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G&L Club Part 2

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#923
Chef said:
Why not make it standard?
The addition of the single coil mode makes it a much more flexible instrument, I think.
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I agree entirely. We just need to be mindful that G&L doesn't make changes quickly. On the core instruments, L-2000 basses and ASAT guitars (and their kin) Leo's Legacy is very much in effect. G&L is the steward of that and they take that stewardship to heart.

I don't see the logic in having it "a secret option."
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Secret might not be quite the correct term. If it was truly secret, then only those "in the know" or with the proper contacts could get it. In the case of this particular option, the reps just don't (or didn't) know about it. I don't know why and I won't speculate. It's not the first time and it won't be the last.

Ken...
 
#925
I totally agree that G&L don't make changes quickly;)

But, the original L2000's had a single coil mode, so, it really is in keeping with "all things Leo" to incorporate that. L1000's always had a three way coil tap, though it's coil switching and current "K" mode aren't the same...
 
#927
Chef said:
What year and model is your bass?
It will help put my answer in context....
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My USA L2K fretted is a 93. My USA L2K fretless and Tribby L2K I'm not sure of. (I'm away from home a few more weeks.)

I'm mostly curious as to what makes you prefer the K mod to the usual series/parallel. Sorry if I've missed it in an earlier post.

As usual, thanks for your insight!
 
#928
BadJazz said:
My USA L2K fretted is a 93. My USA L2K fretless and Tribby L2K I'm not sure of. (I'm away from home a few more weeks.)

I'm mostly curious as to what makes you prefer the K mod to the usual series/parallel. Sorry if I've missed it in an earlier post.

As usual, thanks for your insight!
Click to expand...

Speaking for ALL of us with the "K" mod (or similar single coil mod), it's the TONE that makes us prefer it!

Seriously, single coil basically gets back all the mid-range that's cut with parallel wiring, AND it gives back all the top end that's cut with series wiring. Sometimes those muted highs or that mid-dip is desirable, but not always. Single coil mode just speaks crisp and clear in every register, with a very "natural" tone devoid of phase cancellations or peaking resonance.

Highly recommended.
 
#929
BadJazz said:
My USA L2K fretted is a 93. My USA L2K fretless and Tribby L2K I'm not sure of. (I'm away from home a few more weeks.)

I'm mostly curious as to what makes you prefer the K mod to the usual series/parallel. Sorry if I've missed it in an earlier post.

As usual, thanks for your insight!
Click to expand...

The single coil modification, or the factory "K" option, (they are different) provides single coil mode on the outer coils.

Ken...
 
#930
lowfreqgeek said:
Speaking for ALL of us with the "K" mod (or similar single coil mod), it's the TONE that makes us prefer it!

Seriously, single coil basically gets back all the mid-range that's cut with parallel wiring, AND it gives back all the top end that's cut with series wiring. Sometimes those muted highs or that mid-dip is desirable, but not always. Single coil mode just speaks crisp and clear in every register, with a very "natural" tone devoid of phase cancellations or peaking resonance.

Highly recommended.
Click to expand...

AND...

It retains that classic MFD ceramic wooliness that makes those big soapbars so wonderful in the first place.

Ken...
 
#931
lowfreqgeek said:
Speaking for ALL of us with the "K" mod (or similar single coil mod), it's the TONE that makes us prefer it!

Seriously, single coil basically gets back all the mid-range that's cut with parallel wiring, AND it gives back all the top end that's cut with series wiring. Sometimes those muted highs or that mid-dip is desirable, but not always. Single coil mode just speaks crisp and clear in every register, with a very "natural" tone devoid of phase cancellations or peaking resonance.

Highly recommended.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I'd love to try a modded model, but I'm not about to DIY it. I love my L2Ks way too much to threaten them with a soldering iron. That and I have no complaints about the tones I get.

Thanks for your output.

/get it?
 
#932
Ken Baker said:
If you want to be certain of warranty coverage, don't mod. If this bass is newer and has a CNC neck (not bi-cut), the chance of a neck issue is slim unless the instrument is abused.
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The neck on this bass has already been replaced once, under warranty, in 2009. I can't be positive if it's a CNC neck or not, also it's a 3- bolt neck.

