Comparable Lakland strings

RDT · #1 03-29-2010, 08:47 AM

What other strings are comparable to factory Lakland 5 string strings? According to Lakland's web site, most lakkie's come factory equipped with "Most come with Lakland custom stainless steel roundwound mediums, .045”-.105” (add a .128” for 5-strings)."

I finally got use to the feel, but now they've lost the snap, especially the low B. This isn't just my ears playing tricks on me, either. I recorded a couple songs when I 1st got my Lakkie. After thinking they'd lost their zing, I re-recorded the same tunes last night. After listening to the separate bass tracks, they've definitely lost the new snap. It's not just they've mellowed, either. The low B and E are dead in the water.

Any other strings out there comparable, but last longer. Note: The factory lakkie's have approx. 100 hours of play

aproud1 · #2 03-29-2010, 08:52 AM

I like the Lakland strings especially considering the price.

Me personally 100 hours is pretty good. I don't count the hours but my strings last just under 3 months where other strings I really like last around 1 month.

I think if you want more than 100 hours you'll likely need to go to a coated string.

RDT · #3 03-29-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aproud1

I like the Lakland strings especially considering the price.

Me personally 100 hours is pretty good. I don't count the hours but my strings last just under 3 months where other strings I really like last around 1 month.

I think if you want more than 100 hours you'll likely need to go to a coated string.

I just guess-ta-mated the hours. I based it about 1 1/2 -2 hours a night for 2 months with a few nights off here and there, but 3 hours on gig nights.

I've thought of the coated route, too. Maybe, D'Addario EXP's!?!? I used Black Beauties on my 4 banger and like the longevity I get out of them. However, they are really, really course...like playing over a bastard file.

JTE · #4 03-29-2010, 10:56 AM

They're made by GHS. The Lakland nickles seem identical to GHS Boomers, the Lakland Joe Osborn Flats are identical to GHS Precision Flats, and Lakland Stainless seem just like the GHS Super Steels.

John

RDT · #5 04-04-2010, 04:38 AM

Well, I got a set of Elixir's to try. I've only played about 4hrs on them, so far. I use Elixir's on all of my Guitar, so the 'slimmy' feeling was expected. Also, I got my new amp the same day, so finding 'my' sound is kinda a twofold process, now.

JazznFunk · #6 04-22-2010, 01:06 AM

Lakland strings are made by GHS for Lakland, but there are differences. Check the gauges (particularly on flats) and you'll see there are differences there. I can't stand GHS Precision flats, but love the Joe Osborn flats, due to the variation in gauges.

JTE · #7 04-22-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazznFunk

Lakland strings are made by GHS for Lakland, but there are differences. Check the gauges (particularly on flats) and you'll see there are differences there. I can't stand GHS Precision flats, but love the Joe Osborn flats, due to the variation in gauges.

Um, not really...

GHS Boomers, set #M3045 is 45/65/85/105, just like the Lakland Nickel.

GHS Super Steels, set #ML5200 is again 45/65/85/105, just like the Lakland medium gauge stainless (one of my favorite strings, BTW).

GHS Precision Flats, set #M3050 is also 45/65/85/105. The Lakland medium gauge Joe Osborn set is different only on the E string at a whopping 0.001- GHS uses a 105, Lakland uses a 106. I can't see, hear, nor feel any difference between the Lakland set on my P and the GHS set on my Sting, other than the P's strings are several years older.

BTW, there's a weird quirk I've always found with Boomers. Whether on guitars or basses, they just don't stay in tune when new. I can restring either kind of instrument with D'Addario, DR, Ernie Ball, or Fender and they'll settle into tune pretty quickly. Same with GHS GUS (the old pure nickle strings), Brite-Flats, Super Steels, Progressives, and Precision Flats. But the Boomers keep moving for me. It's not how I put 'em on, because I don't have that problem with any other strings on any instrument (I've been using GHS off and on since about 1980), only the Boomers. And the Lakland Nickles...

John

JazznFunk · #8 04-22-2010, 02:03 PM

Interesting, as the gauges I see listed for GHS Precision Flatwounds (on JustStrings.com) are as follows:

GHS 'Light' 34"-36" scale
.45, .60, .75, .95
GHS Medium 34"-36" scale
.45, .65, .85, .105
GHS Heavy 34"-36" scale
.55, .70, .90, .105

The Lakland sets are (per Lakland's website)-
Light (.40 .60 .80 .102)
Medium (.45 .65 .85 .106)

So there is a bit of difference depending on which gauge you're comparing, unless someone's information out there is incorrect. The rounds do seem to correspond in terms of gauge across the board, which I've always known. I was speaking more in terms of the flatwounds in my original post. Based on this, and the fact I've played lights and medium flats by both GHS and Lakland, I choose Lakland because they feel better in terms of gauge. To each their own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

Um, not really...

GHS Boomers, set #M3045 is 45/65/85/105, just like the Lakland Nickel.

GHS Super Steels, set #ML5200 is again 45/65/85/105, just like the Lakland medium gauge stainless (one of my favorite strings, BTW).

GHS Precision Flats, set #M3050 is also 45/65/85/105. The Lakland medium gauge Joe Osborn set is different only on the E string at a whopping 0.001- GHS uses a 105, Lakland uses a 106. I can't see, hear, nor feel any difference between the Lakland set on my P and the GHS set on my Sting, other than the P's strings are several years older.

JTE · #9 04-22-2010, 02:35 PM

I pulled my GHS data off of GHS' website. I didn't look at light gauge stings, but they are different gauges than Laklands. Same alloy in my experience however.

GHS Boomer Lights (L3045) are 40/55/75/95 and Lakland's light nickles are 40/60/80/100

GHS Super Steels Lights (L5000) are 40/58/80/102, Lakland light steels are the same as the nickle ones- 40/60/80/100.

GHS Precision Flats lights are 45/60/75/95 and Lakland's light flats are 40/60/80/102 so there's a lot more variance there.

There's a lot of difference between GHS's standard gauges in the light sets, but not the mediums. However, I don't think there's any difference in the alloys nor the construction. Might be with the flats, as I've only compared one set of each, both in medium gauges. Part of the beauty of flats- once you find a good set you don't need to buy any more!

John

Deep · #10 04-27-2010, 05:48 PM

The great thing is....if you don't like the Lakland gauges but love the strings you can build your own set with GHS singles.

macribas · #11 08-02-2010, 11:23 PM

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but are Lakland strings a little longer than GHS strings, to account for the string through body option?
I have tried to string my Lakland through body with three different non-GHS, non-Lakland sets and the E string starts tapering before it gets to the nut.

macribas · #12 08-02-2010, 11:26 PM

Forgot to add that it is a 34" scale, and still have the string length problem when stringing through body.

JazznFunk · #13 08-03-2010, 05:02 AM

Yes. The Lakland Custom Wound strings are longer to allow for thru-body stringing, even on the 34" scale basses. You can use pretty much any standard string going through the bridge, but not through the body.

Quote:

Originally Posted by macribas

Forgot to add that it is a 34" scale, and still have the string length problem when stringing through body.

jasper383 · #14 08-03-2010, 06:53 AM

I have found GHS strings, as well, to be long enough for any bass I have ever had. Through bridge, through body, 34, 35" you name it.

macribas · #15 08-03-2010, 07:38 AM

Thanks for the info!