G&L L5500

[EmmettC]

I have a G&L L5500, it plays amazingly, it's not too heavy and it looks awesome. But.......it's not really a G&L because of the EMG pups and electronics, they sound fine, in fact more sound-engineers have commented on the (nice) sound of my 5500 than my Stingray5 or my L2500. I just don't like it, it's too, well, EMGish,



I've tried selling it, but I guess no one is interested in the EMG loaded G&L, (I sold my 2500 tribute in 2 days),so what do I do? Leave it hanging on the wall looking pretty, or........

I've been thinking about new electronics, I could do some routing and stick in a couple of MM pups, or a if I use a scratchplate I could use a P/MM combo and get a decent preamp, but would I destroy a lovely bass, or would I finally get some use out of a bass I don't really like?



What do you think should happen it?

[Grassie]

Have you still got the original pick-ups? If you have, whack 'em back in.

[EmmettC]

These are the original pups, G&L pups are amazing so I'm not sure why they went with EMG for this model. I would sticg G&L pups in in a second, but they are proverbial hens teeth, it would still need to be routed.

[such]

these should be a direct swap. They are passive, coil-splittable and apparently VERY similar to what SD are making for Fodera.

[EmmettC]

They look perfect, I'll have a look for them now, Cheers

[EmmettC]

Thanks again such, the pickups are sorted.

Any ideas for a preamp, the EMG one is volume, blend and stacked Bass and Treble tone control. So ideally 3 pots that aren't mounted to a board. I guess I'll be drilling 2 holes anyway for a pickup selector and a coil tap, so I can drill more holes for pots if it's wort while.

[such]

I was actually thinking about getting a random half-decent bass with EMG or EMG-Hz pickups just to swap them for these SD's and try them out in different wiring options.

[dub_junkie]

[quote name='EmmettC' timestamp='1338201041' post='1670626']
These are the original pups, G&L pups are amazing so I'm not sure why they went with EMG for this model.
[/quote]

Somebody more knowledgable than me on here regarding G&L said the L5500 was a stopgap model. The previous G&L 5 string (L5000) had really tight string spacing so the 5500 filled the gap until the L2500 was ready. I don't think that many of them were made. I played one in McCormacks a number of years ago and I quite liked it. A very different set of tones from the usual G&L MFD/tri-tone set up for sure.
Personally I'd kep the bass as is and try and get a trade on it for something you'd prefer

[LukeFRC]

if you like the bass and everything about it except the tone then mod away. if not what dub junkie says.


[quote name='EmmettC' timestamp='1338233754' post='1671343']
Thanks again such, the pickups are sorted.

Any ideas for a preamp, the EMG one is volume, blend and stacked Bass and Treble tone control. So ideally 3 pots that aren't mounted to a board. I guess I'll be drilling 2 holes anyway for a pickup selector and a coil tap, so I can drill more holes for pots if it's wort while.
[/quote] stacked pots? with push pull switches?

[LukeFRC]

also I would keeps trying to trade it- eventually someone will bite. it's a nice looking thing and if I had anything spare that would interest you I'ld be coming to try it.
try a new sale post, pretty pictures (daylight on bed sheet, flash off) bit of the history of them and so on.

[EmmettC]

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1338247807' post='1671739']
if you like the bass and everything about it except the tone then mod away. if not what dub junkie says.
[/quote]
[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1338248046' post='1671742']
also I would keeps trying to trade it- eventually someone will bite. it's a nice looking thing and if I had anything spare that would interest you I'ld be coming to try it.
[/quote]

I really do like the way the bass plays, and feels, so changing out the pups and pre is sounding like a good idea.

I would still trade it, but I don't have any idea what I'd like in exchange, I'm not feeling very Gas-y at the moment. Though I would like a Jazz with a precision neck....................

Cheers for the advice.

[Ou7shined]

Don't make any changes that aren't reversible (drilling, routing etc). These are relatively rare and will be worth a few bob some day soon.

[EmmettC]

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1338280164' post='1671908']
Don't make any changes that aren't reversible (drilling, routing etc). These are relatively rare and will be worth a few bob some day soon.
[/quote]

Now I want to keep it original, too many options. I think I'll use it this weekend and see how it goes at a gig, it hasn't been out much in the last couple of years. I can make a decision then.

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='EmmettC' timestamp='1338284084' post='1671983']
Now I want to keep it original, too many options. I think I'll use it this weekend and see how it goes at a gig, it hasn't been out much in the last couple of years. I can make a decision then.
[/quote] In my experience, and not liking the "emg active sound" they work better in a gig than at home. And nickel strings too

[mart3442]

I've got one of these, I bought it from an American friend 12 months ago. Having already owned a USA L2500 fretless, I actually prefer the tones from the 5500.
As previously stated, these were only made for about a year, so i wouldn't do any routing or drilling. Keep it original.

[stingrayPete1977]

I nearly traded my old teal stingray for one a while ago on here, I fell in love with the look as it was the blue bowling ball finish but unfortunately in the flesh as is apparantly quite common the finish was all coming away The emg's did not put me off just the condition, yours looks good