G&L 2500 pre-amp

play4zero · #1 02-13-2009, 09:28 AM

I must admit that in all the years I've owned and used my 2500 that I never have exactly understood the pre-amp. I know what the switches are for and what they're supposed to do, but the thing that puzzles me are the two tone knobs. They don't seem to do much, certainly not in the context of comparing them to another active EQ section on any other bass.

Indeed, the "active" pre-amp doesn't seem to be the same as a typical active pre-amp, a perception that's been reinforced on occasion by people who seem to know, but I've never seen a really good explanation of it. I just looked on the G&L website and didn't see one there.

Anyone, anyone, got a succinct explanation? Do your bass and treble tone controls seem to do a bunch, because mine seem to be pretty much like regular passive controls.

BobaMosfett · #2 02-13-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by play4zero

Do your bass and treble tone controls seem to do a bunch, because mine seem to be pretty much like regular passive controls.

That's because they ARE passive. I think the pre-amp is meant to drive longer cables without signal loss and/or to add a little 'bite' to your sound, but it has nothing to do with the bass and treble controls. No boost there... But I wouldn't say they don't do much.

Personally, I mainly use my G&L's in passive mode, and still adjust the controls.

Ken Baker · #3 02-13-2009, 10:44 AM

BobaMosfett nailed it. The preamp allows long cable runs and adds a bit of bite. That's it!

The tone controls are passive and cut-only. No EQ boost at all in the design. The volume control is also passive, as are the switches. This is both a boon and a bane. The boon is that you're not dead in the water if the battery goes south, or even gets removed - just flip to passive and keep playing. The bane is that there is no EQ boost for those who like/need such things.

Recommended settings for those getting started: Treble & bass controls between 60% and 80%. Volume control no more than 85% or so. Series/parallel and pickup selector to taste. Amp EQ flat. Old school Precision or Jazz settings usually don't work here because the bass is so hot.

Hope this helps.

Ken...

play4zero · #4 02-13-2009, 12:04 PM

You've both helped significantly. That's great information that I sort of intuitively understood, but never could quite get a definite yes on. Thanks much.

fourstringbliss · #5 02-16-2009, 05:42 PM

If you want more control consider eventually installing an Audere 3ZB preamp in it. The L2500 Tribute I bought has a 3ZB installed, and it's great! With the EQ flat it sounds very similar to the passive sound of the stock preamp. The difference here is that I can adjust the midrange and boost treble. Boosting treble doesn't add hiss like the treble boost setting on the stock pre - it just adds clarity.

play4zero · #6 02-16-2009, 08:30 PM

The bass I'm actually having problems with the pre-amp is my Warrior. I'm not unhappy with the sound of this unit, I just didn't understand it, and that's not a good thing.

benthughes · #7 02-22-2009, 06:46 PM

If you're used to the G&L, the Warrior is naturally going to sound a bit anemic. Just saying.

I've got a couple nice basses including a Sadowsky P/J, Spector NT....yadda yadda. My G&L is still my go-to live bass. It just sounds massive and works well in that environment. I would, however, like to get a Sadowsky outboard pre. What a great sounding preamp.

play4zero · #8 02-22-2009, 07:02 PM

If I want people to know what I'm doing note-for-note the G&L is what I take. Particularly for times when we've got PA support and I don't trust the sound techs. I also have the real thick neck which forces me to use good technique (which, in turn, generates a better tone). Plus it's just downright gorgeous.