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NBD: CLF Research (G&L) L-1000
- Thread starter lildrgn
- Start date
Haha, I was going to say the same thing ;-). Sweet bass, I recently picked up a '96 SB-1 that sounds phenomenal. These MFDs just get a monstrous, massive passive tone. And...I'm typing this from the exact same style of Ikea chair you have in the pic.
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.
It's what their website shows.
CLF Research L-1000
I think it's the same company; it's more of a branding thing.
Bass update:
- Something on the strings or fretboard is making my fretting hand discolored. All 4 fingers come off gray/black after a bit of playing. Strings sound new and wiping the fretboard off with a cloth doesn't seem to help.
- I changed out the strap buttons for Dunlop strap locks. The screws were not the original screws and the one at the bottom of the bass keeps loosening itself. I just did the toothpick trick to another bass and that one is rock solid, so I may have to do it to the L1K. I don't want to, but probably will.
- I'm getting used to the wider neck. It doesn't seem to be hurting any hands or anything, but I do feel the reach on my right hand. It feels pretty good, though.
- I plugged it into my big Carvin combo amp and turned it up a bit. All modes are pretty awesome, and I imagine they'll sound even better when sitting in the mix with the band.
- I loosened the E and A strings and pulled the ball ends out a bit to untwist them. I also lowered the pickup and the chorus effect seems better or is gone. I will have to listen to it closely, but it is definitely better.
- My action is still too low. I have given 2 .25 counter-clockwise turns to the truss rod. The second time it felt quite tight and I didn't want to force it. I don't have any measuring tools but fretting at the 1 and the 15 and reaching back to the 9, I feel like there's just a single business card space between fret and string. I may let it sit overnight and see if the neck changes.
I see, it's a way of hearkening back to the glory days, kind of like the Classic StingRay. I just noticed the original headstock shape.
As the owner of a 1981 L-1000, I approve.
As the owner of a 1981 L-1000, I approve.
That’s a lot to quote for no more that I have to share, but...
The stuff getting on your fingers is most likely coming from the strings. You may need to try another brand. My fingertips turn dark the first few times I play new strings (Ernie Ball Power Slinkies).
And I’m wondering, are you taking into consideration the bridge saddle height when determining the action height?
Yes, I've adjusted the saddles as well as the truss rod.
It's gotten to the point where the buzz is way less now, but still there. But because I don't have a great reference 0 point, I'm not sure if it's OK or not. My SB-2, set up way back about 10 years ago (!), plays how it plays. It sounds great and I never gave it another thought. Compare the L1K to it and aside from the wider neck, it plays about the same, just with bright zingy strings.
After all my tweaking this weekend, I shot a video playing along to some Rush. I thought the bass sounded pretty good, with less fret buzz. Someone mentioned he couldn't live with that much fret buzz. It didn't bother me that he said it; what bothered me was I didn't have a perfectly set up bass to reference against.
Anyway, I work 3 miles from Mike Lull. I took it there and had one of his guys (Paul?) look at it. He said though the action was high, the neck seemed fine. He plugged it into an Aguilar amp and played and said it sounded pretty good. He did have Mike take a look and aside from the high action, he also didn't think any adjustments were necessary.
Keep in mind, I also haven't had a chance to play with the bandmates yet. Listening through headphones, I like the sound a lot and expect it will sound great in a band setting. For now, I'm going to live with the little fret buzz I have, but I'm going to try to bring the action down just a little. It is pretty high.
Can't wait to get it with the mates for a spin!!
Beautiful bass, friend! And frozen greetings from the eastern side of the state. We're still getting dumped on.
We just got dug out! And it's still a hot mess. Kids go back to school tomorrow for the first time in a week! Crazy stuff.
Dude! Whatever Mike and Paul told you is good as gold. I wish I were closer, I’d have him PLEK my Stingray.
Nearly 2 weeks later, I finally got to take the new bass for a spin with the band. I played it through my SABBDI > TE GP12 Series 6 > 2x10 Avatar > 1x15 Ashdown.
