G&L Club Part 7

[Nedmundo]

Help me.

I'm confused / undecided.

I have a fender P that does old school really well. Love the bass. It's a perfect player for me. That outs the LB100

I have a Reverend decision P that does rock and roll. Love the bass. That outs the SB-1 & 2.

The kiloton intrigues me. Not sure what it can and cannot do, and it's a long trip to test one.


Long story short

I'm looking at L1000 vs Kiloton.
What are the tonal and other differences between the two?

I like simple and the L2000 just has a lot going on so that concerns me , doesn't eliminate it though.

I've never had an L-1000 or a Kiloton, but I used to have an L-1500 which has the same pickup in the same location as the Kiloton's, and I have tried a Kiloton, which I thought sounded just like my L-1500 in passive mode.

IMO, this depends on whether you want another variation of thick P-bass type tone, or whether you want a pickup closer to the bridge that has a more cutting tone, and less overall fatness. My L-1500 could sound pretty fat through the right rig and/or in the right room, and when that happened, the tone was phenomenal IMO--totally unbeatable aggressive rock tone. The lows were tight, and never boomy. But sometimes it had more of a bridge pickup tone, which I didn't like as much. It was slightly nasal, without enough fatness for me. I could compensate for this, but it wasn't quite as plug-and-play as my other basses. I found my J-basses and SB-2 more consistently satisfying.

The L-1000, on the other hand, has its pickup (same one as Kiloton) further from the bridge, I believe where an L-2000's neck pickup is located. It will bring the fatness, no doubt whatsoever. When I've played L-2000s and L-2500s, I've thought the neck pickup in passive mode can do a reasonable P-bass impersonation, but of course with full-range MFD power. (My M-2500 is active-only, so it never quite gets that old-school vibe, but its neck pickup sounds plenty fat. Massive, actually. I turn the bass EQ down to get the balance I like.)

I'd say get the L-2000. The controls are straightforward once you understand them, and they are amazingly powerful, versatile basses. It would add lots of tones to your arsenal.

 

[Pilgrim]

I bought one of those Turquoise Mist Tribute JBs as a Daily Pick years ago and had the same issue. Eventually they changed that, and there are many on the used market now that are correct. But count the frets if you're buying one. For a while, G&L was just sending out longer intonation screws, but as you stated, eventually you run out of bridge plate. A 34.5" scale bass is hard to intonate. I simply sent mine back.

I can understand that, but it's a nice enough bass that I'm glad I kept it. Part of the reason I posted is to let anyone with the same problem (and who may be searching the web for things like "JB tribute won't intonate") know there is a solution.

 

[jglunt]

I can understand that, but it's a nice enough bass that I'm glad I kept it. Part of the reason I posted is to let anyone with the same problem (and who may be searching the web for things like "JB tribute won't intonate") know there is a solution.

Yes, if mine would've had a 20 fret neck, I'd still have it. Beautiful little jazz-style bass. Congrats. And as you said, kudos to G&L for their handling of the situation.

 

[Baker69]

I need two of those.[/QUOTE

I bought some of these for my USA L2000 and they are so hard to put on that I thought I was going to damage the switches, by pushing to hard, so I haven't put them on yet. Did you have a similar experience?

There are different types of materials used to make these, the one's I bought have a rubbery/plasticky feel, they feel really good to the touch and are just pliable enough to fit nicely over the toggle switches, they fit perfectly.

There was another (cheaper) version available but they looked to be in a harder plastic which may be similar to the one's that you tried?

The only issue is that you have to buy them in packs of 10, but at £2.25 a pack it wasn't too bad. I have 2 other basses with toggle switches so I'm going to fit them on those as well, in fact I've already fitted a white one to my Sire P7 and it looks cool!

Incidentally I got these from a model railway accessory supplier here in the U.K. and I also bought a 4PDT 12 pin switch from them to do the single coil mod (£5.85)

 

[TomB]

I bought some of these for my USA L2000 and they are so hard to put on that I thought I was going to damage the switches, by pushing to hard, so I haven't put them on yet. Did you have a similar experience?

The tiniest drop of liquid detergent + the tiniest drop of water into the cap should do the trick. Be sure to clean up after .

 

[AlexKidd]

Guys, I'm at a loss and looking for help.

I have an American SB2 (2013). The neck pickup is a dimarzio model P (previous owner replaced it). I can't for the life of me get it to work with the bridge pickup (original MFD bridge).

