G&L Club Part 7

[Iridescentone]

I'm wondering if they suit other G&L models - anyone tried them?

I had the FM's on a JB-2, sounded wonderful. Currently have the FL's on another JB-2, more wonderfulness. Had them on an L-1000, much wonderfulness there, too.

One day I may step up to the 110 originals for the biggest sound. But if they're as tense as the 110 Roto 77's I'll probably regret it.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

The Pharaoh Gold SB-1 is now past UK customs and is now negotiating the twin obstacles of the winding country lanes that constitute our infrastructure and our 2½ day long weekend, which started 30 minutes ago.

Still, it's near, and it hasn't been mysteriously misdirected at an airport, which makes a pleasant change. And I'm enjoying this moment of final anticipation, enjoying wondering about the various ways me and this bass might get on.

Will I find it an essentially lively, perky instrument that also has enough warm to keep the sound satisfying? Or will I find it a warm, rich instrument that also has enough responsiveness to keep the sound fresh?

Or to put it another way, what will I find myself needing to complement it — a P with flats, or a 'Ray with rounds? I'm going to enjoy finding out over the next few months.

 

[Ian774]

Would you mind sharing with me -in PM- what percentage you have had to pay customs/tax-wise? So that I know what to expect when mine comes in a few months…. Cheers

 

[gunai]

The Pharaoh Gold SB-1 is now past UK customs and is now negotiating the twin obstacles of the winding country lanes that constitute our infrastructure and our 2½ day long weekend, which started 30 minutes ago.

Still, it's near, and it hasn't been mysteriously misdirected at an airport, which makes a pleasant change. And I'm enjoying this moment of final anticipation, enjoying wondering about the various ways me and this bass might get on.

Will I find it an essentially lively, perky instrument that also has enough warm to keep the sound satisfying? Or will I find it a warm, rich instrument that also has enough responsiveness to keep the sound fresh?

Or to put it another way, what will I find myself needing to complement it — a P with flats, or a 'Ray with rounds? I'm going to enjoy finding out over the next few months.

My prediction is that it will end up being both.
The stingray is somewhat similar to G&L MFD basses in that they're both basically what would've sounded modern in the early '80s, but unlike the G&Ls it is reliant on its preamp for its sound, thereby differentiating it enough. Stingrays sound more modern to me than G&L do, this is neither good nor bad, just is.
While they never did, nor are they likely to ever, become a signature sound instrument, G&L MFD basses are akin to me to a P, J, SR, Rick, etc., it simply stands on its own and doesn't replace nor is to be replaced by something else.

P.S.
Since I was too lazy to go into too great a detail, I'll add a quick recommendation to try out DR Nickel Lo-Riders on your SB-1, I've married mine to them shortly after receiving it 4 years ago, and they've only been replaced by fresher sets of themselves since.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Would you mind sharing with me -in PM- what percentage you have had to pay customs/tax-wise? So that I know what to expect when mine comes in a few months…. Cheers

To do that I would have to do my sums and ignorance is bliss, tbh.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

it simply stands on its own

I know that, I'm just enjoying waiting to find out where it's going to stand when it's being played by me.

If I find that I especially enjoy getting a tight, rounded sound, very midweight and focused, out of it, then my L-1500 daydreams can stay as daydreams, and I'll buy a trad P and fit DTFs to it.

If instead I most like getting a more earthy sound out of it, darker and looser, then I might find myself looking for a bass with a humbucker in the SR spot to fill in the need for something perky.

Do you see what I mean? First me and the SB-1 will find out what we're going to be, and then I'll see what, if any, desires are left to be satiated.

 

[Ian774]

To do that I would have to do my sums and ignorance is bliss, tbh.

A rough estimate would do mate

 

[/\/\3phist0]

It arrived yesterday, unboxed and tested.
Will give it a workout tonight at practice.
The d'addarios don't float my boat. Have GHS balanced nickles heavier guage on order.
First impressions, nut needs to be cut lower, action will need to be lowered, (nothing surprising) will let it acclimate to my arid climate, and make adjustments when strings arrive.

CAR and pearl pickguard look fantastic.
LIGHT (8lbs 2oz) tuners smooth action.
Fit and finish very good.

Plays good. Will be better after massaged.
Fret ends finished nicely. Neck finish is a bit coarse for my tastes, will smooth with 2000 grit . Likely replace plastic nut with TUSQ.
Relief was set well. Lowered the saddles. Much better.
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Sound: huge fat and growls.

All 3 positions of switch are different flavors of awesome. The OMG is different than my L2500, or previous Lseries I've had, a bit brighter (lower value cap?)
Tone control sweep is smooth and volume curve also good.
Overall: fun little bass with a huge sound ,very much G&L.

Had a great time with this through my rig, without my general EQ (WD800 >TC115) being changed as a reference point.

Had time to cut the nut a bit, lowered saddles to limit, still could go lower, cut and sanded an aluminum sheet shim . Wax lubed the neck screws, cleaned debris from neck pocket. Sanded heel to remove "nipples" around screw holes on the neck heel.
Straightened the neck relief.
Saddles float just above baseplate and action is low.

Sunk bass side of pickup all the way into the body, treble side slightly elevated.

