L1K OMG mode -- do you use it?

[Madcity Fats]

So I bought my first L-1000 about a couple of months ago (an old slot-pole '81 in ridiculously nice condition). I was anxious to play around with the bass boost mode, but when I first did my initial thought was, "well, it's really cool Leo figured that out, but I'm not sure how useful it is." I mean, the bass was just sooooo huge I couldn't quite imagine actually using it in a gig situation. So I sort of just focused on dialing things in in single-coil mode.

The thing is, I'd never before owned a G&L with more than two knobs (SB-1, SB-2 x 2, LB-100) so I had to get used to having separate bass and treble cut controls. There's so much bass in this bass that I finally figured out it actually sounds best through my setup with the treble mostly pegged and the bass dialed way down (and adjusted as necessary, depending on the song). Seriously, if this isn't the biggest sounding passive bass I've ever played ... well, it just is.

Only after I'd mastered my single-coil tone did I realize the true potential of the "OMG mode" while playing around at practice. Assuming my amp's dialed in right, with the bass cut all the way it offers a big round tone, BUT if I bring the bass up just so, it's like a built in overdrive pedal. One of our guitarist's jaw just dropped when he heard it in action.

Not sure what my point is here, other than to say that Leo was a genius and I'm a little surprised this feature was never standard on any other G&L models. It would have been totally sweet on an SB-1.

Sorry, just rambling. But that's what we do on the internets, right? So how 'bout y'all? Do you do the OMG thang? If so, when and how? Anybody ever modified another G&L model to offer the same bass boost? (Seems to me there was a discussion about that somewhere ... Climax/L-1500 mod?)

[Madcity Fats]

Oh, and because I have yet to do this, here's a pic of the beast:

[sunbeast]

The OMG mode is just a humbucker series mode with the highs cut out of one coil (via a capacitor to ground). It wouldn't work on an SB-1 or other P-style pickups, because cutting the highs from one coil would mean just cutting the highs from 2 strings- it will work on any "normal" humbucker pickup with side by side coils though. Early L2000s and L2500s had it, and Climax/ L1500s would be very easy to mod to have it. Antoher interesting use that I used it with is on my ASAT Special guitar- it has 2 single coil pickups that I wired in series with a switch that cuts the highs from the neck pickup (its a 3 way switch with 2 different amounts of treble cut and then no treble cut).

I also admire whoever put this idea into practice- so simple, yet so genious! My L2000 is almost always in OMG mode...

Karl

[mike_v_s]

When I had my L-1000, I never used it much in a band situation. Admittedly, the setting you just described (treble dimed) would not yield results that I found pleasing with mine. It was my intention to pick up an L-1500 and do the mod, but I went another direction this time. The 1500 will probably be my next bass.

Mike

[cloudermilk]

That's the only mode I use it in...I love it.

[Madcity Fats]

Originally Posted by sunbeast

The OMG mode is just a humbucker series mode with the highs cut out of one coil (via a capacitor to ground). It wouldn't work on an SB-1 or other P-style pickups, because cutting the highs from one coil would mean just cutting the highs from 2 strings- it will work on any "normal" humbucker pickup with side by side coils though. Early L2000s and L2500s had it, and Climax/ L1500s would be very easy to mod to have it.

Your SB-1 explanation makes perfect sense now that I think of it (there's a reason I don't mess with electronics beyond simple soldering).

Didn't realize it was a feature on the early 2K models. Thanks for the info.

[Chef]

OMG mode: hellz-yeah

I have two L2Ke's with it, a 2500 with it, and three L1k's...
Hi, I'm Alan, and I have a G&L problem.

Most often, I'm in the middle position with all the pots wide open; or, in OMG position with the bass rolled back to about 40% or so.

But!
Please take time to mess with all this. One of the very great things about the G&L L1000/L2X00 is that they:
sound *great* in passive mode (L1K is passive only, so, duh!)
and there's virtual libraries of great sounds to be had by rolling volume, treble and bass out to varying degrees. I mostly don't believe in doing this with other basses, but with these particular G&L's, it's really cool.

I dunno why more basses aren't setup with seperate bass and treble controls like this.

[i_g55]

Originally Posted by Chef

I dunno why more basses aren't setup with seperate bass and treble controls like this.

The thing with G&L basses, imho, is that the MFD humbuckers and the passive bass & treble rolloff circuit are a perfect match with each other. The circuit wouldnt work so well with J-type pickups, because any bass rolloff would result in a very weak tone, as the J pickups are wound to have enough amount of bass and lots of treble. The MFD humbuckers have loads of bass and treble in them and the passive rolloff circuit produces very usable tones even with the bass rolled off.

Btw, Im about to lay my hands on my first G&L bass, its a L1500 (ash body, birds eye maple fretboard, transparent orange finish). When I tried it in a local music shop, I was simply amazed at the tone range I could get with a single pickup. I already got a Ric 4003, a Nordstrand & Aguilar modded Lakland 55-01 and a fretless J-bass. The L-1500 will complete the team.

[Chef]

Istanbul? Awesome!
Sounds like a very nice tool kit you have!

[i_g55]

Thanks a lot Chef. The Ric is my "preciouss", as I am a big fan of the Beatles and McCartney. And of course it's got its own unique tone. The Lakland with Nordie Fat Stacks, Aguilar OBP3 pre and passive tone control provides me about every sound in the J-bass and Precision range. The L1500 also has a unique tone and will fill the missing spots

This is the pic of the L1500 I'm gonna get (taken from the music shop's web site). It's in very nice condition and so handsome.

[lmfreeman9]

OMG, yes!

[metron]

I need to roll the bass back at least 50% when using the switch in bridge position otherwise its just too boomy through my SVT rig. It is more controlled if I am using my GK setup. However I find that the middle position with the bass set high is pretty much the same thing as "OMG" with the bass cut back. With the L1000 it's all good!

[duke12]

On all 4 Wunkays (and the 2KE) the OMG switch is ALWAYS engaged.






ALWAYS.






There is no other way.

[fender3x]

Ignorance is not always bliss.... Feel like it's a dumb question, but what does "OMG" stand for? I know the switch and the setting, but the can this be the same acronym I hear from the teenyboppers ;-)

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by fender3x

Ignorance is not always bliss.... Feel like it's a dumb question, but what does "OMG" stand for?

Oh my God!

I haven't used it in a live situation at all. I have played around with it like a "slap" switch, though. I don't see much of a use for it, honestly. I get enough low end out of my L-1000 with the switch in humbucking mode. It's one bad ass bass!

[Chef]

I tend to leave it in OMG mode, and set bass and treble as needed from there

[El Tookay]

My Wunkay is in the OMG setting for about 95% of the night, only going to parallel for certain disco-ish tunes, and once in a while into single coil. The settings- OMG engaged, volume dimed, treble dimed and bass at 70%. Rock City! All else- everything nutted, season to taste.

Both of the Tookays are chiclet'ed, and the OMG setting is where daddy gets business done and drives the bus. And the fretless Tookay in OMG is just scary...

[Craig_S]

You guys are too much! I'm guessing neither of you sing.

I can't wrap myself in that much low end. Hitting pitch, vocally, becomes an issue. I couldn't imagine the OMG setting, using our sub woofers. People on the dance floor would lose their equilibrium! HA! I have to try it now!

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

People on the dance floor would lose their equilibrium!

It's fun to watch.

[Chef]

I do front a lot of our tunes.
I cut bass a lot on OMG mode...which is single coil, with bass boost.
Isn't it?