G&L Tribute JB-2

2009 Tribute JB-2
~Natural gloss finish on Ash body (three pieces, nicely matched)
~hard rock maple neck with Rosewood fretboard, fretted. No pick guard.
~Two vintage Alnico single coil pickups (typical Jazz bass configuration S/S). These are the American ones, same as US JB-2, sent to the Indonesia factory.
~Passive electronics- Knobs are Volume, Volume, Tone.
~Patented G&L designed bridge, one of the best in the business, think beefy!
~Tuners are the G&L designed vintage style open back, very smooth, great quality.
~Body style is very contoured, smallish, mix of P-bass and Jazz. Very balanced instrument.
~Neck is hard rock maple with a substantial slab of rosewood fretboard. Frets are Jumbo nickel, finished very well, dressed, rounded edges, just like the US quality!! Amazing attention to detail. Silky smooth satin finish on the back of the neck, slim jazz profile, great for little fingers like mine. Full length scale, 22 frets (?) The nut is plastic, only cheap part on the whole axe!
~Quality G&L gig bag is included. Nicest one I've seen overall, the zippers are a little cheesy, but function. Nicely padded and plenty of pockets.

This bass sounds like a Jazz bass on steroids. Very articulate and resonant, due no doubt to the wood choices, tight fitting neck pocket (6 bolts on back), and the beefy bridge, which actually has part going down into the body wood to add sustain, fitting tightly against the end of the wood grain.
The bass is a bit bright and plays every note clearly, meaning you have to be on top of your playing and adjust the tone and pickup volumes to dial in the tone you want. You can achieve a wide variety of tones by doing this, great for funk, reggae, rock and everything in between. The pups have lots of output considering they are passive. You really cut through the mix. My old P-bass, conversly, sounds amazing, but it has that one p-bass tone basically, and sometimes can get lost in the mix a bit with a loud band.
I wanted the Jazz for its ability to dial in a wide variety of tones. Great for the trio I'm in, as we play rock, reggae, surf, blues and jazz. The JB-2 can cover a lot of territory.

The bass came pretty much in tune, but the action was high and the neck had a considerable forward bow in my opinion. I think G&L just does a real quick set-up to make sure the bass is somewhat intonated and in tune. Fortunately I have a strobe tuner and the tools and know-how to be able to do a proper set-up for my playing style. I am a light touch player overall, so I prefer low action and a neck that is basically straight with just a slight forward bow. Only this way can you actually properly intonate a guitar or bass. If these terms sound like Greek to you I highly suggest that you have this bass set up by a professional. Once I dialed in the neck, the bass became like 1,000 times more playable, and was in tune all the way up the neck. It is especially crucial that you do not try to do a neck adjustment (truss rod), unless you have had the proper training. You make very slight adjustments, so unless you know what you are doing, again, go to a guitar tech.
Other than the neck needing an adjustment and set-up, the bass construction quality is fantastic. The finish on the body is flawless. The neck joint is really tight (very important). The satin finish on the back of the neck is almost flawless, just slightly rougher near the top, but I'm being very particular. The pickups were set too high after I lowered the action and straightened the neck I had to lower the pickups slightly. They are well placed though, no issues and they sound great (bright but punchy too).
Tuning pegs are great, better than the Mexico Fender ones for sure, smooth.
Considering this is a budget bass, the quality is actually better than many US built basses. But it isn't perfect, hence the 9.

The bass is new so time will tell, but G&Ls have a reputation for being solidly built. The hardware seems very solid and quality, so I expect this bass to last. It was purchased to be my gig bass. The '72 P-bass is worth a bit too much to be taking to some of the bars we play.
The strap buttons are those great type with plenty of grab so your strap won't come loose. No strap locks necessary. The clear body finish is awesome and nice and thick, I think it will last for a while.
Hopefully the truss rod won't need lots of adjustments. Sometimes new ones take a little while to settle. Also, I plan on going to my Rotosounds after the factory installed D'Addarios wear out (wimpy nickle wounds), so I'll have to do another set up then, possibly a neck adjustment too.

The warranty is 2 years, non transferable. Haven't had to deal with G&L yet, but they are right up the road in Fullerton, so I suppose it shouldn't be a problem. The place I bought it is Buffalo Bros. Guitars, in Carlsbad, CA, north San Diego county. They have a great relationship with G&L and are the best guitar shop in San Diego. Walls of acoustics, electrics, mandos, and more. The staff is super friendly.

I've been playing bass since 1984, owned several basses including p-basses, a G&L L-2000, MusicMan Stingray and Sabre, Carvin fretless, an acoustic, Epi Thunderbird. I think that covers it. I loved them all, and like women, for different reasons. Some it was the tone (that Epi barked!), some the feel, etc. But for me the '72 P-bass I own is the best of the lot. This new JB-2 Tribute ranks up there though, and was about half of the cost of most of the basses I've purchased. I think its the best "budget" bass out there. Looks, feels, and sounds like the expensive ones for way less loot. For the "reality" musicians. Blows away the Mexi Fenders.

2007. Indonesian built. 21 frets. Passive single coils AlNiCO(Aluminum,Nickel,Cobalt) pickups. Typical Jazz bass controls.
One at the neck and one at the bridge. Two volume knobs, one for each pickup and a single tone. Body is a beatifully matched 3 piece swamp ash(can only tell from close inspection) and is very lightweight??? 8.3 pounds!!!
Neck is hard rock maple with a rosewood fretboard. Jazz style. 21 frets. Six bolts attaching it to the body.
Bridge G&l designed.(no tribute logo on these any more).
Traditional open back tuners. NICE G&L gigbag included.

