Lakland Bart's or Lakland LH-3 system.

JAUQO III-X · #1 06-16-2007, 06:13 PM

This is addressed to former and current Lakland 55-02/55-94/44-02 and 4-94 owners.

How many of you have changed the original Bart system to the Lakland LH-3 system and decided that you weren't digging the lakland system ?

What was it that you didn't like about the Lakland LH-3 system that made you reinstall the Bart's ?

What was it that you didn't like about the Bart's system that made you install the Lakland system?

and for those who kept the Lakland system installed what was your reason(s)for doing so ?

Chunk-O-Funk · #2 06-17-2007, 09:47 AM

Hey Jauqo,

I still have the bart system in my 55-94D. Basically, it's a great sounding bass the way it is. The reason I bought one was the way it sounded.

I was very interested in the LH3 system when it came out, and know the common consensus is that the LH3 system is better, but I haven't heard one for myself yet. We all know that "better" is suggestive.

We are going to have a GTG in RI pretty soon and I will have a chance to play Kobass's 55-02 with the LH3, so I may just do it. Still have to hear it first though. If "better" is something different, I may not. If it actually improves on what's already there, which it was the consensus is, I probably will.

Another thought, if the LH3 system was available to be purchased from Lakland instead of having to ship my bass to them I may have done it already.

Lorenzini · #3 06-17-2007, 10:19 AM

I have a 44-02 right now. The Barts are wonderful.
I recently played a Lakland with the LH3 pickups, and it was awesome, but different than the Barts. A bit more hi-fi from what I could tell. To be honest, they sounded kind of.. nasal? That's a terrible word for it.. Kind of like a normal voice compared to the voices in the song "Haboglabotribin'".

I'll do a few gigs on my new-to-me 44-02 and see if I have any trouble cutting through or if I don't like the gig sound. I'm playing funk/r&b/smooth jazz so I don't know that I'll NEED the LH3s.

Anyone know where I can get extensive clips of the LH3s in direct comparison to the Barts or Basslines?

pickles · #4 06-17-2007, 10:55 AM

I haven't found a 55-02 with the LH-3 to try yet. I love the sound of the barts in my ash/maple 55-94, so I wouldn't even consider a swap until I've had a chance to actually hear the new pickups.

mgmadian · #5 06-17-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

Kind of like a normal voice compared to the voices in the song "Haboglabotribin'".

Couldn't let a reference to this song go un-noted... good tune! And bassline!

tallboybass · #6 06-17-2007, 08:54 PM

Thanks Jauqo III for starting this thread. I'm still trying to figure out whether I'm going with Duncan, Nordies, LH-3, Delano on my 55-94. All I really know is the Barts aren't working for me. They are way too muffled and lifeless for me.

Lorenzini · #7 06-17-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgmadian

Couldn't let a reference to this song go un-noted... good tune! And bassline!

Dude yeah I love that song. Love playing it, too.

JAUQO III-X · #8 06-17-2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallboybass

Thanks Jauqo III for starting this thread.

You're welcome.

KJung · #9 06-18-2007, 08:34 AM

Hey Jauqo.

I recently was able to A/B the Lakland versus Bart electronics in a 55-94, and prior to that, had swapped my Barts for the Duncan's in my (no longer owned) 55-94.

A few impressions:

Bart... very warm and mid punchy... a little too woolly and throaty sounding for some (me included). These pickups are helped greatly by changing the DIP mid selector so that the mid control is set at 750 hz... which moves it away from sitting right on top of the low mid oriented bass control in the factory 500hz setting.

Seymour.... incredibly aggressive... in more of a 'rock' grindy sort of way versus a 'funk/sizzly/hi fi' sort of way. Somewhat scooped... very aggressive hi mids... deep bass. The main problem with the Seymour in the 55/-02/44-94 models is that the J pickup is quite overwhelmed by the MM Seymour...even with the MM coil tap engaged. While you can fix this with the balance, it is definitely a 'design issue' (I believe the MM is alnico and the J is ceramic... or something of the sort... they have very different outputs). However, if you want aggressive rock/growl/grind... pretty nice

Lakland.... very nice to my ear.... more 'modern/hi fi' versus the Seymours, but MUCH more open and balanced than the Bart electronics... deeper bass, a very nice treble response, and more balanced mids that can be fine tuned with the bewildering choices of center frequency (20+ I think). The 'factory setting' is 600 hz, and this seemed to work well with the deeper voicing (versus the Bart) of the bass control. This is the best Lakland electronics package for slap... warm and organic, but with some sizzle and none of the nasal honk (IMO and IME) that the Bart's seem to impart on the tone. VERY nice, and quite a quick and relatively inexpensive swap to really update the sound of the Lakland 55-02/55-94.

JAUQO III-X · #10 06-18-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Hey Jauqo.

I recently was able to A/B the Lakland versus Bart electronics in a 55-94, and prior to that, had swapped my Barts for the Duncan's in my (no longer owned) 55-94.

