still have one not yet in a bass. I think it might be my favorite bass pickup of all time.

GampLSB2Pickups_zpsaee402da.jpg
 
#840
I dont have an opinion of G&L because i have never seen one in all the stores ive been to. Most people arent willing to order one from the net without having a chance to at least try something similar, not when there are Fenders, Gibsons and Ibanez's all over the place that we all know are great basses as well.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back