G&L Basses

[Gamble]

So I'm aware that the comapny was co-founded by Leo Fender after he'd sold Fender, they're based in America and hardly anywhere in the UK seems to stock them. I'd like to know a bit more though as they're really starting to take my fancy.
For instance, what's the difference between a USA and a Tribute? I'm guessing one's made in the USA and costs three times as much as the other, but I don't like to assume.
Any interesting facts greatly welcomed, as well as any suggestions as to where I might get to have a play on one. I believe there's one going to the S.E. Bass Bash.....

[stingrayfan]

The full SP on Tributes is on the [url="http://www.glguitars.com/tribute/index.asp"]G&L website[/url]. Basically they're like Lakland Skylines - built in Far East using American pickups and hardware. The full G&L story is also on [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%26L"]Wikipedia[/url].

Edit: I should have my Tribute L2000 at the Bash. £1 a go.

Edited August 25, 2008 by stingrayfan

[NJE]

As per the post previously all the details can be found on those sites, and it is very much Korean built ( ithink) with american electronics and bridge design.

On a personla note, they are fantastic basses, really superb quality both the american and tribute versions. If your lucky you can often find a used american model for good money as they are not hugely known and used, but the tribute range is very very good.

The electronics are great in these basses and extremely versatile, and perfect for so many applications, and perfect if you like having huge sound control on your bass withought tweaking an amp.

Highly reccomended.

[yorks5stringer]

Think Tribute production now is in Indonesia and they are going up in price.....

[BassBunny]

[quote name='yorks5stringer' post='270329' date='Aug 26 2008, 02:52 PM']Think Tribute production now is in Indonesia and they are going up in price.....[/quote]
Correct. They moved production late last year from the Cort factory in Korea, (who also make Lakland, Ibanez and some Fender models), to Indonesia.
Unbelievable value for money and probably one of the most versatile Basses around. Check the sound files on the G&L site, they can do everything form a Stingray on Acid to Jazz and P Bass. A certain BassChatter known to Y5S and mysely used to use a Marcus Miller and a Lakland DJ5, (or is it a JO5), and now uses an L2500 Skyline instead of the 2.......

[Hit&Run]

I've got a 5 string tribute up for sale at the moment on [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=25583&st=0&p=261845&#entry261845"]here[/url].

They're rock solid; and as most of the controls are passive, you've still got a good amount of tonal control if/when the battery dies mid gig!

Obviously I'm a little biased though.

Edited August 26, 2008 by Hit&Run

[dub_junkie]

AFAIK here are a few variations on the Tribute badging

correct me if I'm wrong btw -

1/ The first ones had "Tribute" in large and "by G&L" in small on the headstock and "Tribute" embossed bridge. made in Korea
2/Later ones with "G&L" in large and "tribute series" in small on the headstock. again "tribute" embossed bridge and again made in korea.
3/The Indonesian ones have G&L in large on the headstock with "tribute series "in smaller lettering and "G&L" embossed bridge

there may have been others but I havent seen any. I had a later Korean L-2000 same as no2 above. It was an excellent bass and I was wrong letting it go.

Tribute wise,other than an L-2000/L-2500 there are the SB2 and JB-2 models which are both passive.The JB-2 is the only current G&L bass not to have MFD pickups,having 2 alnico single coils.The Tributes are limited option wise (no maple board on SB-2,only 2 finishes on JB-2 and SB-2 etc)

All of the above models are made in the USA also and have loads of options.

USA only models are the Asat & Asat semi-hollow basses (same sounds as an L-2000),L-1500 (one pickup like stingray with bags of growl) and L-1505 which is the 5 string version.

There was also a run of Japanese made Tributes for the market there which were very high quality.Japanese ones are halfway down the page.

[url="http://www.kurosawagakki.com/gl/glbass.html"]http://www.kurosawagakki.com/gl/glbass.html[/url]

Edited August 27, 2008 by dub_junkie

[El_JimBob]

AFAIK, Cort are still manufacturing them in Indonesia and the quality hasn't dropped [i]one bit[/i].
Fantastic basses - i started with a Korean Tribute L2500, and since have bought s/h a lovely blue USA L2000 and my personal favourite, a sunburst USA L1500, which just [i]kills[/i] with Thomastik Flats on it

[WalMan]

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='269764' date='Aug 25 2008, 09:05 PM']The full SP on Tributes is on the [url="http://www.glguitars.com/tribute/index.asp"]G&L website[/url]. Basically they're like Lakland Skylines - built in Far East using American pickups and hardware. The full G&L story is also on [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%26L"]Wikipedia[/url].

Edit: I should have my Tribute L2000 at the Bash. £1 a go. [/quote]
My 4+1 (ie slightly older style / wider neck than the current 3+2) American L2500 will also be at the Bash. I love it. Said it before but for my rock covers band it is brilliant & with the switching options available it should handle most stuff I should think.

General comment in the past has been that there is little to tell between US & Tribute - except price of course

[Gamble]

Cheers guys! Only just got back to the net today so cheers for not disappointing me!

[Thunderthumbs]

[quote name='BassBunny' post='270403' date='Aug 26 2008, 04:50 PM']Correct. They moved production late last year from the Cort factory in Korea, (who also make Lakland, Ibanez and some Fender models), to Indonesia.
Unbelievable value for money and probably one of the most versatile Basses around. Check the sound files on the G&L site, they can do everything form a Stingray on Acid to Jazz and P Bass. A certain BassChatter known to Y5S and mysely used to use a Marcus Miller and a Lakland DJ5, (or is it a JO5), and now uses an L2500 Skyline instead of the 2.......[/quote]
Yes, you're correct, it was a JO5 (which is now in the hands of Rasta down in Plymouth - part of a 3 way swap between myself, Rasta and Machines).

The Tribute L-2500 is a fabulous piece of kit for the small amount of cash. If versatility is what you're after - this can handle most of what you'll want.

As someone else has already posted on another thread, check out this Ed Freidland video on Youtube:

Edited August 30, 2008 by Thunderthumbs

[Gamble]

Cheers for that!

[barrymk]

I tried out a Tribute L2000 yesterday at Lance Perkin's Guitar Works in Pershore. Took my Markbass Jeff Berlin combo in to try it out. Phenomenal bass. I was able to set the Markbass with virtually all eq flat and got a sound that left my P Bass Lyte with SD Quarterpounders standing in the dust and the Fender needs heavy eq from the amp. Gassing for it now but I want the basswood body wih maple board and the present Mrs K to be out of the country before I buy it.

[solo4652]

I've just found this french supplier of G&L basses:
[url="http://guitare.playback-europe.com/g&l-tribute_l-2000_standard_black-11098.html"]http://guitare.playback-europe.com/g&l...lack-11098.html[/url]

I'm very interested in the Tribute L-2000, for £390 (or £325 excluding VAT), including gigbag and delivery. Looks like a very good deal to me. Do you still have to pay import duties on stuff bought within the EU, please?

Steve