Lakland Strings

basske · #1 10-11-2007, 12:59 AM

Can Anybody tell me which strings these are?
They were on the bass when I bought it 2nd hand.
Or what are the best strings for these lakland?

basadam · #2 10-11-2007, 03:16 AM

They come in two sizes: 40-60-80-100-128T and 45-65-85-105-128T. Factory uses 45-128T steel. If the silk end is gray then it's steel, if red then it's nickel. These are specially manufactured for proper length when strung-thru-body. As I look at your pics, I see that the silk part protrudes into the fretboard. With Lakland strings this should not have happened; they're perfect fit.

As for what's best, it's very personal. Currently I'm using Lakland, Sadowsky and SIT strings. Most normal length strings will fit but only strung-thru-bridge.

GM60466 · #3 10-11-2007, 04:57 AM

I believe that GHS private labels those strings for Lakland

GM

basske · #4 10-11-2007, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GM60466

I believe that GHS private labels those strings for Lakland

GM

Can You give more specific information about the GHSstrings?

basadam · #5 10-11-2007, 05:14 AM

I am sorry, just checked the package. B string is 128T, not 125T. I'll edit my post above.

And yes, Lakland strings are manufactured by GHS to Lakland specs.

basadam · #6 10-11-2007, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basske

Or what are the best strings for these lakland?

I also forgot to mention that you can order Lakland strings direct from Lakland... They also have a flatwound set available.

Jo6Pak · #7 10-11-2007, 08:34 AM

I just put a set of Joe Osborn Flats (direct from Lakland) on my 55-01 and couldn't be happier with them. Note: The B is not tapered and I was advised by Lakland not to string them thru the body. Previously I had strung some Sadowsky Flats with tapered B thru the body and just could never get it set up to my liking. Since I put on the Joe Flats, I haven't touched the setup and it plays fine. I got the medium gauge set. YMMV...

CElton · #8 10-11-2007, 09:13 AM

I use the Ken Smith Rock Master SS and I love them on my 55-02. I string thru bridge.

mccartneyman · #9 10-11-2007, 09:42 AM

TI Jazz Flats Super Long Scale (36") 365s will string through the body with no problem on any Lakie fiver, the only "problem" being that on the G string, part of the metal will wrap onto the tuning gear. I've had mine on for two years with no problems. Prior to going with TIs, I liked Lakland medium geaug nickels the best. These days I'm not a fan of "zing," so I no longer use stainless on any bass. I tried Elixir, Ken Smith, Ernie Ball and DIs before coming back to the Lakland strings, then switching to TIs.

Billy Low · #10 10-11-2007, 10:30 AM

SIT's and Lakland strings are pretty good w/any Lakland!

basske · #11 10-11-2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basadam

They come in two sizes: 40-60-80-100-128T and 45-65-85-105-128T. Factory uses 45-128T steel. If the silk end is gray then it's steel, if red then it's nickel. These are specially manufactured for proper length when strung-thru-body. As I look at your pics, I see that the silk part protrudes into the fretboard. With Lakland strings this should not have happened; they're perfect fit.

As for what's best, it's very personal. Currently I'm using Lakland, Sadowsky and SIT strings. Most normal length strings will fit but only strung-thru-bridge.

And whats the difference in sound between nickel and steel?

basadam · #12 10-11-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basske

And whats the difference in sound between nickel and steel?

Well, steel has more zing, more highs and it has perhaps a little bit more life. Nickels are a little subdued compared steels but I prefer nickels exactly for that reason.

Also steel will eat your frets faster than nickel.

**Thor** · #13 10-11-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

I just put a set of Joe Osborn Flats (direct from Lakland) on my 55-01 and couldn't be happier with them. Note: The B is not tapered and I was advised by Lakland not to string them thru the body. Previously I had strung some Sadowsky Flats with tapered B thru the body and just could never get it set up to my liking. Since I put on the Joe Flats, I haven't touched the setup and it plays fine. I got the medium gauge set. YMMV...

This comes under YMMV.

I have a Lakland Skyline HB. It came with its original set of
flatwound strings, it had been gigged once and used for a one day
studio session. The HB was a wonderful warm tone, but
the flats sounded kind of 'woody' to me. Hard to describe.

I threw a set of GHS Boomer roundwounds on it, Holy
Toledo Batman, what an awesome sounding bass.
I told Chef about it and he tried it. His band loved the
sound. Lakland makes a very nice product line.

String tone is all about individual taste. Some experimentation is required
to find what works best for you. I use nickel, not stainless
as I find stainless too bright and modern. I guess I would
say the tone I like is late 60, early 70's Jazz bass tone with
a little bit of available clank if I want it. Depends on the
song. Fortunately, if you don't like a set of strings, you aren't
out a lot of money.

But I like the GHS boomers and the D'Addarios the best. Roundwound.

Lorenzini · #14 10-11-2007, 06:33 PM

Those strings look like Laklands, but probably not because of the silk passing the nut.
But they could also be Sadowsky strings, because of the silver wrap around the tuners, but might not be due to the tapered B AND E strings. Sadowskys come with a tapered B only...

Both are good strings.

Phinneaus · #15 10-23-2007, 03:40 PM

I've got some Joe Osborne flats that I am going to put on my Lakland but it warns to not string through the body but for the life of me I can't figure out how to string it.
Should I just string as usual?
Any help out there would be extremely useful.
Phinneaus

CElton · #16 10-23-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phinneaus

I've got some Joe Osborne flats that I am going to put on my Lakland but it warns to not string through the body but for the life of me I can't figure out how to string it.
Should I just string as usual?
Any help out there would be extremely useful.
Phinneaus

Just string thru the bridge as you would with most any other bass that does not have the string thru option.

Flats don't like making that sharp turn when strung thru the body.

phat daddy · #17 10-23-2007, 07:25 PM

I absolutely love the Lakland .045-.128 sets for my 55-94. I think they sound great, last forever, and are the best strings GHS has ever made. Of course that's just what I think. By the way I use the Stainless, and the zing stays in these strings for months, and I play on the same bass 3 sets per night 5 nights per week most of the time. For a long-scale 5 string set they're fairly cost effective at Bass Central as well.

hgrind · #18 10-30-2007, 04:01 AM

Are there any reasons why you should string through the body instead of the bridge (or the other way around)?