G&L M2X000...Users? Soundclips?

[lowfreqgeek]

I'd be really curious to hear these new M2500 pickups in single coil mode. I've got a number of recordings of my old L2500 in SC mode and, listening back now, I can't believe how close it was to what I was *trying* to achieve. I think a good preamp woulda done it for me.

I need to make the K-mod to my fretless L2500. And put in a new preamp. I wish I could get the M2500 electronics from G&L for my L2500.

[TorBass]

I'll see if I can make a recording of the bass, and compared to my L2000. Depending on the progress of rebuilding my control-room...
Brian at supersoundmusic.com said this: "Bass sounded great, extremely flexible and selectors worked wonderfully. Even when using both pickups Split Coil mode there was a partial Humbucking effect as well."
So I'm kinda excited....

[Chef]

Ken;
I understand the "easier to use" goal; but quite frankly, IMO, there was nothing hard to use about the previous L series, if one ever bothered to read an owners manual.
I fully support the addition of a boost and cut, three band preamp, and a blend control.

I still think the three way coil tap ought to be standard.

[lovenotfear]

I want to hear this so bad, there are no clips anywhere on the Internet, I wonder why G&L has not put sound clips up on the web site or at least you tube, for some reason they have never been good about advertising their products?!!?

[TorBass]

I promised you a review of the M2500, and here it is. I also promised a recording of this, and my L2000 so that it was easy for you to compare. But the same day as my M2500 arrived, my L2000 got traded for another bass. Life is indeed what happens while you’re busy making other plans! This is based on some quality time in front of my amp. And english is NOT my native language...
All the technical mumbo-jumbo you can read at G&L’s website, so I won’ t bother with it… Will just like to say that this was a custom order. Body binding, quartersawn maple neck, premier finish (which gives you a swamp ash body instead of basswood), and this 3-way switch for each pickup. The bass was ordered in the beginning of June.

First impression, opening the case and picking the bass up, was WOW! This thing is just beautiful! Flat out gorgeous! Until you get to the back of the body. A top-of-the-line bass likes this, with this kind of price tag, I had expected something a bit more up-marked for control cavity covers. G&L has chosen to use 2 plastic covers, which is secured with wood screws. One of the screws on the control cavity cover was already stripped! This is easily fixed with a toothpick and some glue. But when paying over $2.000 for a bass, repairing it is not the first thing you want to do! The battery compartment also has this solution. Wonder what comes first: losing one of the tiny screws, or stripping the hole? This is simply not good enough!

Jumping to what matters, sound, WOW! is a word that still applies. Starting with the coils in series mode (which I reckon is the factory default), this thing punches you in your belly! The sound is very much like the L-series. But perhaps a bit more refined? I always felt that the L in series was a bit too much for most songs/gigs. The M, I feel, is a tad more civilized. Single coil takes you straight to J-land. And with the balance in the center, the coils are hum canceling. Very nice indeed! Parallel mode is, like series mode, known from the L series.
The big difference from the L series lies in the EQ department. The 3-band eq on the M is powerful, and quiet! The frequency of each band is centered at just the right place. Cutting the mids in series mode helps tame the sound a bit.
I think that this switch system should be standard on this bass. It makes it so much more versatile! In series mode, it’s very aggressive and powerful. Just like the L series. But just flick a switch, and you are on your way to a jazz gig(whatever rocks your boat…). I’ve read about people modifying L series with Audere 3-band preamps and so on. I have not tried them, but I can easily imagine that you will get the same sound as the M series.

I have a nice ( I think!) collection of basses (Alembic Europa 5, Alembic Elan 5, Warwick Streamer Stage II 5), but I think this can easily be my #1. If it got lost, I would order another one!

[lowfreqgeek]

I played the M-2500 in our local shop again this weekend and all I can say is that it is AWESOME! It definitely has a lot more Hi-fi sound than the L-2500, even with the EQ set flat. Lets just say that the Roscoes I played it against sounded tiny and thin and dark compared to the M-2500. "Punch in the gut" is about right. I don't doubt that these new pickups in SC mode would put it right into J-bass territory. It's definitely smoother and better behaved than my L-2500. The B-string is ENORMOUS, too. Easily as defined and tight as the 35" Roscoes I played. In many ways, it reminded me very much of my old Spector Euro5 w/EMG DCs.

