G&L JB2 Tribute experience?

[Chadu25]

Anyone tried or using the JB-2 as their main bass? What are your thoughts and experience about it? Looking for a budget beater bass where I can mod in the future and keen to go this route rather than get a Fender MIM jazz and the likes. I like the symmetrical shape of it too as well as the demos I’ve seen online. 
 

I’m just surprised that they are cheap. Most reviews and demos are 12 years ago. Hope their build quality is good. Anything I should know of about before I pull the trigger?

 

Looking to get either of these from guitarguitar:

 

 

 

Edited November 1, 2025 by Chadu25

[dub_junkie]

I've owned three Tribute JB-2 basses and preferred any and all of them to the JB jazz bass model which came along later (and also owned, pictured with the sonic blue JB2)

 

I've owned the blue, pink and sunburst finished models and my favourite was the sonic blue with carribean rosewood fretboard. Used that as my main bass for close on a year and gigged it with my band at the time. 

 

Great neck, no frills passive jazz in a non offset body with really good sounding pickups. The alnico pickups in these basses get a lot of love and rightly so. Really strong sounding and articulate. You can't go wrong with them. 

 

The pink one I got had some shielding issues and the fretwork wasn't as good as the other two but was fine after somentime was spent putting it right. 

 

I also had a USA JB2 which was a fantastic instrument in every respect. 

 

 

[Chadu25]

2 hours ago, dub_junkie said:

I've owned three Tribute JB-2 basses and preferred any and all of them to the JB jazz bass model which came along later (and also owned, pictured with the sonic blue JB2)

 

I've owned the blue, pink and sunburst finished models and my favourite was the sonic blue with carribean rosewood fretboard. Used that as my main bass for close on a year and gigged it with my band at the time. 

 

Great neck, no frills passive jazz in a non offset body with really good sounding pickups. The alnico pickups in these basses get a lot of love and rightly so. Really strong sounding and articulate. You can't go wrong with them. 

 

The pink one I got had some shielding issues and the fretwork wasn't as good as the other two but was fine after somentime was spent putting it right. 

 

I also had a USA JB2 which was a fantastic instrument in every respect. 

 

 

Many thanks for this! And lovely basses too! 

 

Looking to get the sonic blue one as it’s my fave colour just can’t decide yet as they always look white jn the pic or maybe its just the lighting. 

[dub_junkie]

I know what you mean. It is a pale blue but most pics make it look bordering on white. This was my bass outside in natural light which, from memory, is a fairly true representation of the colour. 

 

[Chadu25]

8 hours ago, dub_junkie said:

I know what you mean. It is a pale blue but most pics make it look bordering on white. This was my bass outside in natural light which, from memory, is a fairly true representation of the colour. 

 

Thanks so much for taking a pgoto of your bass! I’m going to get one from guitarguitar. 
 

cheers mate!!

[neepheid]

15 hours ago, Chadu25 said:

Thanks so much for taking a pgoto of your bass! I’m going to get one from guitarguitar. 
 

cheers mate!!

 

Basschat, thy work is done.

[Chadu25]

8 hours ago, neepheid said:

 

Basschat, thy work is done.

Now looking for a natural colourway before going this route haha I just posted in items wanted

[vinayshine]

On 01/11/2025 at 20:51, Chadu25 said:

Anyone tried or using the JB-2 as their main bass? What are your thoughts and experience about it? Looking for a budget beater bass where I can mod in the future and keen to go this route rather than get a Fender MIM jazz and the likes. I like the symmetrical shape of it too as well as the demos I’ve seen online. 
 

I’m just surprised that they are cheap. Most reviews and demos are 12 years ago. Hope their build quality is good. Anything I should know of about before I pull the trigger?

 

Looking to get either of these from guitarguitar:

 

slope run

 

 

The JB-2 is an interesting choice because it sits right at the intersection of affordability, ease of modification, decent quality, and attractive design, which is why many long-time bass enthusiasts still appreciate it despite not being as famous as Fender or Squier.

[mikeycrikey]

I recently sold my pink JB2 Tribute. It ticked so many boxes for me. Great body shape, superb pickups, really nice neck, slightly thicker, front to back, but ultimately I prefer the sound of a P or PJ bass so I moved it on as it was too nice to be sat there not getting played.

If the Jazz bass sound is your thing then I would strongly recommend the JB2 Tribute.