• 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.

NBD: 1981 G&L L-1000

#61
So I have played this quite a bit but just for the first time got to open this baby up at a practice.

Amazing! I have been missing out for awhile by not having one of these in my possession. These really are fantastic instruments and IMO a must for any Precision fan.

I will always love Precisions but I think I have found the next best thing.
 
#62
They're really not too terribly similar to a P bass in tone, IMO.
P-bass don't do single coil, and the dual coil mode in the L1000 is using a much bigger pickup...

YMMV, etc.
 
#63
I didn't really mess with the super overdrive very much. I left the switch largely in the center which I assume is standard humbucking mode.

To me it hit the same midrange as the Precision but was overall a much rounder tone.

Really a fantastic bass.

(Sidenote: I think I am getting it right. Switch up towards the headstock is single coil, in the middle is humbucker and flipped towards the controls is like a bass overdrive mode)

I also just left the knobs open full way like my Precision.
 
#65
IIRC, and I may not,

towards the neck is dual coil/parallel (as opposed to dual coil/series)
centered is single coil
towards the bridge is single coil with bass boost
 
#67
Chef said:
IIRC, and I may not,

towards the neck is dual coil/parallel (as opposed to dual coil/series)
centered is single coil
towards the bridge is single coil with bass boost
Click to expand...

(Sidenote: I think I am getting it right. Switch up towards the headstock is single coil, in the middle is humbucker and flipped towards the controls is like a bass overdrive mode)
Click to expand...
Johnny has it correct with the above.
 
#73
Johnny-
let me encourage you to play with the bass and treble knobs. A LOT of tones in those babies. I used to go WFO on both but after reading what several folks more knowledgeable than I had to say about dialing them back (and actually diaing back the volume knob as well), things really started sounding GREAT! I found that going WFO actually didn't sound as good as I first believed.
 
#77
Johnny Alien said:
I am going to give a few different settings a spin this weekend. I normally never mess with the tone knobs and always run them wide open on my basses.
Click to expand...

Eh. I never max the EQ on any G&L I have ever owned. IME with these basses it is not the best sounding setting. I usually run the EQ at 50% and take it from there. However I never found much use in cutting volume for tone related pourposes but others swear by it.
 
#78
With the L1000; if you want "a more proper P bass old skewl tone," crack the volume shut a tad.

I most generally run the treble all open, and the bass at about 40% on or so; but I like some bite/edge. If you prefer a rounder tone, closing treble to taste is helpful.

Be careful with that bass control, especially with the coil tap pointed at the bridge. There's a lot of heft in there.
 
#79
Chef said:
With the L1000; if you want "a more proper P bass old skewl tone," crack the volume shut a tad.

I most generally run the treble all open, and the bass at about 40% on or so; but I like some bite/edge. If you prefer a rounder tone, closing treble to taste is helpful.

Be careful with that bass control, especially with the coil tap pointed at the bridge. There's a lot of heft in there.
Click to expand...

I never use the bass boost mode with any regularity because I find that when I engage it I end up rolling the bass back to a point that's nearly the same as setting the bass to about 80% without bass boost. I also find that I lose clarity in the boost mode. Once in a while I use it for over-the-top dub type sounds but otherwise I find it generally useless. :hiding:
 
#80
I was not a fan of the bass boost it seems interesting to have but I doubt I will put it into use.

So how does the bass knob work? If I have it turned all the way towards the headstock is that all the way on or all the way off? Is the center a zero point? I had both knobs all the way towards the headstock (which I call wide open) and it did not sound overly bassy. Much more "round" sounding than my Precision but still with a good cutting sound.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back