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G&L Club Part 7

Do it! I bought a used Tribute Kiloton to do something similar, only I was going to (maybe) put an MFD single coil from the SB-2 in it. I was talked out of that (about 90%) and thought about a Dimarzio Relentless jazz pickup instead. I was going to just use a stacked set of pots for the volumes and leave the 3-way pickup switch for the humbucker. It was all worked out perfectly in my head, then the bass arrived and it's so beautiful I hate to start cutting on it. Please keep us posted.

I've been back and forth so many times!
I think I'm gonna do it.
I talked to Fralin himself and he thinks the 10% will match the MFD just fine, and gave me the specs for proper neck pickup position, which I'll send to my local guy here in Atlanta.
 
Are reverse headstocks still CS only?

Sorry for the slow response! You are correct, that is current Custom Shop only.

And for folks wondering about the MJD J pickups, I did see some of those in the wild not too long ago. They were in a Custom Shop JB for a customer of mine. The bass went back for a new body to get it to be fully rear routed (i.e. not even a control plate), so it'll pass through here again at some point once that's done. They sounded pretty awesome to my ears. Still sounded like a J to me, but a very muscular one.

Here it is with a black control plate on it... and a chrome output jack. LOL We're hoping to totally black it out before all is said and done.

7587-BODY-SQ-2000.jpg
 
Okay, for the hundredth time I've flip-flopped, but I think I'm gonna go for it.

Project Mod The Kiloton:

Local luthier to rout a neck pickup and volume control.

Lindy Fralin 10% overwound split jazz neck pickup in newly routed position (5.5"-6" from bridge).

I'll have the luthier just install a volume control for the neck, and go VVT, with the three way switch left as-is for the MFD

If!

I go through with it, will totally post pics and sound samples here

Oh, my...I'm so curious to hear samples of this! Please let us know!

Will the J pickup be in the same position as it would be in a regular Jazz bass?

I'm most curious about the sound with both volumes up, meaning the two pickups together...that should be a mighty powerful fundamental!
 
Oh, my...I'm so curious to hear samples of this! Please let us know!

Will the J pickup be in the same position as it would be in a regular Jazz bass?

I'm most curious about the sound with both volumes up, meaning the two pickups together...that should be a mighty powerful fundamental!

Yes, unless I change my mind again, the plan is to put it in the same spot as the neck pickup on a j-bass, which can be 5.5 to 6 inches from the bridge.

I'll record all sounds, but what I want to hear most is neck 100% and bridge in series at around 50%.
 
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Sorry for the slow response! You are correct, that is current Custom Shop only.

And for folks wondering about the MJD J pickups, I did see some of those in the wild not too long ago. They were in a Custom Shop JB for a customer of mine. The bass went back for a new body to get it to be fully rear routed (i.e. not even a control plate), so it'll pass through here again at some point once that's done. They sounded pretty awesome to my ears. Still sounded like a J to me, but a very muscular one.

Here it is with a black control plate on it... and a chrome output jack. LOL We're hoping to totally black it out before all is said and done.

7587-BODY-SQ-2000.jpg

Have no fear on the response speed. The 7.5" radius back on the BTO makes me happy!
 
The Andromeda Black JB is awesome IMO, I love the painted neck and headstock also wow. Well if you wore a deep red colored shirt with black pants on stage, it'd show up awesome.
I have several Black basses, and nobody ever has said they can't see my bass playing live, and I almost always wear all black also. Not saying my wood tone or burst color basses don't pop more at a distance but hey.
Always own a Black Bass.
I like the idea of a JB with MFD's, I imagine when they come out with a non Custom Shop version I'll get one.
 
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Hey G&L family…I'm an old 4 stringer but I may be required to pickup and play a 5er. Old dog/new trick?

Anyway, can you suggest a bass (G&L or other) that would make for the easiest transition? I prefer 1.5" jazz necks that are fairly flat but open to suggestions.

Thanks!!
 
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Hey G&L family…I'm an old 4 stringer but I may be required to pickup and play a 5er. Old dog/new trick?

Anyway, can you suggest a bass (G&L or other) that would make for the easiest transition? I prefer 1.5" jazz necks that are fairly flat but open to suggestions.

