Choosing a G&L LB-100

Feb 27, 2009
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I'm considering purchasing an LB-100. I've narrowed it down to two:

Swamp Ash body with Maple/Maple neck/fretboard
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Alder body with maple/rosewood neck/fretboard
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I'd prefer to have the one that would offer a little more aggressive sound. Recommendations?
 
They are going to sound the same. Get which one you like the look of better!

I just picked up a Kiloton in the 3-tone burst and they do a fantastic job on the finish.

The vintage tint on the three tone burst is cool too!

Figure out what specs the basses have on neck finish. Also factor in weight if they have the specs. They vary by a pound or more sometimes!

Good luck choosing! Thats a tough one!
 
Just like many of you, I've had both alder and ash bodied p-basses - including an ash LB-100 I should have never gotten rid of. IMO, you will get a slightly more aggressive tone from ash than alder.

When I think of an ash bodied p-bass I think of Wetton's early King Crimson tone. My G&L nailed that tone! My US alder Lakland - not so much... Close but was a bit more subdued.

With that said, get which you like best.
 
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The second one appears to have the narrower neck and for that reason alone I would pick it.
But I would like the neck to be maple.
What neck profile are you looking for?

This is a very relevant thread for me because I've been gassing for an LB100 for a while now.
 
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The second one appears to have the narrower neck and for that reason alone I would pick it.
But I would like the neck to be maple.
What neck profile are you looking for?

This is a very relevant thread for me because I've been gassing for an LB100 for a while now.

The second one is narrower. The sunburst has a #8 neck (1-1/2" with a 12" radius). The neck profile is not such a big deal to me. I seem to be able to adjust accordingly. I will say that certain profiles are more comfortable for me to play but with enough time, I can adjust to it. The only reason I would consider the #12 is if it is more stable due to having a little more wood. I don't know if it's true that a 1-5/8" would prove to be more stable than a 1-1/2." I used to have a USA L-2000 with a #6 maple/maple neck/fretboard (1-1/2" with a 7-1/2" radius) and it was very stable and comfortable to play.
 
If you're cool with either neck profile, most people would think that ash/maple would be brighter and more aggressive than alder/rosewood. But that's just a generalization. I'm sure Greg at Rocket could give you his hands-on opinion of the two basses.

From an aesthetic standpoint, my vote would be for the ash/maple. :thumbsup:
 
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This is what I love about G&L basses, there is no wrong option here.
I love A rosewood fretboard, I also have basses with #8, #12 and a #7 neck all are great for different reasons.
I sort of hate the term 'fast' but an 8 neck is silky playable and the 12 is no slouch.
To me the LB is a groove bass and one is calling you!
 
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83 L2000 flat profile 1.625" nut rosewood neck - pretty comfortable, needs set up once a year
2011 chunky jazz sb-2 rosewood neck - really fast, unbelievable stability and low low action
2016 chunky back 1.625" custom maple neck with birdseye fretboard, effortless to play, rolled edges, perfect frets, very stable
 
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I've got two G & Ls - one with rosewood and one with maple.

I like the rosewood a tad better, but its a highly personal choice. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Here's another suggestion - if you go with the maple, get it with the GUN OIL TINT. The gun oil tint gives it just a bit of yellow overtone that makes it blend with the body's finish a little bit better.
 
I've had 3 LB-100's. The first one was alder and maple and it smoked. I sold it to special order an LB100 in ash/rosewood with a quartersawn neck. It was a dud and had serious seller's remorse about the first one. I bought another alder and maple LB100 and it is hot, hot, hot. I don't know what the deal is but the pickup is loud and almost sounds active. The hottest passive pickups I've had. I'll never get rid of this bass but still wish i had the himalayan blue/maple. I want a kiloton next...
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Looks like the Sunburst has been sold. Picture also looks like a Quartersawn neck. I do like the #12 neck on my LB-100
I only chose the pictures to illustrate my interest. I found the sunburst in the archive section at Rocket Music. The natural is for sale but I might consider ordering instead of buying in stock.

Here's a 2-Tone in Satin Frost. I'm seeing a lot of these finishes on Ebay. I don't really care for this finish.

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