G&L Club Part 3

[edmidlifecrisis]

Greetings. I have on loan a recent Tribute L-2000 in natural finish. I am not giving it back. It belongs to some friends who bought it for their boys to play but the boys never played it. I am really attached to it now and intend to buy it from them. A keeper!! I had never played a G&L before.

 

[chuck3]

I don't own a G&L, but I played a vintage (1991) fretless over the weekend. It's pretty awesome. If I can sell one of my other basses, I'll buy it.

Did I say it's pretty awesome? A very nice fretless, has that very easy to play jazz-type neck.

 

[GregC]

Thanks, folks! I really appreciate the help. Also, many thanks to Rebmo, who PM'd me a lengthy and informative response as well. You've all given me a lot to ponder.

Well Greg if you are a P-bass guy you will love the L-1000. It is like a P-bass but much more powerful, with a huge bottom end. It also has the coil-splitter switch with three settings, humbucking/single-coil/bass boost (so-called OMG! mode), and passive bass-cut and treble-cut instead of a tone knob. Very versatile for a one-pickup bass.



I have read that Maple was used as well but those are rare. Maple was usually reserved for the lower-end SB-1 and SB-2 basses.



Rosewood was used too. Most L-1000 necks are 1 11/16" at the nut and are very flat with a tight radius (7.5?). These are a favorite of many players. Probably some went out with 1 5/8" or 1 3/4" as well. All necks had a skunk stripe up to around '83 I think, when they started using the bi-cut neck:

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Only the 1981 basses have slotted pole pieces, so yes they are kind of rare. They change the sound slightly depending on how you line up the slot. To my ears they have more harmonic content than other G&L pickups, but I only have three basses to judge with and my slot-pole is ash/maple so it might just be the wood combo.

I've also seen poplar bodies from the 80s, usually on solid colors.

I had a Dec 1982 L-2000 with slot pole pickups, so they weren't just 1981.

 

[fretno]

I've also seen poplar bodies from the 80s, usually on solid colors.

I had a Dec 1982 L-2000 with slot pole pickups, so they weren't just 1981.

Weren't they using Agathis as well ?

 

[Chef]

Dec 82? Man, that's a long way away from 1981?
That makes me think that an extra set were found laying around the factory, or, they were replaced at some point...Were the pup cavities or pickups dated?

 

[SJLee]

I had slot pole PU's on my '82 as well. At least according to the serial number it was an 82.

 

[JohnnyGuest]

Sorry for starting this topic in the middle of a thread...is there a good way to do it?

I've been thinking, "Gosh, a 5 string P bass would be perfect for the band I'm in..." so I tried a TRB1005...great bass, but not the tone. So, back to my El Toro. "But wait!" said me, to me, that neck pick up was always kinda fat and big on the bottom...

So, during a lesson the other day, I A/B'd a student's P against the neck pick up. To my surprise, it was really close in tone. The El Toro is more mid-rangey, but it's my new favorite tone!

Now for the question: How different are the normal sized humbers in tone, compared to my trusty El Toro, skinny-buckers?

Thanks to all the knowledgeable folks on here!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Sorry for starting this topic in the middle of a thread...is there a good way to do it?

I've been thinking, "Gosh, a 5 string P bass would be perfect for the band I'm in..." so I tried a TRB1005...great bass, but not the tone. So, back to my El Toro. "But wait!" said me, to me, that neck pick up was always kinda fat and big on the bottom...

So, during a lesson the other day, I A/B'd a student's P against the neck pick up. To my surprise, it was really close in tone. The El Toro is more mid-rangey, but it's my new favorite tone!

Now for the question: How different are the normal sized humbers in tone, compared to my trusty El Toro, skinny-buckers?

Thanks to all the knowledgeable folks on here!

I can't really comment on the El Toro, but I can say that my L2500 with the neck pickup in single-coil mode (neck coil favored), it sounds VERY "P-bass". It compares very favorably to my custom P-bass w/Nordstrand pickup. It's got the same hollow, pillowy, but clear and articulate tone.

Series mode is also very "Pbass", but it is lacking the same articulate highs that my Nordstrand P pickup has. It sounds more like my P with the tone rolled back a bit. Parallel mode definitely has some of the same character, but the mids are more scooped and the highs are more "hyped". To me, single-coil is the most natural sound.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[JohnnyGuest]

Thanks for the input! My impression of my friends L2000 is that it's a bit thicker tone than the El Toro pup. But, I have yet to AB them. That should be an interesting test!

