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05-03-2007, 07:18 AM
| | | | 1st Impressions L-2000 vs Lakland 44-01
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Have always wanted to try a Lakland neck. Figured a used 44-01 would do the trick. Got one on E-bip.
Now I realize this isn't the "true" 100% homegrown Lak as it has the twin Bartolini soapbars instead of the J MM configuration. It also doesn't have the premier USA finish. The hipshot tuners are nice and bridge is nice, but not a G&L solid lock.
Out of the box, it weighs less than my L2K (swamp ash vs alder). The neck at 1.6" nut is awesome. The profile and depth are easier than the L2K plus there is a tapered fingerboard edge and the fret ends are more tapered. VERY comfortable! The out of the box set up is close to my L2K, but that's where it ends.....
Sound wise, the L2K thrashes the Lak. Though the Lak has nice tone options, it just has little low end growl and about 3/4 of the L2K sustain.
Each note and string on the L2K is articulate. The Lak is missing something in the lower register.
The Lak will make a fine backup bass and a nice change of pace. I was going to sell off my L2K, but I now see even more value to it. 
Last edited by drumbook : 05-03-2007 at 10:21 AM.
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05-03-2007, 08:21 AM
|  | Smile more, ok?
Staff Reviewer; Bass Gear Magazine Moderator | | Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbia MO | | | I've been looking for an -01 series Lakland to try...if you wanna part with it, lemme know...
They are not an L2K, dats fo-sho...
__________________
Swingin' the Thudstick
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05-03-2007, 10:25 AM
| | | If I were to spend $1k on the choice of a new Skyline OR a new G&L USA, the choice is clear. A used Skyline in great shape, I can deal with.  |
05-03-2007, 10:33 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego | | | Laklands have the best fretwork I have ever laid hands on.
I had very briefly a Skyline 55-01. The sound was like playing with mittens on compared to the lively response of the MFD. I hated it and will not even look twice at a bass if I see Bartolini pickups.
Folks have said the pickups in the Skylines are not true Bartolinis and if that is the case Bartolini is doing great harm to their name with those icky muffled pickups bearing their name.
I did try the new Lakland next generation pickup at NAMM and it is Darkstar/MFD like in its lively response. Night and day to the lame "Barts" in the Skyline I had.
Jim |
05-03-2007, 10:49 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by spideyjg  Folks have said the pickups in the Skylines are not true Bartolinis and if that is the case Bartolini is doing great harm to their name with those icky muffled pickups bearing their name.
Jim | The Sky pickups are MK-1 and do not appear in the Bart website. I would imagine they are private label versions. NOT very lively, that's fer sure!! |
05-03-2007, 11:07 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego | | Quote:
Originally Posted by drumbook The Sky pickups are MK-1 and do not appear in the Bart website. I would imagine they are private label versions. NOT very lively, that's fer sure!! | Hmmmm....  They shouldn't have their name on it then.
The damage is done in my ears. Bartolini = strings muffled with a can of a**. 
Also I have seen several folks with fancy pants boutique basses and the tone is totally not my thing, you guessed it Bartolinis on board.
Jim
Last edited by spideyjg : 05-03-2007 at 11:11 AM.
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05-03-2007, 01:27 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by spideyjg Hmmmm.... They shouldn't have their name on it then.
The damage is done in my ears. Bartolini = strings muffled with a can of a**.
Also I have seen several folks with fancy pants boutique basses and the tone is totally not my thing, you guessed it Bartolinis on board.
Jim | Yep, they even have that fancy "I-talian" name on em.....
Jim, just face it, you are a Leo Humbucker addict!!! 
Last edited by drumbook : 05-03-2007 at 01:31 PM.
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05-03-2007, 01:45 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Torrance, CA | | | 1.6 at the nut? That's very interesting. I wonder why they chose such a strange size since it's only a teensy bit bigger than the 1.5" standard. Still, all that tapering looks like it'd be one mighty comfortable neck. |
05-03-2007, 01:49 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego | | Quote:
Originally Posted by drumbook Jim, just face it, you are a Leo Humbucker addict!!! | Shhhhh. Everyone has their vices.
Jim |
05-03-2007, 07:24 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Puyallup, WA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by drumbook Have always wanted to try a Lakland neck. Figured a used 44-01 would do the trick. Got one on E-bip.
Now I realize this isn't the "true" 100% homegrown Lak as it has the twin Bartolini soapbars instead of the J MM configuration. It also doesn't have the premier USA finish. The hipshot tuners are nice and bridge is nice, but not a G&L solid lock.
Out of the box, it weighs less than my L2K (swamp ash vs alder). The neck at 1.6" nut is awesome. The profile and depth are easier than the L2K plus there is a tapered fingerboard edge and the fret ends are more tapered. VERY comfortable! The out of the box set up is close to my L2K, but that's where it ends.....
Sound wise, the L2K thrashes the Lak. Though the Lak has nice tone options, it just has little low end growl and about 3/4 of the L2K sustain.
Each note and string on the L2K is articulate. The Lak is missing something in the lower register.
The Lak will make a fine backup bass and a nice change of pace. I was going to sell off my L2K, but I now see even more value to it. | I used to own a 55-01 and that was a really nice playing bass. I loved the build quality and details. The sound was too mellow and almost plain though.
I'm totally with you on the L2K sound over the 44-01. The L2K has a much nicer sound with more growl and personality. |
05-04-2007, 01:58 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Mechelen, Belgium | | Quote:
Originally Posted by drumbook Sound wise, the L2K thrashes the Lak. Though the Lak has nice tone options, it just has little low end growl and about 3/4 of the L2K sustain.
Each note and string on the L2K is articulate. The Lak is missing something in the lower register. |
Oh boy, do I love these kinda threads...
I often wonder if there's something out there that'll be better than my L2000 and then I read something like your post which really makes my day. Really. I couldn't be happier. G&Ls rule! |
05-04-2007, 09:11 AM
| | | Time to get me another.
Yep, I'm thinking if I can't find an excellent L2K with a #8 neck, I'm gonna order me one. I assume Buffalo Brothers has the best connections to G&L being a close neighbor. What ya'll think? |
05-04-2007, 09:17 AM
|  | Musical Anarchist | | Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sutton, MA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by drumbook Time to get me another.
Yep, I'm thinking if I can't find an excellent L2K with a #8 neck, I'm gonna order me one. I assume Buffalo Brothers has the best connections to G&L being a close neighbor. What ya'll think? | I ordered my ASAT from them and it was a smooth transaction but I don't think they have any better connections to G&L than any other authorized dealer. |
05-05-2007, 07:46 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by drumbook Time to get me another.
Yep, I'm thinking if I can't find an excellent L2K with a #8 neck, I'm gonna order me one. I assume Buffalo Brothers has the best connections to G&L being a close neighbor. What ya'll think? | I ordered my L-2500 from my local music dealer. He got me a bit better price than I could find online or in catalogs (not that I looked too hard...). If you have a nearby dealer that carries G&L you might want to compare what their price would be.
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