Lakland 55-01 electronics upgrade recommendations

y-o-y · #1 06-19-2007, 12:28 PM

I have a stock Lakland 55-01 which plays and feels just how I like it...the action is right, the neck feels good and it is very comfortable. I don't, however, care for the Bart MK-1 electronics - kinda bland and the treble boost is especially dreadful. I have been flirting with the idea of selling her and picking up a 55-02, but I'm not convinced I can't do as well or better by making some changes to the electronics of my current bass, considering I really like how it plays.

The options I am currently considering are as follows:

Pickups: Bart MK5CS or Nordstrand DC

Preamps: Aggie OLP-3 or Lakland LH-3.

The sound I am going for is a warm, full, kinda vintagy...not too modern or aggressive. I don't need or want to do any coil tapping or anything else fancy with the wiring, just V/B/T/M/B and maybe a push-pull for the mid frequency if I go Aggie.

I am leaning towards the Bart/Aggie setup since it seems to be the most tried and true. I am intrigued by the LH-3, but I am not confident it will play as nice withe Barts as the Aggie. I don't think the Nordy's make sense, since for the price, I might as well sell this one as is and upgrade to an -02.

Does anyone have recommendations on these options and or suggestions for alternative upgrades?

thanks!

luknfur · #2 06-20-2007, 01:21 PM

FWIW:

See the bass modification link in the first paragraph of Dimento’s Trouble Shooting Guide in FAQ.

NewGuy · #3 06-20-2007, 01:39 PM

Well, why not install a Bartolini NTMB preamp?
Lakland 55-01 + Bartolini NTMB = Lakland 55-02
Thats my math! You'll gain the sound you're craving for, retain the feel you want, and not break your wallet! This upgrade will cost you about $150.

Carlo Tanori · #4 10-31-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewGuy

Well, why not install a Bartolini NTMB preamp?
Lakland 55-01 + Bartolini NTMB = Lakland 55-02
Thats my math! You'll gain the sound you're craving for, retain the feel you want, and not break your wallet! This upgrade will cost you about $150.

Im going to have the Bart NTMB installed into my 44-01. It only has a cavity for one, 9 volt battery. Do I just stay with that or add the other one to make it 18volt? Im being told 9, then 18, etc. I dont want to get it routed to hold another battery. HELP!

Carlo

mikezimmerman · #5 10-31-2007, 07:50 PM

The NTMB worked fine with 9v when I upgraded my 55-01.

Mike

Dave M · #6 10-31-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewGuy

Well, why not install a Bartolini NTMB preamp?
Lakland 55-01 + Bartolini NTMB = Lakland 55-02
Thats my math! You'll gain the sound you're craving for, retain the feel you want, and not break your wallet! This upgrade will cost you about $150.

Except that the 55-02 has completely different pickups.

I had a 55-01 with a Demeter pre. Nice warm, organic tone. Still, I also like the NTMB. Maybe that, then some Nordie pickups?

fcoda · #7 11-01-2007, 11:49 AM

I just ordered the a Bart NTMB for my 5501 - the stock MK-1 died. I emailed with Kirk at Lakland and he was convinced the curcuit board was shot. I'm out of warranty so a new board is 45.00 - went for the extra 100.00.

KeithPas · #8 11-01-2007, 11:53 AM

I had the factory upgraded 55-01 with the MK-1 pickups and the Bart NTMB and it sounded great.

fcoda · #9 11-01-2007, 11:59 AM

I was thinking about the agi but I like the way the 5501 sounded with the bart and didn't want to change it up.

Double Agent · #10 11-01-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y-o-y

The sound I am going for is a warm, full, kinda vintagy...not too modern or aggressive. I don't need or want to do any coil tapping or anything else fancy with the wiring, just V/B/T/M/B and maybe a push-pull for the mid frequency if I go Aggie.

Since that is the sound you are after, I would go all out Bartolini. I would get the USA Bart Mk1 replacements and the NTMB preamp. Nice, warm, and smooth. Should make a big difference in the tone of your 55-01. I have never like the Mk1 package in any bass, though its not too bad for a cheapie pre, but the real USA Bart stuff is miles ahead IMO. OTOH, if I was going for a more modern tone I would probably go with the Nordie/Aggie combo. YMMV.

gkbass13 · #11 11-01-2007, 01:09 PM

nordie fatstacks and an aggie ob-3 preamp!

McHack · #12 11-01-2007, 02:48 PM

Do yourself a favor...

Just upgrade the preamp to a Bart NTMB, either 9v or 18v... you pick... Live w/ it for a while & see if you still want something else... If so, then you can do the pups. But, if you do a whole sale swap out, you won't fully understand what the source might be.

I did just the preamp, & I'm pretty happy...

*edit*

Just saw you dont want something overly aggressive... swapping out ONLY the pre, will definately warm things up & get rid of the harsh edge. BUT, you'll still have a nice aggressive growl left.