NBD: CLF Research (G&L) L-1000

[lildrgn]

I picked up my brand new CLF Research L-1000 today. Here are some things I've noticed so far:

• The width at the nut is 1 5/8" and the neck profile seems thinner than what I'm used to. So a wider neck with a thinner profile. It feels like a platform for my fingers and I sort of like it. My SB-2 and Decade are both 1.5" (jazz width) at the nut and it's what I'm used to so playing the wider neck will be interesting.
• The neck appears to be straight and true with the eye test. The action is a little low so I may raise the saddles a little to mitigate that.
  
• The toggle switch is reminiscent of the switch I had on my old Sterling. I think I'll have it in OMG (bass boost) mode most of the time, but it will take some tweaking on the Trace to see what works best.
  
• I haven't weighed it but the seller said it's a 9 pounder. The hand test feels like it's lighter than the SB-2 but not as light as the Decade.
  
• I'll have to break in the strings. They're a little zingy now. Bonus score: The Bass Place sent a set of Fender strings in the case too!
  
• Though all the US basses (except the JBs) have them, I love the look of the 6 bolt neck. No one will see it as it's on the back of the bass, but I love how it looks.
• Speaking of looks, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the chrome control plate. Some of the L1Ks out there have no control plate and look naked to me.

Thanks to the G&L Club Part 7 for putting up with my posts about shipping delays and climate control. I wrote a bunch more boring stuff about my journey to getting the bass here if you're interested.

Here's a few pics.

 

[two fingers]

Awesome looking bass!!!!!!


(You need to clean your room before you play it for one more second, young man!)

 

[ErikP.Bass]

Beautiful! Congratulations.

I’m surprised we don’t see more of these popping up here on TB. Read the long story....

Do these have the skunk stripe on the back of the necks? I love the feel of these, that flatness...hope they’re true to the originals.

 

[Newbilong]

Beautiful beautiful machine. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[lildrgn]

Beautiful! Congratulations.

I’m surprised we don’t see more of these popping up here on TB. Read the long story....

Do these have the skunk stripe on the back of the necks? I love the feel of these, that flatness...hope they’re true to the originals.

No skunk stripe.

 

[McFarlin]

Man, that gold is sump'n special. Too bad they don't offer it as a standard finish.

 

[jd56hawk]

Now that it's been acclimatized, you have plugged it in and played it, right?

 

[murphy]

Thank you for sharing your detailed assessment.

Love the look....big improvement on the modern G&L style

 

[Torrente Cro]

You just inspired me on how to waste a weekend
It was like giving an apple to Adam, my G&L suddenly realized it was naked all it's life.

 

[lildrgn]

Man, that gold is sump'n special. Too bad they don't offer it as a standard finish.

I fell in LOVE with the gold and rosewood. Something about it...

Now that it's been acclimatized, you have plugged it in and played it, right?

YES! A good amount. Mainly through my old Peavey Basic 40 or headphones, but trying to get the feel and setup dialed in. As well, it's a 1 5/8" nut, which makes a difference from the 1 1/2" I'm used to. But it's a cool change. That, along with the thinner neck profile, make for a different playing experience.

I also noticed that there was some weird chorus-ey sound above the 12th fret on the E and A strings. Another thread poster said it may be the pickup being too close to the strings, so I've lowered it and will try again after breakfast.

Thank you for sharing your detailed assessment.

Love the look....big improvement on the modern G&L style

As much as I love how a bass sounds, I'm almost just as excited as how it can look. I LOVE my SB-2 and am LOVING this L1K. The Pharaoh Gold is incredible in person, not quite the dramatic metal flake, but similar to the metallic finish on cars - you know the type; it sparkles when the sun hits it. Gorgeous.

You just inspired me on how to waste a weekend
It was like giving an apple to Adam, my G&L suddenly realized it was naked all it's life.
View attachment 3316210

Ha, going for the control plate! But what is the thing next to your bridge?

 

[Kukulkan61]

Very Nice!! Love the color too!!
I had the real deal here till I sold it...

 

[Torrente Cro]

Ha, going for the control plate! But what is the thing next to your bridge?

It's Roland GK-2b pickup:
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[lildrgn]

Awesome looking bass!!!!!!


(You need to clean your room before you play it for one more second, young man!)

Ha for sure. I took the pic and realized what a pigsty it was. Such is the life of a man cave/rec room. But yes, gonna pick it up a bit. I was too excited to share my joy with y'all.

 

[Warhawk]

What a beauty, congrats!

 

[txdahaley]

I love G&L. Also, don't listen to anyone about that room! A little mess goes a long way to annoy singers and guitar players alike. It's what we do.

 

[lildrgn]

 

[ihixulu]

Messy rooms have better acoustical properties - they disrupt standing waves, kill reflections, and add a rock and roll edge to the tone.

PS - beautiful bass

 

[JRA]

too cool! very nice looking ax...and i'm sure it whips any fender contender. congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[faulknersj]

I’ve had my eye on one of these! Can’t wait to hear how you like it! Congrats!

 

[CapnSev]

I love the L1000 so much.