G&L LB-100 Tribute - Major Old School Mojo, but Rough Around the Edges - LowEndLobster Review

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Hey everyone! Today we're going to be reviewing the G&L LB-100 from their Tribute Series. Featuring a split Precision style pickup, ash body, and killer G&L Hardware, the LB-100 Tribute has all the makings of a killer P-bass... But is it too good to be true? Let's find out!
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with MJC Ironworks Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at www.mjcironworks.com
Info on my signal chain, setup and more: • FAQ: My Signal Chain, ...
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[@Mr4Strings]

How refreshing to watch an honest instrument review. Both Pros and Cons. And in this case the Cons were not glossed over. They really affected the review. Good work Lobster. You raised your cred level even higher with this one!!! I like how you you're not a perfectionist and you will at times let minor issues slide if the bass is a good performer, but when something bugs you enough when playing that it can't be ignored by a good sound I know exactly where you're coming from!!

[@JoseCid_24]

With the new Squier/fender prices reaching the sky, G&L is becoming a great solid alternative, not by any means a perfect bass, but for the price a very nice platform. Thx one more time for the great video Mr.Lobster.

[@LowEndLobster]

I saw that this morning! Insane!

[@streamerlx4927]

Get a FGN! US quality for a mexican price. Unbeatable

[@LowEndLobster]

@@streamerlx4927 the truth!

[@michaelblaney4461]

I think all the Fender brands went up including Jackson , Charvel ,Squier. . The Sire series went up too ( even with their insane pricing structure)

[@longdongbongchong]

@@LowEndLobster What happened this morning? I missed it. A mass price increase announcement?

[@anthonysmith5165]

My G&L had none of those problems . I couldn’t afford the P bass that I wanted this one fit the bill I have the exact same one with none of those problems you’ve mentioned. With a fresh set of flats on it it sounds great

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Thanks Lobster excellent review and walkthrough cheers

[@Phyoomz]

I thoroughly enjoyed the playing here. Great honest review too. Thank you!

[@robertyoung7027]

I owned a G&L2500 back in 2005, one of my "I regret letting go" mine had a really beefy neck which I fell in love with.

[@Bassmeister_Jay]

Great review Lobster. I have one of these basses. I'm glad you mentioned the noisey pickup issue. It was the same with the one I got. I swapped it for a EMG GZR P pickup pretty much immediately after receiving it. Now it roars as you can probably imagine and with no noise!

[@LowEndLobster]

Nice! Thank you for sharing. Great mod!

[@mikeburford3005]

I have one of those and LOVE it. I can't imagine a better P bass. Oh, and thanks for the review!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Mike!

[@JoshTolbertUrbana]

Bought one just like this. I bet if you pull the bridge off, you'll find the ground wire just flying loose like it was on mine. I decided to look into mine when it had the same hum as yours, but would actively pop every time you made first contact with the strings...Somewhat annoying. Decided to go the full-boogie grounding fixup on mine. The bass comes with the standard graphite-paint grounding inside the body cavities, with the bridge just screwed down over the grounding wire. I foil-taped my grounding wire down, then screwed the bridge down over that. After that I pulled the rest of the electronics out, lined the body cavities with foil tape and left some overhanging where pickguard screw holes would be...Lined the entire backside of the pickguard with the same foil tape. Now even the screws on the pickguard are grounded. After doing the work---took maybe two hours from start to finish---there's absolutely no hum and no loud pop when you make contact with the strings or anything else that isn't grounded via the controls. I can share pics of the tape work if you're interested. Cause I liked it, I swapped the chrome knobs and bright pickguard screws out for black equivalents.

[@happyfarmer6823]

love it!!! your channel is my fav bass channel. I suck at bass but im having fun for now and just hoping to get better eventually.

[@bobbyzig3879]

Stock wiring job/grounding needed some help for me as well. I replaced everything in terms of wiring/pots and put in a .047 capacitor. Dead quite now. I have some high fret edges in the upper register, weight is about 11lbs. Thinking of changing out the pickup and putting some hipshot ultralite tuners on it. Otherwise, I really dig the thick neck and the G&L bridge is awesome. didn’t have any other major qc issues.