A few impressions:

Bart... very warm and mid punchy... a little too woolly and throaty sounding for some (me included). These pickups are helped greatly by changing the DIP mid selector so that the mid control is set at 750 hz... which moves it away from sitting right on top of the low mid oriented bass control in the factory 500hz setting.

Seymour.... incredibly aggressive... in more of a 'rock' grindy sort of way versus a 'funk/sizzly/hi fi' sort of way. Somewhat scooped... very aggressive hi mids... deep bass. The main problem with the Seymour in the 55/-02/44-94 models is that the J pickup is quite overwhelmed by the MM Seymour...even with the MM coil tap engaged. While you can fix this with the balance, it is definitely a 'design issue' (I believe the MM is alnico and the J is ceramic... or something of the sort... they have very different outputs). However, if you want aggressive rock/growl/grind... pretty nice

Lakland.... very nice to my ear.... more 'modern/hi fi' versus the Seymours, but MUCH more open and balanced than the Bart electronics... deeper bass, a very nice treble response, and more balanced mids that can be fine tuned with the bewildering choices of center frequency (20+ I think). The 'factory setting' is 600 hz, and this seemed to work well with the deeper voicing (versus the Bart) of the bass control. This is the best Lakland electronics package for slap... warm and organic, but with some sizzle and none of the nasal honk (IMO and IME) that the Bart's seem to impart on the tone. VERY nice, and quite a quick and relatively inexpensive swap to really update the sound of the Lakland 55-02/55-94.

Ken I totally agree.

pickles · #11 06-18-2007, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Bart... very warm and mid punchy... a little too woolly and throaty sounding for some (me included). These pickups are helped greatly by changing the DIP mid selector so that the mid control is set at 750 hz... which moves it away from sitting right on top of the low mid oriented bass control in the factory 500hz setting.

Yes, a wee cut at 700/750 is perfect for getting a funk tone with the barts. Then push it back up for supportive fingerstyle.

I don't hear any nasal honk in the barts though.

tallboybass · #12 06-18-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

I don't hear any nasal honk in the barts though.

I sure do. Any setting besides - Blend centered, back PU single coil towards bridge - honks like a goose, IMO.

pickles · #13 06-18-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallboybass

I sure do. Any setting besides - Blend centered, back PU single coil towards bridge - honks like a goose, IMO.

We must have different ears, or different signal chains.

Dr. Cheese · #14 06-18-2007, 01:43 PM

I am very interested in the lakland LH-3 set up for my four string peavey Millennium. I have e-mailed Lakland to see if they would install them on my bass. If they do, and I keep my Millennium, I may do it in a few months.

gkbass13 · #15 06-18-2007, 01:49 PM

i really dug the bart setup in a 55-02 that i played...but agree with ken in that the lakland system seems much more balanced, and works great for slap playing.

there was a cool clip online awhile ago with a guy testing the new system and ab'ing different settings on the lakland against a vintage p-bass, j-bass and musicman to try and mimic those classic tones, and it was quite impressive.

Freddy-G. · #16 06-18-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallboybass

... All I really know is the Barts aren't working for me. They are way too muffled and lifeless for me.

I agree. I describe the tone as very dark sounding -- needing a fuller spectrum of tone. At a gig, my guitarist described it as indistinct. If I get another 55-02, it will have the Lakland package.

tallboybass · #17 06-18-2007, 02:03 PM

Would surely like to hear from someone who put Nordstrands in his 55-02/94!

KJung · #18 06-18-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

We must have different ears, or different signal chains.

Also, I think rather loose terms like 'nasal', transparant, etc. can mean different things to different people, depending on your tone preference. One man's 'nasal' is another man's 'punchy'

One thing for sure, the Bart's are REALLY mid present, and depending on your rig, that can result in a very articulate, warm tone, or be a little 'mid overwhelming' and dark.

The Lakland pickups and pre seem to do a good job of splitting the difference between the original Bart and Seymour options.... a little less mid bark versus the Barts, but smoother and cleaner than the very aggressive Seymours. Very nice to my ear!

Dr. Cheese · #19 06-18-2007, 02:41 PM

I just got an e-mail from Lakland. They will do it for a really reasonable price! I will definitely do this in the near future.

Being able to split that back humbucker will make my Millennium perfect! I will miss those variable mids, but the Lakland system looks like it might simpler to use.

KJung · #20 06-18-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I just got an e-mail from Lakland. They will do it for a really reasonable price! I will definitely do this in the near future.

Being able to split that back humbucker will make my Millennium perfect! I will miss those variable mids, but the Lakland system looks like it might simpler to use.

Hey Anthony!

..remember, while the Lakland mids don't have a continuously variable mid control, there are DIP switched in the cavity that allow you to move the mid center freq from very low (I think around 250) to quite high (I think over 1K). So, you are probably covered there pretty well.

K