G&L Pickups

[kmr911]

I have a early to mid eighties L2000. About 7-8 years ago the bass just didn't seem to have the punch and kick it used to. I took it to a guitar tech in the area (he had a very good rep), and he told me that the pickups were just wearing out. At that time we were not able to get new ones from G&L, so he put in a pair of Bartolini pickups. They are very high quality pickups, but completely changed the sound of it, and I now I rarely play it because I don't care for the sound. The original pickups sounded awsome before they started getting weak. My question is this, do pickups really go bad, or was is possably something else. I still have the original pickups, is there anyway they can be tested?

[metron]

Sometimes the coil in the pickup can come loose. That could make the sound duller or you may hear ringing at higher volume. Also the instrument will amplify physical vibrations like an acoustic. You can either get your old ones rewound or get new ones from G&L.

[Templar]

I'd get a second opinion on those orig pickups.

[Madcity Fats]

Originally Posted by Templar

I'd get a second opinion on those orig pickups.

+1

It seems unlikely to me that you'd have two pickups fail at the same time. If you still have the originals, someone with a multimeter who knows what they're looking for should be able to tell you if they are in fact dead.

[quickervicar]

Many custom pickup builders will do rewinds of original pickups.

[razboinikoff]

If the original pickups have some problems you can buy a new pair from G&L website. Check this link:
http://www.glguitars.com/shopping/sh...17&cat=Pickups

[mike_v_s]

OP: Check your PM's.

Mike

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by kmr911

I have a early to mid eighties L2000. About 7-8 years ago the bass just didn't seem to have the punch and kick it used to. I took it to a guitar tech in the area (he had a very good rep), and he told me that the pickups were just wearing out. At that time we were not able to get new ones from G&L, so he put in a pair of Bartolini pickups. They are very high quality pickups, but completely changed the sound of it, and I now I rarely play it because I don't care for the sound. The original pickups sounded awsome before they started getting weak. My question is this, do pickups really go bad, or was is possably something else. I still have the original pickups, is there anyway they can be tested?

Wearing out? Doesn't that usually imply moving parts?

In my experience, pickups don't wear out. They either die or they don't die. In my opinion, the tech you talked to may be lacking in something.

Have them tested for DC resistance. I don't have numbers in front of me, but 8.something (sorry) kilohms rings a bell.

If you do have a dead one, or if the two of them aren't reasonably close in DC resistance, have them BOTH tested and/or repaired by someone who knows what they're doing. Carey Nordstrand knows what he's doing and you can contact his shop for more info.

Now, lack of punch or volume could be any of several things: Weak battery, failing/failed preamp, bad solder connection(s), failing jack (common), failing cable (common).

Ken...

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by kmr911

I have a early to mid eighties L2000. About 7-8 years ago the bass just didn't seem to have the punch and kick it used to. I took it to a guitar tech in the area (he had a very good rep), and he told me that the pickups were just wearing out. At that time we were not able to get new ones from G&L, so he put in a pair of Bartolini pickups. They are very high quality pickups, but completely changed the sound of it, and I now I rarely play it because I don't care for the sound. The original pickups sounded awsome before they started getting weak. My question is this, do pickups really go bad, or was is possably something else. I still have the original pickups, is there anyway they can be tested?

He was smoking crack.

Anyhow if the Barts are the drop in MFD size those are discontinued and somebody may part with a fair chunk of change for them.

Check the ohmage of the MFDs and all 4 coils should be about the same. Then put them back in.

Did this "tech" remove the G&L preamp?

Jim

[Infernal Affair]

My purple L2K when I got it had failed pickups. I'm not sure if it had them initially since I was excited to just have a purple L2K, but eventually I noticed the really low output and noise coming from it. When I took it to a tech we tried everything with the pre at first, but then it turned out to be the pickups. It was easy enough to get a set from G&L and have the tech replace them.