Just Ordered a ACG Preamp for my G&L L2000

jgroh · #1 11-24-2009, 09:35 AM

Ive been wanting one of these for a while now and I finally pulled the trigger. Ill have it installed some time next week. I have a brand new L2000 Tribute (in Walnut Stain...beauty) and a L2500 Tribby, so I wanted a change.

I havent really heard of anyone installing one of these in a G&L bass, a couple of people wondering what it would sound like, but none installed (that I know of). So I am flying blind on how it will sound. I cant wait though! Ill report back once I had a chance to try it out.

Hugh Jass · #2 11-24-2009, 10:16 AM

Looking forward to hearing about this!

Which ACG did you order?

jgroh · #3 11-24-2009, 12:14 PM

Its the two pickup three pot version - ACG EQ-02. He only sells the EQ-01 installed in his basses. I was going to go with the four knob version but that would of course mean drilling and then hopefully it would fit.

Ill post some sound clips too.

dmusic148 · #4 11-24-2009, 12:18 PM

It's gonna be cool. Think of it as a 'poor man's' Wal.

jgroh · #5 11-24-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

It's gonna be cool. Think of it as a 'poor man's' Wal.

How'd you know thats what Im after?

jgroh · #6 11-24-2009, 12:26 PM

Speaking of Wal-like stuff...SGD Lutherie has said he was doing some Wal pickups and a Wal preamp. Not sure if he is still going down that road but I was pretty stoked. Maybe Ill throw those into the L2500 lol

dmusic148 · #7 11-24-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgroh

How'd you know thats what Im after?

Heh....well, that's really what it does, isn't it? I have one, I know. Nice piece. Mine's not installed in anything now; I had it in a Jazz and didn't care for it there. Next project will be a humbucker x2 bass, and I think it'll be more effective there.

jgroh · #8 11-24-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Heh....well, that's really what it does, isn't it? I have one, I know. Nice piece. Mine's not installed in anything now; I had it in a Jazz and didn't care for it there. Next project will be a humbucker x2 bass, and I think it'll be more effective there.

I can get a tone thats "in the ballpark" of a Wal (Geddy's Wal) with the stock preamp, however I dont use that setting at all when playing with the band. It doesnt give much depth IMHO. So Im really interested to hear a filter based preamp in this bass.

kesslari · #9 11-24-2009, 12:37 PM

You're gonna love it. It made my Ibby Gary Willis an absolute tone monster.

jgroh · #10 11-25-2009, 08:45 PM

Well, it arrived today! I wont even attempt to hook it up myself even though it looks very straight forward. Maybe Ill call my tech Friday and see if I can get it to him then.

knobbin · #11 12-10-2009, 02:47 PM

Let me know how this goes! I'm going to be ordering one of these preamps for a bass i mnade with Dimarzio Model J pickups in it. I've also got a G&L L2000 tribute tuned BEAD that I'm considering also pimping out, potentially with 2 of the individual pickup EQ02 so i can adjust the tone of each pickup and then blend them together. How long did it take to arrive?

jgroh · #12 12-16-2009, 09:54 AM

Its being installed as we speak. My tech was extremely busy and only just got to it late last week. I guess he had some questions on the toggle switches that are on the L2000. I guess the ACG would only use two of them...I asked him to install a mute switch on that one, so I should be getting the bass back any day now. Ill record some clips as soon as I do.

jgroh · #13 12-16-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knobbin

Let me know how this goes! I'm going to be ordering one of these preamps for a bass i mnade with Dimarzio Model J pickups in it. I've also got a G&L L2000 tribute tuned BEAD that I'm considering also pimping out, potentially with 2 of the individual pickup EQ02 so i can adjust the tone of each pickup and then blend them together. How long did it take to arrive?

It only took a few days to arrive after I ordered it from bestbassgear.com

SurrenderMonkey · #14 12-16-2009, 02:56 PM

cool. I think you'll love it. It's fan-tas-tic.

PRUNEFACE · #15 01-05-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgroh

Its being installed as we speak. My tech was extremely busy and only just got to it late last week. I guess he had some questions on the toggle switches that are on the L2000. I guess the ACG would only use two of them...I asked him to install a mute switch on that one, so I should be getting the bass back any day now. Ill record some clips as soon as I do.

How did it turn out?

PilbaraBass · #16 01-05-2010, 06:48 PM

bump...come on...come on...

Archaeobass · #17 01-06-2010, 01:15 AM

Very curious to hear how this turns out. I was just having a vision of an acg equipped L2500 so I plugged G&L and ACG into search and behold! Give us all the details (and clips)! I'm curious about the toggle functionality, personally. Besides the mute (good idea btw), what other functions do the switches have now? Can you still run series/parallel? I assume passive/active is out. Do you have a dummy switch then?

Also, did you have it wired for 9 or 18 volts? And the obligatory 'no piccies, no bass'

millahh · #18 11-10-2011, 12:13 PM

Sorry for the threadromancy, but how did this turn out (either for jgroh or anyone else)? I'm considering the EQ02 as a Christmas present to myself, to be dropped in my L2K Tribby.

Jared Lash · #19 11-10-2011, 12:48 PM

I had the EQ-02 installed in my fretless Stambaugh and have never regretted it.

I WILL say that I think the proprietary EQ-01 is much more versatile (I'll have more thoughts when my ACG bass is finished) and that the EQ-02 is probably best in a fretless bass.

Here's why. The aftermarket version only lets you set the lowpass filter and resonance for the overshoot peak for BOTH pickups simultaneously. The version in Alan's basses lets you set the filter and resonance for each pickup simultaneously. This means that you can have a deep and bassy neck with a full range bridge or vice versa or anything in between.

That said, being able to add some resonance to the midrange for my fretless really helps it to sing. I certainly wouldn't dissuade anyone from getting it for a fretless as it is a top notch preamp, but personally I think it shines the most in a fretless.

The EQ-01 on the other hand? I can't wait to get my hands on that thing.

incubus2432 · #20 11-10-2011, 06:31 PM

I have the EQ-02 (5 knob) in my Ric 4004 Laredo.....simply fantastic. I've owned two Wals and this preamp, I believe, is as close as you are gonna get to that tone/versatility. I'm surprised more people aren't using 'em since there are constantly people who claim to be looking for that Wal sound.