JapanAxe Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Went looking for a quality 5-er, chiefly at the [b]Gallery[/b] in Camden, and came home with this: [attachment=139927:SDC10094.jpg][attachment=139928:SDC10096.jpg][attachment=139929:SDC10097.jpg][attachment=139930:SDC100951.jpg] I just kept going back to it, even though (or perhaps because) it was fitted with flatwounds - a sure sign that the instrument is speaking to you (the going back, not the flats). I preferred it over the L2500 that they also had. For reference, I compared it with a '64 P-bass, a Sandberg TT4, and a Dingwall Combustion 5, just to make sure it wasn't just the amp (Streamliner & Epifani) that I was loving; no, it was the fat growly G&L. I used to have an L2000 Tribute, but this is so much lovelier. Woot woot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 That's a very cool bass. I'm feeling a bit jealous. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Very nice! I haven't seen one of those before. Gives me gas for a single humbucker bass again! Hope you enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted July 28, 2013 Author Share Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) Cheers guys. I think one of the reasons this bass sounds so good is that the pickup is in the sweet spot (as per a MM I'm guessing), whereas on the 2-pickup version the bridge pickup is a little bit nearer to the bridge. Compare these photos: [attachment=139943:SDC10094.jpg][attachment=139944:SDC11234.jpg] Another plus point is the active/passive switch. To me it works like modern/vintage modes. In passive (vintage), the treble control seems to roll down further for hose dubby moments, whereas in active (modern) the treble control adds a lot more zing (even allowing for flats). EDIT: When I got the bass home I did have a bit of the problem with the pickup being microphonic, but I tightened the height adjustment screw on the treble side and it's now fine. Can't wait to gig this now! Also contemplating flats for my Sandberg - I'm not a slap-happy sort of person, and I've realised I really enjoy the fat sound and comfy feel of flats. Any brands/gauges to avoid? [i]Cue long-running string comparison thread...[/i] Edited July 28, 2013 by JapanAxe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazy_olie Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 The 1500/5 does make me curious. I think the l1000 just had the pickup in the neck l2000 position but the 1500 moves it to the MM position making it some sort of hybrid. I imagine you give up a bit of versatility for a killer tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted July 28, 2013 Author Share Posted July 28, 2013 It is a killer tone but there isn't much loss of versatility thanks to the controls. Better a killer tone than a range of ok tones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Bassman Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) I'd been viewing this bass on the Gallery's web site for a while and thought that I'd like to have a go on it....oh well, I'll have to join Machinehead in the jealousy club. Fab bass - enjoy! Edited July 28, 2013 by Urban Bassman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted July 28, 2013 Author Share Posted July 28, 2013 [quote name='Urban Bassman' timestamp='1375016509' post='2155758'] I been viewing this bass on the Gallery's web site for a while and thought that I'd like to have a go on it....oh well, I'll have to join Machinehead in the jealousy club. Fab bass - enjoy! [/quote] If you're passing through Swindon PM me and you can have a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Yep I like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) These are fabulous basses with a sound that will knock walls down . Looks great . too . Enjoy it . Edited July 28, 2013 by Dingus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 There's a gorgeous greenburst ash/maple version of this on Ebay in the States at the moment, looks gorgeous and I'll bet sounds brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted July 29, 2013 Author Share Posted July 29, 2013 [quote name='Graham' timestamp='1375099417' post='2156619'] There's a gorgeous greenburst ash/maple version of this on Ebay in the States at the moment, looks gorgeous and I'll bet sounds brilliant. [/quote] That'll be somewhat like this one then: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Looking at your picture in post 4, this is something I've been pondering over recently....... With basses such as these, could you dial in the same (or near enough) sound with the twin pickup one if you got the pickup balance just right, or will it never sound the same as the single pickup version? I guess you'd have to a/b both to know for sure....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted July 29, 2013 Author Share Posted July 29, 2013 [quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1375133168' post='2157185'] Looking at your picture in post 4, this is something I've been pondering over recently....... With basses such as these, could you dial in the same (or near enough) sound with the twin pickup one if you got the pickup balance just right, or will it never sound the same as the single pickup version? I guess you'd have to a/b both to know for sure....... [/quote] I would say not. On the 2-pickup models, the bridge pickup is closer in to the bridge, and the neck pickup is further towards the neck, though not quite as far as a P-bass pickup; but if you engage both pickups, you get phase cancellation between some of the frequencies, plus each pickup 'loads' the other, so the sound is very different from one HB in the 'MM' position - though not exactly 'hollow' like a Jazz, these are monstrous pickups! Having said that, the bridge pickup on the L2000 etc still sounds quite fat on its own, but not as fat (phat?) as on the L1505. I used to own a Tribute L2000 (now belongs to dr_skitz of this forum) so I am accustomed to its workings, and the USA model that I tried in the shop (as pictured above) was not far different to that in the available sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Congrats matey! That bass was mine for a little while, bought on a whim and traded along with my pjb six pack for a new rig. Glad it's come back to bc and gone to a good home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1375134669' post='2157218'] I would say not. On the 2-pickup models, the bridge pickup is closer in to the bridge, and the neck pickup is further towards the neck, though not quite as far as a P-bass pickup; but if you engage both pickups, you get phase cancellation between some of the frequencies, plus each pickup 'loads' the other, so the sound is very different from one HB in the 'MM' position - though not exactly 'hollow' like a Jazz, these are monstrous pickups! Having said that, the bridge pickup on the L2000 etc still sounds quite fat on its own, but not as fat (phat?) as on the L1505. I used to own a Tribute L2000 (now belongs to dr_skitz of this forum) so I am accustomed to its workings, and the USA model that I tried in the shop (as pictured above) was not far different to that in the available sounds. [/quote] Ah I see, that's kind of what I guessed. I've got two sandberg basic ken taylor 5s at the moment, and I do love 'em, but I've been gassing for a single 'bucker version again recently just to scratch that itch! Maybe I'll be selling one then..... Thanks for the info, and apologies for 'jacking your thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1375100468' post='2156638'] That'll be somewhat like this one then: [/quote] very similar It would be mine, but the incompetent fools at the Euromillions keep picking the wrong numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1375134902' post='2157220'] Congrats matey! That bass was mine for a little while, bought on a whim and traded along with my pjb six pack for a new rig. Glad it's come back to bc and gone to a good home! [/quote] Wahey! PM'd with a couple of Qs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1375208938' post='2158284'] Wahey! PM'd with a couple of Qs! [/quote] PM'd back trying to give you some answers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub_junkie Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I had the 4 string version of this bass, the L-1500 for a few years and had a USA L-2000 at the same time. The 2 pickup bass could not cut through like the single pick up one or be made to sound like it from my experience. The L-1500 was probably the hottest sounding bass I've owned. I used it mostly with the switches set to passive and series and with the treble backed off a fair bit. Congratulations on the bass. It looks lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 L1500 anyone [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/214242-gl-usa-l1500-4-string-in-trans-greenrosewood/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/214242-gl-usa-l1500-4-string-in-trans-greenrosewood/[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 11, 2013 Author Share Posted August 11, 2013 Went to a jam yesterday and got andyonbass to play the L1505 through his rig (acoustic image amp, can't remember what the speaker was) while I listened from out front . It sounded as punchy as a very punchy thing. Result! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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