G&L Tones - What do you dial in?

[OtterOnBass]

I've been reading about how people are getting their G&L's to sound like other basses, and I'm wondering what settings you guys are using to get each of these tones. I've been enjoying the variety of tones I can get out of my Tribute, but I want to know how everyone else sets their basses to sound like a rickenbacker, stingray or whatever.

[honeyboy]

Originally Posted by OtterOnBass

I've been reading about how people are getting their G&L's to sound like other basses, and I'm wondering what settings you guys are using to get each of these tones. I've been enjoying the variety of tones I can get out of my Tribute, but I want to know how everyone else sets their basses to sound like a rickenbacker, stingray or whatever.

This may not be helpful. I like certain tones and don't worry too much about trying to copy other basses, I look toward the style of music.For example, if I want a nice tone for the blues or basic country or R&B style, I use the neck/parallel/passive setting and lower the highs and a
little lower on the bass knobs. It isn't really a P-bass but it does the job well. If I want thicker than that, I'll switch to series/both/passive and raise the highs a bit from the previous setting and lower the lows since it gets kind of muddy with too much lows in series. My favorite slap tone is both/series, passive with volume lowered quite a bit.I like my tone on the Jaco-esqe approach with bridge/series/passive with the highs either up or much lowered- great variety of tones there. Again, I really can't exactly copy those instruments you've mentioned, and it really doesn't matter to me since the bass sounds good as it is.

[Jimtoonz]

This thread may be of some value to you. It shows quick tone "recipes" that you can use to approximate some well-known hardware:

The official 'how to' tone guide.

Once you start to experiment with the L-2XXX models, you will find things that you didn't even know were in there. Remember that the tone controls are "cut-only" and approach them from that perspective. It's a great "canvas" of tones with which to experiement.

[OtterOnBass]

Thanks for the link and the settings. About these 'cut only' controls... I understand that the mids are boosted in the wiring so that the knobs can seem to boost the highs and lows, so... how to do flatline the EQ? Is it both knobs half-way up?

[honeyboy]

Originally Posted by Jimtoonz

This thread may be of some value to you. It shows quick tone "recipes" that you can use to approximate some well-known hardware:

The official 'how to' tone guide.

Once you start to experiment with the L-2XXX models, you will find things that you didn't even know were in there. Remember that the tone controls are "cut-only" and approach them from that perspective. It's a great "canvas" of tones with which to experiement.

One point which I see is very important is the pick-up height mentioned in the above URL. Each of us has our pick-ups at different heights and this will determine the settings each of us find useful or similar to established tones.

[Nikoubis]

Originally Posted by OtterOnBass

Thanks for the link and the settings. About these 'cut only' controls... I understand that the mids are boosted in the wiring so that the knobs can seem to boost the highs and lows, so... how to do flatline the EQ? Is it both knobs half-way up?

Nope.Cut-only means that flat is both knobs all the way up. In order to get a more midrangey tone you cut both lows and highs.

[toddba]

GnL'ers,
I have a beautiful ASAT and Im not getting a deep E or any growl. It came with bright Elixrs that I replaced with thomastik flatwounds, probably extremes of each other. Thanks for the 'cut' control thoughts, I generally run bass open, treble cut, active and in series (middle button forward).
I've tried some zon strings, but the bass gets a very metallic hollow tone.

I play through a Mesa 400+ and epifani 2x10 cab.

Any ideas for a growly, buttery sound with medium to low tension? Think of a lion gargling mollasses next door.

thanks

[stretch80]

For growl you probably want roundwounds that aren't coated.

I've got a L2500 with DR lowriders, and on the bridge pickup in series w/ the preamp on and lows and highs both cut a bit it growls like crazy.

The lowriders are a bit high tension though-I've got d'Addario XLs on another bass and like them, but i can't tell you they'll growl on a G&L.