Why so many more StingRays/Sterlings than G&Ls?

[jaywa]

You really want to spend $2000 and up for a vintage MM??

Actually based on my eBay research and TalkBass sales, seems like a guy can get into an older MM for quite a bit less than that (i.e., $1,300-1,400).

I don't even know what a used L-2000 in good shape would go for cause I never see them advertised.

That sunburst job from a few posts before is pretty much what I'd have in mind if I went the G&L route. The color, matching stock and all.

 

[jaywa]

I think I know the answer to this but... how close will an L-2000 get to the sound of a 2-band Ray?

 

[EricF]

I don't even know what a used L-2000 in good shape would go for cause I never see them advertised.

People tend to keep their G&Ls because they're great instruments.

 

[kirkm24]

And finally, unlike virtually every other buyout that I'm familiar with, Ernie Ball did an absolutely FANTASTIC job at keeping the quality of the MM brand at a top notch level over the years.

IMO, and I guess since I am old enough to have experienced all of this first hand, IME!

This is very true. The quality control of the MM in a lot of ways actually improved when Ernie Ball took the company over. I think Ernie Ball has also done a lot to market and promote the MusicMan basses where G&L has little to no marketing at all.

They are both fine instruments and good quality but Ernie Ball is a bigger company and they invest alot of money, time and resources into promoting the MusicMan gear. Plus, they have several big name endorsers whereas I can't name one pro player off the top of my head that plays a G&L.

Bottom line is marketing and promotion make the difference IMO.

 

[spideyjg]

Eyesore.....

Hideous...

Downright futt bugly

 

[kirkm24]

People tend to keep their G&Ls because they're great instruments.

G&L's are great instruments and they offer a lot of nice customizable options if you want to place a special order. I had an L2500 that I liked pretty well. I bought it used and although the quality was good, the neck was very large and thick and the overall bass weighed close to 12lbs which was too heavy for me. Tone was awesome and overall build quality was very good.

 

[john_g]

It is all about what came first, availability and marketing, hands down. My recently acquired L2500 tributes is floating my boat so much that I was pondering selling my mint Ric 4003! I bought it sight unseen here on TB, but no where around here has G&Ls, but the GC's have MM's.

If G&L set out spending millions on a marketing campaign and getting famous endorsements, I think alot more people would be playing then.

 

[curandero]

So, if I grind off that stupid "spur" on the G&L headstock, will I go to hell?

Just save yourself the trouble and find one of these

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[jaywa]

Spidey... is that red one yours? And if so, is it for sale?

Wow.

 

[Chef]

--G&L's very much have a signature sound.
--Their controls are only complicated if you don't take the time to actually play one for 5 minutes, and/or read the manual. Look at a Sabre, and look at an L2000: the controls are nearly identical.
--Lastly, beuaty is in the eye of the beholder. The basic G&L body blank is same as nearly every other Fender clone on the planet, minus a pickguard. If beautiful is Bongo, or Big Al; count me out.

From a working bassists perspective, I've tried many MM basses now, and not kept any of them. I've tried many G&L's over the years, and have only kept passive ones built prior to 1984. G&L haven't really offered anything since then I felt was enough of an improvement to cash up for one. Same for MusicMan (ducks)...

Stingrays have a signature sound and they have some more background history with musicians. G&L, not so much. They're great basses but the controls are too varied, most guys like a good sound right off the bat.

But the biggest factor is that G&L basses are just plain ugly.

 

[chunkstyle]

So, if I grind off that stupid "spur" on the G&L headstock, will I go to hell?

nope, but you might go somewhere worse for fixating on something so minor. perhaps you'll be reborn as the new inspector 12.

 

[jaywa]

Just save yourself the trouble and find one of these

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Interesting. That "spur" to me is kind of like a chick that's got a super hot body, beautiful face, perfect in every way except she's got this big mole right on the tip of her nose.

 

[Chef]

Not close at all, IME.
YMMV; etc.

I think I know the answer to this but... how close will an L-2000 get to the sound of a 2-band Ray?

 

[EricF]

...I can't name one pro player off the top of my head that plays a G&L.

Here's a couple that come to my mind:
Johnny April - Staind (bass)
Ben Gibbard - Death Cab For Cutie (guitar)

 

[jaywa]

Didn't Lee Sklar play G&L at least for awhile back in the day?

Also I remember reading an interview with Sara Lee many years ago (when she was playing with the B-52s), and I think she was playing an L-2000 at that time.

 

[RexNFX79]

I think the fact that you rarely see them for sale is a testimony to the fact that their owners rarely part with them. I've been wanting a 2500 for a while now but used ones are hard to find. I absolutely love the G&L products and think that their quality meets MM and in many ways exceeds Fender.

 

[flipper_gv]

people who says MM are sexier. FFS, the SR5 is ****ing horrible. It sounds great, but that pickgard? never got used to it...

 

[Horny Toad]

I think the fact that you rarely see them for sale is a testimony to the fact that their owners rarely part with them.

Personally, I think it has more to do with there being fewer around, but who knows? I've owned three L-2000's (one was a custom) and an ASAT Bass and sold them all here on TB.

 

[jaywa]

So what does a used L-2000 (minimum 8 out of 10 condition) fetch these days?

 

[smcd]

Actually based on my eBay research and TalkBass sales, seems like a guy can get into an older MM for quite a bit less than that (i.e., $1,300-1,400).

I don't even know what a used L-2000 in good shape would go for cause I never see them advertised.

That sunburst job from a few posts before is pretty much what I'd have in mind if I went the G&L route. The color, matching stock and all.

I suppose it depends on what "older" means. It will be difficult to find a pre-EB Stingray in the $1,300-$1,400 range.

L-2000's can regularly be found used for $500-$700.