Lakland 55-02: Which strings and why?

[lsbland]

Looking for input from all of you 55-02 owners... Mine is on the way and I'm wondering what set of strings you've had experience with. Looking to maximize the B string and hoping for great string balance. The 55-02 I've got on the way has the Bartolini pickups and a rosewood board. Any experience with the Lakland-brand strings? Nickel or stainless? I've heard GHS makes them for Lakland.
Best and thanks, can't wait to get the bass and bust into the world of 5.

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by lsbland

Looking for input from all of you 55-02 owners... Mine is on the way and I'm wondering what set of strings you've had experience with. Looking to maximize the B string and hoping for great string balance. The 55-02 I've got on the way has the Bartolini pickups and a rosewood board. Any experience with the Lakland-brand strings? Nickel or stainless? I've heard GHS makes them for Lakland.
Best and thanks, can't wait to get the bass and bust into the world of 5.

The obvious question is to find out what tone you are going after. I really like the tone of the Marcus Millers on my -02. However, I use/have used the following strings on my 5 string Laklands:

D'Addario Chromes (Currently on my P/J)
DR Marcus Miller Fat Beams (Currently on my -02)
DR Lo-Rider Nickels (Currently on my JO5 CS)
MTD Nickels
Lakland Stainless
Lakland Nickel
Fodera Nickel
Carvin Stainless
Carvin Nickels

Can't say any of them were terrible.

One thing to know: If you want to string through body on a 5 string Lakland you must buy Extra Long/Super Long strings, otherwise regular Long strings will only top-load. DR strings are one length and are long enough. Search the board and you will find threads on all sides of the top-load vs. through-body debate.

[chicago_mike]

I have tried the Marcus' on a friends DJ5 and they are very nice match with laky's.

I currently have DR Longnecks but do NOT like those on my 55-02.

I LOVE blue steels when I can find them in 40's.

The Lakland GHS boomers are a very good set too. I do ss in 40's.

Want to try Circle K soon.

[lsbland]

In terms of tone, I'd say I'm going for something pretty middle of the road... I play Latin music, soul and R&B. If it makes sense, I love the tone a friend of mine gets from his Modulus Quantam 5 and Hi-Beams. How would you compare the Lakland Nickels with the Stainless? thanks for the replies.

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by lsbland

In terms of tone, I'd say I'm going for something pretty middle of the road... I play Latin music, soul and R&B. If it makes sense, I love the tone a friend of mine gets from his Modulus Quantam 5 and Hi-Beams. How would you compare the Lakland Nickels with the Stainless? thanks for the replies.

I'm usually not a stainless guy. But my -02 just seems to work best with them on it, and it's the only bass I have with stainless. It's weird, though. Strings I like on my passive basses just didn't work on my active one and vice versa.

The Lakland Steels and Nickels are both great strings, but I prefer the feel of the DR stainless. I have had Hi-Beams on other basses, and they feel great. Hi-Beams on a 55-02 will most likely sound fantastic.

[Mike Shevlin]

DR HiBeams~....ah.....because they REALLY sound good~

[pb9717]

mY 55-02, 94's have always been merciless when it comes to dead string. I don't know about you , but I do not have the money to change my strings everytime they go less than new sounding. I recommend Elixirs. They sound nice and new forever. and I love the feel. They are slippery and slick like flatwounds, but sound like rounds. And a set will last you half a year of steady gigging. You'll be amazed how long they sound good, even after the covering starts to fray. try them once, you'll give up changing strings all the time.

[MarTONEbass]

Bumping this for any suggestions for a 5594 with Barts. Anyone?

[mick farrugia]

Originally Posted by pb9717

mY 55-02, 94's have always been merciless when it comes to dead string. I don't know about you , but I do not have the money to change my strings everytime they go less than new sounding. I recommend Elixirs. They sound nice and new forever. and I love the feel. They are slippery and slick like flatwounds, but sound like rounds. And a set will last you half a year of steady gigging. You'll be amazed how long they sound good, even after the covering starts to fray. try them once, you'll give up changing strings all the time.

Your 100% right,there the best string I've put on my Lakland yet

[Versatek6]

Originally Posted by pb9717

mY 55-02, 94's have always been merciless when it comes to dead string. I don't know about you , but I do not have the money to change my strings everytime they go less than new sounding. I recommend Elixirs. They sound nice and new forever. and I love the feel. They are slippery and slick like flatwounds, but sound like rounds. And a set will last you half a year of steady gigging. You'll be amazed how long they sound good, even after the covering starts to fray. try them once, you'll give up changing strings all the time.

In this vein, I'll also recommend the DR coated strings: Black Beauties, Red Devils, Silver Stars, Neons, etc. I have been using the BBs on my 55-02 for several months and am quite pleased. They are coated versions of DR's Hi-Beams.

While it is an expensive route, auditioning several different options yourself is the best way to decide. Check the Classifieds as lightly used strings show up there occasionally.

[mmbongo]

+1 on DR's. Especially Sunbeams or any of the coated strings. Their lower tension in combination with the higher tension of your 35" scale neck is a match made in heaven.