Thank you. I had played and temporarily owned the L2000/L2500 for a time. But yesterday I was able to test drive a 2010 M2000 and was blown away. But I'm not sure I'm able to pick it up right now.
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Thank you. I had played and temporarily owned the L2000/L2500 for a time. But yesterday I was able to test drive a 2010 M2000 and was blown away. But I'm not sure I'm able to pick it up right now.
So...was it a TBer who scored the Tangerine Metallic Kiloton 4 banger that was FS on the Builder's Choice page of the GL store?
The playability, the warmth and clarity of the tone, the way the controls worked made sense to me. It was pretty too lol.
The tone was the big thing. It felt open with a deep warm low and end and just enough high end to give the tone a lot of clarity. Reminded me honestly of my old Thumb bass in a way.
There are usually some used M2x00s available on Reverb, and this morning is no exception. However, I noticed they were listed as USA basses, but they had different necks on them. One had an LB-100 neck and one had an L2000 neck, etc. The bodies and electronics all appeared to indeed be M-series. How weird is that? Who stole all the M2000 necks?
I think I read the M2000 has more of a P Bass like neck? Maybe they all wanted the slimmer profile.
The Fullerton/BTO M-series basses are gone, but they are still available from the Custom Shop. I believe Greg from Rocket Music has posted about that here, and another G&L dealer explained this on its web site:
upfront guitars and music UpFront Guitars and Music LLC
It's a shame IMO, because the M-series are fantastic basses. I've had my M-2500 for almost ten years, and the tone, playability, and build quality are all stellar. I think it has lots of tonal overlap with the L-series, but the pickup blend and three-band EQ open up a huge sonic range. I never thought I would like a fully active bass so much, but it's amazing.
I play mainly in a horn big band, 21 pieces. It's a very thick, dense mix. There's a lot of overtones, a lot of volume. I've played my L2000, M2000 and Kiloton there. You wouldn't think that the Kilo would fit in there, at least I didn't. But strangely enough, it does.
The Kilo has a bottom end that really cuts through. It's difficult to describe, because it sounds like it would be missing some bass, live. But it doesn't.
I would say that my L2000 can cover just about any tone out there except...my Kiloton. I can get my L to sound like a P, a J, etc...but not a Kiloton. That sound is very particular. Doesn't sound like a Ray, either, at least not to my ears.
The L2000 and M2000 are more versatile, that's true. The Kiloton can't beat them there. But that tone...wow. I dig it.
I'm not surprised to hear it. I had a similar feeling about the L1500. There's a built in emphasis in the mid and upper midrange that really helps provide clarity in a dense stage sound. And plenty of low end out in the house, to boot. Mine had a single-coil mod that defeated the super-sizzle G&L built into that model. …much better.
The comments on the Kiloton in a mix are encouraging. I can see where a pickup in that position would be mid heavy. I suppose pillowy is not a word associated with the Kilton. Am I right? I'm guessing low end is more "sharp" and "focused" than warm and pillowy.
When I had my Kiloton, I used it at rehearsals with a 3 piece band, and live I thought maybe it was lacking some low end beef. I use the standard middle setting on the switch. But surprisingly, I could hear it quite distinctly on the cellphone recordings I made. Even more distinctly than my L1k or JB2 .
That's a good description. It is sharp and focused, and there's still plenty of low there. If you want a more "pillowy" sound--and I like that description--you can get it by simply rolling the tone control off to taste.
If memory serves (and it does about 10% of the time), middle position is single coil. If you find you want a change, series might allow you to sit better in the mix. It kinda occupies a little more space and has been known to vibrate fillings out of people's teeth. I don't ever remember which way is which on that switch, but series will be the loudest of the positions.
You pretty much had it.
Switch toward neck: series + bass boost
Middle: single coil
Toward bridge: parallel
I find that I got a lot of buzz from middle (single coil) position if the electric isn't great so I'm often "forced" to position 1 or 3. But if it's not too noisy I almost always prefer the middle position and then dial up a little more low end from a pedal or amp.
But I think the thing I like best about the K is the body shape. Same holds true for the SB-1/2. So comfortable and just really good looking IMHO. That and the jazz neck make it one of my favorite basses.
But I think the thing I like best about the K is the body shape. Same holds true for the SB-1/2. So comfortable and just really good looking IMHO. That and the jazz neck make it one of my favorite basses.
Hmm...that's my problem! My switch goes up and down! On mine, I think up is series...or wait...maybe it's parallel...no, sounds like series...drat! Let me start over!!