Thanks!!

Go try a variety of stuff to figure out a feel you like. Quite a bit of range on 5 string basses for neck specs, string spacing, and scale length. Even within G&L you have a few nut width, neck radius, and string spacing options over the years. Everything from the 5 string forced onto a 4 string neck L5000 (hard to find) to the wider spaced Series 750 basses.

Some are more sensitive to neck specs, scale length, and string spacing than others. I have several 5 strings. They include 34" and 35" scale, string spacing from 15mm to 19mm, and a variety of neck shapes. They are all comfortable to me and I am able to transition fine across them. The only 2 things I have come across that I have disliked over the years is exceptionally flat/narrow (front to back) necks and/or extremely wide (across the fingerboard) necks. For example, Warwick's broadneck 5 felt terrible for me.

Ultimately you need to figure out what you are sensitive to. Things you like on a 4 may or may not transition well to 5. You may find maintaining string spacing comparable to a 4 string is important or you might prefer a smaller neck that is more similar to a 4 string Jazz profile.
 
Sorry for the slow response! You are correct, that is current Custom Shop only.

And for folks wondering about the MJD J pickups, I did see some of those in the wild not too long ago. They were in a Custom Shop JB for a customer of mine. The bass went back for a new body to get it to be fully rear routed (i.e. not even a control plate), so it'll pass through here again at some point once that's done. They sounded pretty awesome to my ears. Still sounded like a J to me, but a very muscular one.

Here it is with a black control plate on it... and a chrome output jack. LOL We're hoping to totally black it out before all is said and done.

7587-BODY-SQ-2000.jpg

Greg has been absolutely great in helping me realize this Bass . To some it's not much , but this is my bucket list Bass . G&L has also been very accommodating with some of my requests. I do believe that my patience will be rewarded in the end !
 
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My purple G&L pretty much just looks generally dark onstage. Nothing special unless in bright lights.

I popped my purple L1K with these DR strings. My other basses are all natural or subdued colors; this is the loud funny uncle. I'm a (beaten down) MN Vikings fan and also considered yellow, but orange is my fave color and won the day. The strings are the same as DR black beauties & sound great.
IMG_7774.jpeg
 
I popped my purple L1K with these DR strings. My other basses are all natural or subdued colors; this is the loud funny uncle. I'm a (beaten down) MN Vikings fan and also considered yellow, but orange is my fave color and won the day. The strings are the same as DR black beauties & sound great.
View attachment 5314405
Have you noticed the new G&L purpleburst basses? I'm with you on the beaten down Vikes fan boat. Skol! Oh wait, we sunk....
 
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Go try a variety of stuff to figure out a feel you like. Quite a bit of range on 5 string basses for neck specs, string spacing, and scale length. Even within G&L you have a few nut width, neck radius, and string spacing options over the years. Everything from the 5 string forced onto a 4 string neck L5000 (hard to find) to the wider spaced Series 750 basses.

Some are more sensitive to neck specs, scale length, and string spacing than others. I have several 5 strings. They include 34" and 35" scale, string spacing from 15mm to 19mm, and a variety of neck shapes. They are all comfortable to me and I am able to transition fine across them. The only 2 things I have come across that I have disliked over the years is exceptionally flat/narrow (front to back) necks and/or extremely wide (across the fingerboard) necks. For example, Warwick's broadneck 5 felt terrible for me.

Ultimately you need to figure out what you are sensitive to. Things you like on a 4 may or may not transition well to 5. You may find maintaining string spacing comparable to a 4 string is important or you might prefer a smaller neck that is more similar to a 4 string Jazz profile.
All good points and I will indeed go try some at (ew) GC and a good local store. Just looking for some experiences of people who've been 4 stringers and picked up a 5 late. Thanks!
 
All good points and I will indeed go try some at (ew) GC and a good local store. Just looking for some experiences of people who've been 4 stringers and picked up a 5 late. Thanks!
I really enjoy my JB5. It is actually the most comfortable bass neck I have the pleasure of owning. I hope you have some good luck in trying stuff out and remember, pics are mandatory ;)