Very versatile bass for many different styles of music. I play in two bands that play many styles including hard rock, classic rock, metal, Celtic music, funk and R&B. This bass can cover it all like a Jazz bass should.
Bass has very little noise for single coils and is quieter with both pickups on. Works great for studio and stage.
The sound could best be described as old school jazz. Full, rich and warm but gets nice and snappy/snarly when you dig in. It puts out the sweet single coil sound in spades. Does slap, finger and pick style with aplomb.

Excellent construction throughout. Isn't this supposed to be a budget bass? I have heard that G&L puts a lot of pressure on their overseas manufacturers and it shows. These basses are now made in Indonesia and are even better than the Korean made ones.Tight neck pocket, beautiful lightweight ash body, exceptional fretwork. There are no buzzes and no clicking sound when you fret a string like on some other budget basses. Action is set up a liitle high than what I like( I loike it low) but very acceptable. The tuning pegs are high quality as is the bridge and controls.

I haven't had this bass long but everything feels solid and shouldn''t give me any problems.

Never dealt with them and hopefully never have to.

I have been playing for around 20 years and have been playing live consistently during this time and have owned and played many basses throughout including Fenders, Musicman, Sadowsky, Zon, Lakland, Peavey and Warwicks among others. I am extremely picky with my basses. I honestly would put this bass up against any. It is as light and resonant as any of them. Sounds as good or better than any Jazz I have played. It is almost as light as my ash bodied Zon. Sounds and plays better than the Sadowsky Metro I have owned. And is light years better than a Fender American 75 reissue I have owned. All for 400 bucks used and around $600 new. I think the G&L Tributes are the best values out there.

THIS IS A BRAND NEW G&L TRIBUTE JB2. SOLID ASH BODY WITH A SOLID ONE PIECE MAPLE NECK. THIS BASS WAS MANUFACTURED IN INDONESIA. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WORK.
THE CRAFTMANSHIP IS FLAWLESS AND THE ELECTRONICS ARE GREAT. ALL PARTS ARE USA MADE. THE BRIDGE IS A SOLID HUNK....MUCH MORE THAN YOU WILL FIND ON ANY US FENDER. MINE HAS A SUNBURST FINISH...BEAUTIFUL. IT HAS TWO G&L JAZZ STYLE PICKUPS WITH TWO VOLUME AND ONE TONE CONTROL....PASSIVE. IT REALLY FEELS LIKE A HIGH END JAZZ BASS. THE NECK IS INCREDIBLY SMOOTH AND PLAYABLE..VERY THIN. IT HAS A LONG SCALE NECK AND THE INTENUATION WAS PERFECT RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX. IT IS TRULY HARD TO BELIEVE THIS BASS SELL FOR $450. IT IS MADE MUCH BETTER THAN SOME OF MY MORE EXPENSIVE BASSES. IT ALSO COME WITH A REALLY SOLID G&L GIG BAG.I'M GIVING THIS A 10 FOR FEATURES BECAUSE IT HAS EVERYTHING IT NEEDS FOR GREAT SOUND AND PLAYABILITY.

I PLAY A LOT OF BLUES AND AMERCANA ROOTS ROCK. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE SOUND OF THIS BASS. THE PICKUPS ARE VERY QUIET, MUCH QUIETER THAN MY PASSIVE FENDERS, AND PUNCHIER. I PLAY IT MOSTLY WITH MY AMPEG B100R ROCKET. WHAT A GREAT COMBO OF EQUIPMENT. IF SOMEBODY ASKED ME TO SET THEM UP WITH A GREAT SOUNDING BASS RIG THAT WOULD BE MY CHOICE..THE JB2 WITH THE B100R!! PURE VINTAGE TONE AND WARMTH.
THE JB2 IS A LITTLE ON THE BRIGHT SIDE WITH THE TONE CRANKED ALL THE WAY, SO START WITH IT TURNED DOWN AND FIND WHERE YOU LIKE IT. UNLIKE MANY PASSIVE RIGS THE TONE ACTUALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE OF THE JB2.

PERFECT, PERFECT, PERFECT. ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE!!
MINE IS A TOTAL CREATION OF BEAUTY.

I AM A LONG TIME PLAYER AND GIG ALOT. THIS BASS DOES THE JOB. I'VE PACKED UP MY US FENDERS. THE ONLY OTHER BASS I PLAY NOW IS MY MTD SARATOGA...WHICH IS ANOTHER GREAT BASS IF YOU CAN FIND ONE!THE JB2 IS SOLID...LIKE I SAID BEFORE...THE BRIDGE IS SOLID AND MASSIVE AND THE PICKUPS ARE US G&L..IT IS MY FAVORITE BASS RIGHT NOW.
I STILL FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS BASS COMES FROM G&L'S "SECOND COMPANY".
GET ONE RIGHT NOW BEFORE THEY RAISE THE PRICE.

NEVER HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THEM.

I HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR A VERY LOOOONG TIME. I HAVE A BAD CASE OF IAD [INSTRUMENT AQUISTION DISEASE]. I HAVE LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL BASSES, GUITARS, AND AMPS. THE G&L TRIBUTE JB2 IS MY FAVORITE BASS RIGHT NOW. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I WOULD GET ANOTHER IN A HEARTBEAT.....HECK FOR THE PRICE YOU SHOULD BUY ONE FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE.
GET ONE,GET ONE, GET ONE. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST, WELL MADE, BASS FOR AN UNBELIEVABLE PRICE.