G&L LB 100 Bass Review

My review of my G&L LB-100 Bass. I wanted to share my thoughts on how this bass plays and feels. Specifically I talk about the modern shape of this bass, the neck, bridge, tuning pegs, and how it feels in your hands and how it sounds. I also talk about playing with your fingers, with a pick, slap, scooping the mids to go 90's, hearing the different sounds on your bass, and my overall impressions of it after owning and playing it for a few years.
Thank you for the continued support on this channel. I love hearing from you in the comments section. See you there.
-Murphy
#LB100
#BassReview
#GandL

[@MartyMusic]

Nice Murphy! Tasty Bass

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Thanks Marty ! Yeah tasty it is. The blue got me when I looked at it.

[@macewbee]

Nice never new that you were a fan .

[@justinandsheba]

Great review. I have an L2000 Tribute coming from Sweetwater next month. Been waiting on it since November... G&L are just amazing.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Nice. I bet that will be sweet. Upload a link to some photos or video when you get it.

[@justinandsheba]

@@MurphyKargesBass Will do.

[@pastorwarreng9775]

Never owned/played a G&L bass but if it's anything like their guitars it's a winner. I may get some negative feedback for this but, I like G&L better then their Fender counterparts. Great review!

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Yeah they play really well. My brother owns an S500 and it always blew my mind when I would play it.. the pickups are so so good.. the tone and the build of it was so solid

[@aldito7586]

No negative feedback from me ! - G&L looks great - sounds killer. Leo Fender said "These are the best instruments I've ever made". I really think that if someone wants that real "Old school" P-Bass tone in a new bass - The LB-100 is at the top of the list.

[@aldito7586]

Nothing negative from me. Leo Fender was asked what his best guitars were - he said "G&L". I would suggest if a person is looking for a BRAND NEW instrument that has all the fender vibe and tone from the past - try out a G&L.

[@AQMusic10]

I definitely fall in love with a guitar at first sight. I’m also a sucker for a blue guitar. Thanks for the review as I’m not too familiar with bases. Love the jamming at the end!

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Blue is timeless. It’s the sky and the ocean if you think about it - two amazing sources of color. Yeah love at first sight is real! Cheers and thanks

[@paulmullen2620]

Tone down with the fingers is heaven to me. Cutting those higher frequencies makes the sound so much cleaner and easier to work with. Now if I'm pick playing, yeah, that tone's coming up to 100%.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Right on. Thanks for sharing.

[@aldito7586]

Love the LB-100. What a tone !

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Right there with you. I dig it. So bummed my electronics became disconnected and I'm getting it fixed this week so I've been without it for a bit and I miss it.

[@matteomingozzi4496]

Thanks for the review Murphy, i was curious about that bass for a while Is not so big here in Italy... i remember you had g&l basses even back in the nineties, the other model with larger pickup more similar to a music man.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Yep.. I’m going to do a review on all my basses and guitars. Yeah I like them. But I like Fender too, Music Man, Ibanez, Yamaha.. I’ve had them all!

[@LoKoSFermincho]

My dream bass will forever be the Fender Mike Dirnt Road Worn Precision but with the current God awful economy in my country I've been looking into cheaper but still great sounding basses. This review right here just sold be the LB-100, I don't know if I'll ever achieve my dream bass but if I can at least get this one and it sounds that good I think I'll be set until either the economy stabilizes (yeah, right) or I get a better paying job =P Thanks a lot Murphy, I'm absolutely subscribing and leaving a like! Greetings from Argentina!

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Happy to meet you. thanks you just made my day. Welcome to the channel

[@danielzukle5471]

Hey Murphy, I have a G&L M-2000 bass that is my main bass it's a tribute but it sounds good, lots of tone choices. Really too many, but ain't that fun searching for that sound you like. Always loved your bass, love the Blue. First bass I bought was translucent crimson and I still am drawn to basses that color. Not red but ones where the wood grain is visible through the color. Love basses like that no matter what color they are.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

For sure. We like what we like.

[@jmsmikey]

Great review~ I got an L2000 in 1982 when I was 16 & got a WORLD of shit for it for years for not buying a Fender~ pick playing with the L2000 is amazing. Your right about pick playing~ I use my fingers a lot, but when I'm playing loud stuff, only a pick will cut through with clarity.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Thanks dude. It's so funny I somehow just watched another review of the LB100 this morning and the guy had all the stats down... "Alder body with a 3-ply tortoise pick guard...in house wound pick ups..." and I had like none of them.. I was just going like.. "Yeah it feels good... plays good.. ." lol But I guess I do it my own way. We all have our ways. I just don't think the physical stats really mean a lot if when you're holding it in your lap it doesn't feel right.. Or sound right.. I suppose on my next few reviews I may add a couple more stats to the mix. Thanks and who cares about people who give you crap about buying a certain bass or the other.. how silly is that? Cheers !

