Pickups for G&L L-2500

ninnlangel · #1 12-01-2006, 11:55 PM

Hi,

I bought G&L L-2500 because I really liked the instrument, but I have been consistently dissapointed with the tone in live and studio settings.

I'd like to change the pickups and electronics to something resembling a jazz bass on steroids (but passive though... just vol vol tone).

I was looking at Nordstrand pickups... big singles ? How would these sound ?

Any suggestions ? Tight, punchy low end is what I am after, and airy treble. My J bass sound, but 5 string.

Thanks,

NL

A9X · #2 12-02-2006, 01:08 AM

When asking for pickup advice, it's always handy to give the dimensions as that'll eliminate some options straight away.
I'd also like to know as I'm thinking if getting some G&L pickups to put into another bass.

sunbeast · #3 12-03-2006, 06:35 PM

What is it that you don't like about the sound? I've been able to find just about any useful sound out of mine! My first recommendation is to try raising or lowering the pickups significantly- When I first got my L2500, the pickups were too high (actually at G&Ls reccomended height)- and the sound was very boomy and undefined. Alot of L-series owners have found that lowering the pickups as far as they can go makes the sound much more controllable.
Second, make sure to experiment with the EQ knobs- they are both passive cut- only knobs, and the G&L pickups will tend to have a surplus of lows and highs. A good starting point is to put both knobs in the middle and go from there.
Thirdly- the series/ parallel and active/ passive choices are even more options to find "your sound". You could also consider changing the series/ parallel switch to a series/ single-coil/ parallel switch- the single coil option is certainly more like a Jazz bass- I did this to mine and the details are in the G&L forum.

If you do ultimately decide to sell the pickups or the bass (or have already!), give me a call!

Good luck,
Karl

sunbeast · #4 12-03-2006, 06:41 PM

Another thing I did to mine was to change the stock 250K treble- cut pot to a 500K pot. The 500K pot gives you more treble to work with (the full range of the 250K pot is the last half of travel on the 500K pot). Re-reading your original post, I wouldn't call the treble "airy" per se, but if you lowered your pickups that might help some in that respect (I keep mine moderately high- just lower than they were originally).

Karl

Trevorus · #5 12-03-2006, 06:46 PM

I have a tribute L2500, and I find that adjusting the pickup height and the polepieces can get you about anything you want. I actually love the pickups, personally, and I wouldn't change a thing.

lug · #6 12-04-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevorus

I have a tribute L2500, and I find that adjusting the pickup height and the polepieces can get you about anything you want. I actually love the pickups, personally, and I wouldn't change a thing.

+1 Many people prefer the sound of their G&L's after they drop the pups lower. I have mine almost all the way down.

ninnlangel · #7 12-04-2006, 01:50 PM

Thanks for the input people. I will definitely lower the pickups ASAP. That seems to be the consensus.

The other option for me is to get a Sadowsky... If I manage to sell my old violin. I am really looking for a sadowsky sound I think.

**MAJOR METAL** · #8 12-04-2006, 06:22 PM

What about changing the preamp as well ?

ninnlangel · #9 12-04-2006, 08:51 PM

I use it mostly in passive mode anyways... but I've considered that too. It's just that I'm really starting to think I should sell it and get a Sadowsky.

Stuggi · #10 12-06-2006, 06:00 AM

A quick question, but how do one lower te pups on the L-2000? Is it the phillipsscrews or what?

sunbeast · #11 12-07-2006, 03:16 AM

Yeah, use the phillip screws to lower the pickups and then the allen wrench sockets on the polepieces to balance volume between strings.

Karl