L1000<>Pbass<>stingray

[marco1977]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a new Bass...

Having owned a few of L2000's I'm currently very interested on trying an old L1000.

I'm very curous to no everyones opinions on comparisons between a P and a Musicman (being both simpler basses in terms of having 1 pickup)

I'm playing old funk and soul and looking for vintage tones...

Should I just forget a G&L?

Thanks for the input!

[Freddels]

The L1K is a beast. You should definitely keep looking at them. There's a Larry Graham video on YouTube of him playing a G&L bass.

[metron]

The L1000 definitely sounds more like a precision than a Musicman. Actually the Stingray or Sterling is way different in tone. IMO the L1000 is like a super p bass or a p bass with a modern twist. They are very capable of old school-ish tones though. I think one would fit great in a funk/soul music context. Especially with some flats.

[Craig_S]

The L-1000 sounds like a P-Bass on steroids. They are louder and a bit fatter sounding. But then, mine is a mahogany/ebony model. That could be a part of the tonal difference.

[Madcity Fats]

I don't think it's just a myth that Leo was looking to make the ultimate P Bass when he designed the L-1000.

I, for one, think he hit it on the head. Not only can it sound like a vintage P, if you find one with the skunk stripe neck, it'll play a lot like a vintage P too.

[El Tookay]

Originally Posted by Madcity Fats

I don't think it's just a myth that Leo was looking to make the ultimate P Bass when he designed the L-1000.

I, for one, think he hit it on the head. Not only can it sound like a vintage P, if you find one with the skunk stripe neck, it'll play a lot like a vintage P too.

...for the win. When us ol' skool cats start rattling on about Wunkays, either here or at BABP, it's because they ARE the real-deal. There isn't a classic P-bass tone that isn't in there- 50's single-coil bark, big fat 60's and 70's R&B, honkin' 70's finger funk and disco- everything you need to be the foundation of a band. And, I have never heard of a bad sounding L1000. Can't say that about Fender P's regardless of vintage (not to burst anyone's bubble, but there were lots of pre-CBS dogs that went out the shipping door at Valencia Ave. I owned a few...)

Yeah, StingRays slap way better, but that tone fits only a small percentage of music. 88% of what a bassist plays is in support of the band- nobody wants to hear a slap'n'wank-fest all nite- that'll get the band fired for sure, and you from the band soon after.

[marco1977]

I played the MM (1977) today, a P (1972) and the L1000...

I'm Speechless... The L1000 is THE sound i was looking for... for a long time also...

New Question:

The body was alder, but is there a big difference in sound/weight between the mahogany ones?

Thanks again...

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by marco1977

\
I'm Speechless... The L1000 is THE sound i was looking for...

I can't put mine down. It's one of the most beautiful sounding basses I've ever played.

Mine is mahogany/ebony. As far as tone differences, I can't say, as this is my first "Wunkay". I imagine the same rules apply to the L-1000 as apply to every other bass. Chef would be a good one to comment, here. He's had a few.

[El Tookay]

Originally Posted by marco1977

I played the MM (1977) today, a P (1972) and the L1000...

I'm Speechless... The L1000 is THE sound i was looking for... for a long time also...

New Question:

The body was alder, but is there a big difference in sound/weight between the mahogany ones?

Thanks again...

...paging duke12 and ggjaguar....

Along with Chef, these guys are the Wunkay experts. I just hope that Greg doesn't post the pics of his L-1000 collection again- I'd need heart medication for sure....

[PluckyThump]

Originally Posted by El Tookay

I just hope that Greg doesn't post the pics of his L-1000 collection again

It's a jaw-dropper for sure:

http://www.ggjaguar.com/gggjag.htm

[Bass_Trax]

Does he really own all of those 1k's? Or was that just for a photo op?

Jealous doesnt even begin to describe the feeling...

[dave2]

Originally Posted by marco1977

I played the MM (1977) today, a P (1972) and the L1000...

