What Fender.....

Hugh Jass · #1 12-22-2008, 08:22 PM

So I did somthing dumb and potentially expensive today:

First, some background: Recovering Drumaholic who hasn't been playing bass very long but with a bit of a musical background so progress has been good. Currently I just own an Ibby SR700 which plays really nice but the sound just doesn't float it for me. Been seriously GASeous lately for something more vintagey like a Fender P or J but have not played anything that really made me want to drop the cash......

So, out finishing the Christmas shopping and decide to slide into the music store. Checking out the basses I see several G&L's on the wall (actually every model they make including one SB2 tribute). Short of pulling them down and eyeballing them on a previous visit I had no experience with G&L but I do know the story behind them. So the guy asks if I want to try one out... yes, yes I do. BIG MISTAKE!

Tried all through a 12" ashdown.... "MAG" I think? combo set at 12:00 on the eq.

First up SB2: Pearl white with red tort pickguard and rosewood FB (drool). Neck about the same width as my Ibby but thicker which I liked better as I have biig hands. Didn't like only having volume controls for the pu's and no master but what a sound! Neck pup sounded like a P but better and same with the bridge, like a jazz at the bridge but better regardless of how it was blended it was full, robust and tons of growl, just awesome tone. Hated the controls though, wheres the master volume???

Second up L2K: amberburst with maple FB. This bass would require a bit of orientation to figure out all the coil tapping and blending options so I didn't fudge with it too much but I could get anything from a hollow boom to a tight hum and loads of kick in the pants full rich crunch in between. Smoother in passive and growlier in active mode. Really liked the neck, better than the jazz neck with my long fingers.

so by now I am really impressed, and decide I might as well try the L1K, which I assumed would be like the 2K with less tonal options. Pearl white with maple FB. This was the best thing I have ever heard, Full, punchy, cutting, growly full bodied thump! Tried lots of different setting and it sounded awesome in all of them, just like that magical bass sound I had in my head.

Didn't try the JB2.

All three of these beat anything I have tried by fender, at least for the tone I was looking for. and the QC was immaculate. The most amazing part: CHEAPER than an MIA standerd jazz or P in Canuckistan anyway (Canada). unfortunately with all the christmas shopping I will have to remain GASsy for a while yet.

Now I need to decide between the 1K or the 2K as It might be nice to "tune the tone" a bit more

I WILL HAVE ONE!!!!!

Of course nothing in this post will probably surprise any of you G&L folk so I apologize if this is redundant

Spiritfield · #2 12-22-2008, 09:07 PM

Sounds like the MFD's have claimed another "victim"

Welcome to the darkside....

rkingly · #3 12-22-2008, 09:12 PM

Get ya one & don't look back!

Bulltrout · #4 12-22-2008, 10:25 PM

I know the feeling. I was in Saskatoon and dropped by Mothers Music looking for a Fender P bass but tried a L2K and an SB-2 instead. The SB-2 followed me home.

Hugh Jass · #5 12-22-2008, 10:27 PM

Is there anything to support the fact that I thought the L1K sounded better than the 2K or was it just incidental? Is there some kind of mystical wunkay wundertone?

There must be something to it judging by all the L1K's you fine folk play.

Hugh Jass · #6 12-22-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulltrout

I know the feeling. I was in Saskatoon and dropped by Mothers Music looking for a Fender P bass but tried a L2K and an SB-2 instead. The SB-2 followed me home.

Yeah, the P sounds good in a kinda warm thumpy shake the floorboards way but the G&L's just hit you in the gut with that thick crunchy growl that makes you just want to keep playing......

yep I'm smitten

Ken Baker · #7 12-22-2008, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

Is there anything to support the fact that I thought the L1K sounded better than the 2K or was it just incidental? Is there some kind of mystical wunkay wundertone?

Not really. Your ears just happen to like the combination of strings, wood, and MFD in that bass. Nothing wrong with that at all.

The neck pickup on a Tookay is in the same position as the Wunkay's, so it should sound very similar when soloed & passive.

Quote:

There must be something to it judging by all the L1K's you fine folk play.

It's the vintage and simple vibe. They're a really superb bass, but I prefer that extra pickup and the flexibility it offers.

Ken...

Hugh Jass · #8 12-23-2008, 04:59 AM

Thanks! makes sense.

Although the L1K was did not have the pickup centered like most of them, it was more toward the bridge and about half way between those of the 2K.

And a few hundred cheaper......

Gonna be a tough choice!

KsPiNeSh · #9 12-23-2008, 05:07 AM

Yeah, the G&L monster bit me once I came to Talkbass... but I don't regret it one bit. Amazing instruments.

Heck, who says you have to choose between the 1K and 2K - they go perfectly together

spideyjg · #10 12-23-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

Thanks! makes sense.

Although the L1K was did not have the pickup centered like most of them, it was more toward the bridge and about half way between those of the 2K.

And a few hundred cheaper......

