when the L series body shape changed * A

[fatherska]

Hey all.

Having played G&L basses since the early nineties, I have paid attention to changes in the product range since before then - changes in both instrument features (e.g. crinkle-black bridge to chrome) and in model availability (e.g. the L-1500 replacing the Climax which replaced the L-1000).

Several changes have occurred gradually and had a transition time, such as the switch from the 3-bolt micro-tilt neck attachment to the 6-bolt neck attachment. In that case, some models transitioned sooner (e.g. L-2000) than others (e.g. SB-2). Even the 6-bolt neck attachment involved a transition over time: First with a rectangular crinkle-black plate, then a chrome plate, then a grommet for each bolt.

Inevitably, G&L has made some basses with new features in the same period as making other basses with features being phased out.

Despite these observations, I continue to wonder about the timing of the transition in the shape of the L-series bodies from the original shape to the current shape (with a somewhat deeper cut on the side with the upper strap button). What were the start-and end-dates for the transition? Did the transition vary between the L-series models?

L-2000 original body shape

L-2000 pre.jpg (89.4 KiB) Viewed 8278 times

L-2000 current body shape

L-2000 post.jpg (114.36 KiB) Viewed 8278 times

[bdgotoh]

The L-2000 body shape changed in 1999 when the 6 bolt came on the scene.

[fatherska]

The L-2000 body shape changed in 1999 when the 6 bolt came on the scene.

Okay. It seems realistic to me that the wood shop would create a batch of L-2000 bodies incorporating both changes at the same time: holes for the six-bolt neck attachment as well as the slightly deeper cut at the apex of the upper-side curve. You say that the year was 1999 for L-2000s. Alright.

In January, 1998, Bass Player magazine published photos of L-2500 basses (five-string model) with the current body shape.

Any idea whether the other four-string L-series basses in the G&L catalogue at the time - the L-1500 model - also bore the same pair of changes in 1999?

L-1500 original body shape

L-1500 pre.jpg (128.51 KiB) Viewed 8258 times

L-1500 current body shape

L-1500 post.jpg (17.13 KiB) Viewed 8258 times

[bdgotoh]

My recollection is that the 5 strings were first to be changed, then I think they released the JB-2 and it was 6 bolt from the start, then they changed the L-2000. I'm not sure if the L-1500 happened at the same time. The ASAT and the SB-2 took a few more years to switch away from 3 bolt.

You might look for old threads on this, I recall a discussion with Dave M about this subject and he had some very interesting answers. I'll see if I can find it...

[fatherska]

In the G&L brochure excerpted here, the five-string models available are the L-2500 and the L-1505. Both feature the current (then new) body shape.

At that time, the Custom variants had been discontinued as well as these five-string models: the L-5000, which had an SB-series body, and the L-5500, which had a unique body shape.

Note that the L-2000 and L-1500 basses shown on the same page as the L-2500 and the then-new L-1505 feature the original body shape.

In whatever period this catalogue represents, G&L’s L-series comprised these four basses: two five-string models with the current body shape plus two four-string models with the original body shape.

The same catalogue shows the SB-series and ASAT basses on another page.

What period does this catalogue (silver sparkle ASAT Z-3 guitar on the cover) represent?

G&L catalogue: 4 L-series basses

G&L catalogue 4 basses.JPG (69.96 KiB) Viewed 8192 times

[Deano]

I have this catalog too. I think it's late '90's, but I don't know the exact year.

[fatherska]

I have this catalog too. I think it's late '90's, but I don't know the exact year.

Okay. If late-nineties means 1998 or 1999, then we seem to have consensus about that as the period when the L-series was pared down to those four models:
* L-2500 and L-1505 with the current (then new) body shape.
* L-2000 and L-1500 with the original body shape.

When did the body shape of L-2000 and L-1500 basses change from original to current?

[fatherska]

The L-2000 body shape changed in 1999 when the 6 bolt came on the scene.

Okay. This seems to be the truth. Unless or until more than one example of a four-string L-series bass made after 1999 is shown with the original body shape, 1999 appears to stand as the year when G&L began to make L-2000 and L-1500 basses with the current body shape.

Likewise, 1998 seems to have been the year when G&L began to make L-2500 and L-1505 basses with the current body shape.

Indeed, I believe that the L-1505 model has only ever been made with the current body shape. If there ever were any, I'd like to see an example of an L-1505 bass with the original body shape.

Let's see photos, with year of manufacture certain, to prove otherwise or to verify the above.

[gargouill]

Today i did my best to get the comparison between the early shape and the newer..





Maple

or Rosewood s-l1600-4 2 by tchoungfou, sur Flickr

Edited by Ken to remove all the Flicker links.

[fatherska]

gargouill and Ken: Well done! Thank you.

When the current body shape was introduced, it came about with the L2500's replacement of the L-5500 (initially 1998, then in transition for at least 1 year). At the time, it was described in terms of a slight weight reduction courtesy of a little less wood.

Now that the current L-series body shape has been in production for about the same amount of time as the original was (18 to 19 years), I share these observations:

1. The weight reduction idea is interesting, and likely a modest benefit to players, though it doesn't strike home as having been the primary reason for the change.

2. The original L-series body shape, from some angles or in some lights, looks like it could benefit from that same bit of trimming that the current body shape manifests.

3. The current L-series body shape, from some angles or in some lights, looks a little over-trimmed or skewed as if the original really had it right.

4. I disagree with points 2 and 3 about as often as I reaffirm them to myself. Angles and lighting again.

5. They're all so good looking as to invite staring.

It's really George & Leo's brilliant engineering that makes the L-series basses great to make music with.