• 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 L-1000 Series 750 5-string -- Thoughts?

sumeursault

sumeursault

Supporting Member
Jun 21, 2006
1,716
701
#1
I recently purchased a Yamaha BBP 35 as my sole 5-string...first one I've owned in over a decade. It's cool, but in P-bass "mode" (without the bridge pickup), the B-string is not great. And I prefer the more open/natural sound of a single pickup, vice the phasey constricted sound of both pickups. Wondering if the new G&L L-1000 series 750 is worth considering instead? It has a 9.5" fingerboard radius, 19mm string spacing, and a single humbucker in the P position -- all things I think I would like. Thoughts from those who own one?
 
#6
HeavyDuty said:
The one I just saw on Sweetwater is 9.5 pounds - with a basswood body. Ooof. But it looks right up my alley!
Click to expand...

They're not the prettiest looking basses if I'm being honest. But at the end of the day I just want something that can get a P-bass-esque sound whilst still maintaining good (enough) definition with the low-B string. My Yamaha BBP 35 doesn't quite get there. It needs the help of the bridge pickup, which changes the tone completely. Plus, I don't think I'm a huge fan of the super flat fingerboard radius....
 
  • Like
Reactions: HeavyDuty
#7
MFD pups are "love it or hate it" kind of thing. I liked the L2K I had, but the pups ended up being too hot and souped up for my taste, and I had to basically turn both bass and treble controls all the way off (in passive mode) to not clip my GK 2001RB preamp. I liked the neck pup tone best on it (everything else was scooped/thin/weird and lost in the mix), but I still much prefer the classic P bass alnico pup tone.

No idea how that would translate to a 5 stringer to be honest, but if you want a super hot passive bass, go for it.
 
#8
mouthmw said:
MFD pups are "love it or hate it" kind of thing. I liked the L2K I had, but the pups ended up being too hot and souped up for my taste, and I had to basically turn both bass and treble controls all the way off (in passive mode) to not clip my GK 2001RB preamp. I liked the neck pup tone best on it (everything else was scooped/thin/weird and lost in the mix), but I still much prefer the classic P bass alnico pup tone.

No idea how that would translate to a 5 stringer to be honest, but if you want a super hot passive bass, go for it.
Click to expand...

Did you try turning the bass and treble controls down slightly and doing the rest of the attenuation with the volume knob?
 
  • Like
Reactions: mouthmw and lomo
#9
mouthmw said:
MFD pups are "love it or hate it" kind of thing. I liked the L2K I had, but the pups ended up being too hot and souped up for my taste, and I had to basically turn both bass and treble controls all the way off (in passive mode) to not clip my GK 2001RB preamp. I liked the neck pup tone best on it (everything else was scooped/thin/weird and lost in the mix), but I still much prefer the classic P bass alnico pup tone.

No idea how that would translate to a 5 stringer to be honest, but if you want a super hot passive bass, go for it.
Click to expand...

The problem with the P pickup config on a 5-string is that it doesn't read the B-string well. It almost needs to be back where the treble side portion of the pickup is, but just under that string.

To your point about the MFDs, my ears tell me I might agree with you (but only from youtube demos). I wonder if there's a way to tame them though...
 
  • Like
Reactions: mouthmw
#11
I always run my l-1000 wide open. But I like some preamp distortion!

pickup height matters a lot with these basses. They definitely do not need to be high and dropped down some get more into “hot p-bass” territory.
 
#13
dabbler said:
Did you try turning the bass and treble controls down slightly and doing the rest of the attenuation with the volume knob?
Click to expand...

I did, I felt the volume control was not that great in passive mode, with most of the effect happening at the end of the turn where volume was almost gone, and I didn't like what it did to L2K tone wise, it sounded wimpy. Volume control was better in active and active + treble boost modes. That way I could do a bit of EQ shaping (which is always passive) and turn the volume down with the volume knob. Seemed to react better that way.

That said, GK RB amps don't have a preamp gain control, besides the attenuation switch which again is a tone sucker. Every volume control on RB amps is post preamp. If you have amp with a preamp gain control, I take it would be easier to avoid clipping.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dabbler

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back