G&L L-2000 Series E Bass Sunburst, 1981 (No Longer Available)

Introduced in 1980 as one of the first instruments in their new company, the G&L L-2000 bass is still in production.

Bearing obvious influences from Fender’s earlier work, this 1981 L-2000 features a two-piece Mahogany body, Maple neck and Rosewood fingerboard. The electronics include a pair of passive humbucking pickups with active volume and tone controls. The bridge is an improved, heavier version of the original design that keeps the saddles in place while adding separation and sustain. Because the electronics are active, a battery is required and thoughtfully, there is a batter access plate on the back. The finish is Sunburst, and is in good shape considering the instruments’ forty-year age.

This G&L L-2000 bass dates to 1981. The serial number is stamped on the bridge, a practice G&L used from 1980 to 1982. There is also a registry of G&L instruments at GuitarsbyLeo.com, and a review of the other L-2000 bases shows bracketing serial numbers dated to 1981.

This bass is in overall good condition, plays well, and sounds great.

More From The Builder On The G&L L-2000 Bass:

“When Leo Fender† launched the G&L L•2000™ bass in 1980, it was clear he was ready to make history all over again. Never before had such a wide range of tones come from a single bass, and throughout its evolution the iconic L•2000 has continued to win the hearts of bassists of every style and musical taste.

The foundation of the L•2000 is a pair of G&L Magnetic Field Design™ humbuckers backed by the flexible Tri-Tone™ control system, providing the sort of versatility that’ll let you find your tone no matter what kind of bass line you’re laying down. The Tri-Tone system features a trio of mini toggles for pickup selection, series/parallel signal routing and active/passive operation, as well as a trio of knobs for volume, treble and bass. With all that under the hood, Leo gave the L•2000 the kind of chops that’ll fit in any situation, from classic R&B to power-packed rock to poppin’ funk. What’s more, the L•2000 features an innovative Leo Fender-designed Saddle-Lock™ bridge to transfer string energy right into the body end-grain for an incredibly resonant instrument. On the other end is a comfortable, C-shaped neck checking in with a comfortable 9 1/2″ radius and 21 Jescar 57110 medium-jumbo nickel-silver frets ready to deliver silky playability.

Made in Leo Fender’s historic G&L facility on Fender Avenue in Fullerton, California, the L•2000 is available with a wide range of custom options including body and neck woods, body and neck finishes, and neck profiles.

Founded by Leo Fender in 1980, G&L USA instruments continue to be made in the historic G&L facility on Fender Avenue in Fullerton, California, the Birthplace of Bolt-on™.”