1998 G&L L-2000 w/Hard Case - Cherry Sunburst
Description
The G&L L-2000 is the instrument Leo Fender considered his finest bass design. Built in Fullerton, California after Leo had left Fender and CBS behind, the L-2000 represents a mature refinement of everything he'd learned over decades. This 1998 example is a USA-made production instrument from a period when G&L's manufacturing was well-established and consistent. The body is dated May 12, 1998, and the neck May 17, 1998 — a five-day gap that reflects normal production flow and confirms the originality throughout. The solid ash body in Cherry finish is all original and presents in very good condition, and the overall package comes in at 9 lbs 10 oz — substantial but not punishing for a full-scale bass.
The heart of the L-2000 is its pair of Fullerton-made G&L Magnetic Field Design humbuckers, a Leo Fender-engineered pickup system that uses adjustable magnetic field intensity rather than relying solely on pole piece height. The result is a pickup with exceptional output control and a tonal range that covers an enormous amount of sonic ground — from clean, articulate low-mid punch to genuinely aggressive high-output drive, all selectable via the onboard preamp and switching. The hard rock maple neck with rosewood fretboard measures .843" at the first fret and .954" at the tenth, a medium C profile that feels substantial without being a handful. The 9.5" fretboard radius keeps things comfortable across the 34" scale, and the 21 frets are in very good shape throughout. The Leo Fender-designed Saddle-Lock bridge — all original hardware — delivers precise intonation and solid string coupling, with 2.293" string spacing at the bridge and action set at a comfortable 3/32" on both the first and fourth strings at the 12th fret. The nut is 1-5/8" synthetic bone, the tuners are G&L open-gear originals with the G&L stamp on the back, and the neck is secured with a black metal neck plate — all original. The rosewood fretboard and neck are in very good condition, the frets show very good remaining life, and the electronics — three chrome knobs, original pots, original wiring, original switches — are all intact and functioning.
This is a working player's instrument in excellent overall condition, fully original from body to headstock. It ships in a non-original Gator case in good condition. The L-2000 in this configuration is frequently cited as one of the most versatile basses ever made at any price point, and the USA-made late-1990s examples are well-regarded for their build consistency and quality of components. If you've been waiting for a legitimate American-made G&L L-2000 at a fair price — one you can gig, record with, or add to a working collection — this is a hard example to pass up.
Mahar's Vintage Guitars is a brick-and-mortar and web-based retailer. We are happy to talk with you before you make a purchase. Please reach out if you feel so inclined! We cross market our items here and on our own site, so items are subject to sale elsewhere at any time (however we will never cancel a sale if it happens here first). See our profile here, our Google reviews as well as our 100% positive Reverb feedback. Also, Reverb limits us to only 25 pictures of our items. There is a good chance we have more. Contact us if you’d like to see them.
No sales tax for direct sale customers outside California. Reverb sales are always taxed.
Specifications:
Brand: G&L
Model: L-2000
Year: 1998
Made in: USA (Fullerton, CA)
Condition: Excellent
Weight: 9 lbs 10 oz
Overall length: 45-3/4"
Body material: Solid Ash
Body color/finish: Cherry
Body finish: Original
Body condition: Good
Body date: May 12, 1998
Body length: 19-1/2"
Lower bout: 13"
Waist: 9-1/8"
Upper bout: 11"
Body depth/thickness: 1-3/4"
Body binding: None
Pickguard: None
Strap buttons: Original
Scale length: 34"
Neck material: Hard Rock Maple
Neck profile: Medium C
Neck thickness at 1st fret: .843"
Neck thickness at 10th fret: .954"
Neck condition: Very Good
Neck finish: Original
Neck date: May 17, 1998
Neck repairs: None
Neck plate: Black metal, original
Neck screws: Original
Fretboard material: Rosewood
Fretboard radius: 9.5"
Fretboard condition: Very Good
Fretboard repairs: None
Fret count: 21
Fret condition: Very Good
Fret repairs: None
Nut material: Synthetic Bone
Nut width: 1-5/8"
Nut repairs: None
Action at 12th fret (1st string): 3/32"
Action at 12th fret (4th string): 3/32"
Bridge: Leo Fender-designed G&L Saddle-Lock, original
Saddles: Metal, original
String spacing at bridge: 2.293"
Bridge condition: Very Good
Tuners: G&L open-gear, original
Tuner markings: G&L stamp on back
Tuner screws: Original
Tuner condition: Very Good
Pickups: Fullerton-made G&L Magnetic Field Design (MFD) humbuckers x2, original
Pickup covers: Black
Pickup screws: Original
Pickup condition: Very Good
Knobs: Chrome, 3 total, original
Knob condition: Good
Potentiometers: 3, original
Potentiometer condition: Good
Wiring: Original
Solder joints: Original
Switch: Original
Switch tip: Chrome, original
Switch condition: Good
Output jack plate: Nickel, good condition
Output jack: Original
Control cavity cover: Plastic, original
Control cavity condition: Good
Case: Gator (non-original), good condition
Documentation: None
Accessories: None
Excerpts from real online end-user reviews:
"The G&L L-2000 is one of the most underrated basses ever created. It far surpasses any Fender I've played (except for some Custom Shop basses), and they are a great value." - TalkBass.com
"Overall build quality is very good for the price point. If this has the single coil option, it's better than most basses at twice the price." - TalkBass.com
Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site!