Model P at full volume, no problem. Bridge at full volume, it's ok but much quieter than the model P. The weird stuff starts when I try to blend the two. Adding the bridge pickup with the model P at any volume doesn't change the sound at all (to my ears). Then just as you turn the bridge up full with the model P also up full, everything thins out and sounds out of phase.

I have taken it to 2 luthiers/ repair guys here in China (one not so good and one who is supposed to be very good) and they both came to the conclusion that it's an issue with how the pickups pair together…. basically they don't.

Is this possible? Is the design of the MFD such that it doesn't play well with other pickups?

ideally I would just order the original MFD P pickup from G&l store but alas, they don't ship to China. The previous owner doesn't have the original pickup either.

So I'm basically playing it as a P bass right now which is fine, still sounds good, but man I wish I could figure out why they won't blend together properly. I guess one day when I leave China I'll try and figure it out but if anyone has any ideas, let me know. Thanks

 

[AlexKidd]

Guys, I'm at a loss and looking for help.

I have an American SB2 (2013). The neck pickup is a dimarzio model P (previous owner replaced it). I can't for the life of me get it to work with the bridge pickup (original MFD bridge).

Model P at full volume, no problem. Bridge at full volume, it's ok but much quieter than the model P. The weird stuff starts when I try to blend the two. Adding the bridge pickup with the model P at any volume doesn't change the sound at all (to my ears). Then just as you turn the bridge up full with the model P also up full, everything thins out and sounds out of phase.

I have taken it to 2 luthiers/ repair guys here in China (one not so good and one who is supposed to be very good) and they both came to the conclusion that it's an issue with how the pickups pair together…. basically they don't.

Is this possible? Is the design of the MFD such that it doesn't play well with other pickups?

ideally I would just order the original MFD P pickup from G&l store but alas, they don't ship to China. The previous owner doesn't have the original pickup either.

So I'm basically playing it as a P bass right now which is fine, still sounds good, but man I wish I could figure out why they won't blend together properly. I guess one day when I leave China I'll try and figure it out but if anyone has any ideas, let me know. Thanks

Additionally, if by some miracle somebody here has this very same setup (Dimarzio model P + original MFD bridge) and could sent me a picture of the wiring, that might also help.

 

[OldSoulDownLow]

There are different types of materials used to make these, the one's I bought have a rubbery/plasticky feel, they feel really good to the touch and are just pliable enough to fit nicely over the toggle switches, they fit perfectly.

There was another (cheaper) version available but they looked to be in a harder plastic which may be similar to the one's that you tried?

The only issue is that you have to buy them in packs of 10, but at £2.25 a pack it wasn't too bad. I have 2 other basses with toggle switches so I'm going to fit them on those as well, in fact I've already fitted a white one to my Sire P7 and it looks cool!

Incidentally I got these from a model railway accessory supplier here in the U.K. and I also bought a 4PDT 12 pin switch from them to do the single coil mod (£5.85)

Thanks Baker69, I bought mine directly from G&L and they are indeed the harder plastic but I thought the G&L's would slip right on. Total waste of a few dollars...actually more than the cost of the ones you describe. Live and learn I suppose. I'll look for the softer, more pliable, version

 

[ebo]

I've never seen a tribute where the G&L logo was so small and tribute so big. Was this a short run/temporary look? I'm looking at this used but really don't dig the lettering at all.

 

[ebo]

 

[dedpool1052]

Original Tributes that were made in Korea.
Early '00s.

The bridge would have a big "Tribute" stamped in it, instead of G&L.

 

[svtbass]

Additionally, if by some miracle somebody here has this very same setup (Dimarzio model P + original MFD bridge) and could sent me a picture of the wiring, that might also help.

The wiring is a simple two pickup two volume. The Dimarzio P's resistance is different than the stock MFD P so it will not react the same as stock MFD's. They are designed to work as a system. That said, with both pickups on the sweet spot is 80-85% of the bridge pickup. It is a subtle change of tone and will emulate different P sounds. Also works with dimming the P and adjusting the bridge. The key words here are slight adjustment and subtle change.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Help me.

I'm confused / undecided.

I have a fender P that does old school really well. Love the bass. It's a perfect player for me. That outs the LB100

I have a Reverend decision P that does rock and roll. Love the bass. That outs the SB-1 & 2.