It took a song or two to get dialed in and for most of the night, I ended up full on all knobs, OMG mode, SABBDI on and no EQ on the amp. I also play with earplugs in and that makes the sound different as well.
What I noticed most of all was how much more solid it sounded than my SB-2 (1996 vintage). I usually play that with the neck PU on full, the bridge PU dialed back to about 85-90%. The L1K felt/sounded more consistent throughout all the strings and positions. The SB-2 usually gets thin when getting above the 5th fret on the G string.
I did record and I'll have to take a listen. I felt like I liked having the SABDDI on as it gave it a fuller sound, though I did try playing one song with no pedal or EQ at all. I have had the SB-2 for 12 years now and I know what it can do. I'm just figuring out what the L1K can do over a 2hr rehearsal. Can't wait to do it again.
It took a song or two to get dialed in and for most of the night, I ended up full on all knobs, OMG mode, SABBDI on and no EQ on the amp. I also play with earplugs in and that makes the sound different as well.
What I noticed most of all was how much more solid it sounded than my SB-2 (1996 vintage). I usually play that with the neck PU on full, the bridge PU dialed back to about 85-90%. The L1K felt/sounded more consistent throughout all the strings and positions. The SB-2 usually gets thin when getting above the 5th fret on the G string.
I did record and I'll have to take a listen. I felt like I liked having the SABDDI on as it gave it a fuller sound, though I did try playing one song with no pedal or EQ at all. I have had the SB-2 for 12 years now and I know what it can do. I'm just figuring out what the L1K can do over a 2hr rehearsal. Can't wait to do it again.
I have had this bass for a month and have paid $210 towards it via Affirm (thanks Reverb!) and have only played with my mates one time. 
People traveling, snow days, etc, have cut into my joy in dialing it in at practice. We have practice tonight... and it snowed this morning. I expect it will be gone by practice time but someone is not wanting me to play my new bass with my band! Can't wait!
People traveling, snow days, etc, have cut into my joy in dialing it in at practice. We have practice tonight... and it snowed this morning. I expect it will be gone by practice time but someone is not wanting me to play my new bass with my band! Can't wait!
I bought the identical bass today. It should be here tomorrow. I owned an L1000 almost 40 years ago (that hurt typing that!!!). Be always wanted to get back to playing with a G&L again. I didn’t want to deal with potential issues buying a 30-40 year old bass so I took the easy way out and bought a new one.
I hope yours is sorted and treating you well. I can’t wait to get mine.
I hope yours is sorted and treating you well. I can’t wait to get mine.
Hey!
I love this bass. I have had one issue with it so far, but it's been self-imposed. I put on an old Dunlop strap lock pin and it is always working itself out. I've used the toothpick and glue trick and it continues to do it. I may need a longer screw or maybe even a dowel to get it right. Last show I played, I had to keep a screw driver on hand and would tighten between every few songs. What a dork!
But it sounds great and looks incredible. I play it through a SansAmp BDDI and then into a Trace Elliot GP12 Series 6 amp. I usually have the switch in center position, with an occasional switch to OMG mode when I'm really feeling it.
I have a mid-90s SB-2 that I played for about a decade and now it's become my #2. I did play it last week and loved it, but the L1k is just too awesome to put down.
Here's a video a friend shot a few weeks ago. I look forward to hearing about yours when you get it.
Weird that it wouldn't play. Assuming you have facebook, that is. You can look us up on FB, Stereo Embers. Here's a Youtube link in case FB is being stupid. Bass kicks in at 1:00 or so.
Coeur d'Alene a bit far from Eugene, Oregon, but the GC here has a really nice one if you're after one. Came from an immaculate collection, & it plays so nice. I bought a Jazz from the same collection that I'll do an NBD thread on shortly, & another TBer bought a mint Sadowsky...all from the same source. I think GC wants a grand, clear coat with rosewood FB. It's purty
