L2000 amp recommendations

JohnnyPustular · #1 12-19-2008, 08:54 PM

First, I wanted to thank you guys for all the advice I've found here for really maximizing the sound I get out of my L2000. You guys are great.

Next, I have a question. I'm in the market for a new amp (preferably light weight), and I am wondering about your experience with various amps. I'm guessing this thing is a little overwhelming for many amps. What do you like? What has handled the high gain particularly well? What do you think is the ideal matching amp for an L2000?

I'm planning to try out amps at the stores, but really appreciate the insight of your experience.

I'm in two bands- one is old school funk and the other is old school punk. I'm looking for articulate, old school chest shaking thunder.

Thanks!

realdeal · #2 12-19-2008, 09:31 PM

I like tubes personally, and G&L's/MFD's do too.
But you said you wanted light, and the two aren't really compatible- Maybe close in some cases, but not stupid light, as where things are going now.
If you can handle 40 lbs. and can find one, a V4BH is supreme tone-wise, of course, it may not be loud enough for you.
(Don't let the fact that I've played large outdorr venues succesfully with mine sway you- there's a DI in these guys!)

For light- I have experience with both the LMII, which is powerful and sounds quite nice with MFD's too-

I haven't tried the Shuttles, but I do have similar in the Neo-Pak, and I REALLY like it with my ASAT-more so than the LMII, it's warmer and more defined IMO.

Pretty hard to make a G&L sound bad though, so there are lots of good choices...

unclejane · #3 12-19-2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyPustular

First, I wanted to thank you guys for all the advice I've found here for really maximizing the sound I get out of my L2000. You guys are great.

Next, I have a question. I'm in the market for a new amp (preferably light weight), and I am wondering about your experience with various amps. I'm guessing this thing is a little overwhelming for many amps. What do you like? What has handled the high gain particularly well? What do you think is the ideal matching amp for an L2000?

I'm planning to try out amps at the stores, but really appreciate the insight of your experience.

I'm in two bands- one is old school funk and the other is old school punk. I'm looking for articulate, old school chest shaking thunder.

Thanks!

Like others said, it's going to sound fine through most amps. I like my GK 1001RB-II's, the input attenuator works fine at keeping my g&l's from overdriving them (I have 2, one is a spare).

the main thing will be the cabinet, so try a bunch of different cabs whatever head you buy. I have a 4x10 GK (SBX Plus) sealed cab. It gives a smooth response (not being a bass-reflex design) but good transient response (what guys sometimes call "quick"). I like a hefty low midbass with a lot of whack to it so I prefer multiple small speakers (i.e. the 4x10 configuration).
Depending on the sound you're after you might want something like a 15".
The L2000 will sound good through any of these tho, so it'll boil down to your preference...

LS

mainsail · #4 12-20-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyPustular

First, I wanted to thank you guys for all the advice I've found here for really maximizing the sound I get out of my L2000. You guys are great.

Next, I have a question. I'm in the market for a new amp (preferably light weight), and I am wondering about your experience with various amps. I'm guessing this thing is a little overwhelming for many amps. What do you like? What has handled the high gain particularly well? What do you think is the ideal matching amp for an L2000?

I'm planning to try out amps at the stores, but really appreciate the insight of your experience.

I'm in two bands- one is old school funk and the other is old school punk. I'm looking for articulate, old school chest shaking thunder.

Thanks!

As my backup amp and my gigging amp from home I have a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T combo. It handles my L2500 superbly an weighs 18lbs.

If you want a bit mor umph, the 6.0-12T should do the trick at 32lbs. Or, just get the little Shuttle amp and an appropriate cab and you're good to go.

tramp · #5 12-20-2008, 10:19 AM

I run my L2000 as well as my SB1 thru a Fender Bassman 150 combo. It has a 12" speaker with a line out. About 40 lbs. I also use a SWR Workingman Combo. 160 watts and about 60 lbs. Both are good amps. I mostly use the Fender because of the weight.