I'm Speechless... The L1000 is THE sound i was looking for... for a long time also...

New Question:

The body was alder, but is there a big difference in sound/weight between the mahogany ones?

Thanks again...

Hi,
I saw your statement about the comparison and was wondering the exact thing myself about an L1000 vs an early Stingray....
Let's say the first year of Stingray production (what year was that ??) versus the sounds/tones available from a 1980 L1000.

How would they compare? I just bought my 1982 L1000 and always wanted an old Stingray....maybe I don't need it now

Any comments from long time users of both basses?

Dave

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by dave2

Hi,
I saw your statement about the comparison and was wondering the exact thing myself about an L1000 vs an early Stingray....
Let's say the first year of Stingray production (what year was that ??) versus the sounds/tones available from a 1980 L1000.

How would they compare? I just bought my 1982 L1000 and always wanted an old Stingray....maybe I don't need it now

Any comments from long time users of both basses?

Dave

Work with me here...

I've played an EBMM StingRay 1H. I've played an EBMM Sterling 1H. I've played an L-1000. I've played an L-1500. Perhaps surprisingly, they don't have that much in common.

The two that are closest to each other in sound are also closest to each other in basic design; the L-1500 and the Sterling. The 'Rays and the L-1000 and very far apart in both design and sound.

What makes the L-1500 and Sterling relatively close in sound are pickup position (classic StingRay postion) and basic pickup type (ceramic). Other than that, they are way different.

What makes the StingRays and L-1000 notably different are pickup position and the pickup type. The 1H 'Rays have their pickups in the classic StingRay position and the pickups are Alnico. The L-1000 has its pickup in the classic "P" position and its pickup is ceramic. Additionally, the StingRay (indeed all EBMM basses) have their tone engineered largely by their preamp systems, whereas the L-1000 is passive with coil switching.

So they sound different. Way different. By design. One will not cop the sound of the other, and that's a good thing.

The best thing you could do for yourself is to just play the things. Find a 'Ray and give it a workout. They're good basses and are deserving of the praise they receive. Also find an L-1000 and give it a good run-through and you'll see what folks are talking about. You may end up owning one of each.

Ken...

[marco1977]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies so far...

As for the comparison:
Sound > the stingray sounded more active (because it is). Slaptone is better, but fingerstyle the L1000 sounded more thumpy. Also the MM didn't seem to go as 'deep'. Not actual lows, but fatness.

Play > The MM is a different bass. completely. It's neck is different from the L1000. I liked the L1000 more, but that's personal. Also the tuning system 4 in stead of 3+1 is different.

[dave2]

Originally Posted by Ken Baker

Work with me here...

I've played an EBMM StingRay 1H. I've played an EBMM Sterling 1H. I've played an L-1000. I've played an L-1500. Perhaps surprisingly, they don't have that much in common.

The two that are closest to each other in sound are also closest to each other in basic design; the L-1500 and the Sterling. The 'Rays and the L-1000 and very far apart in both design and sound.

What makes the L-1500 and Sterling relatively close in sound are pickup position (classic StingRay postion) and basic pickup type (ceramic). Other than that, they are way different.

What makes the StingRays and L-1000 notably different are pickup position and the pickup type. The 1H 'Rays have their pickups in the classic StingRay position and the pickups are Alnico. The L-1000 has its pickup in the classic "P" position and its pickup is ceramic. Additionally, the StingRay (indeed all EBMM basses) have their tone engineered largely by their preamp systems, whereas the L-1000 is passive with coil switching.

So they sound different. Way different. By design. One will not cop the sound of the other, and that's a good thing.

The best thing you could do for yourself is to just play the things. Find a 'Ray and give it a workout. They're good basses and are deserving of the praise they receive. Also find an L-1000 and give it a good run-through and you'll see what folks are talking about. You may end up owning one of each.

Ken...

