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Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $1,873
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Unveiled in 1980 by the legendary Leo Fender, the G&L L2000 Bass has proven its worth as an instrument of rich versatility and unique tonal range. This iconic bass has consistently charmed a diverse group of musicians, from hard-hitting rockers to smooth jazz artists, with its ability to adapt to any musical situation.
At the heart of the L2000, you'll find a pair of G&L Magnetic Field Design humbuckers supported by the dynamic Tri-Tone control system. This complex system offers a myriad of tone options through its pickup selection, series/parallel signal routing, and active/passive operation toggles, along with volume, treble, and bass knobs. This intricate design ensures that no matter what style you play, the L2000 will rise to the occasion.
Adding to its impressive features, the L2000 also sports the innovative Saddle-Lock bridge, a brainchild of Leo Fender himself. This design allows for the direct transfer of string energy into the body's end-grain, resulting in a bass that doesn't just play notes - it resonates with them.
The G&L L2000 Bass is a true tribute to Leo's groundbreaking bass design, offering all the magic at a cost that's accessible to every passionate musician out there. Experience it once, and you'll never want to go back.
Key Features:
- Pair of G&L Magnetic Field Design humbuckers
- Versatile Tri-Tone control system
- Selection toggles for pickup, series/parallel signal routing, and active/passive operation
- Volume, treble, and bass controls
- Leo Fender-designed Saddle-Lock bridge
- Brazilian Cherry Fingerboard
Product specs
| Brand | G&L |
| Model | L-2000 |
| Finish | Common Finish, Sunburst |
| Year | 1980 - 2014 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | 4-String Basses |
| Active / Passive Pickups | Active Pickups |
| Active Preamp | Active Preamp |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Color Family | Brown, Natural, Tan |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Number of Strings | 4-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
FAQs
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What type of music is the G&L L2000 Bass suitable for?
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The G&L L2000 Bass is versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of genres including rock, funk, jazz, and blues, thanks to its active pickups and preamp which provide a broad tonal palette.
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How do the active pickups on the G&L L2000 Bass affect its sound?
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The active pickups on the G&L L2000 Bass offer a powerful and dynamic sound, with increased output and clarity, making it ideal for cutting through a mix in live performances or recordings.
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What is the neck profile of the G&L L2000 Bass?
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The G&L L2000 Bass features a comfortable neck profile that is easy to play, providing smooth access across all 21 frets, suitable for both beginners and experienced bassists.
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Does the G&L L2000 Bass have a passive mode?
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Yes, the G&L L2000 Bass can switch between active and passive modes, allowing players to choose between a more traditional bass sound and the enhanced tonal options provided by the active electronics.
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What is the pickup configuration of the G&L L2000 Bass?
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The G&L L2000 Bass has a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, providing a thick, full sound with reduced noise, ideal for both powerful low-end and articulate highs.
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Is the G&L L2000 Bass suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the G&L L2000 Bass is well-suited for live performances due to its robust build, versatile sound options, and active electronics, ensuring it can handle a variety of performance settings.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
Leo Fender's Most Modern Bass Design? - G&L L1000 & L2000 Basses
Leo Fender's Most Modern Bass Design? - G&L L1000 & L2000 Basses
Andertons Music Co
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptionally versatile with a wide range of tonal customizability
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High-quality American craftsmanship offers superior build and sound
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Intuitive controls for easy navigation of sound settings
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Active electronics provide loud, punchy, and noise-free performance
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Consistently stays in tune, reliable for long sessions
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Competes with and often surpasses other high-end brands like Fender
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Active/passive switch adds flexibility for different playing styles
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Handles various string types from flatwounds to stainless steel rounds
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Designed by Leo Fender, ensuring classic design and innovation
CONS
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about G&L L2000 Bass.
Features and functionality
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The L2000 offers significant tonal flexibility, allowing users to switch between series and parallel pickup settings, with active and passive modes affecting output and clarity.
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MFD pickups are highly sensitive to string distance, delivering intense tones when close and dark, punchy sounds when further away.
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The American and Tribute versions differ mainly in body wood, tuners, bridge style, and inclusion of a case, with electronics remaining consistent.
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Setup and maintenance
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A user found the need to replace factory-installed right-handed pots (for a left-handed player) due to them behaving as on/off switches, limiting tonal control.
Source
User experience
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Some owners describe the neck as resembling a "baseball bat," which may not suit players used to slimmer neck profiles, but others find it comfortable for 70s to 90s music.
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Some users find the bass heavy, and others note close string spacing may not suit all playing styles.
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One owner praised the L2000's ability to maintain a great sound in live settings, with frequent positive feedback from audiences.
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Use cases and applications
Build quality
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While generally praised, one user experienced a need for a neck shim and rewiring due to factory-installed components not meeting their left-handed specifications.