Tramp

sunbeast · #6 12-20-2008, 12:54 PM

I think most of the "heavyweight" lightweight amps (Markbass, Genz, GK) will probably sound fantastic with an L2000 (I've personally played mine through a Thunderfunk and an LMII before, and both sounded great), and I also second the tubes + G&L idea- My L2000, SB-2, L1000, and L2500 all sound/ed freaking INSANE through an Ampeg SVT, Musicman HD-130, Mesa D-180, and Mesa 400+. I guess the point is that if you like the G&L sound, any decent amp should pair well with it- if you are having problems overdriving the preamp (which isn't necessarily a bad thing with a tube pre), just turn down the volume on the bass or even use an external pre pedal of some sort and turn the volume down on it. I personally have NEVER had a problem getting a good clean tone with any of my G&Ls through any amp I've ever tried them through- and my SB-2 had a higher output than any active bass I've ever owned (the other G&Ls were all pretty close behind). I seem to recall hearing of some trouble with GK preamps + G&Ls, but then just as many people use them and don't seem to have trouble- I think its really about knowing how to work the gain controls on your bass and amp to get your desired sound.

For your tastes, I would definitely look more on the "old-school" side of the spectrum- have you tried a Markbass Little Mark II? Those things are pretty damn amazing for the money, lightweight, and can be found at any Guitar Center to try out...

Actually, GK might be the ticket from your description- I don't think most of their amps are really all that heavy (and they have a couple options for fairly high-powered true featherweight amps), and the tone definitely fits your needs (especially the old-school punk aspect!). I'd say hybrid Mesa (as I have become a Mesa die-hard!), but they really don't have any lightweight amps that I'm aware of apart from the Walkabout, which is one that I personally have never tried...

Karl

Nedmundo · #7 12-20-2008, 04:44 PM

I've been happy playing G&L's through my G-K 700RB-II and Neo 112 cabs, especially my SB-2. With my L-1500, I sometimes need to tweak EQ or use an Aphex Bass Xciter, but I can get outstanding results. I think the full-range nature of the Neo112 cabs would be great for an L-2000, but for an all-purpose standalone cab you should also check out the Genz-Benz NeoX 212. It sounds more "old school" than the G-K Neos, can generate loads of punch, and it's lighter and smaller than the typical 4x10. Any powerful, clean head should sound great through that cab.

To avoid clipping the input stage of the G-K head, I need to depress the -14db pad when using my G&L's. It handles the hot output just fine, and like Karl I've found the SB-2 is the hottest of all.

KsPiNeSh · #8 12-20-2008, 07:00 PM

My L2000 sounded fantastic through my Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0/NEOX-212T combination. Of course, it sounds even better through the GBE-1200... while worth every pound, that is definitely not lightweight

earlgray · #9 12-20-2008, 09:50 PM

For band gigs, I use an ampeg svt-3 pro amp. Tube pre & solid state amp...been a great performer & the G&Ls sound great thru it.

as far as cabinets go, I use a Mesa Boogie 1-15 when I need a dirtier sound/smaller place and an Ampeg 4X10 when I need more clean sound.

I've played thru a few SVT Classics/8x10 and they also sound great. If I played larger places where I could use that much oomph, I'd prolly get one.

fwiw.

Assumer · #10 12-20-2008, 10:04 PM

Not lightweight but my L2000 sounds great through my GB 750. That being said, I really want to try the GK 550

ljazz · #11 12-21-2008, 03:50 AM

Like Ned, I too use the GK700RBII and the GK Neo 12's (a 112 and a 212). I love the head and cabs. I've been using my L2000 a lot lately through that rig. I've had problems getting along with the L2K, but lately, we're getting along fantasically.

Don't be afraid to use the volume knob on the G&L's to lower your input gain, especially with the GK's. The GK's don't have an input gain control other than the "active" pad. Another thing that has helped me with gain issues is the EBS MultiComp, and the Radial BassBone. Prior to getting the Radial, I would run the GK with the -14 db on, and then bump up the gain on the EBS (sort of like having a gain on the input stage, and the tube sim mode is the "bomb".... I love it!). I bought the Radial because I like to use two basses when I gig or rehearse... one with rounds and one with flats. Instead of juggling around knob settings everytime I switched, I just use the Radial. Since it's unity gain, I'm actually cutting a bit on the hotter basses, so now I run with the GK's pad disengaged.

It really sounds fantastic. And while the 700RBII is not as light as the new MB2 or the LMII, it's still well under 20 lbs. The neo112 is only 36 lbs (the new generation gk's will be even lighter, but bulkier). I get in and out of gigs or rehearsals in 1 trip.

Ljazz

Nedmundo · #12 12-21-2008, 09:22 AM

Like Ljazz, I sometimes use an Aphex Punch Factory compressor to address gain issues, and it's very useful for that.