I compared my neck pup to that of a Yamaha 614. that's a sort of hot rodded P pup, very warm and round. They were surprisingly similar, but again the El Toro had more midrange and high end. I normally play with the highs rolled back to get as close as I can to that well rounded P tone.

Can any El Toro owners compare the neck pup to various P basses?

Ok, I'd really love to hear how the L5000 tone compares That's the bass I'm supremely GASin over!

 

[JohnnyGuest]

Helmet - Milquetoast - YouTube!

Helmut! I think the bassist is from Anthrax, but I could be remembering incorrectly. At least he's got a sweet bass! By far better tone than what the guitarists were getting back then....

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Anyone have a fretless L2x00 with the single-coil mode?

I'm contemplating swapping necks on my 2 L2500s just to see how I like the single-coil mode on a fretless. I use it often on the fretted, but I usually use the bridge pickup in series on the fretless.

I can't decide if I want to make similar modifications to my fretless L2500 as my fretted with independent coil switching and a different preamp. Swapping necks will give me a taste...

 

[JohnnyGuest]

Wow, LFG. You don't mess around! I'd have to imagine you'd be close to that Jaco sound, with the above configuration. Neato!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Wow, LFG. You don't mess around! I'd have to imagine you'd be close to that Jaco sound, with the above configuration. Neato!

Yeah, it's a bad habit, for sure!

Here's the fretted right now - EMG BTC preamp (stacked bass/treble), independent volume controls and series/parallel/SC switching for each pickup.

Here's the fretless along with it, before the addition of the preamp to the fretted (all passive):

As for "Jaco", the tone is definitely burby. It lacks a little upper-mid clarity, though I expect that to be fixed somewhat with the SC mod. I also don't care for the strings currently on it - Dunlop Nickels. I like Nickel the first week or so, but they change after that. They're still somewhat snappy-ish, but they are too scooped for my taste, at least every nickel set I've tried is that way. My TI Superalloys were REALLY nice, though - and for a LONG time. I think the SC mod will get me what I'm after, which really isn't "Jaco", but more brightness than Series-mode has.

The only other mod I'm considering is an Epoxy-coated board. We'll cross that bridge after the other modifications, though.

 

[JohnnyGuest]

Wow, very nice basses there! I'd love to hear some samples when you get them all done. Good luck!

 

[Mastermold]

I've not seen binding like that on G&L neck before. Looks cool.

 

[fretno]

got a new strap for her and did my first recording with it , Several tracks of SB-1 blended , 1 direct , 1 SVX & 1 BDDI .
SoundClick artist: Fretless Jamz - page with MP3 music downloads

 

[Slaphound]

I love that finish Fretno

 

[jfh2424]

Yeah, it's a bad habit, for sure!

Here's the fretted right now - EMG BTC preamp (stacked bass/treble), independent volume controls and series/parallel/SC switching for each pickup.

Here's the fretless along with it, before the addition of the preamp to the fretted (all passive):

As for "Jaco", the tone is definitely burby. It lacks a little upper-mid clarity, though I expect that to be fixed somewhat with the SC mod. I also don't care for the strings currently on it - Dunlop Nickels. I like Nickel the first week or so, but they change after that. They're still somewhat snappy-ish, but they are too scooped for my taste, at least every nickel set I've tried is that way. My TI Superalloys were REALLY nice, though - and for a LONG time. I think the SC mod will get me what I'm after, which really isn't "Jaco", but more brightness than Series-mode has.

The only other mod I'm considering is an Epoxy-coated board. We'll cross that bridge after the other modifications, though.

Hi, I have an L2000 fretless. I epoxied the board and got the single coil mod done. Contrary to almost everyone else on this board, I wasn't a fan of the single coil mod. In my opinion, it really thins the sound out. I can see it being useful for some people in some situations, but it isn't for me. I found that I could get a pretty good Jaco tone from the bridge pickup, series, passive, DR Low Riders. But like I said, that's me.

Plus, I like big bottom. I am willing to sacrifice some clarity for making the bass sound like a bottom dwelling creature. Not everyone is into that.

