I think I've said this before, but if G&L made a Tribute L-1000, I would have bought that over a USA one. Comparing the USA ones to the Tributes, yes, they are "better" as I define it, but they are not the same order of magnitude better as the price premium. I think that USA production will eventually price itself out of contention for all but the most ardent of gear snobs - because most folk will realise that they can get 80% of the quality for 20-25% of the cost. The quality of the basses I have picked up recently at the lower echelons of the price scale have blown me away with their fit/finish, features and all round solid, reliable construction. That you can get a G&L Tribute LB-100 for £300 - which in my estimation is THE Precision bass you never knew you needed - just blows my mind. The only thing I found that they skimped on was shielding. Oh, and a bit of swarf in the nut slots, if you want to be super picky (like it was removed with a fingernail, really the nittiest of nitpicking going on here).