[@Bloosee]

That is a gorgeous blue color.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Yeah my favorite of their colors for sure. But the dark pick guard actually makes all the difference. If you see one with a white pick guard it's not the same.

[@Bloosee]

@@MurphyKargesBass I always prefer dark pickguards on my basses. Not so with my guitars, it's the opposite.

[@mikefrank6319]

G & L American basses are beautiful instruments. Insane quality, feel and tone. Handmade in Fullerton. I've trimmed my electric bass collection down to an MJ-4. Looking for an LB-100, because one of each is all a fella needs.

[@aaronkarlin3241]

Great review. Glad you didn’t smack the computer!

[@FREEDOMFUNADVENTURE]

I do like sound and look of that bass but never have seen one in music store, that I know of, why that over a Fender? I always had my strings set as low.as possible to the fret board, what is your preference?

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Probably as low as possible without getting the buzz from the frets... However I don’t ever request it a specific way cause the guitar doc I go to is amazing and he sets it up perfectly every time for me. He just knows how it should be. He’s a fantastic player too so that probably helps him discern the exact vibe for playability on any particular guitar.

[@grizelda4526]

Having a hard time deciding between an LB and a Kiloton. Thanks for the review!

[@MurphyKargesBass]

You’re welcome. Good luck with whatever you get.

[@matteorighi4700]

What did you choose at the end?

[@tranerecks]

Get both!

[@macewbee]

Wow great review are you going to do more bass guitar review.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Yes this is just the beginning. It’s funny, after I shot this I thought it was terrible. It felt like I kind of wandered all over the place (in making points) and I’m not very technical. But I took some time to edit it and I like it now. Thank you. I can’t wait to do more. I also want to do a ‘cheap bass’ shootout where I review every choice under $300 bucks. Somewhere around the $200 price range. That will be fun cause there’s a lot of good choices and they’re all different. And I’lol finish reviewing all the basses in my studio, cause there are some cool stories on a few. Thanks for the feedback. Appreciate it.

[@macewbee]

@@MurphyKargesBass na it's cool please to more I just got mine.

[@john94949]

Great review. Very insightful - just trying my best to follow; I get lost on technical terms here and there, I'll have to admit. I'll learn the parlance as I go along. How much would that run me if I were to buy that?

[@MurphyKargesBass]

That's funny because I thought that I don't know any technical terms either.. so I understand you. This bass is definitely not cheap. I think it's around $1,500 clams or so. They gave me a little deal but mine was still a sizable investment. But I love it and it'll last for a long time. It all depends on how much you'll play it.. and also if you really want something nice.. cheaper basses are great too. They're so much better than when I was young, the quality of cheap guitars was horrible, now they're great. I think I saw a used LB-100 for around $1,000. Let me know how else I can help. Cheers.

[@john94949]

@@MurphyKargesBass Yeah, oughta my price range. I'm in the market for a guitar, though. A cheaper Fender may be more what I'm looking at. Thanks, Murphy

[@MurphyKargesBass]

@@john94949 their tribute line is great. Much lower prices.. Did you say you want to buy a guitar or a bass?

[@john94949]

@@MurphyKargesBass I was asking about the bass out of curiosity. Looked nice. But when I actually buy something it'll be a guitar. Maybe just what you suggested. Can't spend too much rn, thinking anything within the $100-150 range. Then I gotta buy an amp to go along with it.

[@abouc]

I generally don't like the sound of a P bass, but this one has exceptional tone.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Glad you liked it

[@desmoface]

NIce bass. Is the truss rod adjustment on the headstock?

[@MurphyKargesBass]

yes

[@desmoface]

@@MurphyKargesBass Thank you, sweet bass.

[@david35197]

the muffled 0 tone sound is used almost exclusively in the whole motown sound as well as in soul/rnb sound. just look at pinos sound in voodoo, all p bass with 0 tone and its such an influential bass album. you should try it out! you might like it ;)

[@MurphyKargesBass]

sounds good. I will. Thanks.

[@lookingatyouforever]

Watching the entire video and waiting for that headstock to smack the screen of that Mac....

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Haha yeah everybody says that.. it's close.. but it's actually an illusion.. sure it's a little bit close but I'm actually in front of it more and I've never touched it. Well, maybe touched it.. but it's still there.. not cracked.. thanks for watching

[@jpstowman8851]

Murphy, such a great review of the G&L LB-100. I now have a strong urge to pick one up from Sweetwater ASAP!!! This brand is new to me. I'm more with Fender & Ibanez. I have the Fender Aerodyne PJ, Fender Mark Hoppus Signature Jazz, Fender American Professional Jazz and and Ibanez TMB500. Recently sold a Fender Mustang (which I have seller remorse) Appreciate your opinion and will Like and Subscribe to your channel. Rock on!

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Thanks. Yeah the LB100 is sweet. Sounds like you've got some cool stuff for sure

[@hrossrm1]

Great review! Quick question from a new bass player: how often do you change your strings?