[@emanuelacevedo6939]

I bought this bass 3 days ago, but the version with the rosewood neck and I must say that I love its sound, it sounds great! the finishes of the body leave a lot to be desired, especially the finishes of the headstock and the screws that join the body to the neck (I also have an SX p bass, which is a bass that I pay 4 times less for and yet it's better finished). Regarding the rest, I feel very satisfied, it is very comfortable but quite heavy. Thanks for the review, greetings from Argentina!

[@chriswenkle2635]

Great video Lobster - as usual. QC issues aside (weight too) this bass offers a lot of bang for the buck. And as you said, it looks really great with the natural finish and 3-ply black pickguard. However, I think because of the QC issues I would probably look elsewhere - or just build my own. Cheers!

[@PushSueAside]

Good stuff. Thank you for sharing. Cheers

[@davidvitale9338]

Really good review. I hate any dings on my bass neck that I can feel while playing. I have built up layers of superglue in dings like that and sanded and buffer them out. It works pretty well. The bass sounded very good and I've always loved that bridge.

[@darvinclement3250]

Two claws up for another fantastic review Lobster. Next time you do a hum fix on a bass could you use shielding paint instead of the copper tape? I'd love to hear if there is any difference between the two.

[@nigellacey559]

I've changed my mind on the headstock. I quite dig it now. looks good on the kiloton bass.

[@ClassicJunk88]

This thing will be my next purchase so thanks for this vid. I can deal with gouges but not buzz, I hope they fix that. I like flaws though, on my stingray sub series there is a tiny fiber from clothes under the clear coat on it and I thought it was great. cheers!

[@mrtod13]

Thanks for the review it definitely informed my buying decision. I received my Lb100 yesterday from Andertons in the UK. It was on sale and i bagged the last one with a good discount. However I prepared myself to return it if it had the same problems as yours. Thankfully, first impressions suggest I've got a good one 🙂 i haven't plugged it in yet so don't know if it is noisy (but im not worried if it is because I'm pretty good with a soldering iron). Thanks again, there aren't many reviews of this bass out there. I'm a very happy complete noob bassist 😁

[@LowEndLobster]

Congrats! Glad you got a good one :)

[@mohdfadzlienjaffar7755]

Thank for review, i bought 1 for new year.... Its very impressive... Nice neck

[@KirkBryson]

I like the G&L headstock...though I have a 1987 L2000 that is my go to bass and has been for almost 20 years!!!

[@tysher7353]

Love the sound and look of this bass! Sadly I've had bad luck with Indonesian made instruments, bear in mind only handled a few. Maybe there's some good ones out there🙃

[@bassimprovjams3772]

First comment 🤘looking forward to this!! Love G&L I love them bridges!! I’ve never played a G&L P . I really want a CFL!!

[@michaelkeefer4293]

Man that thing sounds good! QC issue and noisy electronics seem to be a common theme in the sub $1K range of instruments you review. If it wasn't for those issues and the weight I wouldn't see any reason to spend more money on a Fender Precision.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Michael!

[@JavierSalcedo-hf8wc]

Hi Lobster! last weekend i tried one of this basses, sunburst with rosewood fretboard (or similar), block inlays and tort pickguard.. i must say it really impressed me.. it didn't had any qc issues and it had a special mojo, strange for this price bracket.. of course the american counterpart feels even better, but this could perfectly be the main and reliable bass for the working musician with limited budget, and still sound great..

[@coldasiceunity]

Great review as always Lobster! It's a shame you seemed to get a dud on the QC front. I've played a few of the Tribute series and own a JB, for me they're on par with the MiM Fenders (even slightly better maybe) when you find a good one. A JB I tried in a shop had pitting to the bridge and a few blemishes in the finish, so it seems you have to look out for a good one.

[@Biaxident86]

I have an LB-100 Tribute that came with the same electronics hum. Shielding the electronics cavity took away all of that noise. Sounds fantastic now. I think this is a great bass that may need just a little TLC.

