Why aren't G&L basses more popular?

[9mmMike]

What is the difference between the two models LB-100 and SB-1 ? Just the pickups?

Oops. Found this thread - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/g-l-lb-100-vs-sb-1-a-991337/

 

[fragernackyl]

I ordered a Tribute L2500 in August from a local dealer. I finally got it the last week of October. So, yeah, it takes a long time. The Tribute is made in Indonesia. I never played a G&L before ordering the L2500. I watched every youtube video and read every review I could find. However, before deciding on the G&L, I had a Warwick Rockbass Corvette 5 string which was ok. I sold that and purchased a Lakland 4401 Skyline Series. I loved the neck on it, but the pickups (Bart MK1) were not my cup of tea. Plus, initially, I got the 4401 to get back to playing a 4 string, but ultimately, I'm a 5 string player now. Anyway, so I sold the Lakland and purchased a MTD KZ5 off ebay. I literally played the KZ5 for 5 mintues, packed it up, and sent it back. The tone was just garbage and I don't like the idea of buying a bass just to have to replace the electronics for it to sound decent. So, I then purchased the L2500. I love the tone, playability, and quality of the L2500. Very comfortable to play and a huge range of tones avaialble. My only complaint is that when it arrived, the action was too high for me and when I set the bass up to my preferences, I now have a buzz across all strings at the 10th fret. I'll probably get that fixed, but otherwise, it's a nice bass.

So, yeah, I guess you could say I've taken the tour of all the "under $1000" name brand basses. Of all the "cheap" basses, I like the L2500 Tribute the best. My main bass is a Modulus Q5, so it's become sort of a hobby to try out back-up basses. But from all my "research" and after playing a Modulus for the last couple years, I believe you really get what you pay for in most cases.

 

[funkythumb]

Haven't read all 47 pages but I'll throw in my 2 cents worth.
I can only relate my experiences with the bass.
If I had any complain at all about the L2500's I've owned, it's that the necks were way too chunky. Other than that I've owned three, used, L2500's. I bought a forth off of a very well known TB member who tried to rip me off by passing off a warped neck on an L2500. Gave it back to him.
The first I owned was a silver sparkle, basswood body, maple board. Amazing bridge pickup tone. Best I've experienced -FAT. It's the only bass I've owned in my life, and I've owned many, that had a faulty pickup. I had it replaced but ultimately sold the bass.
The next two I owned at the same time. Bought one with rosewood board and one with maple. I was doing a Christian tv show from 2006-2009. Weird set up as I was both the bass player for the show and was onstage with the actors. I was positioned on a roof top of a prop building. Weird acoustics, equipment provided and the L2500 was the only bass that cut through and gave me a sound I dug without bringing in a ton of equipment. I also had another church gig, at another location, where I used the other G&L. For some reason, both those basses fit the bill for both those rock gigs. After three years, both gigs ended (shut down) and the basses weren't the best fit for my other gigs. They seemed to do well for church stuff whatever that's about
I've never bought any more. I will say that whether the previous owners mistreated them or not, they were very inconsistent with fret/neck issues.
Overall, they are a great deal for what you get!

 

[bassbenj]

I ordered a Tribute L2500 in August from a local dealer. I finally got it the last week of October.

So, yeah, I guess you could say I've taken the tour of all the "under $1000" name brand basses. Of all the "cheap" basses, I like the L2500 Tribute the best. My main bass is a Modulus Q5, so it's become sort of a hobby to try out back-up basses. But from all my "research" and after playing a Modulus for the last couple years, I believe you really get what you pay for in most cases.

Comparing a Tribute to a Modulus shows you are getting into quality areas. My Modulus 6er used to be my main axe but when I moved back to 5s for blues, that changed to my G&L L2500s.

I use my Tribute a lot as a "bar bass" and it sounds and plays just great, but to me the odd thing is that although the USA versions really use basically the same parts, there is a clear indefinable "something" superior about the USA G&Ls. Somehow they just seem to speak with more "authority" or something compared to the Trib. I suppose it should have been obvious to me but clearly even with the same parts how a bass is put together makes a difference in how it plays/sounds/feels.

I think that since both you and I find G&L and Modulus as our best sounding basses says something about G&L quality.

