[special thanks to yowhatsshakin for converting this table ]
Notes:
- Dates given are approximate.
- Impedances given are in ohms; these figures are approximate and will vary since 1980 - 2005 (approx.) G&L pickups were hand wound.
- Tone is dependent upon factors other than pickups such as circuit, body wood, body type, and fingerboard wood.
Pickup | Impedance | Found In These Models |
G&L Magnetic Field Design™ large humbucker | 8.7K - 8.8K (L-1000); 10.0K - 10.3K ohm (all others, except M-Series and “Hamiltone” versions); TBD (M-series and “Hamiltone” versions) | L-1000, L-2000, ASAT Bass, Commemorative Bass, Climax Bass, L-1500, L-2500 (5-string version),Tribute L-2000, Tribute L-2000 "Lefty", Tribute L-2000 Carved Top, Tribute L-2500, Tribute L-2500 Carved Top, M-2000, M-2500, 2012 Special Collection M-2000, 2012 Special Collection M-2500, Tribute M-2000, Tribute M-2500, Tribute M-2000 GTB, Tribute M-2000 GTS, ASAT Bass Tom Hamilton Signature Model (special wound “Hamiltone” pickups), 2012 Special Collection M-2000, 2012 Special Collection M-2500, Black Ice M-2000, Black Ice M-2500, Savannah Collection ASAT Bass, Kiloton™ Bass, Tribute Kiloton™ Bass, Kiloton 5™ Bass, CLF Research L-2000™, Fallout Bass Launch Edition, Tribute Series Fallout Shortscale Bass |
This was Leo's first bass pickup designed for a G&L model. It is outrageously versatile and sounds fantastic. It can cop modern tones as well as vintage thanks to its coil splitting capabilities. With the usual hot MFD signal, the tone is beefy, with a broad spectrum. The bottom end is ground-shakingly tight and focused. A pair of these in an L-2000 or ASAT Bass can run the gamut from P-Bass to J-Bass to Stingray to pure G&L. The pickups in the M-Series models are voiced to fully exploit the studio-quality 18v preamp system. The M series bass pickups are under wound by about 12% with gives a slightly brighter and lower output level when compared to the standard L series pickups. The “Hamiltone” pickups are under wound by about 5%. The 1980 version had large allen head pole pieces. In 1981-82, they were changed to slot head pole pieces and then to small allen head pole pieces by 1983. In 2017, G&L added the Single Coil Mode (SCM) for L-2000, L-2500 and ASAT basses. 2-way Series/Parallel switch is replaced with 3-way Series/Split/Parallel switch. Pickups are specially made with individual coil leads to accommodate. | ||
G&L Bi-Pole Magnetic Field Design™ small humbucker | 9.0K - 9.1K (12/2016 Note: recent readings done by member "yowhatsshakin" found them to be in the range of 4.2-4.5K) | El Toro, Interceptor Bass |
Though a smaller unit than the usual L-2000 style MFD, this humbucker puts out pro quality tone. It has more midrange than its larger brother, but EQ'ing at the amp can bring it into the same league. These are exceptionally fine sounding for modern slap and pop or tapping styles of playing. | ||
G&L Magnetic Field Design™ Jazz-style single coil | 5.0K - 5.3K | Early-style SB-1, SB-2, Lynx Bass, Tribute SB-2 |
The MFD single coil bass pickups have a higher output, more upper midrange, and lots of high end compared to standard alnico Jazz Bass style pickups. In a maple or ash body SB series bass they tend to sound "honky", but EQ'ing at the amp or rolling back the tone control easily tames the extra midrange. The tone of these pickups really smooth out in an alder or poplar body bass. The "student" status of these pickups should not dissuade any bassist as they are fully capable of delivering stage-shaking low end with the ability to cut through a mix. | ||
Schaller PBX split coil | TBD | Some 1985 SB-1's |
Experimental pickup used in some 1985 SB-1's | ||
G&L Magnetic Field Design™ split coil | 8.8K (SB series); 7.0K (L-5000) | Late-style SB-1, late-style SB-2, L-5000 (5-string version), Tribute SB-2 |
This unit looks like a traditional P-Bass pickup, but it's an MFD through and through. Higher output means more growl and punch than any vintage-style alnico P-Bass pickup can deliver. This pickup is an excellent all-around choice for any bassist. | ||
Gotoh Vintage-Style Alnico | N/A | Legacy Bass, LB-100 |
Sounds like a '60s P-Bass. 'nough said. | ||
EMG BTC System active soapbar | N/A | L-5500 |
The EMGs are extremely neutral and almost sterile sounding, but work well with the stack knob tone controls and active circuitry on the 5-string L-5500. | ||
G&L vintage Alnico Jazz-style single coil | TBD | JB, Tribute JB, JB-2, Tribute JB-2, 2012 Special Collection JB |
TBD | ||
G&L Split-Coil Alnico V | TBD | LB-100 (2013), Tribute LB-100 |
TBD | ||
G&L Bi-Coil Alnico V jazz | TBD | MJ-4, Tribute MJ-4 |
TBD | ||
G&L Bi-Coil Alnico V jazz | TBD | MJ-5 |
TBD |
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