Another fretted bass is not really on my agenda, but I've been toying with the idea of a custom M-2500 fretless, or better yet, trying to talk G&L into an "M-1505" fretless build. I did buy a fretless Roscoe over the weekend, but it may be going back. It's an excellent bass that nearly plays itself, but it's still not quite *right* in the tone department.

That M-2500 is the bomb, though!

[TorBass]

I think that with all the midrange on offer, it would be just perfect as a fretless. I got an MTD fretless, witch I'm kinda arguing with. When I get that midrange just right, there's no bottom end. The eq is not very helpful...

[dannybuoy]

The mod you had done - is it series/parallel for the individual coils in each humbucker (like some Musicman/Sterling basses) or for how the two pickups are wired together (like the S1 switch on a Jazz)?

Very interested in trying one of these out!

[TorBass]

Hi
These switches control how each pickup works, just like the blade switch on a Stingray 5. And by choosing the opposite coils in single coil operation (some put in a switch to select this as well), they will be hum canceling when the balance pot is set to center.
This mod really makes a big difference!

And the bass is still just perfect!

[Glazenn]

Tor,
Do you have the schematics for the mods you ordered for your M2500 ?
I just bought a M-2500 USA and I am thinking having the same done on it.
Is 'hum cancelling' the same as 'out of phase'?
Thanks - Patrick

[TorBass]

No. I don't have it. But any tech worth anything does.
Hum canceling means that when 2 pickups, or coils, are combined they will cancel any noise that's been picked up. Like on a jazz bass when you turn both pickups full on. Out of phase is something different, and something you don't want on your bass. Even though Peavey had it on their T-40... I think I paid something like $100 for the mod...

[Glazenn]

Many thanks, TOR.
Out of phase is this very typical sound with switch positions 2 and 4 on a Stratocaster (single coils with opposed polarity). It does also cancel noise.
Rgds- Patrick

[TorBass]

I don't think 2 and 4 on strat is out of phase. Brian May sign has this option. What they do is that they flip the magnet the other way (north-south), and wire them the other direction. And so they become hum canceling.
Here is an article: http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazin...atocaster.aspx

[chriss]

Thanks for bringing these to my attention. If you could get the M2500 in Blueburst I would order one. The available finishes don't really do it for me. Would be intersted to hear sound clips though.

[TorBass]

Of course you can get it in blueburst! http://www.glguitars.com/instruments.../blueburst.asp

Drop Brian at http://www.supersoundmusic.com/ a note, and he'll give an unbeatable price! Make sure you get the switches....

[chriss]

I'm sorry. I wasn't clear. I would only be interested in the Tribute model. Not that the USA models aren't nice , it's a budget thing.

[Bass Logic]

Hey everyone. I'm hoping some of the experts might be able to help me out.
I just picked up a Tribute M2500 and want to add the coil switch mod. It's a great bass so far. (Holy Huge Tone Batman!)
I would really like to see how the tone opens up with the parallel and single coil options.
I've looked up the wiring diagrams available online, but see that the MFD pickups shown have 4 wires. My bass only has 3 wires coming from each pickup.
These are white, black, green.
Is it possible that I can't perform this mod?
Any help would be so greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[TorBass]

I'll take photo of the cavity of mine, so you can see. The pickups in your tribby should be the same as in the us version. I guess they have common ground. Can make a wiring schematics from mine as well.

[Bass Logic]

A picture of your control cavity would help so much!
Thank you.
Here's what mine looks like, as it is.
Currently, the whites go to the blend pot, and the green and black are together, grounded to the side of the blend pot.

In regard to the bass itself, I have to say, the B string is really tight. It's much better than I thought it would be. I think it's right up there with my Laklands, and the fretwork is spot on.
I am very happy.

I'm really digging the thick tone, but the potential options have really caught my interest.

[TorBass]

Here are links to some photos (taken with a cellphone while preparing dinner...)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ndmg01lmk1...2017.30.39.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/apv99aaxbt...2018.04.56.jpg

Hope this helps!