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G&L Club Part 7

Just a quick one.....what's people's opinions on what the default mode of the L series should be.....series or parallel. I'm interested to know.
I must agree with @bonin in the boneyard that Single Coil is my default. I rarely if ever use Series.

My typical settings are:
Both pickups - Single Coil or Parallel
Neck pickup - Parallel

If I use the bridge pickup alone, I might pop it into series and reduce the volume a bit.
 
Just a quick one.....what's people's opinions on what the default mode of the L series should be.....series or parallel. I'm interested to know.
I prefer series (and passive) on my L-2500, but I also wouldn't say there's a right or wrong answer.
 
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Just a quick one.....what's people's opinions on what the default mode of the L series should be.....series or parallel. I'm interested to know.
Both good, both favorites.

Series is fat and brings the oomph, parallel is great for a more trebly, sparkly modern tone since there's still plenty of low end to go around with active mode and rolling up the bass a bit more.

Depends really on what you what your "default" sound to be
 
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Just a quick one.....what's people's opinions on what the default mode of the L series should be.....series or parallel. I'm interested to know.
It's a personal preference thing so whatever you like the sound of is your default mode, others of course will vary.

On both my L-2500 and L-2000 my goto mode is series.

I have the single coil mod (outers) on the L-2500 but hardly ever used it so although I have the correct switch ready to mod the L-2000 I have never felt the need to do it.
 
For me, it really depends on the mix. I generally find what I need in series or sc mode.

As I've become more experienced, I've learned to let go of what sounds good to me when I'm by myself. I've learned to really rely on my ability to shape my sound based on others around.

This, more than anything, has allowed me to punch through and sound good. And the bass that allows me to do that the easiest is the L2000. Without a doubt. No other bass gives you as much control on your tone, once the music has started.
 
In my eternal quest to make my L2000 sound like a Wal, here's where I'm at now.



Not too shabby tone-wise if I do say so myself. I made a few mistakes but hey, this was a one-take video. I've never played a bass that just thunders and growls like this.

Bass is set to about 60% Volume, 90% Treble, 50-60% Bass, Both Pickups, Parallel, with Active Treb Boost.

Effects Chain:
donner Noise Killer Noise Gate (my house's wiring sucks and it's super noisy)
Behringer CS400 Compressor/Sustainer w/Tone & Attack cranked a bit
Behringer BDI21 Sansamp Clone preamp
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz
Sonicake Boom Ave (for Octaver)
Boss GT-1B w/"Tool Time" Custom patch -- High Band OD, EQ Filter with mids scooped a bit, and a GK Amp simulator

Thanks!
 
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Lots of great answers guys on the series vs parallel thing - and just to re-iterate I wasn't asking "what do people think the correct default setting is". I was merely interested in peoples point of view.

I guess I asked as for me series has incredible oomph, but that oomph swallows the overall voice of the individual pickup combos (i.e. neck, both, bridge). Parallel lets the different pickup combo voices come through but I find even with the bass dimed I still add a bit via an EQ pedal around 100hz. Secondly - when in parallel mode if I want to get that super bassy McCartney thump, rolling the treble all the way still doesn't get there.

Sounds like I am ragging on the L series....it's not the case at all. My L2000 basses are really the only basses I use these days - nothing comes close to me in regards to tone or versatility and they record so nicely.

But the answers above did give me an idea. I only currently use my L basses in passive mode, but maybe to level things a little I can use series in Passive mode, and when I want to get those parallel tones (i.e. on the very odd occasion I slap!!!) maybe I switch to preamp on?

I'm still to have the SC K mod applied to my basses....been intending to get it done for 5 years or so now, just been too slack!!! I'm tossing up between both inner coils, or maybe inner bridge, outer neck.
Or maybe I just add a switch or 2 and have both?

It never ends does it?!!!

Cheers for the cool responses guys.
 
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...I guess I asked as for me series has incredible oomph, but that oomph swallows the overall voice of the individual pickup combos (i.e. neck, both, bridge). Parallel lets the different pickup combo voices come through but I find even with the bass dimed I still add a bit via an EQ pedal around 100hz. Secondly - when in parallel mode if I want to get that super bassy McCartney thump, rolling the treble all the way still doesn't get there.

Sounds like I am ragging on the L series....it's not the case at all. My L2000 basses are really the only basses I use these days - nothing comes close to me in regards to tone or versatility and they record so nicely.

But the answers above did give me an idea. I only currently use my L basses in passive mode, but maybe to level things a little I can use series in Passive mode, and when I want to get those parallel tones (i.e. on the very odd occasion I slap!!!) maybe I switch to preamp on?

I'm still to have the SC K mod applied to my basses...

What you are describing is exactly what most of us have gotten out of the SC mod. It is really in between the parallel and series modes.

I cycle between those two modes, depending on the mix. When I am more interested in pushing forward, dominating the mix, I use series. When I want to have more detail and precision in my sound, I use SC.

It's all good. I could survive with just one of those two modes just fine. But having those options is really cool.

Enjoy!

John
 
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Quick question for all you G&L players out there:
I have an L-1505, currently strung with D'addario chrome flats (ECB81-5).

I'm looking for a new set of strings that are a bit lower tension, and i would like to try string-through the body.
maybe i'm making this up, but i seem to recall that in order to string-through, i need to get a longer set.

currently, i'm a big fan of Dunlop flats and Labella DTF (have not tried the Low tension flats yet), moderately "deadened" with some Eucerin treatment.

main applications would be R&B, Rock (finger-style and pick, no slap).

Any suggestions for my next set of strings?
thanks!