NBD and disappointed

[Iridescentone]

A .001 mfd capacitor soldered to the bass-cut pot (center lug to back of pot) of an L-1500 bass will provide plenty of low-end heft all the time.

The L-2000 and ASAT models come with the same capacitor.

When the L-1500 model was developed (from the Climax bass, which replaced the L-1000 in 1991) it was omitted to provide a more 'aggressive' tone.

Adding that capacitor gives an L-1500 bass big balls - enough to go toe-to-toe with a Stingray or Sterling or Dimension strung with any strings.

Yep, I've had the cap sitting here since I read about the mod. After I install it I'll A/B it against an L-2000, a Sterling H, and a few other similar basses just for kicks.

I expect an improvement to the L-1500 with the cap mod, but I don't expect it to have the authority of an L-2000, or even an L-1000. I'll be happy if the L-1500 becomes more usable. In its current state it's borderline, but otherwise it's an excellent example....lightweight, ebony board, quartersawn neck, and dead mint.

Will post impressions later for any interested parties. Cheers.

 

[MCF]

Do what I do. It's a simple 12 step process:

1. Put a new pickguard on it. My choice would be white.
2. Change the strings.
3. Give it a set up.
4. Get all excited.
5. Play it again.
6. Put it on a nice stand in your playing space.
7. Play whatever other bass or basses you play.
8. Three or four years from now, clean the dust off the dimension.
9. Take some pictures of it.
10. Put it on craigslist for $150.
11. Sell it to the first person who haggles with you for $125.
12. Put that money towards a bass you'll like, and maybe even play.

"You gotta be cruel to be kind."

 

[Iridescentone]

I would assume that the HH model, and the fact that yours is an American Dimension, have a lot to do with this. The neck pickup on yours is adding a much rounder and nicer bump in the lows and low mids; a great match for the bridge pickup. Also, in regards the high mids and cutting in the mix, I agree with your statement that the mids are key to sounding great in a mix.
The Squier however, is an altogether different beast with these mids. Even in with the treble and mid knobs fully cut, there are more mids than I've experienced in other basses with the mid knob fully up! We're not talking about a nice zing and growl here, we're talking about a full on clank monster lol. I think the voicing of the pickup, pre, and the fact that it is a single bridge pup creates this. I would imagine it is nothing like your HH with a much better pre, pups, and the added warmth and thump of the neck pup.

Yeah I'm sure the Squier H is a much different animal than the American Deluxe HH, on many levels.

I can relate to your experience with a "clank monster", too. The G&L Climax below was the same way, totally uncontrollable clank and gank, even with thumpy flats and extreme EQing. What a shame, it was such a cool bass.....8lbs 2oz, played superbly, was in like-new condition, and had a rare Goldburst finish to boot. That was 13 years ago, had I known about the simple cap mod back then, I'd still have that bass.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Just stick with the Black P bass, it will never let you down..

 

[BoogieZK]

With this pickup position, you'll not be able to make it sound like a "regular" bass.
But try not to cut the mids but boosting them around 160Hz to 250Hz.

Saintless steel strings, low setup, play it softly, crank up the gain and volume of your amp, play is softly²

 

[Korladis]

Mids are good.