G&L SB-1

Bought this in "82 @ a music store in Upstate N.Y., and have gigged 100 nights a year with it since then; solid ash body( kinda heavy..) maple neck, two growling pickups and a thru-body bridge make this guitar almost indestructible ( as evidenced by a 70MPH rear end collision I had last year w/ the bass in the rear of my Trooper....case splintered into 8 pieces, car totalled, me hospitalized and when I did my next gig THE BASS WAS STILL IN TUNE...) Nuff said.

Basically a Precision on steroids, it has a great variety of tones on stage or in the studio (My stage rig is an old Trace Elliot GP-11 Combo
or an SWR w/ 2 10/ 1 15 cabs depending...) but sounds equally authoritative through a DI in the studio w/ litlle or no need for tonal nuancing. Though passive, the pickups have a lot of clean output w/ no noticeable hum.

If I could find another one, I'd bring IT for a backup, because every time I brought another axe, I,d never use it cause this one sounds so good. I see them infrequently on E-Bay or such, probably because no one wants to get rid of them if they play alot. I,ve had the truss rod adjusted and frets dressed twice in 23 years of frequent playing, and my sweat has leeched the paint in places right THROUGH the finish, so it looks old and well used, as do I. Great job, Leo.

I recently bought a used 1986 G&L SB-1 that was made when Leo Fender was still running the show over at the Fullerton, CA factory (1980-to-1991). I have a pair of G&L L-1000s and was looking for something simple and with a maple fingerboard. The basic tone and volume controls are your classic 60s retro layout, but the split MFD humbucker has a HUGE output and will blow away ANY Fender bass ever made. The SB-1 looks like a slightly thinner P-Bass, along with Schaller tuners and features a 1 11/16-inch wide neck at the nut, which is very comfy to play.

Sound on the rebound. The SB-1's split MFD pickup is the LOUDEST I've ever heard on any passive bass, even louder than my G&L L-1000s, which is very hard to believe. Tonal quality is excellent, with deep lows and clear, snappy highs. Obviosuly the tonal variety with one pickup will be limited. The massive bridge produces unparalleled sustain.

I set it up myself and it plays just fine. Maple fingerboard produces a brite, crisp and snappy sound. Vintage white finish is hilding up very well, even 15-years after its birth. The saddle lock bridge is easy to adjust for optimum playing action and the micro tilt adjustment in the neck pocket is typical Leo Fender brilliance! It goes a long way to making this bass play nice nad easy. G&L fit and finish is second to none.

This rig is totally bulletproof and like cockroaches and bad dreams, could survive WW III. There is no compelling reason to have a backup for this, since it is totally reliable with nothing to go wrong, except changing a string.

Never had to call, but nice and informative website.

Been playing professionally for 42 years and I own 3 G&Ls plus a MusicMan Sterling. G&Ls are the best basses made, especially for the money.

Ca. 1985, a basic 21 fret single pickup 4 string bass made in the US. It has a smoky sunburst on the precision style body with maple neck and fretboard. It came with an original hardshell case when I bought it new in 1988. No frills, but a solid American made guitar at the time.

When I bought it we were playing REM influenced originals and it fit the bill. I was using a US made precision and this was much lighter, and a bit brighter. The sound was pretty basic with no effects

As the bass has aged it has stabilized a lot and is excellent for finger popping blues and funk stuff.

When I bought this bass it was well set up but had not done well in the shop. The finish was very susceptable to sunlight and darkened a lot in the window display. When I got it home it I put it on a guitar stand which in very short time left a divot on the back of the neck, not in the wood but in the finish, even after stabilizing in the shop for a couple of years. The finish on the body was thin and wore through quickly near the saddle. The pickup cover had warped in the window and I had to replace it soon there after. I was disappointed but I kept it anyway. In the next 17 years it has stabilized thoroughly. The big plus is the neck has always been straight, never needed adjusting, same with the bridge.

Here's the big plus. I've had this bass for a long time now and it has been rock steady when it comes to performance. The frets show wear but the rest of the functional parts of the bass are as good as new. It's never needed pickups, bridge parts, nuts, or tuners. Though the finish was crappy to start with it has aged very well.

I've never had to deal with G&L.

Only when I needed to expand beyond the basics provided by this bass did I suppliment it with a Brian Moore, 15 years down the road. My recommendation is if you can find an old one at a reasonable price buy it. As with other G&L products as time went on they worked through their problems so I assume they fixed the stuff I encountered so many years ago.

July 2, 1991 (my 11th birthday) it is stamped under the neck. 21 frets, one volume and one tone knob and one Precision pickup. Black finish with black pickguard. I won black G&L tuners on Ebay (I guess they arent made anymore) Passive electronics. Maple neck, maple fretboard, Ash body. 34" scale. all you need is volume and maybe a tone knob or a balance knob for two pickups... this bass is my type!

