Effects, G&L Basses, and Passive Electronics.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by amos

What about recording? I know in the past I have had issues using my active bass when recording, clipping inputs on audio interfaces, even when going through my BBE pre first. I would hope a passive G&L would make this less of a headache.

I have to turn the inputs way down on my interface with my ASAT, and watch how I play to a certain extent or it'll still clip it. I usually just grab a different bass if I need to do anything important. The ASAT kills for live work though. One of the next few gigs I'm going to take it and my Stingray to do a live shoot out type thing.

I need to break out my compressor and plug it all in as that might help greatly for recording. I was going to do it tonight when I was practicing, but I didn't. Maybe in the next few days I'll give it a go.

[pulse]

does using a simple boost pedal set to reduce volume rather boost it resolve the issue?
My G&L SB2 US crunches / Overloads all my fuzzes and makes my over drives spit as well. The only success I have had using them is by dropping the volume with a low level pedal before it reaches the others.

Or should one use something more specific for the purpose?

[autodidact]

Originally Posted by pulse

does using a simple boost pedal set to reduce volume rather boost it resolve the issue?
My G&L SB2 US crunches / Overloads all my fuzzes and makes my over drives spit as well. The only success I have had using them is by dropping the volume with a low level pedal before it reaches the others.

Or should one use something more specific for the purpose?

Interested in this too! It'd be great if I could just use my LPB-1 to tame my L2500. Otherwise she's gotta go.

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by autodidact

Interested in this too! It'd be great if I could just use my LPB-1 to tame my L2500. Otherwise she's gotta go.

The problem is, is that the G&L might clip the LPB-1 so even if the volume is down you'll still be overdriving the transistor.

You could us a volume pot after a buffer.

[pulse]

Originally Posted by autodidact

Interested in this too! It'd be great if I could just use my LPB-1 to tame my L2500. Otherwise she's gotta go.

What's gotta go? Not the bass ?
There are for sure a few buffered level (boost) utility pedals out there (Morley barge concepts )

I am in Europe and use the microboost from sfxsound.co.uk

Apparently has massive headroom on the input ...

Question:
So is output level and impedance the same thing?

[theavondon]

I use an L-1000 through a metric ton of effects...and I've never noticed them not working well? Maybe I'm dumb, and I've just found what sounds I enjoy instead of listening to what other people tell me. Bah.

[amos]

Originally Posted by theavondon

I use an L-1000 through a metric ton of effects...and I've never noticed them not working well? Maybe I'm dumb, and I've just found what sounds I enjoy instead of listening to what other people tell me. Bah.

It sounds like the SB-1/SB-2 has more issues than the L-1000/L-2000

[QuickNasty]

I might suggest lowering pickup height to lower pickup output. If you are having a problem with hot pickups and effects. I would think adjustable pole pieces could be best used when the pickup is farther from the strings. I believe I read somewhere that some players prefer the G&L SB-2 pickups to be flush with the body. And possibly flat-wound strings to help tame it.

[willsellout]

I haven't had any issues with the G&L and my effects.

[TomB]

G&L output too hot? Roll back the volume knob. Problem solved. I never open mine all the way.

[Emibass]

Originally Posted by TomB

G&L output too hot? Roll back the volume knob. Problem solved. I never open mine all the way.

Finally someone said it!

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by TomB

G&L output too hot? Roll back the volume knob. Problem solved. I never open mine all the way.

This is an easy way to fix the level but the tone is also changed as you roll off the volume.

Fine for some but not for others.

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by QuickNasty

I might suggest lowering pickup height to lower pickup output. If you are having a problem with hot pickups and effects. I would think adjustable pole pieces could be best used when the pickup is farther from the strings. I believe I read somewhere that some players prefer the G&L SB-2 pickups to be flush with the body. And possibly flat-wound strings to help tame it.

Flats have more fundamental (hence a more powerful sound) and flats and effects don't always work well either.

I lowered the pole pieces in mine and lowered the pick up as well.

The tone changed to much for my liking. It started to sound hollow and as I adjusted the pickups to where I liked the tone again the volume was back up again.

[Scobby Bott]

Originally Posted by father of fires

This is an easy way to fix the level but the tone is also changed as you roll off the volume.

Fine for some but not for others.

Do the SBs have treble bleed caps? If not, adding them might resolve this.

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by Scobby Bott

Do the SBs have treble bleed caps? If not, adding them might resolve this.

That's actually a mod I considered. I spoke with a G&L rep and they gave me a cap suggestion.

I was going to experiment with that but I put in some stock Fender pups and it seems to be working for the moment.

I've been looking into getting or making an active preamp to help keep the highs at lower volumes as well.

[amos]

SB-1 has a tone control. I'm probably going to get an SB-1. By Treble caps you mean tone control right?

[Scobby Bott]

We're referring to caps for a treble bleed, not a treble attenuator. Placing a small value cap between the first and middle leg of a volume pot helps retain higher frequencies as the volume is lowered. I believe adding a resistor as well can do the same thing for low frequencies. I'm still confused as to why this isn't standard on all passive instruments.

[zachoff]

I have an L-2000 and an SB-2. Both Tributes. I only really use distortion but both basses lay down the awesome.

[plankspanker13]

Never a problem with my G&L's and effects, but they have all been JB-2's. Stock or aftermarket pickups had no different impacts on what the effects could do for me, other than the tonal variations that I bought them for. I have a SBMM SUB Ray4 that has a very hot preamp, and the only effect with a noticeable difference is the envelope filter. I have already found how to combat that difference.

[4Mal]

The SB2 is a sweet bass. the tone control mod is stupid easy...

Another bass to consider is the Lakland 4401. Plays well with effects and in general plays really well. Not sure about the lefty thing though.