• 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.
#901
I'm not a big fan of lots of switches and knobs since my tone only varies slighty. I believe that the quality of Lakland Skylines (many good choices), Carvins, Schecters, affordable American Fenders, and MM basses in these price ranges have hurt the G+L brand a bit so they need to respond with some new stuff.
 
#902
I only recently bought two G&Ls. The biggest problem I had is that they are so hard to find. My local CG and SA stores carry tons of Fender, Ibanez and Musicman. They even have an occasional used Carvin, but I have never seen a G&L. I took a chance on custom ordering an SB-2 and could not be happier. The quality matches anything I have seen from Fender in their american made line. Further the pickups in my SB-2 are absolutely killers. I have never heard such sound from passive pickups. I also have a M2000 tribute that is terrific and I am waiting for a custom order L2000 to come in. Absolutely great basses.
 
#905
jeff7bass said:
I'm not a big fan of lots of switches and knobs since my tone only varies slighty. I believe that the quality of Lakland Skylines (many good choices), Carvins, Schecters, affordable American Fenders, and MM basses in these price ranges have hurt the G+L brand a bit so they need to respond with some new stuff.
Click to expand...

They have actually come out with a lot of new stuff recently. You should check them out.
 
#906
I recently got a G&L 1505, ebony 'board, mandolin frets. Love the way it feels and plays; hated the sound until I had Mike Lull put a Bart pre in it. He de-activated that gawd awful treble enhancer switch. Now it's V, T , stacked active treble/bass boost/cut. Now I can get a credible P-Bass sound or get as funky as I wanna.
 
#907
g&l seems to be getting a bigger presence on ebay, sam ash in hollywood seems to have a lot more tributes now, ed friedland is reviewing the new ones, and the gc used section usually has a nice variety, so maybe they are becoming a little more popular now
 
#908
scubaduba said:
Lack of brand identity and lack of marketing prowess. They make fantastic instruments. I currently own a USA L2500 blueburst which I sold a Lakland 55-02 to purchase. Interesting thing is I was able to purchase a new USA L2500 for just a little more than I sold my Skyline 55-02 for used.
Click to expand...

+1

Not enough around to catch on-they are awesome instruments-better than Fender and MM IMHO.
 
#909
Their facebook page is a lot of fun. They will usually post a picture or two per day of what is shipping out.

I own an SB-2 and and LB-100. The LB-100 was a special order through Guitar Czar out of Salt Lake City. Eight week turnaround, and all the features I wanted, for $1,300. Every bit as good as a Fender Custom Shop.

Their NAMM booth last year was tiny and tucked away. I was surprised because I have always held their brand in high regard.
 
#910
I just received my G&L L2500 Tribute earlier this week. It is a very interesting instrument.
Unfortunately.....
There are no dealers in my city where I could have seen this model. The closest dealer is about 90 minutes away from me and I live in a major city. I called the dealer and he didn't have any to try. The only way I got to try one was that one landed in the used bin at my local Sam Ash. I would have bought that one, as it sounded and played well, but it was kinda ugly; it was just a plain wood and I dislike that natural finish style.

I ordered one in tobacco sunburst from MF, but it was on back order for almost 3 months. I have it now and it looks and sounds great.
I get the impression that they are a small company with a few people trying to do a lot of work. you can see youtube vids of their facility and the fact that they have kept George and Leo's offices exactly as they left them. That's cool.

But, it would be great if they could put some models in stores for people to love....
 
#911
One other comment: It's impossible to find G&L and/or G & L discussions on talkbass.com because the search function won't pick up so few characters. You have to go with GANDL and not everyone knows that or posts with it. On the world's greatest Internet site for bass guitar, your brand name can't be searched.
 
#912
My two cents: I don't consider G&L (or EBMM) because all of their fivers have narrow string spacing. That's unfortunate, I think the L2500 is otherwise a very cool instrument.



Max said:
One other comment: It's impossible to find G&L and/or G & L discussions on talkbass.com because the search function won't pick up so few characters. You have to go with GANDL and not everyone knows that or posts with it. On the world's greatest Internet site for bass guitar, your brand name can't be searched.
Click to expand...

Heh. There might be something to this.
 
#916
Fuzzbass said:
My two cents: I don't consider G&L (or EBMM) because all of their fivers have narrow string spacing. That's unfortunate, I think the L2500 is otherwise a very cool instrument.
Click to expand...
+1

I very much appreciate my pre-EB MM Sabre fretless, and would have loved to have gone for an L2500 as its linear descendant, but I've already tried adjusting to a narrow-spaced 5, and it didn't work for me.
 
#920
Used G&Ls are also hard to sell. At least, in my experience. They don't command enough used and maybe potential buyers know that, and fear they'll lose their you know whats in resale compared to a Fender.

I dunno. I have one in the classifieds that most people would deem ugly because of its color, but I can't help but think if it was a Fender of the same hue it would be gone by now. :atoz:🔫
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back