The epoxy, however, is another story. My experience is that it really does increase the mwhaaa factor. It is a mod that will have an impact, no doubt about it. It is also something that is about impossible to change once it is done, so be sure that this is what you want. The feel, the tone, everything changes about the instrument once you do this, but if you are considering it, you probably know all this already.

Personally, I would do it again. But that's me and all that other stuff.

For those wondering, I think it is quite possible to get close to the Jaco thing with an epoxied L2000. Not 100%, but in the neighborhood. Plus, an epoxied L2000 will allow you to do a whole bunch of stuff that Jaco's bass couldn't, in my opinion. Not to knock the master or his tone in any way, but I am really happy with my fretless. The L2000's versatility is even more useful in the fretless package, in my opinion, because a fretless bass is really called upon to do a whole bunch of stuff. And in the hands of someone who knows how to play the instrument and the tonal variations it provides, I think the fretless L2000 can really deliver whatever you need.

John

 

[fretno]

I love that finish Fretno

Thank you Youngspanion ! Such a classic color , I bet it would look nice with a White or Gold pickguard too

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Hi, I have an L2000 fretless. I epoxied the board and got the single coil mod done. Contrary to almost everyone else on this board, I wasn't a fan of the single coil mod. In my opinion, it really thins the sound out. I can see it being useful for some people in some situations, but it isn't for me. I found that I could get a pretty good Jaco tone from the bridge pickup, series, passive, DR Low Riders. But like I said, that's me.

Plus, I like big bottom. I am willing to sacrifice some clarity for making the bass sound like a bottom dwelling creature. Not everyone is into that.

The epoxy, however, is another story. My experience is that it really does increase the mwhaaa factor. It is a mod that will have an impact, no doubt about it. It is also something that is about impossible to change once it is done, so be sure that this is what you want. The feel, the tone, everything changes about the instrument once you do this, but if you are considering it, you probably know all this already.

Personally, I would do it again. But that's me and all that other stuff.

For those wondering, I think it is quite possible to get close to the Jaco thing with an epoxied L2000. Not 100%, but in the neighborhood. Plus, an epoxied L2000 will allow you to do a whole bunch of stuff that Jaco's bass couldn't, in my opinion. Not to knock the master or his tone in any way, but I am really happy with my fretless. The L2000's versatility is even more useful in the fretless package, in my opinion, because a fretless bass is really called upon to do a whole bunch of stuff. And in the hands of someone who knows how to play the instrument and the tonal variations it provides, I think the fretless L2000 can really deliver whatever you need.

John

I have found single coil to be very useful in a lot of situations I'm in. However, I like a very clear, almost "Alembic" like sound, and prefer single coils in general (or a split coil). On my fretted bass, I can solo the neck-most coil for the ultimate P-bass tone; thick, meaty, and still crystal clear. Roll in the bridge-most coil and you have a killer slap tone!

I actually have a duo gig with a mandolin tonight and I'll be using the fretted bass strung E-C with the neck coil soloed; parallel sounds to "modern", and series is too aggressive for the delicate mandolin. I guess SC is a way to tame the bass and make it usable for very delicate music (jazz, folk, etc). Then when I play a rock gig, I can kick on the afterburners!

As for the fretless, the tone I'm really going for is a lot more Mark Egan than Jaco. I'm also a huge fan of Jimmy Johnson's fretless Alembics w/graphite necks and phenolic boards, as well as Zon's graphite/phenolic necks. Jaco is great, but I've never had much desire to emulate him or his tone. However, his tone on Pat Methany's Bright Size Life is probably a little closer to my taste. Another tone I love is Christian McBride's. There are several, in fact, who's common element is an epoxy coated or phenolic board, so I really think that's the element missing from my current stable of fretless basses (3 right now - all very different).

Last night I played a rock gig with my fretless. I had been using a Spector Euro before, but I decided to start using the fretless L2500 - despite being a fairly heavy band with a lot of intricate parts. I kept it in series mode the whole time and often toward the bridge. FAR FAR FAR from anything "jaco" or "Egan" or "McBride". There were quite a few musicians, plus the pro sound guy, who complimented my tone for being very well defined and clear.

Overall, I really love my fretless (and fretted) L2500, but there's still a few things that might get me a bit closer to my ideal bass. Unfortunately, I'll never get a neck-through, 24-fret, 6 string G&L... Would sure be sweet!