I play metal/rock mostly but the bass is very versatile. and I get tons of sounds with simple tweaks of my equalizer on my amp... or a simple roll of the tone knob. no extra noise at all! NO dislikes at all.

set up good, but I like my action LOW... so no factory setting is good for me, but you can tell the bass was loved! Nothing negative here

this bass has seen many a gigs and holds up every time. VERY RELIABLE

Have not dealt with yet

I have an SB-2! I'd get another of either model in a heartbeat! It plays like no other to me. it is almost too comfy!

An elderly friend had been a music dealer. He advised me that nothing, and I mean nothing topped a G&L. I took his advice and went online searching for "the deal." I found it. An 89' SB-1. Leo Fender died, 1991. Prior to that the G&L basses could have the "Made by Leo" logo on headstock and mine did. It was an Alder body w/ Maple neck and fretboard. Rampage red finish with black pickguard. Single P-bass style pick up design w/ magnetic field design pick ups (try them, they rule!). Controls included the Fender basics, volume and tone (all you need). Schaller style tuners. The most massive bridge out there. Yes, even more bullet proof than Bass Ass bridges. Of course these are made in America. (Fullerton California)

This bass was taken out of the box and plugged in. This, after being told the pick up quality would enhance volume and tone greatly. This bass almost doubled the output of my Peavey 40watt combo practice amp.(stupid me sold my Marshall full stack). The bass almost made me cry with excitement. Finally I had a real American Bass. The tone is fat with low growl like you can not believe. Damn, this is a bass for Steve Harris fans.

Hey, it was a G&L made when Leo owned the company. What more needs to be discussed......

This bass would withstand world war three...........

Never needed it........

I have played off and on since 83'. I have played Peavey, Ibanez, Rickenbacher, BC Rich, Aria, Fender, and Jackson. I would have sold them all to own the G&L. Sometimes in life you get advice. Most times you ignore it. I listened for once and was glad I did. The G&L products are not only American tradition, they are worth (In my opinion) twice what they costs.

For those who don't know, the SB-1 is a Precision-style bass. It has a split pickup in humbucking configuration just like the Fender Pbass. The pickup in this bass is a Magnetic Field Design (MFD). It has one volume and one tone control. Passive electronics. It has a white finish that has aged to an off white. It has a black-crinkle pickguard, and black crinkle anodized high mass bridge with a set screw that fixes the bridge saddles in place.

According to the Bass Book, my SB-1 was made between 1987 and 1988. MIA, in Fullerton, CA. 21 Frets. Solid body. I can't tell what kind of wood it is, but from the weight, I don't think it's basswood. The neck is bi-cut maple and the fretboard is rosewood with dot inlays. The body is pretty much Precision-bas shaped, but the cutaways are a bit larger and the horns are a bit smaller.

The neck is 34" scale, and the frets are standard. The tuners are standard G&L open gear tuners and are stamped with the G&L logo. The neck measures 1 11/16" at the nut. 3 bolt construction with neck tilt adjustment.

It has the original G&L headstock without the sharp, pointy nipple on the current headstock. The decal also has a small "by Leo Fender" label that apparently was removed from subsequent instruments after a lawsuit. Leo's signature is also in the neck pocket.

I got this bass with the OHSC.

This bass gets a 7 for features mainly because of the bridge, pickups, and nice neck. It's about as simple as it gets, though. It's pretty much a Pbass after all.

This bass has a *great* sound. It really nails the Pbass sound, and it's got great growl. The pickups are very bright with the tone all the way up, and the tone control is actually very usable for varying the amount of high end in your sound.

There is no extraneous noise.

If you're looking for a Pbass, this bass really gets that round, big, thick Pbass sound with a bit more high end.

Well, the fellow from whom I bought the bass hadn't done much for the instrument in over 12yrs, so the neck was badly bowed. I set the relief as I like it, and I haven't had to touch the bridge or neck tilt.

The frets are perfect, and show little wear.

The pickups are adjusted nicely and string response is even across all 4 stings.

the nut is perfect.

The finish has dings from the previous owner, but I love the aged white finish. Looks very retro. The neck has a nice luster, and the rosewood fretboard is a super nice piece of wood with tight grain.

This bass is a tank. It's almost as heavy as my Ibanez ATK. It's passive, so I can't really see much going wrong with it. The neck pocket is snug, and the rest of the bass seems super well put together. The neck has been super stable, and I would use this bass without backup any night of the week.

Haven't need to contact G&L.

The SB-1 isn't particularly popular for some reason, but I have to say that it's really a great bass. The fit and finish is up there with top-of-the-line Fenders, and the tone is killer. Also the neck is thin from from front to back, making it easy to play.