Ljazz, do you ever solo the bridge pickup on your L2k? If so, how do you set your EQ? This might give me some ideas for the L-1500. I know it's different than an L2k bridge, but I think it presents similar EQ issues.

JohnnyPustular · #13 12-21-2008, 04:39 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've been using my friend's Kustom III (c. 1975 solid state garbage) and still sound pretty good despite an old Acoustic amp that rattles like an earthquake any time I play a low B.

I practice through my blackface Princeton Reverb and the L2000 does sound amazing through tubes. I also have a silverface Bassman 100 from my guitar daze that's in the shop. Its heavy, but has the same tube array as a V4BH. It was hella loud with guitar-- maybe I can follow realdeal and go for creamy tube goodness (I won't need to worry about playing large outdoor venues

.

I've played some of the other heads suggested and am amazed by the sound (I went off the bass in 1985 and just returned a few months ago-- the last bass amp I had was a 100w Lab Series). I love the tubes, but can't get over how powerful and versatile the new heads are. Decisions, decisions...

I will definitely check out the cabs you guys suggested, specially the neo cabs. It might be nice to have a low weight cab that doesn't shake like the San Andreas fault has given way.

Thanks again and I continue to welcome ideas!

floydman · #14 12-21-2008, 04:51 PM

i play my l2000 through an ashdown abm500 and a bergantino HT210- it sounds the creampop, from fat slap tone to warm thump, even some grindy old school tube sound. not as loud as I'd like for playing with my band so I'm planning a cabinet upsize to a 212, hoping that will give me a solid volume boost. I'm eyeing the avatar 212 but I haven't heard any in person so I'm not sure how that will end up.

sunbeast · #15 12-21-2008, 10:28 PM

Thats funny- I was going to suggest and old Acoustic amp- all my G&Ls sounded thunderous through my guitarists bass rig-an old Acoustic 320 (I think that was the model). And quite a few late 70s and early 80s punkers played through Acoustic amps...They sell for pretty cheap these days too (I've seen several on Craigslist for less than $200 in the last couple years).
Part of the beauty of the Acoustics were their matching cabs- and those things WERE NOT light, nor small! His Acoustic 215 was the largest bass cab I have ever seen- significantly deeper and wider (in size and tone) than the current Ampeg 810s or 215s...also much better sounding though, in my opinion (you kinda want a 215 to be able to rattle some bones!).

Karl

Assumer · #16 12-21-2008, 10:42 PM

Cab wise, I love my two Aguilar 1x12s Not particularly lightweight but great sounding.

JohnnyPustular · #17 12-22-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

Part of the beauty of the Acoustics were their matching cabs- and those things WERE NOT light, nor small! His Acoustic 215 was the largest bass cab I have ever seen- significantly deeper and wider (in size and tone) than the current Ampeg 810s or 215s...also much better sounding though, in my opinion (you kinda want a 215 to be able to rattle some bones!).

Karl

That's the cab! A 1971 Acoustic 215, although it is only 13 inches deep. After major back surgery a year ago, I can either 1) look like a wuss by asking my bandmates to carry the thing for me or 2) incur the wrath of my wife by carrying it myself. I guess either way I'm a wuss...

sunbeast · #18 12-23-2008, 09:58 PM

They made 2 or 3 different 215s (maybe more!)- the one my guitarist had was both wider than any of the Acoustic amps and also much deeper than the other 215s they made (nearly as deep as a good PA sub!). The smaller version I have seen is very close in width to their amps and about as deep as a modern Fender 215, if I remember correctly. The larger one was center ported, while the smaller one was ported on the bottom (I think...). Either way- sorry for the derail. I just love those massive/ excessive 70s amps!

Karl

lug · #19 12-23-2008, 10:51 PM

I have the smaller Acoustic 2X15. It's a model 402. Very light and probably one of the most articulate 2X15's I've ever heard. The big one was a model 406.

Some good info found here:
http://acoustic.homeunix.net/twiki/b...oustic/WebHome

metron · #20 12-23-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyPustular

I'm in two bands- one is old school funk and the other is old school punk. I'm looking for articulate, old school chest shaking thunder.

Well I don;t know if there is an ideal amp for the L2000 per se. I love both the amps I use. An old SVT is perfect for old school chest pounding thumder. OTOH my GK 1001RB-II is quite articulate. Tubes are really nice but they aren't necessary for great tone.

On the input gain issue, I never run my G&Ls with volume at 100% into any amp. Then it's never an issue plus you always have some headroom left if you need it.