Here's one for the class since I'm a newb in the G&L world. I picked up my L2000 a couple months ago and looove it. I'm thinking about also getting a Tribute Kiloton. The simplicity of that bass seems great. I know it won't be as versatile as the L (maybe) but can anyone distill down the main tonal differences as you hear them? I've watched some YouTube stuff but always like to hear from the actual players. Thanks fellas.
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If you want a very different type of tone, I would suggest you stay away from the Ms, Kilos, L1000s, L1500s, ASATs, etc. Look into the JBs, JB2s, SB2s, SB1s, Matadors, etc. These are whole different tonal palette from what you already have.
John
John
This is a very helpful pic. How does the L-1500 compare? Is it kiloton location? ThanksRelative pickup locations in some G&L basses (yes, this is a repeat). Click to embiggen.
I am a long time L2000 fan boi. I can't really offer a quick comparison but as a new Kiloton owner I can give you my recent take on mine here.
G&L Kiloton 5
Well no, actually. The SB's also have MFD pickups and share tonal character with the L, M, SB, ASAT, Fallout, and Kiloton basses—and the Matador is only available as a custom build at present. The alternative to the MFD line would be the more standard JB, MJ, and LB basses which feature traditional pickup designs.
Edit: It appears that the MJ series has now disappeared.
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Yes. Same pickup position; however, while the L-1500 was active/passive with the same electronics as the other L-series basses (it's not available new), the Kiloton is passive with switching like an L-1000 but with a tone control rather than the passive bass/treble set-up in the L-1000.
As often mentioned here the SB MFD's sound like P's on steroids and they do. The L-series MFD is indeed a monster yet doesn't provide that level of grind or mids. The EL Toro does although you'll get stampeded in the rodeo trying to buy one of those rare beasts. A Kilo (basically a gutted L-1500) has the MFD in a less usable position both tonally and thumb-restfully. A Kilo is the bass version of the two best days in a boat owners life. You want a smokin' pup in that location get a Ray.
Snarky comment aside- you have an L-series model- get one with SB's.
Snarky comment aside- you have an L-series model- get one with SB's.
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That's interesting. I don't find the L2000s share tonal character with SB2s at all.
I own 4 L2000s, 2 SB2s. I hear very different tones from my L2000s and my SB2s.
Much more than the difference between my L2000s and my lone M2000.
I guess it also has to with preamps.
But then again, this is just my opinion.
John
Interesting. I really hear the that kind of chewy (I like that term although it probably only means something to me) MFD character in both my SB-2 and in my L's. Of course, the L pickups are humbuckers so the best comparison is when you use an L pickup in single coil mode and compare it to an SB pickup (I know it's sort of a humbucker design as well...). In both pickups it's acknowledged that the MFD character gradually dissipates as you lower the volume so that by about 70% volume both pickups sound more traditional in character. What matters to any player of course is what that person hears and likes. For me, my L's in single coil and the SB sound a lot alike, while they don't sound at all like my LB or JB's.
I found the L1500 with the K-mod to provide single-coil and the cap changed to dim the treble a bit gave the best of both 1500 & Kiloton in one. Well, unless you're a pick guard lover
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I found the L1500 with the K-mod to provide single-coil and the cap changed to dim the treble a bit gave the best of both 1500 & Kiloton in one. Well, unless you're a pick guard lover
That's interesting, Tom. I hadn't twigged to doing the K-mod on my L-1500, although I've done it on the L-2500. What cap did you settle on for the treble roll-off?
I didn't do the mod so I don't know, but it was a great combo (recently traded). I actually used single-coil on gigs a couple times, though my default was parallel. ...always passive. The info on both mods is in this thread somewhere, I believe, and also originally from the basses by Leo forum.
Sounds good on decent phones but if you are going to put it on the net read below.
I did a weekly live stream to Facebook with a buddy of mine. I soon learned that very few people listen on a decant sound system (typically a cell phone, laptop or at best cheap earbuds) so low and clean bass just disappears.
I try to play up the fretboard and have an always on overdrive pedal (Behringer BDI21) to add a few harmonics and make it cut through on even the crappiest of speakers.
I don't own both but I've played both. The position is very similar, tone is same tree, different branch.
I'm still in love with my M2500 6 weeks later, and I'm still contemplating a fretless G&L 5 string. Every fretless G&L I've heard though has a lack of classic mwah. Seems the consensus is that the nuts are too high.
My question is, have any G&L fretless owners filed the nut down and achieved the mwah they wanted?
Thanks
My question is, have any G&L fretless owners filed the nut down and achieved the mwah they wanted?
Thanks
My fretless L-1500 came with a standard nut, so it was too high. I had it filed down, and now it's great.
It was made in 2009 - I don't know if they still use the same nut height for fretted and fretless, but they did then. I was pretty disappointed.
I think they still do.
So you were able to get some good mwah now? Any sound clips?
More NBD - the middle two are from the awesome Greg Bump at Rocket Music.