[@bizibetiko9778]

That has a really good P bass sound. With a little TLC, weight aside, this looks like it would be a killer bass. It's not bad for the price, but I'd be tempted by a Sire P5(when it is out) in that price range.

[@USSLIBERTYREMEMBERER]

Their tele bass has been calling my name, though I’m pretty sure there’s still no word on when they’re dropping. I can forgive the Sire headstock in that sole case lol, it’s close enough to the OG tele

[@bizibetiko9778]

@@USSLIBERTYREMEMBERER Wow, I didn't realize they were doing a Tele Bass as well. I just checked that out on their website. That thing is sexy!

[@markyurick6699]

I hope you like that black pick guard as it will be impossible to replace. I think these sound good and I do love the hardware-especially the bridge. Waiting to get my hands on a sire P5. The flat neck profile on the sire looks especially interesting to me. Those G&Ls are pretty much baseball bats. Hoping the sire will be better. Tough to find a decent import bass IMO. The Squier pick ups sound too weak and tinny to me. Nice review, as always. Cracking in a neck pocket is unacceptable. I think you were pretty generous with the rating.

[@danschneider9921]

I have a usa custom shop model that has been my main bass since 2017. I actually bought a Tribute JB as a backup and I have zero QC issues with mine. Full disclosure i do work weekends for a local shop that is a fairly large G&L distributor, and have never seen a lemon yet. Looks like you got "lucky" lol

[@kitsapbass9348]

IDK - it’s still higher on my list than most of Fender’s products, QC issues aside. Why Fender continues the 20 fret stupidity instead of 21 is beyond me….thanks for the review Lobster!

[@LowEndLobster]

Great comment! I agree, the 21st fret makes a difference when you want that high E.

[@kitsapbass9348]

@@LowEndLobster one of the bands I was in had a song with a tapped harmonic on it…which I couldn’t play with a 20 fret instrument, I got a Warmoth replacement neck so I could use my Jazz bass. I get that it’s kind of a Fender thing, so I’m always on the lookout for P and J basses with that in mind. Truly appreciate the review and your channel in general. I’ll climb down from my soapbox now lol.

[@DarrenSaw]

I tried one of these when I was P bass hunting recently, and it sounded nice and played nicely, but was similarly noisy, no gouges anywhere though. The real big deal was the weight, probably similar to the one you had there, and that was a deal breaker, ended up with a player p bass which I vibed with much more. Great review as always.

[@Below-Average_Joe]

I am surprised this bass had such terrible QC issues. G&L Tributes are usually quite well put together.

[@ozzpockettriesbassguitar5647]

I bought a G&L L-1000 USA a little over a year ago and had several issues...First...let me say the issues have all been remedied, and it is a fantastic bass...I love it....BUT....when purchased, the nut wasn't cut properly, the pickup was faulty and had to be replaced, and they didn't have a screw on one of the saddles..... For the price premium, I would NOT have expected that....But...like I said...everything was resolved, and it's really a nice instrument...but it makes me question them a little, on their QC.

[@thiagodeandradeneves4585]

This bass def sounds amazing.

[@Rick_Petrone]

The G&L are amazing! But, Mr.Lobster.. Can you tell-me more about the headstock changed? Have a Nice time!

[@LowEndLobster]

Take a look at the L-1000 CLF that has the "older" headstock (I think fender sued them back in the 80s for it)

[@michaelblaney4461]

Nice bass in many ways , I would like a. p bass in Ash . QC issues are a problem with many brands . I've found that with high end brand , their entry level basses are too expensive for their quality . Sadowsky's Chinese bass line is one , I tried their j bass with p- j pickups the j pickup was unnaturally noisy .

[@chrismorris3897]

I like this bass!

[@TheBhunt1]

props for the Donny Benet shirt

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you!

[@_levandre_]

Has an interesting look honestly....a natural finish and weird horns.....nice

[@williamallfrey577]

Another great review, thanks Lobster. My experience with G&Ls are that they are built like a tank but a bit heavy with it. Looking forward to your upcoming review of the Kiloton Tribute!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks William!