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Good question. When I had no money, it wasn't very often. lol. When I was on tour with Sugar Ray, every other night. It depends - money, what sound you like, etc. I did a video about boiling your strings in hot water, and that really helps make them new again. When I was broke I would do that at least once every string cycle, sometimes twice. Some people like a very dull, warm rounded tone. Those people can leave their strings on forever. I don't, I enjoy a crisp sound, because I can always turn down the treble if I want to. Don't know if I answered your question!

[@hrossrm1]

@@MurphyKargesBass It does, thanks! Was just trying to determine how much life I can get out of a set since I’m primarily learning and messing around for about 30 minutes a day, not super serious about recording at the moment. I missed that video about boiling them but just checked it out and will probably give it a try.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

I’d say with light playing and practicing on average you can use your strings a long time. That depends on you however. Six months? A year? Maybe less? Totally depends on the sound you’re hearing from them and how they feel to your fingers too. And if you don’t have to spend money.. then don’t!

[@pattonPwr]

I love your bass

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Thanks yeah it's great I love it too. Do you have a bass?

[@pattonPwr]

@@MurphyKargesBass Thanks for doing a review at last :) I got a fender mexico 50's vintera pbass (in seafoam green.. beautiful too) which I love but I now need an LB-100!

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Wow that sounds awesome I love the sea foam green PJ and I love the Mexican fenders. I have a Mexican strat that is my favorite guitar ever

[@treesmasher823]

Very cool

[@MurphyKargesBass]

🙏🏼

[@eddiegarza2273]

I need one

[@MurphyKargesBass]

At least we're figured that out. Now how do we get you one?

[@larrytaylor6192]

What type of pickup is used? I see it split. Is the center part a Humbucker with outer single pickups? I've seen it before, I just had not thought about it until now

[@MurphyKargesBass]

It’s the stock pickups that come with it. The traditional split style.

[@geekguitars]

In house wound alnico 5 pickup. Designed by Paul Gagon. He's taken apart EVERY pickup that was designed by Mr Fender himself.

[@warburgaby]

thinking to buy... but the Tribute version :))

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Go for it. If you do, let me know how it goes..

[@ickimadrasi8965]

Check out the Glarry jazz bass, great sound and quality for $100.00

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Will have to. Thank you.

[@simonsmith2642]

You can always take away brightness and sustain. Use flats, tone knob, and a damper etc. if you want that old school Motown thing.. But you cant add it if its not there.

[@makumbolindo3566]

t is really a pity the don´t make anymore something like GL El Toro from the ´80, what a great GLbass. I´m really disappointed with all new stuff. If you find one, don´t hesitate to get it. The new versions of the GL sound metallic and to hard, not any warm tones at all, sorry.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

I appreciate your take. Sometimes I miss certain things about my LB100. I dig it but no one guitar is perfect. That I find in others. Considering adding a fender precision 69’s reissue to the mix. I should do more reviews too I had fun on this one.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

Anyone else stressed as heck this dude is gonna slam the headstock into his poor computer?! :o Solid review but I think you're clipping your preamp which is common with MFDs. They are really loud and have a really prominent treble peak so you gotta set the input considerably lower than normal pickups. MFDs have low dcr and a really big ceramic magnet. This means high inductance but low resistance. This equals LOUD but with really peaky treble and bass.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

It might be more of an illusion that it’s close but if I do it will make for one great bts video. Actually my pickups aren’t all that loud. That was one of the things I was unsure if I liked about this bass initially, but I’ve come to be cool with it as they are. The little bit of clipping doesn’t bother me at all. I actually like it. Because it’s just saturation, energy, and loudness in terms of the relative signal. If you’re pushing it all the time, then it’s not dynamic. (Unless your song calls for that) But if when you get louder and really push into it, I like that. I’m running my bass through my Apollo UAD with the SVT plugin. Sounds awesome, and you can get that growl like a real SVT if you push it. Thanks.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

@@MurphyKargesBass ohhh I was definitely hearing the SVT. I have that too and it does breakup a lot. FYI the L2000 humbuckers ARE extremely hot and clip the crop out of preamps. Good to know the Mfd Split coil isn't so spiky.

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Yeah. Not so spiky to me at all.. in fact I thought they were too quiet for me and was going to modify them.. but I’ve settled in to a setting that I like. Thanks for your watch on my hitting my iMac. lol. In truth I’ve dinged it a couple times but no damage. It’s tight in here man I gotta make it work ! Cheers

[@YourFavouriteColor]

@@MurphyKargesBass I'm sure you already tried this, but you can get the pickups closer to the strings than alnicos because the big ceramic bar is under the poles and the fat poles generate a big board magnetic field so maybe if you raise the pups up more than you normally would, it'll bring the THUNDER

[@fearnoevil65]

I may be mistaken, but I don;t believe the LB-100 has MFD pickups, I know the SB-1 does.

[@joeballs5669]

good review thanks

[@MurphyKargesBass]

Welcome 🙏🏼