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Trouble choosing early model G&L L1000

StudioGC

StudioGC

Sep 20, 2015
1,973
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London
#1
Greetings, walked into a local music store looking for some drum equipment to keep our whining drummer happy when he gigs at my house and saw 3 early G&L L1000's in stock.

Had to try them since I've heard some good YouTube vids of them and usually hear nothing but good things about them.

Two of them are from 1982 (law suit era headstock) the other is 1991. The neck on the 1991 model seems to be a bit thicker, but the nut seems a bit thinner? It felt better to me, but the earlier models were not too bad despite feeling slighter wider at the nut.

Can anyone chime in on differences? Good/bad points about the early 80's models vs 90's. BTW, the prices were all about the same, $850ish listed on the bass and negotiated down to $750 out the door for the 1991 model w/HSC. I presume I can negotiate a similar amount for the early 80's models since they are similar in price.

Also, I thought I wanted the l2000, but it seems like there might be TOO many bells and whistles. I liked the simplicity of the l1000

Thanks!
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#4
StudioGC said:
Greetings, walked into a local music store looking for some drum equipment to keep our whining drummer happy when he gigs at my house and saw 3 early G&L L1000's in stock.

Had to try them since I've heard some good YouTube vids of them and usually hear nothing but good things about them.

Two of them are from 1982 (law suit era headstock) the other is 1991. The neck on the 1991 model seems to be a bit thicker, but the nut seems a bit thinner? It felt better to me, but the earlier models were not too bad despite feeling slighter wider at the nut.

Can anyone chime in on differences? Good/bad points about the early 80's models vs 90's. BTW, the prices were all about the same, $850ish listed on the bass and negotiated down to $750 out the door for the 1991 model w/HSC. I presume I can negotiate a similar amount for the early 80's models since they are similar in price.

Also, I thought I wanted the l2000, but it seems like there might be TOO many bells and whistles. I liked the simplicity of the l1000

Thanks!
View attachment 777246 View attachment 777247 View attachment 777248
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"too many Bells and Whistles" depends on the sound you are looking for. For the L-1000, its pretty much going to give you some wider tonal variations of the "Classic" sound associated with P-Basses...If you are looking for Marcus Miller or a "Modern Articulation", then the L2K is the better choice

Not too many differences between the the early 80s and 90s L-1000s except cosmetics -- the most noticeable are the headstock and switch

If you are looking for "Classic" tone, its a great option. I agree on trying all and seeing what best suits you. Price isnt a steal but avg.
 
#8
I prefer the early 80s G&Ls tone-wise. They can be heavy though, and if the Micro Tilt neck thingy was not adjusted right, it can damage the neck. if the neck is good and the weight is good, I'd go early 80s. The mahogany/ebony ones are the most desirable all things being equal.
 
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#12
mpdd said:
my 83 L2k needed to have the fretboard replaned to really shine
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My '81 too! Still sold it after all that I went through with it.

bhunt1 said:
if the Micro Tilt neck thingy was not adjusted right, it can damage the neck. if the neck is good and the weight is good, I'd go early 80s.
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Yup...those early ones were kinda thin front to back....made them easy to develop problems. There's a very nice '81 player L1K at a local shop that has it up on CL right now. Natural/Maple, Checked all to hell but light, plays well, and sounds great. They're asking $750. If you want the link let me know.
 
#15
From my understanding, the neck issues were caused by improper use of the Micro Tilt neck adjustment system. I have 2 L1000s, an L2000, and an SB-2 all made 1981-83 only one has the neck issue and I was told by a tech that it was caused by improper micro tilt adjustment (it is still playable the action is a little high). If the neck feels and plays good you should be fine.
 
#16
twinjet said:
Did earlier G&L basses typically have issues? It sounds like I struck gold with my '88 L-2000.
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my bass was 32 years old when i got it and it seemed fine in the store, but maybe i was so excited i didn't check it out thoroughly enough, i'm sure they aren't all like that, but it's something to look out for, it was a PIA to find somebody to fix it for a reasonable price and the only person i know that has a fretboard radius machine is jimmy coppolo in case things got totally screwed up and i needed a new rw board
 
#20
mpdd said:
my bass was 32 years old when i got it and it seemed fine in the store, but maybe i was so excited i didn't check it out thoroughly enough, i'm sure they aren't all like that, but it's something to look out for, it was a PIA to find somebody to fix it for a reasonable price and the only person i know that has a fretboard radius machine is jimmy coppolo in case things got totally screwed up and i needed a new rw board
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This is why I love TB. Good info. on the micro tilt. The neck's seem pretty good upon brief inspection. I actually had the guitar tech tweak the 1991 truss rod to take some of the relief out of it. So at least I know the truss rod is ok on that one.
 
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