I hate my trib L2500

[Bassman62]

Originally Posted by skidmarkbass

My trip plays well at home, but has never felt right with my band (not enough) bottom. I have recently installed a US G&L fretless neck with flat wound strings and still I'm not happy with the sound. I'm going to put it up for sale.

I've owned the L2500 Tribute and now the L2500, I totlaly agree with your remarks regarding the poor bottom end response.

[Ken Baker]

For skidmarkbass and Bassman62....

Or anyone else, really.

When you say "not enough bottom" or "poor bottom end response", please provide more detail as to your meaning. The reason I'm requesting this is that lack of bottom end really doesn't make a lot of sense to me as regards the G&L L series and specifically the L-2500. I'm not wondering if you're crazy; besides, that's my job. It's just that I want to get a better handle on what it is that you mean.

For example, do you mean that the B string isn't as loud as the E or A strings, given an equal string pluck?

Or do you mean that the sound isn't particularly well defined? As in, kind of muddy sounding rather than ringing clarity.

Thanks!

Ken...

[Bassman62]

Originally Posted by Ken Baker

For skidmarkbass and Bassman62....

Or anyone else, really.

When you say "not enough bottom" or "poor bottom end response", please provide more detail as to your meaning. The reason I'm requesting this is that lack of bottom end really doesn't make a lot of sense to me as regards the G&L L series and specifically the L-2500. I'm not wondering if you're crazy; besides, that's my job. It's just that I want to get a better handle on what it is that you mean.

For example, do you mean that the B string isn't as loud as the E or A strings, given an equal string pluck?
The Basses I love but the actives are weak.
Or do you mean that the sound isn't particularly well defined? As in, kind of muddy sounding rather than ringing clarity.

Thanks! Ken...

I've just fitted one of this companys kits in place of the actives already fitted
http://www.east-uk.com/.
I did the same on my L2500 Tribute, the bottom end is now rounder with greater fullnes.
As they came both versions were quite hard sounding.

[metron]

Looks like skidmark hasn't been back to the forum since posting this thread.

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by metron

Looks like skidmark hasn't been back to the forum since posting this thread.

Why does that not surprise me?

Ken...

[cliff78]

Dont worry guys. this L2500 tribute is now in my hands. And it really does sound good. it has alot of bass in it. I think it was just the set up

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by cliff78

Dont worry guys. this L2500 tribute is now in my hands. And it really does sound good. it has alot of bass in it. I think it was just the set up

Good to know.

Thanks!

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by cliff78

Dont worry guys. this L2500 tribute is now in my hands. And it really does sound good. it has alot of bass in it. I think it was just the set up

L series and lack of low end are illogical. Glad to hear it is fine.

Wonder what is enough low end for the OP?

Jim

[Bassman62]

Originally Posted by spideyjg

L series and lack of low end are illogical. Glad to hear it is fine.
Wonder what is enough low end for the OP?
Jim

The L series bottom end is very poor compared to most; I've owned two Tribute and US, I like very much that Bass but not the actives.
Having been playing for 47 years going through a mutitude of instruments and having fitted the East J-retro kit to both I think I'm in a position to make a valid opinion.
The L series only offer cut not boost.

[cliff78]

Originally Posted by Bassman62

The L series bottom end is very poor compared to most; I've owned two Tribute and US, I like very much that Bass but not the actives.
Having been playing for 47 years going through a mutitude of instruments and having fitted the East J-retro kit to both I think I'm in a position to make a valid opinion.
The L series only offer cut not boost.

i hope you don't mind but i need to correct you. check out
www.glguitars.com the eq are boost only

it says

"CONTROLS G&L Tri-Tone active/passive electronics, 3-way mini-toggle pickup selector, series/parallel mini-toggle, preamp control mini-toggle (off/on/on with high end EQ boost) "

[Bassman62]

Originally Posted by cliff78

i hope you don't mind but i need to correct you. check out
www.glguitars.com the eq are boost only

it says

"CONTROLS G&L Tri-Tone active/passive electronics, 3-way mini-toggle pickup selector, series/parallel mini-toggle, preamp control mini-toggle (off/on/on with high end EQ boost) "

Correct; high end boost by switching with no variable control, the main rotary Treble is cut only as is the rotary Bass, the Middle control is significant by its abscence (there isn't one).
This must be the most limited active circuitry around.
I knew all of this when I purchased the Bass which I love; but the elctronics are so limited.

[francisl2500]

agree with bassman62 for the "cut only tone" control but... imho with mfd's, cut only is enough and there is enough power in these pups so you just have to find a great tone by rolling it down as far as 50% ....just try
Francis

[spideyjg]

Yep controls are cut only period but in the one position there is a treble boost.

I run mine 95% of the time passive and the L smokes other basses for passive low end response.

However take a bass with boosting actives and yes they could have more. Not arguing with your experience bassman but curious what is your go to bass with actives then?

Jim

[Bassman62]

Originally Posted by spideyjg

Not arguing with your experience bassman but curious what is your go to bass with actives then?Jim

Hi Jim not quite sure what you mean.

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by Bassman62

Hi Jim not quite sure what you mean.

What bass with active electronics makes you smile when you play it?

You get a call for a gig what bass, not counting your G&L, do you grab?

Jim

[Bassman62]

Originally Posted by spideyjg

What bass with active electronics makes you smile when you play it?

You get a call for a gig what bass, not counting your G&L, do you grab?

Jim

At The moment I'm down to just two; the G&L and a MM Stingray 5 with Seymour Duncan Basslines kit on it, (I recently sold my 1962 Burns 6 string bass).
Both are fine but my current preference would still be the L2500.

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by cliff78

...the eq are boost only

Sorry, but that is correct ONLY in the context of the "Active with Treble Boost" position of the "Passive/Active/Active with Treble Boost" switch.

"CONTROLS G&L Tri-Tone active/passive electronics, 3-way mini-toggle pickup selector, series/parallel mini-toggle, preamp control mini-toggle (off/on/on with high end EQ boost) "

This description is ambiguous and should be corrected for clarity (there's that word again...).

The Active/Passive switch has three positions: Passive, Active, and Active with Treble Boost. The "Active with Treble Boost" position is the ONLY part of the electronics that can be considered "boost". The bass & treble controls are cut only, which is why they work in passive mode or even with the battery removed.

Ken...

[cliff78]

wow. i learned a new one here. thanks guys. i thought the eq was boost not cut. cause when im in active mode, the bass is too much when its all the way up, which makes me cut it down halfway to get the tone i want.

[Bassman62]

Don't know if I made a slight mistake wiring the J-Retro Kit but when I put the series parallel switch in one postition the pan pot switches between the the inner and outer coils which is an added bonus to the already big improvement in sound.
I downloaded the L2500 wiring diagram and emailed it to John East @ J-Retro as his kits did not cater for the series parallel switch, when the kit arrived he had included the modifications on the diagram that were needed to keep the aforesaid switch.

[Low Tone]

With everybody pulling their batteries out, I wonder why G&L has never done just a straight passive version of this bass?