Where to try (and buy) a G&L JB-5 ???

swafran

swafran

Nov 6, 2008
542
668
4,626
Paris, France
#1
Hi all

I have money but no new fangled G&L JB-5. As you can well imagine, this is a huge problem for me.

I found out a long time ago specs don't tell me if the sound, feel of a neck (esp. fiver), balance, are good for me. I have to try it out in person.

I live in Paris, but will be in New York, then San Francisco this August.

Does anyone know of shops in California (or close), in NYC, or in Europe where a regular Joe can try a JB-5 in person (with solid intent of buying if it goes well) ?

Would love to hear from people who saw some in a shop, and even more from shop owners themselves. Thanks :)
 
#2
Hi,

I live in the Uk but successfully bought a mint G&L ASAT from a gentleman on here from the states and got it shipped, still came in cheaper all in than finding one in UK.
Some people will ship, some won't.

EBay will have some

basschat.co.uk may have some that people will ship

They really are beautiful instruments, I have an L1500 also
 
#4
Thanks for the replies, Cuzzie. I'm only in NY a couple of days so Connecticut is out. On the West Coast (or Europe) I can travel. And yeah, I don't want to order one, I want to try one in person, then buy it.

I wish they'd just let me drive up to the factory in Fullerton!! (but as I always say, there's no need to get security involved).

Welcoming all suggestions :)
 
#6
Thanks Cuzzie that's the most promising yet! If I can't find closer I will definitely be paying them a visit. They actually have 3 in stock, and a few L2500 handy for comparison.

Still up for any other shops people know featuring 1 or more G&L JB-5 s :)
 
#7
L2.5k is a different beast, I have an ASAT which is the same electronics, and totally it is brilliant with lots of configurations and you will get a very meaty sound.

The JB will be, well a jazz bass sound, both great, but both different.

If you want more of a jazz sound but something different to play with, maybe verging towards a p-bass sound check out the MJ-5 it is on my list!

If you get chance check out different necks
If your a jazz man #8 is standard, I have a #12 on my L1.5k which is between p and J and a #7 on my ASAT which is a thick P.

There is a tribute L2500 on French eBay at the moment

Happy hunting and come and join the G&L club!
 
#9
I'm really interested in the JB-5, not the L2500. I just thought it's even cooler that store has the L2500 there, so as I would try out the JB-5, I'd have another family member to contrast it against. To me the L2500 would be more like the next evolution of the MusicMan bass. Whereas the JB-5 would be like my CBS-era Fender Jazz, but in 5 string. And that would really, really make my day =) But yeah, the L2500 and the MJ5 also look like great basses. Each different. As far as necks, I think the JB-5 only comes in one neck, the one they made specifically for the JB-5.

And yeah, if anyone else knows of stores that stock JB-5 s, please jump in =)
 
#12
Cool. Thanks guys. I remember that one from the Upfront site a few months ago. My favorite dealer in the Philly metro area is supposed to get one "soon," whenever that is! If my cover band starts playing out regularly, I'm pretty sure I'll end up with one of these. I have G&L's four-string JB, and it's fantastic.
 
#13
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@swafran i would not call the L2500 a music man evolution, it's a thing if it's own right.
You can point to Sabres, Bongos, HH stingrays but is different, the MFDs really have their own voice and dimensionally are a whole different pup.

Even looking at L1500, early models the pup was nearer the bridge position, and that move forward in later models gave it a different voice being in the 'sweet spot'.
Even the ASAT and L2500 sound different, and they are essentially the same wiring and hardware.

You can research all the models they do from era's and make your own mind up (which you have done!), but universally what you will find is an excellently crafted bass for a very good price whatever your flavour.
The real important thing I think is have a go at the different necks to get what you want, you may find you want a jazz bass but P neck. Depending on your budget you have it custom put together to have your bass.
I was lucky, someone did it for me and happened to be selling, and I knew what neck I liked as I kicked upon a Fender Cabronita.
Here is my family above and happy hunting, if I see anything I'll post it.
 
#16
@Cuzzie nice family portrait! I'll put one up after my purchase. I hear what you're saying about the asat and L basses being their own thing. It seems you would get many more tonal options. How do yours sound to you passive? Do you play it passive much?
 
#20
Generally always passive actually, all knobs at 75%, the PUPs are super hot and are designed to run at that level.

So for me i run the following on my basses, which is the benefit of 3!:

ASAT - passive, both Pups, bass boost on. This bass i run tuned to drop D and half a step down. It gives me a very full sound, thick and wonderful. In French food terms its like a Cassoulet, warm inviting loving winter warming comfort food with a thick burgundy wine and has real presence to support a band sound. I can play Helmet to Kings X to soul on it like this and it is just the beans. It can really growl, this is accentuated with a pick.

L1.5K - passive, and treble cut - treble boost is very harsh, too much for me. This is tuned all strings half a step down. to coin a sound its 'Stingray' esq, cuts through the mix, for want a better phrase 'happy' rock songs, funk and slap is this beauties realm. It handles dirt quite well and also responds to a pick, but it sort of brightens with it. For example with a darkglass VMT pedal, i prefer its response to that of the ASAT, it really surprised me. This is is Moules Frites with a sharp Marsanne wine followed by a Stella Artois and a night on the town.

Cabronita - for reference this is a laid back groove, tuned normally which i run through a Hartke bass attack pedal, or use with a Mantic beef bag for a slightly grittier P bass sound (i have to use a creation audio MK4.23 as a clean boost to equalise outputs on Pups - you see how GAS gets!) and is your long afternoon coffee on the Champs Elysee, decamp to one of the Banlieus away from the crowd and finish with a nice glass of port and good cheese.

That's how i like 'em - hope it helps.
 
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