 

[GeorgeBerlin]

I use my Tribute a lot as a "bar bass" and it sounds and plays just great, but to me the odd thing is that although the USA versions really use basically the same parts, there is a clear indefinable "something" superior about the USA G&Ls. Somehow they just seem to speak with more "authority" or something compared to the Trib. I suppose it should have been obvious to me but clearly even with the same parts how a bass is put together makes a difference in how it plays/sounds/feels.

True comparisons would be hard to make unless one had a chance to A/B the exact same bass in terms of build specs in US vs Indonesia versions. Actually even the tuners would need to be the same (or a weight to be added to the US headstock).

I would think that wood quality and preparation is the main difference. Cort factory will probably only dry the woods to an acceptable level and they may use lesser woods with regard to grain and density, absence of irregularities etc.

On a finer scale, when comparing my US L-1500 with the Tribute L2K I found a lot of small details in the neck contours so that would add up as well.

-----:-----

The biggest marketing problem of G&L might be "G&L", pretty much a unsearchable term in the day of internet forums, you have to use google tricks to locate anything. Think someone hears about G&L, tries a search on a web board that fails... game over to spark a real interest...

 

[edfriedland]

I'm not sure why they aren't more popular myself... but I know from my own experience, that it took me a while to "get" what it was about. My first response to the L series stuff was confusion. It was early 80s, and all this stuff was new, and I didn't get it. I was a J bass guy... period. It wasn't until I reviewed a Tribute L2K 7 years ago that I had a chance to spend time with it, learn what the heck the knobs and switches did, and how to USE them musically... and I was hooked! It's probably the most versatile of all Leo's basses. Last year I got the hankering for an L2.5, picked one up right here in the classifieds... It has been the single most played bass in the bunch since it arrived... I have a fair amount of choices, but that's the one that keeps coming out, that and the M2500 that will get some airtime on BWTV soon. The Tribute stuff is really good, and some of them I'm sure are excellent - like any production line bass... some are better than others. But man, the US stuff is a whole different thing. The necks in particular are much nicer. While there are other brands that do Asian models of their US lines, it seems G&L's US stuff is a lot better deal. Some of the base model prices of US models are in line with Skylines! For a US. I'm just saying.

 

[BassLife77]

I test drove a few in the past and the sound was kinda harsh, not as warm as the Stingrays. might be those ceramic pickups. by that time Leo lost a lot of his hearing and couldn't hear highs and hi-mids very well

 

[2cooltoolz]

Okay, I didn't read the entire thread. Sorry!

I have to admit, the reason I haven't jumped on a G&L is in large part due to the semi-proprietary design of their components. I've done NO research into this, but then I haven't found motvation to do the research.

I like to change stuff. I'm just not a "plug, play and forget" personality. I'm a definite Leo fan, but I like knowing I can fairly mindlessly go buy "stuff" that'll fit! I also have never purchased any MM products, though I have to admit, I've been peeking at MM porn for years!

Sorry. Fender. It's not the prestige of the name, per se. It's like Chevy or Harley, you can almost find parts at the grocery store!

 

[jfh2424]

I'm not sure why they aren't more popular myself... but I know from my own experience, that it took me a while to "get" what it was about. My first response to the L series stuff was confusion.

I think that's why G&Ls are not as popular. Often, people just don't take the time to properly discover them.

Concerning the whole US vs. Tribute thing...I have owned Tribs and USA G&Ls for years. I gig with both. I can resume it this way: they sound exactly the same, because all the important components are the same and they are built the same way. So it really depends on what you want from a bass. If all you really care about is sound, get a Trib if money is a factor. If you want more cosmetic choices or specific options that are not available on Tribs, the USAs are the choice. But for sound? A good Trib will sound like a good USA, you won't be able to tell the difference with your eyes closed.

Take care!

John

 

[GeorgeBerlin]

Okay, I didn't read the entire thread. Sorry!

I have to admit, the reason I haven't jumped on a G&L is in large part due to the semi-proprietary design of their components. I've done NO research into this, but then I haven't found motvation to do the research.

I like to change stuff. I'm just not a "plug, play and forget" personality. I'm a definite Leo fan, but I like knowing I can fairly mindlessly go buy "stuff" that'll fit! I also have never purchased any MM products, though I have to admit, I've been peeking at MM porn for years!

Sorry. Fender. It's not the prestige of the name, per se. It's like Chevy or Harley, you can almost find parts at the grocery store!

