Downtuning my L-2000

j_micho · #1 03-05-2009, 11:40 AM

I bought a used L2K (US model, Maple FB, 1.75" at the nut) a couple days ago. I'm still experimenting with it and trying to set it up right (I don't think the previous owner ever had it set up right).

In the last 2 day I've playing downtuned, nothing fancy, just a half step down on every string. On my E string (Eb considering the tuning), it sounds like it's partially muted when playing it open. Everywhere else on the FB it sounds good. The other strings sound fine.

At first I thought this could be my amp (which is also a recent acquisition) so I tried another one and got the same problem. The Eb string seems to be vibrating correctly, so I'm suspecting it could be an electronic issue.

Anyone can help me?

Thanks!

PS: Beside from that problem, the bass is great and looks so good with the honeyburst finish and the maple FB.

takeout · #2 03-05-2009, 02:26 PM

Bad nut slot on the E string. A ten-minute fix by your tech.

sunbeast · #3 03-05-2009, 04:26 PM

I've been playing my L2000 for a couple years in Eb standard with no problems- if its just the open note, its probably the nut as suggested. Are you using particularly heavy gauge strings? Newer G&Ls in my experience tend to have nuts slots that are cut too deep (ideally the string would have as little surface contact as possible with the nut while still being kept snugly in place)- My ASAT guitar had a muted sounding open high E string because of this problem. My '82 L2000 has a much more low profile nut- the slots are just deep enough to keep the strings from popping out, and thus has little to no effect on tone. You can try to carefully/slightly enlargen the nut slot a little bit using a file or another old bass string, or have the top of the nut filed down if it seems pretty high- you could also use a pencil to coat the slot in graphite so that the strings don't bind to it (what alot of guitarists do with Stratocasters and other tremelo-equiped guitars).

j_micho · #4 03-05-2009, 08:58 PM

That sounds like it could be the problem.

I changed my strings a few days ago for medium gauge ones. Not sure what the previous owner was using (the strings were very very old when I got it and I changed them right away).

Thanks