The kiloton intrigues me. Not sure what it can and cannot do, and it's a long trip to test one.


Long story short

I'm looking at L1000 vs Kiloton.
What are the tonal and other differences between the two?

I like simple and the L2000 just has a lot going on so that concerns me , doesn't eliminate it though.

I have an L-2000 and a Kiloton. My buddy has an L-1000. I can say, the Kiloton might be my favorite (I love the smaller body and neck, so that is part of it). That being said, the L-1000 (or an L-2000 with just the neck pickup on) is way more P-bass to me (granted a P bass on steroids). The Kiloton, while fat, is a little more balanced in tone so to speak. It is not a Stingray like tone, but it sits in the mix really well. If you really want something closer to your P bass, I think the L-1000 offers that (plus much more than a traditional P offers). If you want something that is maybe a touch smoother and different, than Kiloton.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Pic for good measure.

 

[Hot Rats]

Guys, I'm at a loss and looking for help.

I have an American SB2 (2013). The neck pickup is a dimarzio model P (previous owner replaced it). I can't for the life of me get it to work with the bridge pickup (original MFD bridge).

Model P at full volume, no problem. Bridge at full volume, it's ok but much quieter than the model P. The weird stuff starts when I try to blend the two. Adding the bridge pickup with the model P at any volume doesn't change the sound at all (to my ears). Then just as you turn the bridge up full with the model P also up full, everything thins out and sounds out of phase.

I have taken it to 2 luthiers/ repair guys here in China (one not so good and one who is supposed to be very good) and they both came to the conclusion that it's an issue with how the pickups pair together…. basically they don't.

Is this possible? Is the design of the MFD such that it doesn't play well with other pickups?

ideally I would just order the original MFD P pickup from G&l store but alas, they don't ship to China. The previous owner doesn't have the original pickup either.

So I'm basically playing it as a P bass right now which is fine, still sounds good, but man I wish I could figure out why they won't blend together properly. I guess one day when I leave China I'll try and figure it out but if anyone has any ideas, let me know. Thanks

I can't help but you might try posting your question in the Pickups and Electronics forum. It may get more knowledgeable people looking at it.

 

[ebo]

Original Tributes that were made in Korea.
Early '00s.

The bridge would have a big "Tribute" stamped in it, instead of G&L.

Thanks for the info. Are they at the standard as the modern tributes? I have a USA L2K but have heard the tributes are pretty close nowadays. How are earlier ones regarded?

 

[NOLA Bass]

Guys, I'm at a loss and looking for help.

I have an American SB2 (2013). The neck pickup is a dimarzio model P (previous owner replaced it). I can't for the life of me get it to work with the bridge pickup (original MFD bridge).

Model P at full volume, no problem. Bridge at full volume, it's ok but much quieter than the model P. The weird stuff starts when I try to blend the two. Adding the bridge pickup with the model P at any volume doesn't change the sound at all (to my ears). Then just as you turn the bridge up full with the model P also up full, everything thins out and sounds out of phase.

I have taken it to 2 luthiers/ repair guys here in China (one not so good and one who is supposed to be very good) and they both came to the conclusion that it's an issue with how the pickups pair together…. basically they don't.

Is this possible? Is the design of the MFD such that it doesn't play well with other pickups?

ideally I would just order the original MFD P pickup from G&l store but alas, they don't ship to China. The previous owner doesn't have the original pickup either.

So I'm basically playing it as a P bass right now which is fine, still sounds good, but man I wish I could figure out why they won't blend together properly. I guess one day when I leave China I'll try and figure it out but if anyone has any ideas, let me know. Thanks

Is there a G&L dealer for China that you could order a pickup through?

 

[woodyng2]

Shameless plug that someone should buy Woody's kilo cause it's a good deal on a killer bass.

But wait, there's more! ….I just changed my USA JB2 and USA Kiloton listings to include CONUS shipping in the price!
(Also my Yamaha rbxa2 if anyone's looking for one of those.)

 

[NOLA Bass]

But wait, there's more! ….I just changed my USA JB2 and USA Kiloton listings to include CONUS shipping in the price!
(Also my Yamaha rbxa2 if anyone's looking for one of those.)

Love that Kiloton!

 

[MrB64]

I think this new

JB looks really nice. I like this black pickguard better than the tort. Just me...