Conjuring the Classic J Bass with Modern Updates
Mining the best of the '60s — the classic decade of J Bass design — the G&L Tribute JB-2 electric bass guitar brings back the gold of that era to players who know and love vintage tone and playability. At the heart of this classic-era bass is the tone provided by legendary Alnico V single-coil pickups, which are wired for warm, punchy tone and versatility. The Tribute JB-2 also includes another Leo Fender innovation: the G&L Saddle-Lock bridge efficiently transfers string vibration to the instrument's comfortable, resonant, sleekly sculpted poplar body. In fact, every component of the Tribute JB-2 — from the neck and fingerboard to the unique, ultra-stable 6-bolt neck joint — represents more than a half-century of innovation, all in the name of performance. From its flawless playability to its impeccable tone, the G&L Tribute JB-2 bass guitar is ready to rock.
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A tone machine for all seasons
After many years of studying vintage pickup designs, G&L Vice President of Engineering Paul Gagon dove into the treasure trove of original schematics at Leo Fender’s private factory and arrived at the design for G&L's excellent Alnico V single-coil pickup. Back in the early '60s, the specs for pickups coming down the assembly line actually varied quite a bit. So Gagon had to discover where the magic was in his search for the elusive Holy Grail tonal qualities coveted by bassists worldwide. We're here to say that the result — G&L's excellent Alnico V single-coil — does not disappoint. On its own, the middle pickup is round, fat, deep, and punchy. The bridge pickup serves up definitive Jaco growl. And together, they deliver a funky, slightly scooped sound that's ideal for slap-style playing. Tonally, it's the best of all worlds.
Saddle-Lock bridge increases resonance and sustain
Another G&L innovation has found its way into the Tribute JB-2: the G&L Saddle-Lock bridge. The Saddle-Lock bridge reduces the lateral movement of the saddle pieces by tightening an Allen screw on the side of the bridge. Additionally, the Saddle-Lock bridge has a solid protrusion on its backside that is sunk firmly into the instrument’s body wood. Together, these two features make it easier for string energy to travel into the body and translate into a rich, resonant, and sustaining sound.
A legacy of innovation and quality
Today, G&L USA instruments are built at the same Fender Avenue factory in Fullerton, California, that originally housed Fender production and manufactured early Music Man instruments. Leo’s private workshop remains the heart and soul of the factory and is regularly visited by music lovers from across the planet. Although not widely distributed, G&L instruments are held in high esteem among savvy musicians and collectors. The company’s relatively small-scale American production operation, employing a blend of computer-assisted CNC machine processes and handcrafting by expert luthiers, allows for a range of customization that is not possible with large production lines. Sweetwater is proud to offer such a fine line of distinguished musical instruments.
G&L Tribute JB-2 Electric Bass Guitar Features:
- Sleekly sculpted solid poplar body delivers stellar tone and playability
- Bolt-on maple neck is cut to a medium "C" profile for wonderful response for smooth grooves and slap-style playing
- Legendary Alnico V single-coil pickups are wired for warm, punchy tone and versatility
- Saddle-Lock bridge reduces lateral movement of the saddle pieces and maximizes string energy into the body for rich, resonant, and sustaining sound
- Ultra-stable 6-bolt neck joint