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Rosewood fretboards on natural finish models are reported to be less common compared to maple, offering a unique aesthetic choice.
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The bridge on the L2000 is notably massive, contributing to its stability and sustain.
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Other
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Owners recommend TI Jazz Flats and Cobalt Flats for a balanced and powerful tone, with the latter being favored for a pick-style play.
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Comparisons
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G&L L2000's neck pickup placement mirrors a P bass, while the bridge pickup aligns closely with the '60s and '70s Jazz bass positions.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 8 Ratings
329
Best bass I've ever owned & played; a versatile powerhouse of an instrument!
In 2008 my curiosity led me to trying out a G&L Tribute L-2000 bass. I was so blown away by its sound that I soon wound up: 1. placing an order for a USA-made G&L L-2000, and 2: selling my American Deluxe Fender Jazz bass. Don't get me wrong, Fender basses are great tried, tested, and true basses, but, to me, G&L basses exist on a higher tier altogether.
434
Leo Fender's last great design!
The versatility and the possible tones from this bass is fantastic. The switches and knobs are intuitive and the pickups are loud, punchy, and full without any noise. This bass is my go-to when I need that midrange bridge pickup bite that a P-Bass doesn't have.
50
G&L's Flagship Instrument - Bassus Versitalitus
Arguably one of the most versatile bass instruments of its kind, the L2000 is capable of providing a stunningly wide variety of tonal customizability at an affordable price. Handcrafted in the USA and available in either basswood or swamp ash, the L2000 comes equipped with two active humbucking pickups controlled by a three way pickup selector switch, bass and treble boost controls, active/passive switch, as well as a series/parallel selector. Designed by Leo Fender himself, these guitars are a must have for any bassist seeking the ultimate in sleekness, playability and seemingly endless tonal variety.
Artist usage
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Dougie Thomson used a G&L 2000 Bass on Famous Last Words and Brother Where You Bound
In this promo photo you can see Muzz posing with a fretless G&L
Canisso used the G&L L2000 Bass during the recording of the 1994 album "Raimundos," and it later became his main instrument for live performances. This is corroborated by the video titled "Canisso | Contrabaixo e Criatividade" by Daniel Lima AudioVisual on YouTube.
Vincent Riquier uses a G&L L2000 Bass, which was recently refinished by KLR, as shared on the official Bad Omens Instagram account.
John Kahn played a 1981 G&L L-2000E bass with the Jerry Garcia Band from 1981-1984.
Photo from Austin show. Recent interview Pipes stated that he had always used his 1981 G&L L1000 for recording, but it was too risky to tour with, so he'd be using 3 different L2000's for shows.
Martyn LeNoble (Dutch: Martijn LeNoble; born 14 April 1969) is a Dutch bassist and a founding member of the alternative rock band Porno for Pyros.
He started his musical career by playing bass in a Dutch punk rock band when he was 14. In 1989, he moved to Los Angeles and played with Thelonious Monster and the Too Free Stooges. In 1992, he joined Peter DiStefano, Stephen Perkins and Perry Farrell to form Porno for Pyros.
LeNoble has been recently photographed performing with Porno for Pyros in 2022 using a black G&L L-2000 bass.
Sara Lee is an English-American bassist and singer-songwriter, who came to prominence replacing Dave Allen on bass guitar in post-punk band Gang of Four, which she was a member of from 1982 to 1984. She was also a member of Robert Fripp's short-lived band The League of Gentlemen and is also notable for work with B-52s, Ani DiFranco and Indigo Girls. As of October 2021, Lee rejoined Gang of Four with founding members Hugo Burnham and Jon King as well as David Pajo, to tour in 2022. The picture is of Sara Lee playing a black G&L L-2000 bass with a maple fingerboard (date unknown).
Klang posted a few pictures on his Facebook page of him buying a G&L USA L-2000 Trans Green Bass Guitar. This is currently his main bass with Loso as you can see in the video.
In the early 1980s, Dave Pegg used a G&L L2000 Bass while performing with Jethro Tull, as evidenced by a user-uploaded photo.
Album Usage
The G&L L2000 Bass has been featured on the following albums:
Johnny Come Home (Frankie Knuckles Remix)
Fine Young Cannibals & Frankie Knuckles (2025)
NSFW
Ninja Sex Party & Ninja Sex Party (2011)
Raimundos
Raimundos (1994)
Brother Where You Bound (Remastered)
Supertramp (1985)
"...Famous Last Words..."
Supertramp (1982)
Just Be My Lady
Larry Graham (1981)
One In A Million You
Larry Graham (1980)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use G&L L2000 Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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Similar
Add recommendation1 alternative for G&L L2000 Bass, curated by the Equipboard community.
$899.00 - $959.00
They are pretty much the same. The tribute is made in indonesia instead of USA, but has the US electronics aswell. The "only" difference is the wood.
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