L1000 "Farting" Problem...

GaryLC · #1 02-13-2009, 11:19 AM

Hi folks,

How do you guys run your controls on your L1000's? I have a problem with mine just being too "hot"...I've got a couple SB2's, so I'm used to the hot pickups, but if I've got the volume dimed on the bass, it overdrives my amp, even in the active input....and I'm not in OMG mode. I've actually got to back the volume down halfway or so.....doesn't seem like it should be this way. It's mainly on the E string. The amp clip light fires up all the time. I don't have that problem with my SB2's, L1500 or L2000.
Any ideas?

darjama · #2 02-13-2009, 01:18 PM

It's just that hot. try rolling off a little bass as well as the volume. I find that helps on my l2000e when using the neck pickup alone. These things put out an ungodly amount of low end.

**Chef** · #3 02-13-2009, 01:38 PM

Hey Gary:
try dropping the pickup as far as it will go...

spideyjg · #4 02-13-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darjama

These things put out an ungodly amount of low end.

You say that like it is a bad thing.

Jim

darjama · #5 02-13-2009, 02:38 PM

I meant ungodly in the nicest way possible.

And chef is right too, lower the pickup all the way and check your pole piece positioning.

**Chef** · #6 02-13-2009, 02:50 PM

Mark that in your calendars

It don't happen all that often.

[quote=darjama;6974031]chef is right too...QUOTE]

bishop55 · #7 02-13-2009, 10:23 PM

I have the same problem with my ASAT bass, lowering the pick-up and cutting back the volume and bass do make a difference. But, I agree with GaryLC when he says it "doesn't seem like it should be this way." Why do they need these pick-ups so hot? In what situation is this a useful attribute? I'm seriously asking because I don't know. I'm sure there may be an application, maybe folks who use effects and it cuts down on the signal?

**Chef** · #8 02-13-2009, 10:58 PM

It's been my experience that some amps "just don't like" the super hot MFD pickups.

As I have several amps, when I take a super hot G&L, I just take an amp that's friendly with them.

There's nothing wrong with rolling the volume/bass off just a little bit.

Mick Markey · #9 02-14-2009, 01:43 AM

Chef is right again. ( Mark said calendars.)

Some amps don't live up to the MFD ungodliness.

What rig are you plugging in to ?

I have found that G&L basses are the best deal on the market...however, you need to save your money for an amp that can keep up with them !

Many amps in my arsenal have fallen to the wayside...but the MFD's remain.

GaryLC · #10 02-14-2009, 09:38 AM

Thanks guys! (I was hoping Chef would pop in)...

I'm playing through a Trace 1-15" combo, but I also use a Carvin B800 through an Epi UL310. I know they're hot, but it just seemed weird that my SB2's don't do it....and they are also super hot.
I'll lower the pickup height, I believe it is pretty high...

Thanks again!

**Chef** · #11 02-14-2009, 03:37 PM

I have no experience with Trace stuff, and only very limited time with a B1500.
Can't recall how it did with a G&L, or if I even used one thru it.

Seems like I was playing my 2500 thru the B1500 when it caught fire, but I don't think that was caused by the pickups.

vroc38 · #12 02-14-2009, 09:47 PM

The B1500 doesn't have a problem with the hot MFD pickups. Neither does the LM2. Both sound spectacular with G&Ls.

GaryLC · #13 02-17-2009, 06:56 AM

Well, I've got to clarify a bit.....the problem doesn't happen through my Carvin, just the Trace....so it's definitely amp related. I keep the Trace (7215SMC) at our rehearsal room, I brought the bass home and slammed it through the Carvin (both an 800 & 1500) and Epi cabinet...fine. I did lower the pickup, it was very close to the strings. This one has the "slotted" pole pieces, what orientation should they be in?
Still strange (to me), because I usually play my SB2's at practice, even my L1500, and they don't cause the Trace to clip. So it must be a love/hate relationship between the Trace & the L1000!

**Chef** · #14 02-17-2009, 07:19 AM

The pole pieces can be where ever you like them.
Between parallel and perpendicular to the strings, you might find one position brighter than the other. Some folks hear that, some don't.

GaryLC · #15 02-17-2009, 09:53 AM

Thanks, Chef! I must fall into the group that doesn't hear a difference...

Madcity Fats · #16 02-17-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryLC

Thanks, Chef! I must fall into the group that doesn't hear a difference...

Welcome to the club.

It's also tough to tell whether any difference you do hear is coming from the orientation of the slot or just the fact that you've tweaked it slightly going from horizontal to vertical or vice versa.

I find that the MFD on my '81 is plenty hot with the pole pieces mostly all the way down. I think maybe only the D and G are adjusted for evenness.

I have one of the cheaper Trace combos I use as a practice amp, and it can get a little farty with MFDs, especially the L1K (and especially in OMG mode). I often run through a SansAmp first, partly so I can pad the signal going in. If you have both passive and active inputs (or some kind of attenuator switch), try running into the active or low gain setting. The L1K has as big an output as some active models on the market, I think.

And yeah, I almost never run the volume at 100%. Probably more like 80% and with the bass rolled off in OMG mode.

GaryLC · #17 02-17-2009, 11:16 AM

Thanks again, folks, lots of good info here!