I don't know b/c I don't have an L1500. I just sent a message to the guy that has/had one and maybe he'll chime in.
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Looking at a picture of both the L1500 and the L2k, it appears that the L1500 pickup is a little farther from the bridge. Probably close to the SR sweet spot.
Thats correct, as far as my research has gone it is further forward compared to the bridge on my ASAT. I know that L2K and ASAT can sound different, however suspect the L1.5k would be more different with it being in that sweet spot, although the sounds produceable may be less versatile with less switch options, just wanting someone to clarify if possible
Thanks. Now it all makes sense. Have to see if I can find one of these around to try. Am intrigued even as I struggle to tame my L2000 which I'm tending to play with the neck pickup solo'd.
I defy do not want to tame the beast, i wanna let it roar!
I tend to use both pick ups, passive for 'normal' songs, active for really hard driven songs and treble boost for slapping to cut through, i may slip to the bridge PUP for a bit more harshness, but thats just for me and my ears.
Hopefully it sounds like i may like the L1.5K especially if the neck is fat, my ASAT has a no.7
I tend to use both pick ups, passive for 'normal' songs, active for really hard driven songs and treble boost for slapping to cut through, i may slip to the bridge PUP for a bit more harshness, but thats just for me and my ears.
Hopefully it sounds like i may like the L1.5K especially if the neck is fat, my ASAT has a no.7
What are you trying to tame? I really like my L2k with Labella 760FL's. I tend to use the neck pickup in series mode for most of the groove stuff. If I add the bridge or solo the bridge pickup, I can get that burpy jazz type tones.
Here's a link to a vid I posted a while back of someone playing an L1500. Nice playing too.
G&L Club Part 7
G&L Club Part 7
The L2000 is a kick in the bowels.
The L1500 is a punch in the face with brass knuckles.
IME, the L1500 is much more mid present than the L2k, and the preamp has a lot of built-in sizzle for a modern tone. They can sound REALLY good when EQ'd the right way. But the L-2000 sits a little better when the EQ is neutral.
FWIW, when I had my L1500, our church sound guy regularly told me it was his favorite sounding bass. I only let it go because GAS got the better of me and my L2000 is a lifer. Wish I had it back.
I had a Tribute SB-2 for many years as my main player. Has a really good raw/open sound like a P bass with more low and high end. Not quite as much low end as the L2000, but still more than enough. I did add a tone control and rarely used the bridge pickup. With the bridge pickup on and tone wide open, it was more aggressive in the mids and highs than my L2000, but not quite as much as the L1500. Very easy bass to get to sit in the mix.
Fred asked for my input as I had an L1505 that I recently sold. The pickup in the L1505 is further from the bridge than the L2000 series - much closer to where the Stigray PUP is. As such, I think it has a much more fuller sound with more of a mid presence. I compared it to a Precision 5 string and the L1505 was like a P on steroids (to use an tired cliche) in that it got the P sound but you could get more beef out of it. Very close to Stingray territory with the preamp on but the Stingray has a broader tone pallette due to the boost/cut preamp.
I own an SB-2 & an L-1500. I own both because both are exceptional at sitting in the mix and cutting through it when needed, so they are very easy to live with on stage. Neither has the low-end bloom of the L-1000 or L-2000 neck pickup, but there is plenty of low end available without extreme EQ.
The L-1500 has a great variety of tones for a single-pickup bass. I usually play mine passive, which tames the glassy, modern tone mentioned above, and just provides clear, cutting mid-range focus. However it also has a series setting (in either active or passive mode) that provides an almost neck pick-up-like fatness when that's desired. For whatever reason, including fewer electronics perhaps, my L-1500 is quite light (8 lb-ish), and is fitted with a #8 neck, which is my favorite - I wouldn't call it fat, more J-like. My guess is that any L-1500 needs to be ordered (I've seen very few in store stock ever), and so they can likely be found with just about any neck G&L offers.
The SB-2 is more widely found, and has a long history. To me it sounds like a P-bass (natch) with extra personality and presence in a live setting. I love its sheer 2 volume knob simplicity, but there's more to it than that. I seldom play any G&L with the volume wide open as MFD pickups are so potent, and the neck pickup volume control also serves as something of a tone control, offering a softer & more P-like tone as it is rolled down. The bridge pickup also offers something unique. Though it looks like a typical PJ, the bridge pickup rolled into the sound at about 30% works much like a mid-boost, to help increase clarity in a mix - up to a point. I don't find it useful past about half-volume, nor as a solo pickup, but the presence that it adds is something beyond what a passive tone control can achieve. I've never felt any desire for a tone control on any of my SB-2's, though the mod has a lot of fans here on Talkbass. They have a remarkable range of tones available with just the 2 volume knobs if you're willing to work with them. I think they typically come with #8 necks - all of mine have over the years - though I imagine you can custom-build a US model. My '89 SB-2 sees more stage time than any other bass I own. I wouldn't want to be without one.
A final comment on G&L 5-strings. I owned an L-2500. Absolutely great and versatile bass if you like 17 mm bridge spacing. I don't, so it didn't stay with me. Hope this helps!
The L-1500 has a great variety of tones for a single-pickup bass. I usually play mine passive, which tames the glassy, modern tone mentioned above, and just provides clear, cutting mid-range focus. However it also has a series setting (in either active or passive mode) that provides an almost neck pick-up-like fatness when that's desired. For whatever reason, including fewer electronics perhaps, my L-1500 is quite light (8 lb-ish), and is fitted with a #8 neck, which is my favorite - I wouldn't call it fat, more J-like. My guess is that any L-1500 needs to be ordered (I've seen very few in store stock ever), and so they can likely be found with just about any neck G&L offers.
The SB-2 is more widely found, and has a long history. To me it sounds like a P-bass (natch) with extra personality and presence in a live setting. I love its sheer 2 volume knob simplicity, but there's more to it than that. I seldom play any G&L with the volume wide open as MFD pickups are so potent, and the neck pickup volume control also serves as something of a tone control, offering a softer & more P-like tone as it is rolled down. The bridge pickup also offers something unique. Though it looks like a typical PJ, the bridge pickup rolled into the sound at about 30% works much like a mid-boost, to help increase clarity in a mix - up to a point. I don't find it useful past about half-volume, nor as a solo pickup, but the presence that it adds is something beyond what a passive tone control can achieve. I've never felt any desire for a tone control on any of my SB-2's, though the mod has a lot of fans here on Talkbass. They have a remarkable range of tones available with just the 2 volume knobs if you're willing to work with them. I think they typically come with #8 necks - all of mine have over the years - though I imagine you can custom-build a US model. My '89 SB-2 sees more stage time than any other bass I own. I wouldn't want to be without one.
A final comment on G&L 5-strings. I owned an L-2500. Absolutely great and versatile bass if you like 17 mm bridge spacing. I don't, so it didn't stay with me. Hope this helps!
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@KPJ @TomB thanks so much for taking the time to give detailed replies and to all else who contributed.
I know I have to play them, but to me it sounds like the LK1.5 will be the one for me.
If I find a 4 string with a #7 neck I am in, if I find a 1505 I am defo in as that extra string will give the feel I like, and if after the work on the house is done I get a green light and I have not found one yet, I'm getting one new to my specs!
This is why I love TB
You guys rule
I know I have to play them, but to me it sounds like the LK1.5 will be the one for me.
If I find a 4 string with a #7 neck I am in, if I find a 1505 I am defo in as that extra string will give the feel I like, and if after the work on the house is done I get a green light and I have not found one yet, I'm getting one new to my specs!
This is why I love TB
You guys rule
