Early L1000's - talk to me

EricF · #1 04-25-2007, 09:31 AM

I'm seeing a constant stream of early-80's L1000's on eBay. Are these basses generally considered to be good instruments? Is there anything I need to know about them?

The vintage lover in me is pulled towards the L1000, but the L2000 is an awfully versitile instrument.

Thanks,
- A soon-to-be G&L owner

sunbeast · #2 04-25-2007, 09:59 AM

They are like P-basses on steroids- though they can do a pretty good standard P sound as well. The only criticisms I've heard about the older G&Ls are weight and neck issues (the older ones had the Fender-style skunk stripe neck rather than the newer G&L bi-cut design). The neck issue thing seems to have been debunked numerous times, and was likely just a few instruments that were badly taken care of (it's just as much an issue with old Fenders- if the owner didn't take proper care of it, problems may have occured...).

The only thing that an L1000 can do that an older L2000 can't is regular "single-coil" mode. An L2000 can be easily modified to have an SC mode if you really wanted one as well. Newer L2000s replaced the "single coil with bass boost" mode with "series", so they will be farther from an L1000. The pickup on an L1000 is located in the same position as the neck pickup on an L2000 as well...

Karl

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricF

I'm seeing a constant stream of early-80's L1000's on eBay. Are these basses generally considered to be good instruments? Is there anything I need to know about them?

The vintage lover in me is pulled towards the L1000, but the L2000 is an awfully versitile instrument.

Thanks,
- A soon-to-be G&L owner

spideyjg · #3 04-25-2007, 10:18 AM

If you prefer your L2K running the neck pickup alone and passive you would pee your pants over an L1K.

Me I'm a 2 pickup kinda guy.

Jim

EricF · #4 04-25-2007, 12:21 PM

Well...I took the leap. I just scored an '82 L1000 on eBay.

chunkstyle · #5 04-25-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spideyjg

Me I'm a 2 pickup kinda guy.

but aren't you the guy that has that sweeet honeyburst L-1000?

**Chef** · #6 04-25-2007, 12:58 PM

Eric: congrats!
TB Primary Directive #1: no pics=no bass

If there was some stupid rule that said "you can only have one bass," one of my two L1K's might be that bass.

Thank gawd there's no such rule!

Now, you need to get an early L2K series E to go with that

spideyjg · #7 04-25-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkstyle

but aren't you the guy that has that sweeet honeyburst L-1000?

Well variety is the spice of life you know.

My main go to bass is a 2K but the 'hog is a monster and the HB is just too dang purty.

Jim

marcray · #8 04-25-2007, 01:12 PM

I bought an 84 L1000 fretless here on Talkbass, not sure that makes it early??? but I had the same curiosity and it sounds amazing. Tight, very flexable, cuts thru the mix very very well. Took some gentle set up and some string experiments to get it to play the way I wanted it to, but that's all done and I'm more than happy.

**Chef** · #9 04-25-2007, 01:23 PM

Top-loader=early, rear loader=later.
I think that changed in '85?

marcray · #10 04-25-2007, 01:30 PM

thank you sir, that would make mine early...

**Chef** · #11 04-25-2007, 01:31 PM

Toploaders rule!

EricF · #12 04-25-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

Eric: congrats!
TB Primary Directive #1: no pics=no bass

If there was some stupid rule that said "you can only have one bass," one of my two L1K's might be that bass.

Thank gawd there's no such rule!

Now, you need to get an early L2K series E to go with that

Here ya go (pic from auction)...

I can't wait for it to show up. I'm suspecting my P basses are going to get jealous.

**Chef** · #13 04-25-2007, 02:18 PM

Your P basses are gonna mostly get shelved

REmember, in bass boost mode, turn down the bass on the guitar a little.
You might end up doing that all the time.
G&L's are really the only basses where I find results I like messing with tone knobs.

ozonerambler · #14 04-25-2007, 10:18 PM

I have an L1k and an l2k. the neck on the l2k is flatter and i think just a little thinner at nut. the 1000 is chunkier.
anybody know,,,did any of the 1000's have the flat neck profile? years?

Scutterflux · #15 04-30-2007, 01:24 PM

Quote:

ozonerambler I have an L1k and an l2k. the neck on the l2k is flatter and i think just a little thinner at nut. the 1000 is chunkier.
anybody know,,,did any of the 1000's have the flat neck profile? years?

The earlier models had thinner necks, at least compared to more current models. Your L2k is probably older than you L1k

Also I would like to mention, I have'nt found a more desireable passive tone than the L1K hog in my living room.