Gonna be a tough choice!

Ummmm, sure that wasn't an L-1500?

Jim

Ken Baker · #11 12-23-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

Although the L1K was did not have the pickup centered like most of them, it was more toward the bridge and about half way between those of the 2K.

Time to slow down a bit and do some research.

Be sure to check that "L-1000" very closely, as you just described what could be a major mod to an L-1000 or a neck swap to an L-1500.

Or you've described an L-1500.

The neck pickup on an L-2000 and the single pickup of an L-1000 are positioned the same. No doubt about it, and it's always been that way. The L-1000 is also, of course, a passive instrument.

The single pickup on an L-1500 is positioned roughly between the L-2000 pickup locations, sometimes referred to as "the StingRay sweet spot". The L-1500 is active.

The difference in tone between an L-1000 and an L-1500 is striking, with the L-1500 being a much more aggressive sounding bass.

Ken...

Hugh Jass · #12 12-23-2008, 05:11 PM

Definately not modded, the L1K was brand spankin new and the pickup was definately south of center. I can guarantee this as I rest my thumb on the E string and against the neck pickup to mute and I found the feel of the L1K different than the 2K as I am not used to playing that much closer to the bridge.

It was definately not a 1500 as I have never played a fiver.

Also it had two toggle switches where it looks like the one above has 1, one of them sure sounded like the difference between active and passive.

This was a brand new bass with the hang tags still on and the store where I tried it doesn't sell used.

Hugh Jass · #13 12-23-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spideyjg

Ummmm, sure that wasn't an L-1500?

Jim

Spidey, There is a L1K you posted in the G&L club on the first page, It is teal green with two toggles and a south of centre pickup. Looks like that one minus the colour.

unless that is a modded?

lmfreeman9 · #14 12-23-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

Definately not modded, the L1K was brand spankin new and the pickup was definately south of center. I can guarantee this as I rest my thumb on the E string and against the neck pickup to mute and I found the feel of the L1K different than the 2K as I am not used to playing that much closer to the bridge.

It was definately not a 1500 as I have never played a fiver.

Also it had two toggle switches where it looks like the one above has 1, one of them sure sounded like the difference between active and passive.

This was a brand new bass with the hang tags still on and the store where I tried it doesn't sell used.

L-1500 is a 4-string and L-1000s are no longer being made. Was it new or used?

spideyjg · #15 12-23-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

It was definately not a 1500 as I have never played a fiver.

Also it had two toggle switches where it looks like the one above has 1, one of them sure sounded like the difference between active and passive.

Did it look like this....
L-1500 linky...

No L-1000 ever had 2 switches, any active circuitry, or the pickup in any other location than where the 2K does.

You played an L-1500 my man and maybe someone goofed the headstock logo.

The picture I had posted is a Climax which was the forerunner of the L-1500.

Jim

Hugh Jass · #16 12-23-2008, 05:39 PM

*Whacks forehead with audible slap*

just checked G&L website and it was a 1500.

In my head 1000 meant one pickup and 1500 meant one pickup and five strings al la 2500 meaning L2000 + a string

SORRY ALL!

So yeah I tested a L1500 and it kicked ass!

Thanks for steering me straight, too many numbers - ahhhhhhh!

Ken Baker · #17 12-23-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

Definately not modded, the L1K was brand spankin new and the pickup was definately south of center. I can guarantee this as I rest my thumb on the E string and against the neck pickup to mute and I found the feel of the L1K different than the 2K as I am not used to playing that much closer to the bridge.

Fascinating....

On my L-2500, the measurements from the edge of the pickups closest to the bridge to the edge of the bridge plate nearest the neck are as follows:

Bridge: 1 1/4 inches (31.75mm)
Neck: 4 1/16 inches (103.19mm)

I'd be interested in knowing how the L1K measures out. It should be very close to 4 1/16 inches.

Quote:

It was definately not a 1500 as I have never played a fiver.

Um... An L-1500 is a 4 string. The L-1505 is the 5 string variant.

From the G&L website:

L-1500

L-1505

For spacial comparison; an L-2500, the L-1505 above, an L-2000, and the L-1500 above:

Quote:

Also it had two toggle switches where it looks like the one above has 1, one of them sure sounded like the difference between active and passive.

Note the two toggles in the L-1500 and L-1505 images above.

Quote:

This was a brand new bass with the hang tags still on and the store where I tried it doesn't sell used.

Unless the store is Guitar Man in NYC, you should not see an L-1000 for sale.

Ken...

Hugh Jass · #18 12-23-2008, 05:46 PM

figured it out while you were puttin that together Ken

very informative though!

Shows how a little misinformation can cause big problems

You guys rock with all the info

DavePlaysBass · #19 12-23-2008, 08:35 PM

The L2K can get you close to the L-1500 tone especially with a single coil mod that goes inside coils. But if you really like the L-1500 sound, nothing wrong with that. But it can be hard to tame down. And the L2K has a lot more variations.