[@Thisisswanbon]

I love how impartial your reviews are... You're never afraid to call out issues and it really adds to the integrity of your videos. Side note: After playing several lightweight basses, I genuinely believe a heavier bass = a weightier (word?) tone! This sounded hefty!

[@nathanminert3119]

Could you do a review on the new version of this bass? I know they changed the body wood and the finish and the price is looking really good compared to other similar basses.

[@LowEndLobster]

Great suggestion, Nathan! Yes! I plan to.

[@nathanminert3119]

@@LowEndLobster awesome!

[@sicilianmammalian]

Can you do a comparison video between the dark ray and the one you built? I thought about buying one but it seemed overpriced when I have a 5 string fretless ernie ball and a knockoff I'm modding

[@fefe83013]

Best Precision I've played, beautiful construction, beautiful sound, I love it.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks FabioAl!

[@charliecarrot]

I have this same bass model and finish. Mine had no nicks or anything in it, it's really beautiful. However the electronics were completely going out after a year or so. Volume pot was crackly, and the output jack connection seemed to go in and out. The noise is real - would buzz if I let go of the strings. After I swapped out the pickips for EMG GZR Ps, I was able to get it to be absolutely silent and it plays like a dream now. Oh and yes, it's quite heavy.

[@Aurichu]

Also went for the GZR route on my LB 100 ( but the PJ set ), love this thing

[@aarons9259]

I think that you just a bad g&l which I would think is rare. I have the same bass and without a doubt it's my favorite and most solid bass, it's terrific!!!

[@JeffMoser]

My wife's LB100 came with a horrible grounding issue. If you moved your body, the static noise from the chair or carpet would crackle in the amp. Touching the input jack would make it go away. The guy at my local shop found that the ground wire was not touching the bridge as it was supposed to. After fixing that, the noise is nearly gone, and only present when the tone is about 75% or greater. Other than that, it's been a great bass. Did you happen to get into the bass and figure out what your issue was? It'd be nice to get rid of the hum entirely!

[@CC-fi3pp]

I'll take an Fender MIJ P BASS (62 reissue) from the 80s to mid 90s Fujigen factory with RES-O-LITE lightweight tuners and EMG GZR pick ups over this ANYDAY!

[@guymorrison4800]

You’re not alone with quality control issues - I had to redo the scratch plate screws as they weren’t flush - in at angles. I don’t think it sounds like a p bass myself - the bass tone just isn’t the same and much more simple - p is fairly complex from what I remember. Pick/rock and slap - yes! Fingers playing - not sure - I’ve had to fiddle with eq and compression and even distortion to get that as I wish. However I think there is a vision here for a contemporary precision - you might have to work what it is! It’s a very loud settings kind of an instrument? I think.

[@guymorrison4800]

Actually the precision I had was a very old 50s or 60s sunburst model and it had a huge complex sound that more recent precisions (i think?) don't have (has the circuitry etc changed over the years?). Is Lowend playing with the supplied Daddario strings? I was using DR Lo riders of all things with it to do mixed low bottom bass. Lowend has a nicer amp obviously than my crappy combo. Anyway I'm sticking with my LB-100 its one to work on and I'm convinced it will get it right for me. Why is it called LB 100 ? because it weighs so much... ha ha haha

[@guymorrison4800]

Blarty hell this one is a talking point..... I’ve just been engineering the live recording I did with my LB 100 last year - not my best night but bass IS GOOD. You have reservations that you’re short a proper precision sound but this with the Lo riders sounded great through a Fender Rumble of all things with fingers. Slightly glossier and warmer than P. Might be 4 out of 5 with a bit of work. Since then I’ve had the intonation done and sounds much more consistent

[@OzlinLikesVideos]

The QC issues are a bummer especially since everything else seems solid. I keep eyeballing this model especially. Also, I now have Mr. Experience stuck in my head xD

[@danieltaylor4882]

A question if I may. QC issues not withstanding would this have been up there in direct competition with the Sire P5? I appreciate in overall terms there were the QC issues, but in terms of playability and pickups would this be as good?

