Is G&L cutting costs (i.e. basswood bodies, computer cutting)?

[bbl]

Looks like G&L now uses basswood for their L-2000 and L-2500 bodies. I love my 1998 L-2000 (2-piece swamp ash), and am considering a new L-2500, but now I'm not so sure.

 

1. Isn't basswood inferior to swamp ash? I've never heard anyone cite basswood as one of their favorites.

 

2. What is computer cutting? They've just converted. Is that good or not?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Edit: I'm not referring to Tribute models.

[Craig Vecchione]

Wood species have different characteristics (obviously) and it's personal preference as to what's "better" in regard to species. What determines quality is the grade of the wood used. A crappy crotched-up slab of an exotic is no way better than a select grade of a domestic, for example.

 

Using CNC (computer numeric controlled) machining is a very accurate, repeatable, and ex$pen$ive process. Again, it's all subject to how it's executed. Good programming, quality equipment, and careful quality control all add up to a process that allows the expensive manual labor to be used for final sanding and finishing steps rather than hogging out a neck blank, for example.

[beam]

Originally posted by bbl Looks like G&L now uses basswood for their L-2000 and L-2500 bodies. I love my 1998 L-2000 (2-piece swamp ash), and am considering a new L-2500, but now I'm not so sure. 1. Isn't basswood inferior to swamp ash? I've never heard anyone cite basswood as one of their favorites. 2. What is computer cutting? They've just converted. Is that good or not? Thanks! Edit: I'm not referring to Tribute models.

 

I've not heard anything about them switching to basswood for their MIA versions, where did you hear that?

 

And no, basswood isn't inferior to ash. It sounds different is all

[bbl]

 

Originally posted by beam I've not heard anything about them switching to basswood for their MIA versions, where did you hear that? And no, basswood isn't inferior to ash. It sounds different is all

 

 

Thanks, beam. I misspoke. It's just on their L-2500's. It's a swamp ash top and basswood (American Tilia) body.

 

I know it's a matter of preference. Does anyone NOT like basswood?

[bbl]

 

Originally posted by Craigv Wood species have different characteristics (obviously) and it's personal preference as to what's "better" in regard to species. What determines quality is the grade of the wood used. A crappy crotched-up slab of an exotic is no way better than a select grade of a domestic, for example. Using CNC (computer numeric controlled) machining is a very accurate, repeatable, and ex$pen$ive process. Again, it's all subject to how it's executed. Good programming, quality equipment, and careful quality control all add up to a process that allows the expensive manual labor to be used for final sanding and finishing steps rather than hogging out a neck blank, for example.

 

 

Awesome. Thanks, craig.

 

Since I'm a lefty, and a proud L-2000 owner, I thought ordering an L-2500 would be a safe play, since I can't test any G&L's in stores.

 

Now I'm a little hesitant. Do you prefer/not prefer basswood?

[beam]

Originally posted by bbl Thanks, beam. I misspoke. It's just on their L-2500's. It's a swamp ash top and basswood (American Tilia) body.

 

Ahh ok

5er's, meh...who cares

[lug]

They've been using American Tila (basswood) with a Swamp Ash top on the L2500 for a couple of years. It should be significantly lighter than a full Ash body. Soundwise, close to Alder but softer. The Ash top protects and give a nice grain pattern.

[Craig Vecchione]

 

Originally posted by bbl Awesome. Thanks, craig. Since I'm a lefty, and a proud L-2000 owner, I thought ordering an L-2500 would be a safe play, since I can't test any G&L's in stores. Now I'm a little hesitant. Do you prefer/not prefer basswood?

 

 

 

It's light and stiff. For acoustic instruments it gives good llow end response. I think Yamaha uses it a lot in basses, and they sound pretty good to me. But like with all instruments, you really have to play it to know if you like it. Frankly I don't worry a lot about wood species in solid body electrics.

[beam]

 

Low mids are where you get your thumpity from

[lug]

Originally posted by beam Low mids are where you get your thumpity from

 

The SRX505 (Huntforpopcorn bass) is a basswood bass. Soundwise it's cool but it weighs as much as a feather. I actually prefer something with a little heft to it.

[sludgebass69]

My MTD Kingston Active 5'er is swamp ash, and my Kingston passive is basswood. Truthfully, the maple vs. rosewood fretboards and active vs. passive make too much of a difference to be able to tell the body wood tones apart. Personally I like the lighter basswood bass better since it's alot easier on my back.

[james on bass]

 

Originally posted by Craigv Using CNC (computer numeric controlled) machining is a very accurate, repeatable, and ex$pen$ive process. Again, it's all subject to how it's executed. Good programming, quality equipment, and careful quality control all add up to a process that allows the expensive manual labor to be used for final sanding and finishing steps rather than hogging out a neck blank, for example.

 

 

Sadowsky "Hand-made" basses are all CNC machined.

[lug]

Originally posted by sludgebass69 My MTD Kingston Active 5'er is swamp ash, and my Kingston passive is basswood. Truthfully, the maple vs. rosewood fretboards and active vs. passive make too much of a difference to be able to tell the body wood tones apart. Personally I like the lighter basswood bass better since it's alot easier on my back.

 

sissy

[sludgebass69]

Originally posted by lug sissy

 

 

Yep,and I've got the back surgery scars to prove it......

[sludgebass69]

Originally posted by james on bass Sadowsky "Hand-made" basses are all CNC machined.

 

 

So are Warmoth's...hmmmm..........sorry, I couldn't resist.

[lug]

Originally posted by sludgebass69 Yep,and I've got the back surgery scars to prove it......

 

back surgery scars? doublesissy. A REAL man can put up with the pain. What's next, guitard playin"

[Craig Vecchione]

 

Originally posted by james on bass Sadowsky "Hand-made" basses are all CNC machined.

 

 

Interesting. How do you know this? I just went looking...They don't seem to mention them being hand-made nor is there any construction detail given on their website.

 

What I do notice is their gratuitous misuse of Fender's trademark "J-bass" and "P-bass".

[sunburstbasser]

USA Laklands are also CNC machined, and so are many Corts and Samicks.

[ezstep]

My MTD active Kingston 5-er is basswood. I figure what could be better for a bass than BASSwood? For a guitar, GUITARwood?

 

See how that works?

 

 

 

 

Seriously, I have had it for about 8 months, but I have had no regrets about buying it and no regrets about the wood used. Of course, being a lefty, I could get only basswood and no "exotic" woods on the Korean-made Kingston. If something happened to it, I would buy another one.

[Thunderbroom]

Originally posted by bbl Awesome. Thanks, craig. Since I'm a lefty, and a proud L-2000 owner, I thought ordering an L-2500 would be a safe play, since I can't test any G&L's in stores. Now I'm a little hesitant. Do you prefer/not prefer basswood?

 

Consider saving some coin and go for an L-2500 Tribute.

 

[james on bass]

 

Originally posted by Craigv Interesting. How do you know this? I just went looking...They don't seem to mention them being hand-made nor is there any construction detail given on their website.

 

 

It was something I read a year or so ago. I thought it was on their site that I read it. I was quite shocked, since his basses are so friggin' expensive. They claim they do it so there is no variation from one bass to the next, which is a valid point. CNC though, is only a short step away from mass-production.