G&L Club Part 7

[dedpool1052]

NBD US Kiloton. Finally hearing the MFD humbucker, and it's really great sounding!
As I expected, I love the position of it, right where I pluck the strings.
I still need to A/B it with my Wunkay alnico hb pickup to get an idea how they differ in sound.
It seems a bit more crystal clear in the high frequencies,maybe not quite as warm sounding as the 1k.
To be honest, I was almost afraid it might be too brazen, but I quite like it with the volume and tone controls full up.
Speaking of which, I took the pickguard off to see what's under there. (and also to get the pickguard #).
The volume control is a full size CTS pot, but the tone pot is a smaller one, not sure of the manufacture.
It has the smaller shaft, which seems of Asian origin. Is that normal/OEM?
I'm not digging the tort on this rather green tinted tobacco burst,and was thinking of ordering a black one from Chandler/Pickguard Heaven, but there's no model number on the back of the pickguard.
Their website says they stopped being GL's supplier the same year my bass was made.
Does anyone know if the pickguard changed at all after 2016? Or where else to look for one?
I actually really love the look of it without the pg.(see pic). The burst is gorgeous.
But, with the screw holes already in the body, replacing it seems my best option.
Oh, loving the feel of the body and neck! VERY comfortable strapped on!
I've had 4 different neck sizes in my GL's, and I think this one may be my favorite. (1.5" nut/9.5" radius)
View attachment 4480990 View attachment 4480992 View attachment 4480993

Finally!
How do you like it in SCM compared to your go-to Ric 4000?

 

[dedpool1052]

but the tone pot is a smaller one, not sure of the manufacture.

Looks like Alpha.

 

[metron]

The volume control is a full size CTS pot, but the tone pot is a smaller one, not sure of the manufacture.
It has the smaller shaft, which seems of Asian origin. Is that normal/OEM?

Nice Kilo! I dont have experience with that bass, but the same mini pot was OEM on my SB2T for the tone control though I recall it being solid shaft. Ive also seen the soft brass sleeve over splines as OEM for the bass control on my 2018 L2000. No comment on its effectiveness though.

 

[woodyng2]

Finally!
How do you like it in SCM compared to your go-to Ric 4000?

Well, Nothing else sounds like my 4000!
But, I think the Kiloton sounds fuller than the Rick.

 

[woodyng2]

Nice Kilo! I dont have experience with that bass, but the same mini pot was OEM on my SB2T for the tone control though I recall it being solid shaft. Ive also seen the soft brass sleeve over splines as OEM for the bass control on my 2018 L2000. No comment on its effectiveness though.

Thanks! I've already swapped the GL cheesegrater knobs for a pair of Rickenbacker chrome ones.
I noticed the 2 pots have a very different linear feel turning them.

 

[dedpool1052]

But, I think the Kiloton sounds fuller than the Rick.

Yup.
I would never describe the Kiloton as sounding "thin", regardless of pickup setting.
Definitely full and present.

 

[jglunt]

NBD US Kiloton. I'm not digging the tort on this rather green tinted tobacco burst,and was thinking of ordering a black one from Chandler/Pickguard Heaven, but there's no model number on the back of the pickguard. Their website says they stopped being GL's supplier the same year my bass was made. Does anyone know if the pickguard changed at all after 2016? Or where else to look for one.

I ordered this "Aged White Pearl" pickguard from them for my 2018 USA Kiloton and it fit perfectly. The number was 6060, then whatever number they list for the color you choose.

 

[richwag]

Nice work! I enjoyed that

I personally dont think the L2x sounds anything like a P, J or Ray but it certainly covers all that sonic territory with its own great sounds.

I agree. An L2000 is its own beast. That's what makes it such a great addition for most anyone.

 

[friend33]

I still need to A/B it with my Wunkay alnico hb pickup to get an idea how they differ in sound.

I was under the (false?) impression that all MFD's were ceramic.

Were/are they different for certain models/years?

 

[richwag]

I was under the (false?) impression that all MFD's were ceramic.

Were/are they different for certain models/years?

MFDs are. But there were some Alnicos used in L1Ks and 2Ks (maybe).

You can look at them and tell too. No adjustable pole pieces on the Alnicos.

 

[woodyng2]

I was under the (false?) impression that all MFD's were ceramic.

Were/are they different for certain models/years?

You're correct. My L-1000 came factory equipped with an alnico humbucker instead of an MFD.
The pickup shape is the same. I think GL only did that for a short time.

