Today's SDOTD at MF seems pretty nice - G&L Jazz Bass for a price of Squier

Gear_Junky · Thu Sep 17, 2020 2:49 pm

I don't know much about the company, other than it's some sort of off-shoot of Fender (George & Leo). If I was specifically in the market for an instrument like this, I don't see why I wouldn't go with this offer.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/gl ... 2000001000

Gear_Junky · Thu Sep 17, 2020 2:50 pm

uwmcscott · Thu Sep 17, 2020 2:57 pm

Looking at the comments, there seem to be some discrepancies with the item being sold and a "Normal" version of the same G&L bass. MF has done this before with G&L guitars where some spec is slightly different from the regular production item. For example, they had a run of ASAT"s a couple years back where the body was significantly thinner and the electronics were not the same as a regular tribute.

Still seems like a nice bass for the $$, but MF has done this before where there is more to the eye than just a lower price. I"m assuming you could still return it if it was not up to par/spec, just be wary.

MattFireblade · Thu Sep 17, 2020 3:07 pm

Had a friend on the bass forum I'm on that ordered one of these and the bridge wasn't correctly routed for intonation, and it was by enough that it was obvious when playing it with anyone. The bridges on these are also recessed into the body, so you can't just move it.

Obviously I don't know that every single one of them is that way, but I've seen more than a few other comments about it.

Gear_Junky · Thu Sep 17, 2020 3:10 pm

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 2:57 pm Looking at the comments, there seem to be some discrepancies with the item being sold and a "Normal" version of the same G&L bass. MF has done this before with G&L guitars where some spec is slightly different from the regular production item. For example, they had a run of ASAT"s a couple years back where the body was significantly thinner and the electronics were not the same as a regular tribute.

Still seems like a nice bass for the $$, but MF has done this before where there is more to the eye than just a lower price. I"m assuming you could still return it if it was not up to par/spec, just be wary.

Yeah, I started looking at the comments after I posted. I just remembered this brand from way back as a Fender alternative that was considered on par or better. This one is made in Indonesia, which means it might as well be "Squier". Not that there's anything wrong with that (except pricing). But there's also complaints in reviews about bridge placement/intonation. But also some very happy campers. Being the bottom feeder that I am, and if I was looking, I'd take the chance and return if I had to. Or even talk them down on price if issues were workable. Oh, well, I hope I didn't get anyone's hopes up.

nomadh · Thu Sep 17, 2020 3:27 pm

Basically a squier with a nice massive looking bridge. $300 isn't bad and although painted at least its a unique color. If the bridge is recessed and placed wrong that would be pretty damn bad. Maybe I'd buy it for $80 then.

golem · Thu Sep 17, 2020 3:49 pm

G&L was started by George Fullerton and Leo Fender. I agree that the G&L Tributes sold through MF seem to be cheaper than regular tributes. Which is a shame, because the tributes were generally decent in my limited experience. I don't touch Tributes now since I come across about 1-2 USA G&Ls at Fender MIM prices a year (which at that price are a steal).

Gear_Junky · Thu Sep 17, 2020 4:38 pm

I agree. At least with a Squier you get dimensions/specs closer to Fender, i.e. that recessed bridge is a big departure. Nobody would complain if done right, of course.

Of course, Squiers are not ideal, I have a partscaster Squier bass I'm working on and the pickguard begs to disagree - both its shape and where the screw holes are drilled. Why can't they all just stick with the same dimensions

If this works out to be a nice bass, I'll need to figure something out to replace or cover the anemic white pickguard.

mozz · Thu Sep 17, 2020 6:41 pm

Whats with this deal too?

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute DC Electric Guitar Worn Cherry
$599.99
They are asking more for used ones.

EDIT: had it in my cart and was looking at the 29.99%apr financing card. Every other website wants more, so i go back and see free shipping and $36 tax. Click on the cart then it says "The Item Les Paul Special Tribute DC Electric Guitar Worn Cherry was removed from your cart because it is unavailable."

Fark.
It's back again. Price is 599 and when you put it in your cart you get not available.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars ... ric-guitar

Gear_Junky · Thu Sep 17, 2020 9:18 pm

I followed that link and now it says "unavailable". Yes, this happens all the time with MF and GC, among others. There's a latency with their inventory system. I.e. I just ordered a used amp from GC and it was still coming up in search and I could add it to cart even after I'd paid. It took a while for it to disappear from search (the following day) and another day for me to get confirmation that the amp shipped.

Maybe that was a one-off, single item, so whoever grabbed it first. Or even a wrong price, which was corrected.

All part of the sport, if you ask me

Mossman · Thu Sep 17, 2020 10:40 pm

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 2:57 pm Looking at the comments, there seem to be some discrepancies with the item being sold and a "Normal" version of the same G&L bass. MF has done this before with G&L guitars where some spec is slightly different from the regular production item. For example, they had a run of ASAT"s a couple years back where the body was significantly thinner and the electronics were not the same as a regular tribute.

Still seems like a nice bass for the $$, but MF has done this before where there is more to the eye than just a lower price. I"m assuming you could still return it if it was not up to par/spec, just be wary.

Yeah, I had heard that the "Bluesboy" that MF offers up on SDOTD about every three months is not made to the same spec as the "regular" version too. That's what's kept me from pulling the trigger on one.

That bass is made of basswood. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but for a bass, I bet that'll make for some neck-divey fun.

Mossman · Thu Sep 17, 2020 10:44 pm

Gear_Junky wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 9:18 pm I followed that link and now it says "unavailable". Yes, this happens all the time with MF and GC, among others. There's a latency with their inventory system. I.e. I just ordered a used amp from GC and it was still coming up in search and I could add it to cart even after I'd paid. It took a while for it to disappear from search (the following day) and another day for me to get confirmation that the amp shipped.

Maybe that was a one-off, single item, so whoever grabbed it first. Or even a wrong price, which was corrected.

All part of the sport, if you ask me

I just clicked that link and it said "In stock, ready to ship".

GC is horrible about updating their used inventory, though. I bought a used MIDI controller over the phone from them, and the next day they sold it to somebody else... And they never contacted me to let me know. I had to call them after a couple of days had gone by and I hadn't received a shipping notification.