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G&L Kiloton
- Thread starter Bulky Bass
- Start date
G&L does have a "model logo delete" option for no charge.
If it's priced the same as an SB-1/L-1500, $1400 would be the base (street) price without options.
Another plus on this model that people tend to gripe about is the jack is located on the side instead of the pickguard.
In the demo on their site, Steve Araujo stated it's single coil, utilizing the front coil.
That's still cheaper than a new Stingray and you can actually pick the bass YOU want not from a select bunch of colors. I've always wanted a Stingray or a L-2000/1500 but the active circuit and all those knobs kept me from buying one. The simplicity of this bass is perfect for my uncomplicated brain.
I've been SOOO close to pulling the trigger on a G&L bass many times, yet I've never owned one. Maybe this is the one. I like it, at least on paper.
It's ok I guess. I'm not impressed.
Has less tone control than a L-1000, L-1500, or L-2000. Not sure if it has the OMG mode when in single coil mode like the L-1000 has.
No preamp, but A preamp isn't really necessary with MFD pickups because they produce such a hot signal. The L series preamp does thicken the mid frequencies a little, but other than that it's not necessary.
If I were to buy another G&L bass with mfd pickups, I'd get either a L-2000 or M-2000.
You get more bass for your buck.
Has less tone control than a L-1000, L-1500, or L-2000. Not sure if it has the OMG mode when in single coil mode like the L-1000 has.
No preamp, but A preamp isn't really necessary with MFD pickups because they produce such a hot signal. The L series preamp does thicken the mid frequencies a little, but other than that it's not necessary.
If I were to buy another G&L bass with mfd pickups, I'd get either a L-2000 or M-2000.
You get more bass for your buck.
I love G&L basses, but this just looks like another attempt to be an Ernie ball StingRay etc. Fender tried it with the Dimension bass to mixed reviews.
Most people will. I prefer it because that's what most of my basses have, but it's not a deal breaker.
Looks easy! G&L have already the MFD pickup, the bridge, and the neck from other fiver models, they just have to re-design for 5-string new routings for the neck pocket, the bridge and PU cavities on the SB body, and re-shape the pickguard. Do I miss something?
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Just did some image analysis (with Image J if that interests you folks). The pickup on the Kiloton is in the exact same position as on the L-1500: on the D-string the centre of the pickup is 90% of the distance from nut to saddle edge. This happens to also be the exact same position as on a MusicMan Stringray bass. (Error here is no more than 0.5%.)
So...the Kiloton is, from the electronics viewpoint, an entirely passive L-1500 with a single coil option. The body seems to be an SB shape rather than the L/M shape. So there you go. Whether the MFD pickup is wound like that on the L-series is a question to be answered.
So...the Kiloton is, from the electronics viewpoint, an entirely passive L-1500 with a single coil option. The body seems to be an SB shape rather than the L/M shape. So there you go. Whether the MFD pickup is wound like that on the L-series is a question to be answered.
I understand where you are coming from but I like the fact that this bass looks cleaner and less bulky than the dimension. It's a lean mean fighting machine. A fretless is what I want!
One thing that could be the difference maker between this and the L-1500 (in passive), is if this is wired up with the extra capacitor on the bass control to load down the pickup. Here's a thread @ the bassesbyleo forum explaining why the L-1500 is so bright/aggresive compared to an L1K/L2K.
BassesByLeo • View topic - The Taming of the Climax/L-1500 Bass
BassesByLeo • View topic - The Taming of the Climax/L-1500 Bass
Hmmm...here's an overlay of the L-1500 on the Kiloton using images from G&L's site. Then there's a Stingray image. Although the image analysis showed a near-complete line-up, the image suggests the pickup on the Stingray may be slightly closer to the neck. Pretty darned close, though.
Based on the measurements I've gotten off of a few TB threads, assuming an MM Sabre still has the same placement as an SR,
the Sabre bridge p-up is 13-3/4" to center from the 12th fret and the L-1500 is 14" to center from the 12th fret. Only a 1/4" difference.
I'd like to see this in 5-strings and with the M-2500 voiced pickup. I'm currently playing an M-2500 Tribute and while it is great, I had an SB-2 before it and the body shape was pretty awesome. While I'm on this topic, a 5-string SB-2 would be great too.
