G&L Club Part 7

[TDR1138]

For sale of comparison, my '22 SB-2 and '88 L-1000, both in factory tolex cases.

The L-1000 is secure, doesn't move, has the neck supported in multiple areas and has ample padding around the back of the bass.

The SB-2 has an open area, only one neck support, and can move by about an inch in any direction. Plus the storage pocket is half the size and there are no feet for the case when laying flat on the ground.

Here's a closeup of the gaps on the SB-2 case. It doesn't surprise me that tuners get knocked loose when there is this much room for the bass to slide around.

I know that G&L buys the cases from G&G, so I don't totally fault them for it, but they're pretty poor for what amounts to a $2500+ instrument.

 

[Remoman]

So sad. They have made some big changes since the beginning of the year and most of them very poor choices. Lots of them driven by financial problems after buying all that vintage machinery, which I understand is just sitting unused. Long live my M-2500!

 

[jglunt]

It's not just since the beginning of the year. My 2018 Kiloton's case is just like that. However, I have my 2007 SB-2 in a Fender case, where there's even more slop. I just wedge a piece of foam rubber in there. I bought it used, and that's what it came in. On top of that, the Fender case won't even open up all the way, so I have to hold it open as far as it will go while I take the bass out or put it back in. Otherwise, the lid just falls closed. And while I bought the bass used, that Fender case they supplied with it was brand new.

 

[mmbass21]

For me if it's a form-fitted hardshell case I'm good with it. I'm not a touring bassist so I always use a well padded gig bag. Put it on my back and it gives me 2 hands to carry other things. IMO it's better for shock absorbion plus I know it fits nice and snug. My recently damaged L2k that Greg has been graciously helping me with makes me hate the universal cases all the much more. I'd sell the hard cases if shipping wasn't so insane these days.

 

[Iridescentone]

I prefer hardshell cases for the storage aspect, but gig bags are easier for transporting.

That said, having had enough G&Ls with hard cases that I've seen them from the 80s to current, I have to say the current ones, while they look nice, are the worst of the lot. IMO, of course. And that's including the 90s-era molded cases where the feet were prone to breaking off. They don't feel as well made as the 80s tolex cases, don't secure the basses as well, and just don't feel as sturdy. Plus they're like an inch or two longer than all my other cases. They seem more like a cheaper generic "fit all" case than a case specifically for the bass.

So, current hardshell vs gig bag, I'd keep my $100 and take the gig bag.

Yeah the tolex cases aren't what they used to be. I'm sure that cutting costs is part of the reason. Another built-in problem with making a robust tolex case is the sheer weight of the damn things. The molded plastic cases solved the weight problem and the potential for torn tolex, but they weren't made as rugged as possible, either.

With G&L (and maybe others too), their gig bags aren't as robust as they were in the past, either....clearly less padding than before.

I don't use hard cases much, prefer bags. But, if a hard case is included I'd like it to be like the ones that came with the USA Peavey Millenniums, the top-tier Schecters, or Fender's top-line molded case (although I've heard rumors that durability of the hinges on the Fender may be suspect).

The Schecter...

 

[Ricky Rioli]

For a while, I've been chewing over thoughts about what kind of J bass I would like.

Just now I imagined a totally rewired L2000 — VVT knobs; a front single coil/both in series/ rear single coil selector for each pickup; and perhaps a series/parallel switch like you see occasionally on Js and Telecaster guitars

Has anyone ever done something like that to an L2000? The thought of one of those inners coils plus some of the other pickup's outer coil is something I'm enjoying imagining.

 

[Chris Chong]

My L2500 is wired VVT
Neck 3way selector, outer coil/both/inner coil
Bridge series/parallel switch

switching between neck pu inner/outer coil with bridge pu in parallel. Or single coil neck PU at times.

 

[woodyng2]

View attachment 4978649 View attachment 4978650

For sale of comparison, my '22 SB-2 and '88 L-1000, both in factory tolex cases.

The L-1000 is secure, doesn't move, has the neck supported in multiple areas and has ample padding around the back of the bass.

The SB-2 has an open area, only one neck support, and can move by about an inch in any direction. Plus the storage pocket is half the size and there are no feet for the case when laying flat on the ground.

Here's a closeup of the gaps on the SB-2 case. It doesn't surprise me that tuners get knocked loose when there is this much room for the bass to slide around.
View attachment 4978653

I know that G&L buys the cases from G&G, so I don't totally fault them for it, but they're pretty poor for what amounts to a $2500+ instrument.

Just wanted to say your L1k is fabulous!
When I bought my JB2 used from GC Online, it didn't have a case of any kind. I keep a gig bag to schlep basses to practice, but prefer to have my basses stored in hardshell cases. So, as I was shopping for one, I happened upon
a Nash faux alligator teardrop case that i just loved the look of. It's their P bass case, and my jb2, L1k, and Kiloton
fit in there well. (The smaller body of the Kiloton has more free space around it, but the case is relatively shallow,
so there isn't any movement inside with the lid closed and latched.

 

[woodyng2]

Yeah the tolex cases aren't what they used to be. I'm sure that cutting costs is part of the reason. Another built-in problem with making a robust tolex case is the sheer weight of the damn things. The molded plastic cases solved the weight problem and the potential for torn tolex, but they weren't made as rugged as possible, either.