Once you own a G&L (L- and M-Series, notably) you'll see there is nothing you will ever want to change. The tuners are one of the best around (US models, that is), the bridge is a living legend already, the pickups are very fine and offer the widest range of different sound and tweaking possibilities in the industry (4-wire, adjustable poles), and the electronics offer lot's of choices, plus it is very feasible to do mods there which after all is one of the most dominant factors for sound.

And, in very contrast to MM, their hardware stuff is available as aftermarket items.

My 2 ct., admittedly biased.

 

[GeorgeBerlin]

My first response to the L series stuff was confusion.

No offense intended, but it always amazes me that three knobs and three switches can cause any confusion whereas people have no problems to drive a car, operate a SLR camera, or to keep it within instrument realms, handle the myriads of options of a full blown keyboard or controlling a 2' by 4' sized guitar pedal board.

 

[metron]

I test drove a few in the past and the sound was kinda harsh, not as warm as the Stingrays. might be those ceramic pickups. by that time Leo lost a lot of his hearing and couldn't hear highs and hi-mids very well

Stingrays sound "warm"?

 

[GeorgeBerlin]

Much of G&L's harsh sound come from pups being too close to the strings. You can tame them even more by pulling pole pieces. Some kind of roughness will remain, that's true, but that is their signature sound.

 

[basslifter]

I printed a diagram I found on the bassesbyleo board. 10 mins of experimentation and I have it down. Lots of cool sound variety to explore.

 

[edfriedland]

No offense intended, but it always amazes me that three knobs and three switches can cause any confusion whereas people have no problems to drive a car, operate a SLR camera, or to keep it within instrument realms, handle the myriads of options of a full blown keyboard or controlling a 2' by 4' sized guitar pedal board.

I wasn't always "the Bass Whisperer". In 1983, I was a jazz upright player that played electric bass mostly out of economic necessity. Active basses were not as common as they are now. It's not hard to see why three knobs and three switches would be confusing. Hand someone that doesn't know anything a P Bass, they'll figure it out pretty quick. Now hand them an L2k... Watch the hilarity ensue.

 

[TimBosby]

My first "real" bass was a USA L2000 that I bought with my high school graduation money in the late 90s... I wonder if that's why I love active basses now and am such a knob-fiddler

That being said I'm about to order an SB-1...will be my only passive bass but I love those monster SB-1 split coil P-style pickups.

I sold my old L2000, got a new L2000 (with K-wiring, coil splitter), and also an M2000. Realized I actually preferred the M2000. Similar to the L2000 but a little more "polite" and has the added bonus of a blend knob and a mid knob (though no preamp killswitch). So I traded the new L2000 and will soon be existing happily with both an M2000 and an SB-1 in the stable. I absolutely love USA G&L necks, especially with a satin finish. They are thicker front-to-back than other manufacturer's necks, which my massive hands appreciate

 

[Mastermold]

I wasn't always "the Bass Whisperer". In 1983, I was a jazz upright player that played electric bass mostly out of economic necessity. Active basses were not as common as they are now. It's not hard to see why three knobs and three switches would be confusing. Hand someone that doesn't know anything a P Bass, they'll figure it out pretty quick. Now hand them an L2k... Watch the hilarity ensue.

True--speaking from experience as someone who played only P-basses for a long time. And when I bought my first L2k a few years ago I wasn't sure what to do with all those switches and stuff at first. Just takes a little time and patience however.

 

[Showdown]

I wasn't always "the Bass Whisperer". In 1983, I was a jazz upright player that played electric bass mostly out of economic necessity. Active basses were not as common as they are now. It's not hard to see why three knobs and three switches would be confusing. Hand someone that doesn't know anything a P Bass, they'll figure it out pretty quick. Now hand them an L2k... Watch the hilarity ensue.

Nice to know you were once human like the rest of us Ed.

 

[TimBosby]

Apparently I am doing it backwards, I started on an L2000 in high school and am now, at age 34, beginning to appreciate the simplicity of a P bass. Lol. (But meanwhile am concocting a hair-brained scheme to mod a simple cheap P-bass into a three-pickup monstrosity. Hahaha.)

Well regardless, more controls doesn't give me faster or more accurate fingers.

 

[GeorgeBerlin]

Simplicity has its merits, true, especially with a P. Plug in and play. Little chances of failures in the instrument. Any amp is designed to sound good with it, and sound guys and recording engineers know what to do.