[@LowEndLobster]

Great question Daniel. Yeah sans QC issues I'd put this on par with the P5. I think the P5 has a more comfortable neck, but that's personal preference.

[@danieltaylor4882]

@@LowEndLobster Thanks, though i'm no youngster I'm only just starting out on my bass journey and really appreciate all the info you put out and share.

[@andycanona]

@Daniel Taylor I’m in the same boat - I want a PBass and am strongly considering the Sire P5, but this G&L caught my eye. Which has a thinner or more comfortable neck? Which did you end up getting?

[@andycanona]

@@LowEndLobster I’m on a quest to get a P with a more comfortable neck, as I’m about to sell my Fender American Std bc I think the neck is too chunky. What would you recommend for a P with a comfortable neck? Thanks

[@danieltaylor4882]

@@andycanona Ironically neither. I ended up with the squier paranormal jazz............for now 😂. Still fancy a P bass one day

[@richwagner174]

Hey lobster just wondering what the weight is on this bass? Is at an anchor?

[@48streetrat]

Can't go wrong with G&L!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Ralph!

[@russellzauner]

1:10 the headstock doesn't bother me, the CLF seem equally weird to me with the smoothed profile...

[@russellzauner]

and again, for some reason I cannot yet explain all the tribute models feel like they have a very different timbre than their standard counterparts - not bad but different. if this one has a lot of mass maybe it will sound better tho

[@russellzauner]

3:45 already this thing sounds beefy and low clatter factor...bumps along nice... very good and quite reasonable facsimile of a p bass

[@russellzauner]

9:35 locking bridge - and if you want to add one of these to your project you don't have to drill through the body for it and it sounds GREAT. love the little adjustment tweaks on these too, offset barrels make it easy to adjust your intonation and string height with them all installed.

[@thebassbuilder]

I think you have found your next giveaway bass/ p pickup shootout bass. Then give it away with the winners choice of pickup. Good idea right 😉😉

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Meyers! :)

[@jhc82681]

Hey Lobster, I've got a noisy P bass that I'm trying to resolve. No hands on the bass it hums and when I touch the strings or anywhere metal on the bass it stops. Inside looks OK, I don't see anything loose. And I've read that if the buzz stops when you touch the strings that grounding is not the problem, if grounding was the issue the noise would get worse when you make contact. What is puzzling me further is my bass didn't always do this, it's a new problem. Can you help educate me on the difference between grounding issues and non wiring related buzz that perhaps shielding will help resolve?

[@sunn_bass]

Nice review, and I can never get enough of that P-Bass style vibe. Seems like a lot of instruments these days (including some higher end US made instruments) have hade QC issues lately. I have this bass and a Yamaha BB series on my radar. Thanks as always for a great review.

[@Sumbibebe]

Thanks for BLASTING THE QC DEPARTMENT. You are saving the future of G&L from going bad. They might have thought that the bass would of landed in a beginner’s hand and wouldn’t have been noticed. Shame on G&L! I love their basses and guitars but you can’t let the QC get too big for itself. I’m sure that Leo is thanking you, too👍🏽

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Sumbi! The way I see it, silence about stuff like that means it's ok - and it's definitely not! Criticism helps companies grow and improve

[@JohnWright-zi6cg]

Hey Lobster, I've a few US G&Ls If you want to review in the MD area. Lemme know!

[@terrywilson4118]

I got one new.. It had no dents or marks on it that i could see..

[@douglasboyd8475]

Would you try out a Slick bass from guitar fetish?

[@donhall-aquitania1025]

You rated this poor QC bass the same (3 claws) as the Fender American Professional 2 P-Bass?

[@martyneilan8947]

Cracks, nicks, buzzing? Sound to me like a customer in the music store dropped the bass (and not in the good way) and that also loosened up something inside.