Overall plays great, sounds great: HOT output, OMG mode is Moreso
Strong fundamental, fat lows, percussive mids, sweet highs. Slight rollback on volume nets a slight removal of "sheen".

GHS balanced nickles ordered. Would like to try EB cobalt (rounds).

A bit of neck dive which I'll remedy with Hipshot UL licensed tuners likely with Y knobs.

Put indexed black aluminum knobs on much better than the chrome dometops it came with. May order blue knobs so it'll be red white and blue

 

[Murch]

The Pharaoh Gold SB-1 is now past UK customs and is now negotiating the twin obstacles of the winding country lanes that constitute our infrastructure and our 2½ day long weekend, which started 30 minutes ago.

Still, it's near, and it hasn't been mysteriously misdirected at an airport, which makes a pleasant change. And I'm enjoying this moment of final anticipation, enjoying wondering about the various ways me and this bass might get on.

Will I find it an essentially lively, perky instrument that also has enough warm to keep the sound satisfying? Or will I find it a warm, rich instrument that also has enough responsiveness to keep the sound fresh?

Or to put it another way, what will I find myself needing to complement it — a P with flats, or a 'Ray with rounds? I'm going to enjoy finding out over the next few months.

Get an L-2000 and be ruined for all other basses.

 

[woodyng2]

Hello, GL folks.
I just posted my US JB2 and US Kiloton basses For Sale in the TB classifieds.

 

[Spidey2112]

A rough estimate would do mate

Rough? Yes.

Estimate? I'm not sure he will get that close.

 

[Warhawk]

Get an L-2000 and be ruined for all other basses.

Pretty much. ;-) However...that Kiloton is a beauty!

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Get an L-2000 and be ruined for all other basses.

Knock 500 off that number, and you've got me:



Anyone want to make an informed guess as to what settings he'll be using to get that tone?

 

[Chrome Dome]

Traded for a nice L2000 Tribute with flame arch top,not sure of the year. Should be here after the Holiday of the Fourth. Always partial to the L2000's US,or the overseas ones. Shipping to me in a G&L tolex case. Seller's pictures.

 

[dave64o]

Wow, that's a nice looking Tribute.

 

[delta7fred]

Has anybody here turned a Kiloton tribute into a short scale?

Why not get a Fallout (30" scale length) and wire it as a Kiloton?

You might need to move the pickup nearer the bridge to a more "Kiloton position".

 

[PinkFloyd60]

Get an L-2000 and be ruined for all other basses.

Truth! I've lately been trying to get into playing a fiver, but I always seem to keep grabbing the beloved '96 L-2000 from the stand.

 

[LoveThatBass]

My first custom and only remaining ASAT.
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Wow, that is a beautiful bass

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Week 1 — First order for an SB-1 placed with Rocket Music

Week 18 — Mis-specced bass arrives with Greg, and immediately gets sent back to California

Week 30 — An apology from Memo: "First off we totally apologize for the delay, if I can only tell you how weird the neck replacement has been on your bass you would either laugh or write us off"

Week 31 — Bass again arrives with Greg, who says "The neck is gorgeous, it's about as perfectly quartersawn as you'll ever see. The rays shoot straight out of the fingerboard, perfectly perpendicular." Off it gets sent across the ocean .... and disappears from tracking the moment it lands in the UK

Week 46 — Bass, having nimbly bypassed Her Majesty's Custom and Excise, is spotted by a member of the UK BassChat forum on sale at a price that has "don't ask where this has come from" written all over it

Week 60 — After the most incredible amount of cajoling, the poor pink SB-1 arrives back home with Greg, somehow still in mint condition

Week 66 — After two days on Reverb, the Pinkcision is bought by a grateful lady in Maine

Week 71 — Second order for an SB-1 placed with Greg

Week 98 — Gold SB-1 passes through Greg's hands and carries on its eastward voyage

Week 99 —

God Bless America

 

[jglunt]

Week 1 — First order for an SB-1 placed with Rocket Music

Week 18 — Mis-specced bass arrives with Greg, and immediately gets sent back to California

Week 30 — An apology from Memo: "First off we totally apologize for the delay, if I can only tell you how weird the neck replacement has been on your bass you would either laugh or write us off"

Week 31 — Bass again arrives with Greg, who says "The neck is gorgeous, it's about as perfectly quartersawn as you'll ever see. The rays shoot straight out of the fingerboard, perfectly perpendicular." Off it gets sent across the ocean .... and disappears from tracking the moment it lands in the UK

Week 46 — Bass, having nimbly bypassed Her Majesty's Custom and Excise, is spotted by a member of the UK BassChat forum on sale at a price that has "don't ask where this has come from" written all over it

Week 60 — After the most incredible amount of cajoling, the poor pink SB-1 arrives back home with Greg, somehow still in mint condition

Week 66 — After two days on Reverb, the Pinkcision is bought by a grateful lady in Maine

Week 71 — Second order for an SB-1 placed with Greg

Week 98 — Gold SB-1 passes through Greg's hands and carries on its eastward voyage

Week 99 —

View attachment 4739345

God Bless America

A reminder to all of us to never pray and ask God for patience.