Thanks Ken. That is a good explanation of the differences. So my new 1981 L1000 is nothing like an early Stingray. The L1000 is more like a P-bass with some expanded tonal capabilities. At some point I look into an old Stingray.

Dave

[dave2]

Originally Posted by marco1977

Hi,

Thanks for the replies so far...

As for the comparison:
Sound > the stingray sounded more active (because it is). Slaptone is better, but fingerstyle the L1000 sounded more thumpy. Also the MM didn't seem to go as 'deep'. Not actual lows, but fatness.

Play > The MM is a different bass. completely. It's neck is different from the L1000. I liked the L1000 more, but that's personal. Also the tuning system 4 in stead of 3+1 is different.

Sound : I'm not much of a slap bass player so I might actually like the L1000 as much or more than a Stingray.

Play : I cant remember how a Stingray neck feels but my L1000 has a fairly thin, maple neck (the ones with the stripe down the back of neck) and it plays easily. I like it. And its the first maple necked bass I've ever owned.

Have a great day!
Dave



Dave

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by PluckyThump

It's a jaw-dropper for sure:

http://www.ggjaguar.com/gggjag.htm

Ok now this is just out of control......... I definitely didn't need to be shown this......

LS

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by dave2

Sound : I'm not much of a slap bass player so I might actually like the L1000 as much or more than a Stingray.

Dave,

Just FYI: The L-1000 gets a great slap sound with the switch in the bass boost (farthest right) position. Way cool! So, if you have the urge to slap it silly, it'll get you there.

[Bassnut62]

Hi
I can compare G&L (but not L1000) with an early Stingray (see photo).

Firstly an early Stingray is not an Ernie Ball. The EB Stingrays are completely different from the MM Stingrays. Having tried both I reckon Leo's DNA is not in the Ernie Ball Stingrays - they musta nuked it or something; whereas I reckon Leo did create the perfect update on a Precision, when he made the Stingray.

I bought the 79 model in the photo in 84 and have never looked back; it was my bass of choice and main workhorse from 1984 til 2007. I still have it and will never sell it; but I am using other basses more now. It is a monster with incredible tone. I beleive it is also a lot more versatile than people often seem to think. IMO at least half your tone is in your fingers or choice of plectrum. So make the right choice and you can get most sounds out of an original Stingray.

As for the G&L, obviously and Asat is not an L1000; but I have tried one soem time ago and I think you may be able to get similar sounds from the Asat with the right p/u selection and other settings. Anyway the G&L clearly follows on from the Stingray. IMO the Asat and the L2000 were Leo's attempts at combining the P, the J and the Stingray in one bass. I believe he achieved much of that with the Asat/L2000; but as you would expect the G&L is none of those basses, it offers its own take on them and it has its own chracter and colours.

If you want the perfect P, buy a good pre-CBS P.

If you want the perfect Stingray, get a pre-Ernie Ball one.

As for G&L, I don't know if an L1000 is better or worse than an Asat or L2000. I do know you need a G&L to make up the complete picture of Leo's genius.

My preference is one of each (see photo). I just need to grow a few more hands to play them all at once!

[xhawk5]

Originally Posted by marco1977

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a new Bass...

Having owned a few of L2000's I'm currently very interested on trying an old L1000.

I'm very curous to no everyones opinions on comparisons between a P and a Musicman (being both simpler basses in terms of having 1 pickup)

I'm playing old funk and soul and looking for vintage tones...

Should I just forget a G&L?

Thanks for the input!

I wouldn't forget G&L... I haven't moved the knobs on my Peavey rig since I got my L-2000. This combo out performs anything I've had before, and I had some serious GAS a few years ago... Classic rock, funk, new rock & now, surprising as hell, Metal!
Good luck in your search for that "perfect tone". It can be elusive at times. I think I found mine...
Hawk

Oh, BTW, I run my G&L passive, much better tone for almost any type of music.