[@LowEndLobster]

Twas a bummer. Will be checking out more tributes with hopefully better luck

[@thesisters1349]

Well done review Lobster as always. Being a G+L "guy", maybe I'm not the one to say this but it is a $500 instrument. When I was coming up everything had ground issues. I have 2 Tributes and they were both impeccable out of the box. As far as weight, that is an internet thing. Weight was never considered before internet reviews. Thats why they make 3 and 4 inch straps.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Brian!

[@PorchBass]

Weight has always been a thing for mere mortals.

[@guymorrison4800]

Oh no I’ve just done some work with it - it’s ok….

[@guymorrison4800]

Further work done - is ok

[@samlelowitch]

Too bad about the QC issues. 10.6 lbs.? No thanks. However, the tone is very nice.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Sam! Indeed this one unfortunately had some tradeoffs

[@BYLRPhil]

I’m in Idaho. In the unlikely event you live anywhere close by I would let you borrow my US Kiloton for a review, if you were interested.

[@jaxonvictoria4345]

This is exactly what I mean when I say I don’t really believe that all G&L Tributes are better than Squiers. Everybody on Talkbass seems to have formed a consensus regarding this. To sum it up perfectly - “a little rough around the edges.” Meanwhile my Chinese and Indonesian Squiers kick a$$.

[@jamesmarkham7489]

In my experience talkbass is one big echo chamber on certain subjects. The main reason I stopped participating really.

[@ianchisholm9260]

44mm at the nut .. too wide for me

[@slee6261]

The LB-100 is the best sounding P bass on the market to my ears.

3:41 I thought all electric guitars & bases do that when not touching the strings

[@LowEndLobster]

They do not! It is something that can be remedied. I think my Charvel San Dimas shielding video was a solid demonstration of this, some quality shielding and some ground continuity goes a long way!

[@makumbolindo3566]

It 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.

[@sonojon0]

This bass sounds like my DiMarzio model P pickup. Not bad for an Indonesian sounding bass!

[@brianpulham179]

Weight what feels like 100 pounds of swamp ash - too heavy!

[@ShazShaun]

Doesn’t quite sound like a vintage P.. it sounds mid-scooped

[@joshhaugh1]

That might be coming from the strings.

[@mouthmw]

Modern Fender Ps are also pretty mid scooped (and have been for a while). That's why there's a plethora of great mid forward vintage sounding aftermaket pickups to buy. I mean, it's a P bass, it's the simplest possible bass design. Put a pickup of your choice and that's it. It's hard to f... it up unless you can't make a good setup and the neck wood stability is crap. But in that case, any bass design would suck.

[@tigerscott2966]

It's always about money...

[@lilpbass]

G&L is superior IMHO

[@rvbsoundfactory]

Sounds super Fat. Qc is very important. 👏.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

next time it would be helpful if you'd actually photograph/show/document the blemishes and QC problems rather than just talk about them. Thanks for the review though

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks! I thought I put the pics in post but may have forgotten

[@bertrandmajorik6589]

Finishing issues??? A j bass G& L in my local ads got me GASSIN....... then again........ finishing issues.......... Flatulances leaving my bass mind...

[@jamesmarkham7489]

A very disappointing experience for you lobster. All the g and ls I’ve played have been great so this is definitely unfortunate

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks James

[@joshhaugh1]

Annoyingly, G&L never shields anything.

[@jeremiahwilliams7809]

It would be nice if those guitar manufacturers would stop copying the p and j bass, and leave that to fender!! and come up with something totally different.......geeeeezzzz........ everybody's got to copy fender......stop already..............

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Jeremiah! I wouldn't call this a 'copy', as Leo Fender did start G&L.

[@jeremiahwilliams7809]

@@LowEndLobster I am well aware of the fact that leo fender was the source behind not only G&L but MUSICMAN as well,but even leo himself moved on to different things after selling fender to cbs!!!! So these other guitar manufacturers including G&L need to stop copying the p and j bass!! and come up with something that's totally their own (creation!!!!) And the folks at fender need to come up with something else new as well,every time you turn around fender is coming out with another new version of the p or j bass that's no better than their previous models,but..........they can get away with it because fender is where those basses originated.........