Ken Baker said:
Know what you're doing here. This will not be a dead-quiet circuit. Either pickup in single coil with the other humbucking will generate SC noise. As noted in the circuit description, the .1mfd caps on the coil select switches disrupt the hum-canceling balance of the coils and cause each pickup to be less than humbucking, even in series of parallel modes.
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How much noise can I expect? Similar to running my previous L2000K with one pickup soloed in single-coil mode? Does that make it totally undesirable? If so, wouldn't it just be better to add the single-coil option, keeping the preamp and standard control layout?

Ken Baker said:
I know that diagram.

Be sure to read the page you found it on. Also be sure to get the PDF, which looks better when printed.

Ken...
Click to expand...

I did, printed the document, and discussed it with my luthier, who is going to do the work. He said that it would all be possible, and he'd call me with any questions. I might contact him on Monday just to be sure that the 1M reverse-taper pot is indeed sourced by G&L (or is that the pot that should already be in there?)

I'm not an electrician, nor do I aspire to be one, I just know that these options are appealing, and if they can be achieved and sound good then I'd like to give it a try.
 
#934
kai_ski said:
The neck on this bass has already been replaced once, under warranty, in 2009. I can't be positive if it's a CNC neck or not, also it's a 3- bolt neck.
Click to expand...

2009 - it's CNC.

How much noise can I expect? Similar to running my previous L2000K with one pickup soloed in single-coil mode? Does that make it totally undesirable? If so, wouldn't it just be better to add the single-coil option, keeping the preamp and standard control layout?
Click to expand...

With the .1mfd caps in place it'll be about the same as the "K" when in single coil mode. You'll pick up some noise in one of the humbucking modes (series, I think) because, as I mentioned above, the caps disrupt the noise canceling. If you want humbucking to be as silent as you would expect from a modern G&L, do not install the caps.

I did, printed the document, and discussed it with my luthier, who is going to do the work. He said that it would all be possible, and he'd call me with any questions. I might contact him on Monday just to be sure that the 1M reverse-taper pot is indeed sourced by G&L (or is that the pot that should already be in there?)
Click to expand...

the 1M reverse audio taper pots are sourced through G&L. It is the pot that's already in use in the stock circuit, so use it if it's in good shape.

The only parts your luthier might have to buy would be the coil switches and a new mono jack. Everything else is there already. Point him to http://bassesbyleo.com for G&L specific procedures and parts info.

I'm not an electrician, nor do I aspire to be one, I just know that these options are appealing, and if they can be achieved and sound good then I'd like to give it a try.
Click to expand...

It's a good mod to do. G&L basses hold their own remarkably well when completely passive. A look at the bottom of the page will show the circuit that's in my L-2500 right now. Passive mode here (it is an active bass) is volume only and it jst mow down everything in sight.

Ken...
 
#937
If you like series, I can see why you wouldn't like single coil.

However, that doesn't mean you'd *have to use it* if it were a standard coil tap ability. I very seldom use series, but you don't see me complaining that it's there...;)

"Choice to the people!"

jfh2424 said:
Just to register another opinion, this time negative: I did the single coil mods on two of my L2000s. One was done with the inner and the other with outer. I was not impressed. But then again, I love the big bottom of series.

It sounded good, but it lost the definitive tonal bottom for which I love L2000s. But to each his own.

John
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#938
Just had my new JB out for its first gig last night. Awesome. Sounded great and looked great. While the crowd was really low energy (some kind of dinner party), the acoustics were great and we sounded good. Had several folks come up and check it out and ask, "What kind of bass is that?". So pleased with my purchase. G&L rules.
 
#939
strost said:
Just had my new JB out for its first gig last night. Awesome. Sounded great and looked great. While the crowd was really low energy (some kind of dinner party), the acoustics were great and we sounded good. Had several folks come up and check it out and ask, "What kind of bass is that?". So pleased with my purchase. G&L rules.
Click to expand...

G&L does Rule!!!

Now you gotta post some pics of the JB.
 
#940
Could really use some advice with this one...

I'm getting buzzing on E-string 6th and 8th frets. Seems to be behind the point where I'm pressing down (towards the head). Does this indicate too much neck relief?

What the heck is the string doing buzzing behind where I'm pressing it anyway?
 
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