Anybody played one of the new G&L/CLF Research L-1000 reissues?

[marqueemoon]

This looks like the ideal bass for me, provided the neck is reasonably chunky and it balances well on a strap. The old school headstock, output jack on the control plate, and 6 bolt neck joint are all big plusses in my book.

I've tried a good number of Stingrays, but the active electronics and pickup position don't really do it for me. Seems like a good way to get a similar vibe, but tilted more in the P-Bass direction.

Vintage L-1000s are still pretty affordable, but I've heard they can be pretty heavy, which is my main reservation.

So, who's tried one? Thoughts?

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[Beachman]

I received my new CLF L-1000 about a month ago. I love the feel of it in my hands compared to my G&L M-2000. (Although my M2K probably needs a professional setup.)

I put GHS Pressurewounds on the L-1000 and instantly fell in love with the sound. I haven’t played outside the home though and haven’t played Stingrays (so I cannot help with that comparison.) But my wife loves the tone of the L-1000 (with pressurewounds) which is good enough for me. She especially loves OMG mode

I’ll attach a couple pics since I haven’t posted any yet. I don’t have a great photo with full sunlight unfortunately.

have fun on the search!

edit: 8.4 lbs (with strap) on bathroom scale. The spec sheet lists “Alder” as wood type. I was expecting Basswood, but perhaps they list that as Alder.

 

[Robert B]

I dig the figuring on that fingerboard!

 

[marqueemoon]

That looks great!

I’ve heard vintage L-1000s can be considerably heavier. 8.4 seems quite reasonable, though I assume the ash would be a bit weightier.

Based on your string choice I think we have similar taste in sounds. I want something with a little more bite than my P, but that still has the woody fullness of a “sweet spot” pickup.

I think I need to start saving my pennies.

 

[lildrgn]

I got a gold one in Feb and it is fantastic. I mainly played a SB2 for the last 11 years or so, with a J neck. It took me a bit to get accustomed to the wider neck of the L1K, but I just can't keep myself from playing it.

If it wasn't for the Pharaoh Gold, I probably would've went with the tobacco/rosewood. So gorgeous!

It's a beautiful bass and I fell in love with it for much the same reasons you did: 6 bolt neck, chrome control plate, red tipped pickup switch. Love this bass.

And it looks fab on stage.

Take a listen here:

 

[Evanforbass]

hello everyone. I'm curious if you find that the CLF L-1000 gets into Stingray-ish sonic territory? I've watched some demos and it seems like it can kinda move between beefed up Pbass to slightly stingray humbucker kinda growl. Thoughts? I really like the stingray sound in some settings, and really don't in others haha

Also, cheers Stereo Embers! cool song and way to work the stage

 

[Joe Perry]

I got a gold one in Feb and it is fantastic. I mainly played a SB2 for the last 11 years or so, with a J neck. It took me a bit to get accustomed to the wider neck of the L1K, but I just can't keep myself from playing it.

If it wasn't for the Pharaoh Gold, I probably would've went with the tobacco/rosewood. So gorgeous!

It's a beautiful bass and I fell in love with it for much the same reasons you did: 6 bolt neck, chrome control plate, red tipped pickup switch. Love this bass.

And it looks fab on stage.

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Take a listen here:

I know this is an old post but as for the wider necks , is it a thick wide neck as a newest style geddy lee usa jazz bass? I think the geddy lee's are a "thick C style" and the G&L are 'wide flat? thanks

 

[Spupilup]

The CLF L1000 neck is a little bit wider than a Jazz (1 5/8th inches vs. 1 1/2 inches. The thickness of the neck on the L1000 is pretty slim. G&L call it a Slim C profile with .800” depth at the first fret and .900” at the twelfth fret.

My Pharaoh Gold bass weighs just a tad over 8 pounds (8.2 lbs. on my digital postal scale and it’s definitely basswood. The small dents I’ve put in it over the last year or so confirm that for me. Damn if basswood isn’t one of the softest woods used for making instruments!

I bought an L1000 new back in 1980 when I was in college. It was a transparent electric blue with incredible grain and what I seem to recall was an ebony neck. That’s one instrument I’m sorry I let go of. I can’t comment on the weight because, at the age of 20, that just didn’t concern me. I had a Ric 4001 back then, too and I’m sure it weighed a ton but that’s just not something I thought about.

I should also mention I have TI Jazz Flats on the L1000. I use a variety of rounds on my L2000.

 

[Spupilup]

Another spec for these necks. The radius is 9 1/2.” I would assume that’s what the Geddy Lee is, as well.

 

[Joe Perry]

Another spec for these necks. The radius is 9 1/2.” I would assume that’s what the Geddy Lee is, as well.

yeah I bought a brand new signature Fender Geddy Lee usa bass back in 2017 and played all but three or four times and put it back in it's case and it has sat there all these years in its case. it's in 99.999% mint condition as I play mostly my Ric 4003 and fender american standard P bass.....I totally love the cool growl that geddy Lee has but I just don't like the thick "C" necks. one day I will sell it soon it's in pristine condition/no scratches or dents/bangs.

 

[Spupilup]

While I haven't played the Geddy Lee version, I've always been a little put off by the 1 1/2" width of the neck on most Jazz basses. It's weird but the 1 5/8" width is just about as narrow as I can go and still have it feel comfortable. It's been many years since I played a Jazz, maybe it's time I pick one up to see how it feels. The last time I played one was probably in the early 1980's!!!

 

[Steven Ignelzi]

I bought a CLF L-1000 (burst finish), had it set up by Sweetwater with LaBella 760 flats. It does work in the P-bass vibe this way. It seems pretty mid - forward, I tend to EQ a lot of mid and high out (even though these flats are pretty dead, still too much mid); the neck is a tad heavy, OK on strap. Mine is only 7.5 pounds (I love that)!

I have't tried it with round wounds yet, I may; the flats are pretty severely old school, pretty good with vocal cover band that I play with; great for country, folk, old school rock. Not too good with Santana cover band that I play with (even though the early Santana had P bass and flats, hmmmm - my old SB-2 with rounds does much better with loud percussionists)...

I may try the L-1000 with rounds and put something mellower (tapes or flats) on the old G&L, maybe, (although the old G&L SB-2 seems to great with DR Fat Beams or even Low Riders).

I am, overall, very happy with CLF! Oh! BTW - fairly thin modern neck; fells pretty good and has effective truss rod, deals well with fairly heavy flats - high tension...

 

[Chicken Wing]

In single coil and OMG mode, to me it leans more towards P bass territory with a wider overall frequency range (more highs, more lows). The bass knob can really pull the lows back and get it more middy. In parallel mode, it is like a Stingray + Precision combo, it's a usable tone but not for me in most settings.

 

[mpdd]

I played a 5 string awhile back and based on the weight and price I’m assuming it was a special order. No exaggeration it was probably the lightest and smoothest playing G&L I’ve ever encountered.;