I've been playing for almost 20 yrs, and I've owned many basses, and this one is a keeper. I compared it to a MIM Fender Pbass that I have purchased recently, and there was really no comparison - the G&L spanked the MIM Fender on all counts. I've since sold the Fender. I've compared it to MIA Fenders as well, and I really like to tone of the SB-1 better. It's less muffled and has better clarity with less "honk".

I would absolutely buy another SB-1, esp at the price I got. This bass rounds out my collection - '75 RI Jazz, Ibanez ATK 300.

Made in 2000 Red polyurethane high gloss finish. Black pickguard.
Made in USA with certificate of Authenticity signed by Mrs. Leo Fender.
Your Basic P-Bass, with hardshell case.
Volume and tone selectors.
1 P-bass split pickup / passive.
Bolt on neck with 3 bolt neck plate.
Maple fretboard.
Stays in tune great with DR strings.
This was professionally set-up with low action, plays real nice.
I give it a 8 not because of quantity, but quality.
This bass is built well.

My music style is bluesy/classic rock, so it sounds great for this style. It also can make a raspy punchy sound with the right amp.
Very simple operation of tone.
Works well for stage. Have not used in studio.
I use it with a Sunn 300T all tube bass amp and 2x15 cab, and WOW does this thing growl.

This was set-up well by factory, but I preferred a few slight changes.
I am happy with the quality of this instrument.

This bass is very durable and well made. It has a classic appearance and good quality sound.

I have not made contact with the company.

I think G&L make a very good instrument. I think G&L is more of a Fender than Fender is these days.
It is a fine basic instrument.

Pickup features: P-bass configuration
Impedence or other specs: Leo Fender MFD design

Model of guitar or bass: circa 1983 CF Martin EB-28 bass (neckthough all mahogany)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: Appeared to be a stock DiMarzio
Artists using this pickup: Don't know, don't care.
You musical style(s): There's rock in there somewhere...
Reason for pickup change: I was under the impression that MFDs rule but didn't want to get rid of my trusty Martin (I've only played two of them and the other one sucked!). Anyway, I figured the MFD might make my Martin sound even better.

Perceived output level: Hotter thean the pickup before. MFDs are HIGH output.
Tone: It sounds like the instrument it's in. There's great clarity and power. Pickup up the whole instrument, not just the strings.
Sonic evaluation: Sharp highs, deep lows, defined mids. Picks up the wood of the instrument very well. I have MFDs in an all maple G&L and it is very nasily sounding... ...like maple.
Leo Fender, like any good engineer, continued to learn over time and improve upon his designs. MFDs are his last and IMO his best pickup design.
The pickups aren't available from the current owners of G&L, and actually they've discontinued the Leo Fender designed model mine came from. Hope for a rare set used somewhere! The MFD patent has expired or might expire very soon. Let's hope a good manufacturer offers an authentic reproduction of one of Leo Fenders last, and best, bass pickup designs.
The definition of these pickups is killer, the highs cut pretty well on my all mahogany bass but on the all maple one it's brutal! All maple makes that bright tone and the MFD pickups pick it up.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Tone controls and MFDs can do anything

Comments:

I found this 1985 gem at the used guitar shop and immediately snatched it up. This is the second style where they switched from a jazz pickup to precision and added a black pick guard. The bass was still with its original hardshell case which I thought was even more of a steal. It's just your basic bass with volume and tone knobs which they happened to go with plasitc for the first year or two of production before switching to the knurled metal knobs used on their other lines. The bass is white but has faded to a nice toilet seat color. It has a flat and wide bi-cut maple neck that is straight as an arrow.

These pickups are the most responsive passive pickups I have heard. It is silent until you want it to speak. I play mostly through a Peavey TNT 115BW, with the combination of this bass and that amp I can get plenty of sounds. While most of the music I like to play is jazzy I end up playing more rock and punk with my roommates. Being a P-bass it suits their style well but I still can brighter tones from it with help from my amp. It compares it to a fender p-bass but I'd give the edge to G&L.

I purchased this 15 year old bass used. The action was too high for my taste so I dropped it. Now it plays beautifully. It looks exceptional with only a few dings. This bass does not want to give up my cable when I'm done playing, in fact the pick guard is cracked where it plugs in. I may have to go in and make it release easier.

It's a G&L, it will last forever. My only concern is with the crack in the pickguard. But then again superglue isn't just for fingers.

I haven't dealt directly with the company but the dealer in my hometown will do anything to help a G&L.

I have been playing for five years. I also own a '75 Fender Jazz and a 1997 G&L L-2000 (best bass ever made). If this bass were lost or stolen and I could find another for the same price I'd easily buy another but I have the feeling I'd have to pay $400-$500 to find one this nice so I'd just spring for another L-2000 at that point. I love its simplicity, it says a bass is a bass. I didn't spend much time comparing it, I just saw it and its price and snatched it up.