What pre-amp for a G&L L-2000???

Metropolis_488 · #1 11-09-2006, 08:29 PM

OK so I just got a very nice usa L2k from another TBer and I was wondering...what pre-amp upgrade would work well with the MFD pickups.
ANybody have any experience putting a new pre in their L2k? If so, what were the results...I was thinking about that new John East Filter system....any recommendations?

epoxo57 · #2 11-10-2006, 06:18 AM

Just curious, but why do you want to replace the stock pre? I have an L2K as well and have pondered the idea, but I don't want to lose the tonal options that make it unique (plus the overall sound isn't bad- very punchy actually compared to other basses). Plus that rats nest of wires to deal with.......

Scott

Metropolis_488 · #3 11-10-2006, 09:52 AM

Oh, I just love tweeking my instruments, always looking for ways to improve tone...I like the L2k's pre as is, but when I hear it in passive mode, I think that there is some much there that the stock pre is not utilizing...

fourstringdrums · #4 11-10-2006, 09:58 AM

I wouldn't do it. The L2K is unique in it's sound and versatility. You'll lose that tremendously if you change the pre.

4Mal · #5 11-10-2006, 11:43 AM

I am not a fan of active basses. I can easily describe my self as the anti-on-board pre guy ...

I would upgrade the G&L in a heartbeat. Dave at Audere has an L2K demo bass. It's wired up Master Vol, pickup 1 vol, pickup 2 vol - the switches go z-mode, which acts as the sole 'tone control' on the bass, then series / Parallel for each of the two pickups.

Hands down the best L2K I've ever heard. I've owned a couple. If I had one now - the Audere would be installed exactly that way.

I agree that the G&L pre offers up a broad range of tones. I found that for me, the useful range of tones, while good was actually quite narrow. It was easy to dial in too much bass, or cut the high's too much. I ended up using the passive tones most often. They seemd woodier, more organic to me. More like a bass and less 'processed' sounding*.

If you really examine your use of the tone controls on an ASAT/L2K - particularly in a live environment, How often can you boost the bass or treble without creating issue with the mix in your band overall. If you're in the studio - why limit yourself to a bass & treble control when there's bound to be a decent parametric lying about to help find the unique sound that just fit's that song ?

When I picked up Dave's L2K, he said 'I built this one up to show that you don't really need tone controls.' I'm thinkin' to myself that up to this point he seemed like a reasonable guy, then I'm thinking OK - maybe he's a nut-case...'

I made an attempt to purchase that L2K from Dave a little bit later. No go, sad to say ... The z-mode seemed to offer up just the right amount of darkening to thicken things up without screwing with the overall tonality of the instrument. the MFD's just rang with the passive G&L sound but a bit more presence. Want more girth, roll back the bridge pickup volume. Want more bit, roll back the neck... the overall character of the bass doesn't really change. You hear the bass, not the pre.

To date I've owned and sold Batolini (Lakland 44-02), Aguilar (OPB-3), an actice Yamaha and Fender MIA Deluxe. They all had their points. Oddly I liked the Fender the best as in the setting I was playing in and the rig I was using, the mid control was voiced really well and the blend was very effective. The rest I was never happy with. They were just to... to pre-amp like sounding ... not organic. Kinda the meteorite approach to bass tone. This tone just dropped in outta' no-where and landed on this particular piece of wood ...

This is way subjective stuff. We all hear differently and want different impacts from our basses based on our musical taste and setting. I believe in working with relatively subtle tonal shifts on my bass. My rig is pretty flexible tonally and I use that to my advantage when necessary. While this approach works for me, it might not for everyone.

Call Dave or email him and chat about it. (sales AT Audereaudio.com)

By the way - when I got the last L2K, it come without the pre installed. I got a replacement from Buffalo Brothers and a wiring diagram from G&L Service (who were great by the way! Tony Petrilo maybe ?) Re-wiring the G&L control cavity isn't a great deal of fun. If it were me, I would very strongly advice that you disconnect the pickups and battery from the jack, then remove the entire harness as a unit leaving all pot's and switches attached. It will truly be worth the 30 bucks in pot's and switches if you ever want to re-install it. Trust me on this if nothing else... that cavity is a nightmare to work on...

Metropolis_488 · #6 11-10-2006, 01:14 PM

4Mal
Thanks for the great input. I am very similar in that I have never really had an active bass that I liked, save for an Alembic that i got rid of because I don't play 5 strings (and a Wal I played once). I have always prefered passive basses. Active EQ just never sounds natural to me. I got the G&L because, to my ears, it gave a great modern Jazz bass tone. I am going to have a very vintage sounding bass soon (see my CB bass thread in the Bass section) and I wanted a modern sounding counterpart.

Actually, I don't even like EQing at the amp! I want the sound of the instrument to come through and your suggestion with the Audere setup is something that I didn't think of.

I had an Audere Jazzbass pre and was really impressed with it. But, at the time, I unloaded it for money for work on my house. Dave is great.

I have never played a Bart equiped (p/u or pre-amp) bass that I liked...never. So +1 on your opinion.

I am proficient with a soldering iron, however I would do as you recommend and take everything out as one unit.

-Thanks!

xbradx · #7 11-11-2006, 09:37 AM

one option to consider, since the L2K's pre can be bypassed, is to run through an outboard pre. I had a Tribby L2K for awhile and love the sound ran passive through my Aggie DB924.

ninnlangel · #8 11-11-2006, 11:37 PM

I'm currently thinking of changing the pickups on my L-2500 to go for a 5 string Jazz Bass setup. Volume + Volume + Passive tone. Most likely using some Nordstrand pickups (big singles or fat stacks).

Any thoughts on that ? I don't feel like the sound I am getting from the G&L is as good as it should, but I love the feel of that instrument.

I'm sure the gritty sound of the MFDs is great for certain things, but I'm looking for a cleaned kind of punch, and I just like getting my tone from a JB setup.

Sorry fir hijacking the thread !

Funky Doctor · #9 11-12-2006, 03:23 AM

I may be a little (very) biased after having plenty of experience with both preamps, but have you considered a simple yet extrememly funky sadowsky or aguilar obp-1 preamp? It doesn't do what a 3 or whatever band eq can do, but I am of the opinion that it isn't eq that dictates versatility. A good 2 band like what I mentioned would make your already awesome bass sound just that little bit better, such as a little bit of snap or fat low end warmth in particular, which seems to go a long way in a mix/live setting.