With G&L (and maybe others too), their gig bags aren't as robust as they were in the past, either....clearly less padding than before.

I don't use hard cases much, prefer bags. But, if a hard case is included I'd like it to be like the ones that came with the USA Peavey Millenniums, the top-tier Schecters, or Fender's top-line molded case (although I've heard rumors that durability of the hinges on the Fender may be suspect).

The Schecter...

View attachment 4978811
View attachment 4978812

Seeing this reminded me that I got a very well made plastic Music Man case as part of a trade last year.
I think it may be 1980s but don't really know. All my GLs, my 8 string Fernandes, and even my treasured Veillette-Citron fit perfectly in there. I'm using it for the V-C. It's currently in storage, and I don't have any pics. It has a lot of internal bracing and a form fitted body area with a general p bass (or stingray) outline.

 

[TDR1138]

Just wanted to say your L1k is fabulous!

Thanks! I had always wanted a red/rosewood Wunkay, though admittedly wanted one with a control plate. But when this one came up locally a few years ago, I had to jump on it.

 

[Chrome Dome]

For me if it's a form-fitted hardshell case I'm good with it. I'm not a touring bassist so I always use a well padded gig bag. Put it on my back and it gives me 2 hands to carry other things. IMO it's better for shock absorbion plus I know it fits nice and snug. My recently damaged L2k that Greg has been graciously helping me with makes me hate the universal cases all the much more. I'd sell the hard cases if shipping wasn't so insane these days.

When i sell and ship a bass guitar,I always wrap the head stock with bubble wrap,and sometimes around edge of the body,if it moves around.

 

[chuck65]

When i sell and ship a bass guitar,I always wrap the head stock with bubble wrap,and sometimes around edge of the body,if it moves around.

Same here ! I also take pics while I wrap , pack , and seal the outer box.

 

[woodyng2]

Thanks! I had always wanted a red/rosewood Wunkay, though admittedly wanted one with a control plate. But when this one came up locally a few years ago, I had to jump on it.

Really? The lack of a control plate (or pickguard) is a major attraction for me. My wunkay is like that.

 

[jglunt]

Really? The lack of a control plate (or pickguard) is a major attraction for me. My wunkay is like that.
View attachment 4979378

I love the color of that Wunkay. It makes me want to go Surfin' USA!

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Really? The lack of a control plate (or pickguard) is a major attraction for me. My wunkay is like that.
View attachment 4979378

G&L painted headstocks are the best painted headstocks.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

On another note, and I'm sure this has been asked and answered a gazillion times, but what's the difference in sound between the kiloton and ye olde wunkay?

How much difference does that pickup placement make?

 

[ahbass2500]

How much difference does that pickup placement make?

Pickup placement is a huge difference. Noting I do not have an L1000, but I do have a Fallout, L2500, and Kilo. Fallout/L2500 on neck pickup cannot get the attack/mid presence that the the Kilo has. Kilo cannot get the bottom end/P-Bass sound that the Fallout and L2500 neck pickup can. Additionally the L2500 bridge pickup sounds significantly thinner than the Kilo (L2500 bridge pickup is positioned closer to the bridge than the Kilo pickup is).

While there is a big difference when playing them side by side, I think most players could be happy and cover a lot of ground with any one of them. They are all versatile instruments in their own right.

 

[TDR1138]

Really? The lack of a control plate (or pickguard) is a major attraction for me. My wunkay is like that.
View attachment 4979378

Your Wunkay is like the love child of my Wunkay and my LB-100.

Belair green must be a dominant gene.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Pickup placement is a huge difference. Noting I do not have an L1000, but I do have a Fallout, L2500, and Kilo. Fallout/L2500 on neck pickup cannot get the attack/mid presence that the the Kilo has. Kilo cannot get the bottom end/P-Bass sound that the Fallout and L2500 neck pickup can. Additionally the L2500 bridge pickup sounds significantly thinner than the Kilo (L2500 bridge pickup is positioned closer to the bridge than the Kilo pickup is).

While there is a big difference when playing them side by side, I think most players could be happy and cover a lot of ground with any one of them. They are all versatile instruments in their own right.

I have two kilotons and two jbs, a fretted and fretless version of both.
I love the pure lows of the jbs. I love the thick burpiness of the kilo - and the pickup selector really adds variety.
What I wonder is how the low end of that MFD in the L-1000 position (or the neck placement in the 2500) differs from the low-end of the single coil alnico in the jbs.
Just curious, for sake of bass chatter - not looking to say one is better, one is worse, yadda yadda.

 

[ahbass2500]

I have two kilotons and two jbs, a fretted and fretless version of both.
I love the pure lows of the jbs. I love the thick burpiness of the kilo - and the pickup selector really adds variety.
What I wonder is how the low end of that MFD in the L-1000 position (or the neck placement in the 2500) differs from the low-end of the single coil alnico in the jbs.
Just curious, for sake of bass chatter - not looking to say one is better, one is worse, yadda yadda.

Significantly more low end and general thickness on an MFD in the neck position than there is on the stock JB pickups IMO. I also have a JB5, though I left stock pickups for something with more MFD-esque tone (JBE JB-5 Pickups). The MFD will lack some of the high end definition/brightness that a JB single coil can get. I am usually not after high end when I am running soloed neck pickup, but understand that some do.