Vintage & used bass guitars
Fender electric guitars - vintage & used
Vintage & used guitar amplifiers
Vintage & Used Effects Pedals
Shipping policy:
Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to . Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.
Shipping policy:
There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site. Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver. For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air. Otherwise, ground shipping will be used. Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to . Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.
The heart of the L-2000 is its pair of Fullerton-made G&L Magnetic Field Design humbuckers, a Leo Fender-engineered pickup system that uses adjustable magnetic field intensity rather than relying solely on pole piece height. The result is a pickup with exceptional output control and a tonal range that covers an enormous amount of sonic ground — from clean, articulate low-mid punch to genuinely aggressive high-output drive, all selectable via the onboard preamp and switching. The hard rock maple neck with rosewood fretboard measures .843" at the first fret and .954" at the tenth, a medium C profile that feels substantial without being a handful. The 9.5" fretboard radius keeps things comfortable across the 34" scale, and the 21 frets are in very good shape throughout. The Leo Fender-designed Saddle-Lock bridge — all original hardware — delivers precise intonation and solid string coupling, with 2.293" string spacing at the bridge and action set at a comfortable 3/32" on both the first and fourth strings at the 12th fret. The nut is 1-5/8" synthetic bone, the tuners are G&L open-gear originals with the G&L stamp on the back, and the neck is secured with a black metal neck plate — all original. The rosewood fretboard and neck are in very good condition, the frets show very good remaining life, and the electronics — three chrome knobs, original pots, original wiring, original switches — are all intact and functioning.
This is a working player's instrument in excellent overall condition, fully original from body to headstock. It ships in a non-original Gator case in good condition. The L-2000 in this configuration is frequently cited as one of the most versatile basses ever made at any price point, and the USA-made late-1990s examples are well-regarded for their build consistency and quality of components. If you've been waiting for a legitimate American-made G&L L-2000 at a fair price — one you can gig, record with, or add to a working collection — this is a hard example to pass up.
Mahar's Vintage Guitars is a brick-and-mortar and web-based retailer. We are happy to talk with you before you make a purchase. Please reach out if you feel so inclined! We cross market our items here and on our own site, so items are subject to sale elsewhere at any time (however we will never cancel a sale if it happens here first). See our profile here, our Google reviews as well as our 100% positive Reverb feedback. Also, Reverb limits us to only 25 pictures of our items. There is a good chance we have more. Contact us if you’d like to see them.
No sales tax for direct sale customers outside California. Reverb sales are always taxed.
Specifications:
Brand: G&L
Model: L-2000
Year: 1998
Made in: USA (Fullerton, CA)
Condition: Excellent
Weight: 9 lbs 10 oz
Overall length: 45-3/4"
Body material: Solid Ash
Body color/finish: Cherry
Body finish: Original
Body condition: Good
Body date: May 12, 1998
Body length: 19-1/2"
Lower bout: 13"
Waist: 9-1/8"
Upper bout: 11"
Body depth/thickness: 1-3/4"
Body binding: None
Pickguard: None
Strap buttons: Original
Scale length: 34"
Neck material: Hard Rock Maple
Neck profile: Medium C
Neck thickness at 1st fret: .843"
Neck thickness at 10th fret: .954"
Neck condition: Very Good
Neck finish: Original
Neck date: May 17, 1998
Neck repairs: None
Neck plate: Black metal, original
Neck screws: Original
Fretboard material: Rosewood
Fretboard radius: 9.5"
Fretboard condition: Very Good
Fretboard repairs: None
Fret count: 21
Fret condition: Very Good
Fret repairs: None
Nut material: Synthetic Bone
Nut width: 1-5/8"
Nut repairs: None
Action at 12th fret (1st string): 3/32"
Action at 12th fret (4th string): 3/32"
Bridge: Leo Fender-designed G&L Saddle-Lock, original
Saddles: Metal, original
String spacing at bridge: 2.293"
Bridge condition: Very Good
Tuners: G&L open-gear, original
Tuner markings: G&L stamp on back
Tuner screws: Original
Tuner condition: Very Good
Pickups: Fullerton-made G&L Magnetic Field Design (MFD) humbuckers x2, original
Pickup covers: Black
Pickup screws: Original
Pickup condition: Very Good
Knobs: Chrome, 3 total, original
Knob condition: Good
Potentiometers: 3, original
Potentiometer condition: Good
Wiring: Original
Solder joints: Original
Switch: Original
Switch tip: Chrome, original
Switch condition: Good
Output jack plate: Nickel, good condition
Output jack: Original
Control cavity cover: Plastic, original
Control cavity condition: Good
Case: Gator (non-original), good condition
Documentation: None
Accessories: None
Excerpts from real online end-user reviews:
"The G&L L-2000 is one of the most underrated basses ever created. It far surpasses any Fender I've played (except for some Custom Shop basses), and they are a great value." - TalkBass.com
"Overall build quality is very good for the price point. If this has the single coil option, it's better than most basses at twice the price." - TalkBass.com
Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site!
Vintage & used bass guitars
Fender electric guitars - vintage & used
Vintage & used guitar amplifiers
Vintage & Used Effects Pedals
Shipping policy:
Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to . Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.
Shipping policy:
There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site. Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver. For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air. Otherwise, ground shipping will be used. Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to . Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.