How's the passive mode tone? Does it sound as good as a passive classic Fender P or J, or do you pretty much need the pre-amp engaged to get the really good sounds out of it?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
G&L guys, how do you like the passive tone?
- Thread starter Tommy Tourbus
- Start date
I'm not a G&L player (though I hope to be soon,) but from what I've read here on talkbass, it seems the majority prefer passive mode, especially if the "K" wiring mod has been done. I'll let the owners digress.
My L2000 hasn't had a battery in it for years, so obviously passive is my preference. The G&L preamp I find to have some harshness in the highs that I dont particularly like so I always played it in passive mode even when I did have a battery installed.
Passive mode tends to take the edge off the highs just a bit, but everything else is just as huge as ever...
LS
Got G&L MFD's in several of my basses, both the humbucker and the Split-P versions, both used passive only, and they sound great to me, I always get good comments on their sound.
I love the passive mode in my L2000. I like it so much I put a G&L MFD humbucker in a Fender P parts bass.
My 81 L1000 is only passive and my 2k L1505 has both but I only use passive. A little too much high end for my taste when I run it active. And when I play a different room I don't want to wonder if my battery is going dead if my bass sounds a little different. So I'm passive all the time. Besides, even passive the MFD's are hot.
Yeah, you really should specify a particular model or pickup in your question. My 1988 SB-1, split-P, is passive, and I prefer it. But I did have an L2500, and IMHO, the passive was better than the active.
I hardly ever play mine in active... ever. I've got flats on my G&L and it is still super bright with the MFD pickups. I've got a '74 P and I honestly can't tell all that much of a difference between the two minus a bit more treble and "bite" in the tone with the G&L. Nothing to write home about, though.
I have to admit, I keep looking for reasons to hate my G&L since my P is older and should rule over it on account of its age, tone, etc., but any time a show or practice comes up, I shelve the P and grab the G&L over it. Sad but awesome at the same time. Hopefully that'll tell you something.
Mine's a tribute and has the "c" neck like the old Precisions and I love the feel of it. Others may recommend the slimmer necks you can get on an American made G&L, but I love P necks, plain and simple. If only my '74 had the same neck... *sigh*
I have to admit, I keep looking for reasons to hate my G&L since my P is older and should rule over it on account of its age, tone, etc., but any time a show or practice comes up, I shelve the P and grab the G&L over it. Sad but awesome at the same time. Hopefully that'll tell you something.
Mine's a tribute and has the "c" neck like the old Precisions and I love the feel of it. Others may recommend the slimmer necks you can get on an American made G&L, but I love P necks, plain and simple. If only my '74 had the same neck... *sigh*
Post some pics of that L1505. I love mine but they are few and far between.
As for the OP, I don't like passive mode at all I LOVE it.
Seriously passive mode with those big MFD's is the best choice unless your plan is to cause hearing trauma in the audience.
When I got my L2500 Tribute used here on TB, I was playing my 88 Ric 4003 as my main bass. The L2500 made me sell the Ric (though I have since bought a 2009 4003 that I love).
See, that's what I keep rattling around in the back of my head. Hahaha! I had an '80 Ric that I sold after getting my P (the tone and comfort to play my P just blew away the Ric) and now I feel like the same thing is happening again. The good news is that I refuse to sell my P. It needs a refret and set-up, but once that's done I'm sure I'll play it more.
So yeah, I had decent expectations of the G&L and it just keeps teasing and teasing and getting more dangerous every time. It's like that hot girl at work that you know is completely bad news yet you can't quit flirting with her. For shame!
See, that's what I keep rattling around in the back of my head. Hahaha! I had an '80 Ric that I sold after getting my P (the tone and comfort to play my P just blew away the Ric) and now I feel like the same thing is happening again. The good news is that I refuse to sell my P. It needs a refret and set-up, but once that's done I'm sure I'll play it more.
So yeah, I had decent expectations of the G&L and it just keeps teasing and teasing and getting more dangerous every time. It's like that hot girl at work that you know is completely bad news yet you can't quit flirting with her. For shame!
Hey, if you dont HAVE to sell it, dont. No one says you cant have multiple basses (I sure do). I sold my Ric because I wanted to buy a brand new L2000 (tribby) and put an ACG preamp into it.
Yeah, at the time I HAD to sell the Ric, unfortunately. It hurt, but what can you do? There are definitely times I miss that puppy but I try not to look back. The only thing I ever regret selling is my 1970 Gibson SG (yes, I switched to the dark side for a while). Between that and my P they have seen a lot of shows with me. My Precision and I have racked up 13 years together, so it's not going anywhere. To think I used to HATE P's, and now it's the standard that I judge every bass by. 
Yeah, I'm having a hard time finding the active mode on my JB-2. But in passive mode it sound fabulous, dahling!
I've had my G&L for two days and after an hour or so of tinkering before I took it to my tech I can tell you I like my G&L passive and in series. That may change as I play with it some more but man... Awesome.