 

[woodyng2]

I ordered this "Aged White Pearl" pickguard from them for my 2018 USA Kiloton and it fit perfectly. The number was 6060, then whatever number they list for the color you choose.View attachment 4481084

Thanks for that info. I sent a request in to them, along with a pic of my bass/pickguard.
By the way, that's a beautiful combination you got there!
Edit:and your pickguard looks like it has the screws in the same place as mine.

 

[Jim C]

NBD US Kiloton. Finally hearing the MFD humbucker, and it's really great sounding!
View attachment 4480992 View attachment 4480993

They use a brass sleeve for round knobs on a split shaft pot on a $1,500 bass?
Guess it was too big a deal to order either the correct part or a custom pot...

 

[Spidey2112]

You're correct. My L-1000 came factory equipped with an alnico humbucker instead of an MFD.
The pickup shape is the same. I think GL only did that for a short time.
View attachment 4481179

Gumby!

 

[jglunt]

Thanks for that info. I sent a request in to them, along with a pic of my bass/pickguard.
By the way, that's a beautiful combination you got there!
Edit:and your pickguard looks like it has the screws in the same place as mine.

Thanks. When I bought it used last year, it had a black pickguard on it that was badly scratched up for some reason. I didn't care for the black on that metallic emerald green, and I didn't like the scratches on top of that, so I ordered that aged pearl. It came out looking exactly like I imagined it in my mind. Another possibility is to contact G&L and see about ordering a black pickguard. My understanding (though I'm not sure of this) is that G&L makes their own pickguards these days.

 

[LoveThatBass]

That is a beautiful bass! Is that a USA model? Or tribute? Mine is a tribute but it has the same hardware and pickups as the USA model. That is one of the cool things about the G&L vs. Other brands. They (Fender Standard and others) do not use the same pickups as the USA American models. The more I think of it the better your new setup with a Master Volume and a concentric dual pot for the two pickups seperate volumes sound good. I have the components already. Just wasn't sure whether to leave well enough alone or go with Concentric Dual pots for volumes and a no load tone pot. Now you through a "wrench" into the works giving another possibility. I will probably stew on it a few more days to determine the best avenue for me to go. Then again I may wake up tomorrow and do something. Just not sure yet. Thing is the inneraction between the two pickup's volume pots doesn't quite give me enough "tone" control for these rounds that it came with. I love the tone but hate the string noise, fret clack, excetera. I will probably put a new set of TI Jazz Flats on it and play it some before deciding.

Ok, I put a new set of TI-Jazz Flats on my SB-2. Intonated and tuned. So far expecially with these strings I am going to hold off for now. I have the pots and knobs if I ever decide to I can add either a Master volume along with stacked pots for VV (for pickups), VV and T, or two stacked pots for Master Volume/Tone and VV for pickups. Haven't a clue if I will ever do this or when I will do it but going to play my bass as is for a while and see how I aclimate to it. Still loving it!

 

[LoveThatBass]

Ok, this is weird. I just figured out my new bass was made on my 41st wedding anniversary *This Year, Month and Day*

 

[jglunt]

Ok, this is weird. I just figured out my new bass was made on my 41st wedding anniversary *This Year, Month and Day*

I would bet that nobody on the entire TB forum can say they own a bass like that! Congrats!

 

[woodyng2]

Thanks. When I bought it used last year, it had a black pickguard on it that was badly scratched up for some reason. I didn't care for the black on that metallic emerald green, and I didn't like the scratches on top of that, so I ordered that aged pearl. It came out looking exactly like I imagined it in my mind. Another possibility is to contact G&L and see about ordering a black pickguard. My understanding (though I'm not sure of this) is that G&L makes their own pickguards these days.

I've been looking at several different color options,but i think I'm going to just go with black. The tint of the tobacco sunburst seems like it might be hard to find a color combo that will work for me.
I did check on GL's website, and they have pickguards for US guitars made 2016 and later.
Chandler has a black/cream/black 3 ply that looks nice, but they also have a plain black plexi that would likely be more scratch resistant, plus it's even a bit thicker than the 3 ply.
So, even with boring old black, I need to make a decision.

 

[jglunt]

I've been looking at several different color options,but i think I'm going to just go with black. The tint of the tobacco sunburst seems like it might be hard to find a color combo that will work for me.
I did check on GL's website, and they have pickguards for US guitars made 2016 and later.
Chandler has a black/cream/black 3 ply that looks nice, but they also have a plain black plexi that would likely be more scratch resistant, plus it's even a bit thicker than the 3 ply.
So, even with boring old black, I need to make a decision.

Ain't nothin' ever easy.