L-2000 Circuit: 1983 same as today's?

#1 04-10-2007, 09:04 AM

I'm considering a 1983 L-2000 sight-unseen. I've owned a number of L-2000's, L-2500's and ASAT's and the sound is amazing, as we all know, but I'm worried about whether that amazing tri-tone circuit was essentially the same in '83 as it is on my current models. That's the sound I want, but I want this older, larger body shape. Before I buy an L-2000 that doesn't sound like MY L-2000's, I hope to hear from owners of older models who have compared the sounds.

Thanks!

lug · #2 04-10-2007, 09:10 AM

They changed the preamp IC at some point to get better battery life. Not sure what year. If you look under Support on their webpage toward the bottom, you can find a link to their schematics. You can see the changes here. Iw ouldn't expect a big change since the G&L uses the preamp more as a line level boost and all the tone circuits are before the preamp section.

metron · #3 04-10-2007, 10:37 AM

I dont know about the circuits specifically but I have an '83 L2K I bought off the net and I have not regretted it for a moment. No issues with battery life though I dont use the bass all the time and when I do I mostly use passive. Based on the few new L2Ks I have played, this one sounds a bit "darker" if you will but otherwise all the characteristic L2K tones are there. I might attribute part or most of the "darker" sound to something as simple as old vs new bass as opposed to a difference in electronics. Only complaint I have with it is that its heavy but it seems like most of then from that era were heavy. If its a good price I wouldnt hesitate to buy.

#4 04-10-2007, 10:47 AM

That caution about the darker sound DOES concern me a little - What I like most about my current L2Ks is that super bright, snappy tone. But, like you, I rarely engage the preamp. Maybe if I DID, and used the treble boost setting, I'd get the best of both worlds. I think I'll go for it. If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for your '83?

metron · #5 04-10-2007, 01:02 PM

Well it wasnt really meant to be a caution since I like it a bit better than the three new ones I have played. I think the "darker" sound is somewhat natural to the instrument and I set my controls to work with it. I usually have the treb rolled back 50% or so in addition to passive. Its definitely a lot brighter with the treb up and the boost. I might not be expressing what Im hearing properly though. Its not an exaggerated dark sound or anything. To me new L2Ks almost sound naturally too bright. My old one sounds just right to me. I paid $650 shipped with case but the bass is a little beat up. There is a pic of it in the G&L club thread.

**Chef** · #6 04-10-2007, 03:06 PM

The older "e" series sound definately different.
83 shouldn't be an e series...
I find that the older basses are a little darker.
I too find the newer ones snappier.
My newest one is a 97, and fer-sure it's a pretty different animal than my 1981 "e" series 2000's.

Templar · #7 04-10-2007, 05:43 PM

Agreed, they sound decidedly different.

I like to describe my e-type as sounding "heftier" than the newer versions I've had. It'll get snappy on demand, but for sheer "girth" the e-type excels.

metron · #8 04-11-2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

The older "e" series sound definately different.
83 shouldn't be an e series...

I made the assumption that it wasnt an e series being an '83. Do you know if there were any '83 L2Ke?

**Chef** · #9 04-11-2007, 08:56 AM

I think E series was 81-82 only...
In the very early dark ages of G&L, they made a passive L2000; basically an L1000 with a "bonus pup."
G&L records and catalogs prove this.
I've never seenn one, don't know anyone who has.
The E series was when they introduced the preamp: E for Electronics!
The E on the name was apparently dropped when no one bought passive models, and the passive line was dropped.
I don't know if there were any physical changes at that time to the bass other than dropping the E off the name.

Did I get that right?