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

[swafran]

@Cuzzie interesting the L1500 works passive for you... that's the one with a single pu by the bridge? I always thought basses in that pu configuration needed a bass boost to balance out the nasally character of the bridge placement. That's the idea behind a stingray, right, or a Thumb for that matter, no neck pu but an eq instead. Hmmm... food for thought. =)

 

[swafran]

call or email them and ask. i'm sure if you explain your situation as a non-american they would try to accomodate you or tell you some dealers in the cities your visiting that have those in stock.

I'm pretty sure G&L doesn't sell direct out of their workshop. God if they did... what a candy store that would be. I already got the list of dealers from their site, but you're right, sometimes one phone call gets you the latest info.

This is all helping me, I'm slowly building a list of places to call.

And again, if any fellow TB'ers hear of any shops with JB-5 s, don't hesitate to post ! =)

 

[Cuzzie]

The early L1500 were bridge placed, but this is not, its the sweet spot which is different. If you do a search for images on the web of this bass you need to compare it to the early models, its subtle but compare it to the volume knob (one closest to the neck). Mine is later and neck edge is in line with the knob, the first generation are further back, and yes its a bridge pup type sound with what you describe.

Remember the poles are wound different and very hot, so the most is not necessarily required. It is nice to flick in if you need a quick burst in the song, solo etc

Also look at the L1000 (Wunkay) its in the P bass position, but not being a split coil gives different sound.

When you look at JB5 and MJ5 bear in mind those Jazz pups are wound differently, the MJ is a new design and fully noise cancelling.

Its all so much fun, but complicated.

Ideally i buy one of every type!

 

[mpdd]

g&l is in fullerton
bass exchange is north hollywood
neither are close to san francisco, but the bass exchange is closer

 

[Glazenn]

Sherman Oaks, CA.
G&L JB-5 Cherry Burst Jazz Bass

Huntington Station, NY
G&L JB-5 String Electric Bass Made in USA Blonde Empress body 8.6lbs NEW!

 

[Cuzzie]

Cherry.....CHerry Bay-yay-beeee!!!!

Lovely, that would be the one for me

 

[slobake]

I have seen G&L's at two shops near San Francisco. One is called B Street Music and the other is called Gelb music. Neither is in San Francisco but both are close by car.

 

[osonu]

Take a pass on the shop in Fullerton. I misguidedly went there last year and they were very clear that they weren't a showroom or retail outlet. I actually thought it was handled pretty poorly from a customer service or public relations perspective, but then again, if your job is building guitars you're probably not happy about being interrupted. If they're not looking for visitors, they should change the way they're listed on Google, etc.

 

[VoodooJazz]

If you're going to be in San Francisco but you think you'll be able to drive to San Diego, I suggest you rethink this idea. You are WAY closer to Connecticut from NYC than the distance between San Francisco and San Diego.

 

[swafran]

B street music! Yeah in Redwood City or something like that... I remember. Gelb yes I definitely will call.

Now I know about Bass Exchange I will call them too

Unfortunately @MesoBoogie, your 2 will be long gone by the time I am in the US... plus my NY stay is too short to work in a drive up 91

Wasn't planning the SF-San Diego drive, but I would fly southwest and cab it, southwest is pretty cheap to LA and SD if I remember right.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have a nice list going, and will call them when I get in.

Any others?

 

[Cuzzie]

If you are in the UK, i know you don't necessarily want the L1.5 or 2.5, but here are a couple of 5 bangers on basschat.co.uk - you may be able to have a comparison.

USA G&L L1505 Bass - Cherryburst/Maple with OHSC

USA G & L L2500 - Cherryburst/Rosewood with Original Case MINT

 

[flojob]

I wonder if you could have GC order one for you. They'd charge you for it, but if you play and don't like, they could refund you.

 

[Tom Henry]

If you're going to be in San Francisco but you think you'll be able to drive to San Diego, I suggest you rethink this idea. You are WAY closer to Connecticut from NYC than the distance between San Francisco and San Diego.

People don't realize how big California is. (Especially "vertically.") The drive from San Francisco to San Diego is 8+ hours... and thats if you take the boring route, not the pretty one. (You might be able to get a cheap flight from southwest airlines and get down there in 60 minutes.) Bass San Diego is a great place though, depending on how much time you have, it is a great place to try out Sadowsky, Fodera, Alleva-Coppolo, G&L, Zon, Dingwall, and Nash basses, among others.

I will say, i stopped by bass sandiego this morning for some Sadowsky flats, and i tried out that blue G&L someone linked above. It sounded great! String spacing was close for my tastes, but i'm primarily a precision bass player.

If you have the time, I'd do the G&L tour and the Fender tour, its pretty cool.

G&L Guitars

Bass San Diego

 

[swafran]

Thanks Tom, Bass SD sound pretty good. Nice to hear about the string spacing too, I was hoping that's the case (bad for you, good for me). Yeah like I said if I went down to SD it would be on Southwest. But who knows? Maybe the Bay Area will come through for me and I won't have to go too far. It's been good to me before =)

The shop tour sounds cool, I've thought about it... maybe on a future trip, this one is already pretty focused as you can tell lol (first time my GAS gets so organized).