Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: 811952 on April 03, 2009, 12:31:04 PM

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: 811952 on April 03, 2009, 12:31:04 PM

After an absence of 20+ years, an old bass of mine found its way home.  The pickup has an open coil, so I've ordered a new one.  The control cavity has been ravaged, so I've downloaded the schematics to set things right again...
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/63246.jpg)
 
John

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: 811952 on April 03, 2009, 12:34:35 PM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/63249.jpg)

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: hieronymous on April 03, 2009, 12:50:00 PM

Ooh, that looks great!

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: 811952 on April 03, 2009, 01:04:30 PM

Thanks.  It's good to have it back!

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: bsee on April 03, 2009, 01:07:18 PM

I always liked the G&L basses better than the  original Fender models.

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: crgaston on April 03, 2009, 07:38:32 PM

John, that's great to hear and congratulations!  She's a looker!
 
Me, too, Bob.  They're Leo's updates of his own designs, which makes them original Fenders if you ask me.  

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: andbassforall on April 04, 2009, 12:32:17 AM

love my L-2500!

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: white_cloud on April 04, 2009, 10:20:02 AM

Im a big fan of G&L basses and this one is a beaut!
 
John.

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: mike1762 on April 04, 2009, 02:45:36 PM

That's great!!!  I wish I had all my orphaned instruments back.

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: southpaw on April 04, 2009, 06:03:46 PM

Congrats! The L1000 is the most versatile single pick up, passive bass ever made (my opinion only...) I have an '82 L1000 and its' sound and feel never cease to amaze me.  Early G&L basses are still the best bargain around. Enjoy it.

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: crobbins on April 04, 2009, 07:22:50 PM

Nice bass. Cheers...

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: adriaan on April 05, 2009, 02:37:06 AM

If it's passive, then what do the three controls do?

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: crgaston on April 05, 2009, 11:10:00 AM

Adriaan, There's a series/parallel/single coil switch for the pickup, then volume, treble cut and bass cut knobs.

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: adriaan on April 05, 2009, 04:38:27 PM

Bass cut? Didn't know that was doable in a passive circuit. Funny thing to have on a bass, but there you go ...

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: 811952 on April 05, 2009, 05:02:08 PM

Played it most of last night with Dicky James and the Blue Flames, and it was like old home week.  As a friend in the crowd said, the tone doesn't blossom like the Alembic, but it still sounded pretty good with that band.
 
I've done a bit of Googling and so far haven't found anything negative about that instrument, which by all indications is an '81.  Can't wait to get the new pickup and rewire the guts back to original.  I originally thought it would be an excellent candidate for a fatboy (probably ultimately still is), but I think just having it back to original configuration is what it needs from me right now.
 
Life sure can be full of surprises.  

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: elwoodblue on April 05, 2009, 10:22:30 PM

I play my L1000 all the time and love it...I need to rewire it at some point ( the switch went bad)...still it always fills out the bottom in the best ways.

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: 811952 on April 06, 2009, 01:14:11 PM

elwoodblue, if I could con you into taking a couple of illustrative pics of the control cavity wiring, I would be in your debt!  I've got the schematic, but I'm much more of a visual guy..
 
John

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: southpaw on April 06, 2009, 08:39:21 PM

John;
on the G&L website, they have schematics for all their instruments. Click on Support, then at the bottom of the page is the link to the technical diagrams & schematics. They have PDF diagrams and schematics for the L1000.
The L1000 electronics are Leo at his best!
Enjoy.

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: elwoodblue on April 07, 2009, 12:40:37 AM

My bass wouldn't be good for that since I removed the offending switch... so right now I just have volume and tone.(even so I'm always reaching for the bass during jams)
 
Here's another link (http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY/HOWTO/83BSINST.php3 target=_blank) to some  instructions from the G&L discussion board. In fact I bet if you asked over there someone would post some control cavity pics for you. (include a pic of the bass...they love porn)
 
I need to bring mine back to stock sometime soon also ...so that might spur me to fix mine.
 
(Message edited by elwoodblue on April 07, 2009)

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: elwoodblue on April 07, 2009, 12:49:21 AM

I found these on the web:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/63318.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/63319.jpg)
  ...so now I'm in your debt for motivating me to fix mine  

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: 811952 on April 07, 2009, 07:53:44 AM

Excellent!  Perhaps this will be a big deposit in each of our Karma banks!  :-)  Can't wait for the new pickup to arrive so I can begin rewiring!
 
John

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: white_cloud on April 07, 2009, 09:41:47 AM

Out of interest how do the new G&L Tribute basses measure up to the old models? Anyone?
 
John.

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: elwoodblue on April 07, 2009, 10:47:15 AM

I haven't played any of the tribute basses,
I had a tribute S-500 6 stringer and the materials used were not up to par; the body was extremely heavy...there was a glob of epoxy-like substance in the neck pocket so the neck body connection was far from being wood on wood...the frets were low grade metal...and the fretboard was made from some fast growing tree that just didn't look or feel right to me.
 (http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/63336.jpg)
 
I bet there are some good tribby's out there but I wouldn't buy one without seeing and playing it first hand.

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: 811952 on April 13, 2009, 06:28:38 PM

Just got back from my brother's place, where we installed the new pickup and rewired the beast.  I am amazed by the range of sounds that thing can make!  Also, since it's a bass/cut treble/cut tone circuit, I don't anticipate massive EQ adjustments every time I switch instruments.  Looking forward to using this instrument alongside the Alembic..
 
John

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: 811952 on April 14, 2009, 06:32:45 AM

Some pics from last night's festivities...  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/63681.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/63682.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/63683.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/63684.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/63685.jpg)
  John

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: georgie_boy on April 14, 2009, 08:44:28 AM

Nice!!!
I used to own a G&L 2000E back in the 80's
 
Wonderful guitar!!

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: white_cloud on April 14, 2009, 12:03:23 PM

George - you have owned more classics than I can count buddy! I bet you have shed a tear or two over some of your dearly departed axes!
 
John.

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: southpaw on April 14, 2009, 12:52:03 PM

John:
Congrats on your restored bass!  The L1000 is a great passive compliment to the Alembic active basses, you are ready for anything now. It looks like you have an '80 or '81 L1000 by the slotted screws in the pickup and the chrome tailpiece. A great bass, don't let it get away anytime soon!
Play them in good health John.
regards - Paul

Title: G&L L-1000
Post by: 811952 on April 14, 2009, 01:43:25 PM

Thanks guys..
 
I think it's an '81.  Slotted pole pieces (not anymore though), skunk stripe on the neck and pre-lawsuit headstock.  
 
I'm looking forward to using it..
 
John