Can an L2000 do old school?

NickyBass · #1 05-19-2008, 02:59 PM

Obviously, it won't give me a pre-CBS P bass tone, but would it sound 'period correct' in a 70's era smooth jazz/fusion project? We are playing tunes by Larry Carlton, George Benson, Steely Dan (instrumental), Eric Johnson and some originals.

Right now, I'm playing an old P bass and having great success with the tone. However, I'd like a little more clarity since I solo on about half the tunes. I am using an older V4 with a 2x12 cabinet.

I had a chance to play one, and it KILLED, but I don't know if, in a band context, it would be too 'up-front.' Also, I'm a plug and play-er, so I don't like to fuss with too many options. I would be running it in passive mode with volume and tone full up.

I'd like to give G&L a shot since, I feel, they are making a great product at a very reasonable price.

So, would an L2000 be a good choice for me? I can try before I buy, but not in a band context. Thanks for any help.

artistanbul · #2 05-19-2008, 03:11 PM

I'd say yes. But I'd suggest rosewood board.
Treble cut single coil neck.

Spiritfield · #3 05-19-2008, 03:42 PM

Many have found (me too) that if you back off the volume and the bass and treble a bit (rather than running everything WFO) you get a more open sound..

Really makes a difference with the MFD pickups..

NickyBass · #4 05-19-2008, 06:09 PM

Thanks guys. I would definitly go with the rosewood board. I never thought about backing off on the volume a bit. I'll try that out.

BobaMosfett · #5 05-19-2008, 07:04 PM

Passive, series, neck pickup, volume and treble turned down a bit, TI Jazz Flats: if that doesn't sound old school...

And the beauty is that with a few switches (for instance, active, parallel, both pickups, adjust volume) you have a nice, defined modern tone.

That's why I love my L2K...

Templar · #6 05-19-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

I'm a plug and play-er, so I don't like to fuss with too many options.

Options are the L-2000's forte, so there will be some fussing.

JMDT · #7 05-19-2008, 11:10 PM

Do fish swim in water?

plankspanker13 · #8 05-19-2008, 11:30 PM

If it came semi-hollow with the thin neck, I'd have a L2000 in a heartbeat. As it is, the ASAT intrigues me, but I hear of neck-dive...

Templar · #9 05-19-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plankspanker13

If it came with the thin neck, I'd have a L2000 in a heartbeat.

They often do. Keep your eyes peeled for one.

lug · #10 05-20-2008, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plankspanker13

If it came semi-hollow with the thin neck, I'd have a L2000 in a heartbeat. As it is, the ASAT intrigues me, but I hear of neck-dive...

You can order the L2000 with 4 different neck options (2 Jsized, 2 Psized) but no semi-hollow that I know of.

metron · #11 05-20-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobaMosfett

Passive, series, neck pickup, volume and treble turned down a bit, TI Jazz Flats: if that doesn't sound old school...

I agree, even without flats. Sometimes I turn the treble down all the way. G&Ls are the only basses I have used where I find cutting treble all the way does not kill all or most of the definition.

francisl2500 · #12 05-20-2008, 09:57 AM

For shure it could do old school. I like to play in a contry/rockabilly band with old shool guys and gear and my "new" Tribb L2500 do the job and sound right in the mix. Use neck pup and passive mode and cut highs on my bass and play finger-style just over the finger board ( foward the neck pup). And just by changing the place i touch the srtings, the sound resulting change a lot. The first practice i came with that bass ( first begined practice with my 70 pbass) all the guys there looked at me like an allien guy with an allien bass. But they was impressed by the results.

Francis

JMDT · #13 05-20-2008, 10:59 AM

As long as you stay away from more modern sounding amps. My L2500 sounds great through most amps, but when I plug it into my Hartke equipment it makes my ears hurt. The first time I brought the L2500 out to a country gig, I plugged into my Hartke rig and it sounded aweful. Me and the other band members looked at each at each other and all shared the it sounds bad sentiments. After severely tweaking the amp eq and killing the treble on the bass I made it through, but the L2500 WILL NOT go into a Hartke again. Comming out of my GK the L2500 sounds amazing.

francisl2500 · #14 05-20-2008, 11:38 AM

HUmm , i also play my l2500 in a Hartke ha 3500 amp and a xl 410 cabinet( the "no horn one"). And for shure i tried ampeg amp, eden one too. But my choice stopped when a played that Hartke kit, and i got modern or old sound from that amp, it's work to do to find eq adjust on amp's head and on the bass too but for shure it kill...Just be carefull at low-mid like 250h and around. A lillte bass boost on eq and all the other flats.The bass and treeble shaping around 2 oclock and we are in buisnees for any kind of sound just by switching pups and tone on bass.

Francis

Eublet · #15 05-20-2008, 03:33 PM

Definitely. The series/parallel switch, in conjuction with passive mode and dual passive tone controls really let you get a lot out of the bass. I've used mine in this capacity and it's quite fun! I would prefer my SB-2 for old-school though, but it has been modified with dual tone controls as well, so it's a bit more versatile than the stock SB-2 config.

duke12 · #16 05-23-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiritfield

Many have found (me too) that if you back off the volume and the bass and treble a bit (rather than running everything WFO) you get a more open sound..

Pansy.

Spiritfield · #17 05-30-2008, 10:54 PM

Luddite....

I gots me eye on you, owl-boy....

DavePlaysBass · #18 05-31-2008, 02:28 PM

The L2000 can play nearly anything particularly with a string change. But IME if you are hearing a classic P bass or J bass sound in your head, it may be difficult to get that out of the L2000. To me classic Fender sounds are rounder. G&Ls have more sizzle and growl. But you can get close. You kinda have to embrace the L2000 for what it is and like it. And with all the switchs and knobs there are a million variations.

I am not a huge fan of the G&L sizzle on my ash / maple L2K. Doing the single coil mode where I go with the inside coils helps tame the sizzle.