Lakland..4401 or 4402...or BOTH??!?!?!? Let's discuss.

[mmbongo]

I have these thoughts going through my head and I want to get them down

Let me back up first.

I have a 5501. After a few months of tweaking, trying strings, changing pickups and preamps, I've hit on a magical combination that is working perfect for me. For various reasons, this bass will now become my main gigging bass. I've had Bart MK5 pickups and an Audere preamp in it for a while, but what really nailed it for me was adding a mini 3 way switch that changes the pickups from inner coils/series coils/outer coils. Inner coils is what is doing it for me. Perfect combination of deep, bright, and mids.

Now here's where my head starts to hurt from thinking too much. I want this same sound in a 4 string, AS CHEAPLY AS POSSIBLE. A 4401 is the obvious choice, fully aware that I will need to replace the pickups and preamp...I will also be adding a pickguard probably. That will be important later.

I already have a preamp I can use, so let's jump to pickups. Obviously, Bart MK5/MK4 are the obvious choice. However, remember I'm cheap, they are $200 new (I got the ones in my 5501 for $100..would love to find that deal again).

I was thinking maybe I could just get a set of regular old Jazz pickups and mount them in empty shells, but I think I've decided against that. I think I want to stick with humbuckers that are switchable.

Here's where the 44-02 and the and the aforementioned pickguard comes in. Since I'm going to get a pickguard anyway, and 44-02 pickguards are readily available, why not get a 44-02 pickguard and just route out for the MM/J pickups? Oh, did I mention that I already have a set of MM/J pickups?

So basically I guess the question is...assuming the pickups are similar, let's just say all are Bart Classic series, can the MM/J setup get the same sounds as the dual soapbar? I just love that inner coil sound I get from my 5501 and I'm just not sure the best way to get that from a 4401.

I kinda like the idea of having a 4401 and routing it for either pickup set, and it would just be a pickguard swap to get either one.

[WoodyG3]

If you got a used 4402 with Barts, wouldn't you be really close to what you want with a lot less work?

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by WoodyG3

If you got a used 4402 with Barts, wouldn't you be really close to what you want with a lot less work?

I'm not sure, that's kinda why I was asking. I'd like to know if the MM/J setup can cop the same sound as dual soapbars.

But I must emphasize how much price is a factor here, and I don't mind swapping pickups.

Used 4402 = $1000
Used 4401 = $500
Buying pickups for the 01 is a moot point, as I could sell the MM/J setup I already have and get the soapbars.

Thing is, with a pickguard, it looks like a 4401 could be a 4401 OR a 4402.

[Pickebass]

Can you get the routing done at a reasonable cost? The necks are basically the same (if not the same) on the '01 and '02. Awhile ago I thought about doing this, but by the time, the routing was done, I was close to the same in price.

I would just sell the MM/J pickups and get a set of Nordstrand or Barts depending on preference. You would probably break even.

[mmbongo]

The routing would not cost anything but my time, so basically nothing

No, it wouldn't be perfect...but then again it can't be perfect since the stock route would be longer than a MM route, hence the pickguard. But I would want a pickguard either way.

[mmbongo]

See now, the pickguard will have to be made anyway...so why not get it with DUAL MM routes? How many Laklands you seen with dual MM humbuckers?

See how my mind works? See what I have to put up with every day!?!?!

[GregC]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I'm not sure, that's kinda why I was asking. I'd like to know if the MM/J setup can cop the same sound as dual soapbars.

But I must emphasize how much price is a factor here, and I don't mind swapping pickups.

Used 4402 = $1000
Used 4401 = $500
Buying pickups for the 01 is a moot point, as I could sell the MM/J setup I already have and get the soapbars.

Thing is, with a pickguard, it looks like a 4401 could be a 4401 OR a 4402.

Oh, you can get a used 44-02 for $800-$850.

[mmbongo]

Well, my TB bro madbassplaya helped me out. He convinced me that I'm thinking too hard.

After all, the whole point here is to get a bass identical to my 5501 in a 4 string package. These basses are some of the few where you can actually do that...use the same exact pickups.

There is a black 4401 here locally for $500 that I'm going to get. Soon as I find a deal on some Bart MK5's I'll be set. Already got the preamp. Pickguard? Have to deal with what's available if I get one at all.

[basspraiser]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

See now, the pickguard will have to be made anyway...so why not get it with DUAL MM routes? How many Laklands you seen with dual MM humbuckers?

See how my mind works? See what I have to put up with every day!?!?!

Like this?





not to steal your thunda!

go for the double MM or the 44-01 teh way you want it with the soap bars...either way...you will get a cool sound!

PS - this one has 2 switches so i can do ANY combo of coils...

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Well, my TB bro madbassplaya helped me out. He convinced me that I'm thinking too hard.

After all, the whole point here is to get a bass identical to my 5501 in a 4 string package. These basses are some of the few where you can actually do that...use the same exact pickups.

There is a black 4401 here locally for $500 that I'm going to get. Soon as I find a deal on some Bart MK5's I'll be set. Already got the preamp. Pickguard? Have to deal with what's available if I get one at all.

Glad to help bro. Get the black and rock it.

Originally Posted by basspraiser

Like this?





not to steal your thunda!

go for the double MM or the 44-01 teh way you want it with the soap bars...either way...you will get a cool sound!

PS - this one has 2 switches so i can do ANY combo of coils...

I just realized those basses don't have the Lakland bridge.

So THAT'S what a Lakland looks like without the oval!

[mmbongo]

The double MM looks awesome! Kinda miss the oval bridge, though. But it's still awesome

Bought the 4401 today. Even with the stock electronics I'm getting close to the sound I was looking for.

[sj_bass]

Congrats on your NBD! I got a feeling that you might wanna just hold off on modding it for a while... I played the 55-01 tonight and it still is one of my most versatile basses. I'm using the DR Neon Orange strings and they've got a nice little slap to them...

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by sj_bass

Congrats on your NBD! I got a feeling that you might wanna just hold off on modding it for a while... I played the 55-01 tonight and it still is one of my most versatile basses. I'm using the DR Neon Orange strings and they've got a nice little slap to them...

I've had the bass for 14 hours, I've held off long enough

Got an Audere pre ready to go in. Taking a chance on a set of Kent Armstrong pickups I found in the emporium yesterday at a good price

[RickC]

The big difference in price between used xx-01s and xx-02s has always been a mystery to me. Interesting thread, and definitely stirring my interest in xx-01s even more.

/rick

[sj_bass]

Wow, that didn't take long...

I expect a full review of the Kent's - preferably also a comparison of them against the Mk-1's.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by RickC

The big difference in price between used xx-01s and xx-02s has always been a mystery to me. Interesting thread, and definitely stirring my interest in xx-01s even more.

/rick

It's a mystery to me, too. I always thought the 4401 was even lower on the manufacturing totem pole than the other Skylines...like they were built by some place that even Korea had to contract out.

I was quite shocked when I realized they were identical, other than the pickups. And the way I see it, they are better than the 44-02's. That Jazz route is very limiting. The 4401 can have a jazz, dual coil humbucker, side by side humbucker, large format single coil, Precision...you name it.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by sj_bass

Wow, that didn't take long...

I expect a full review of the Kent's - preferably also a comparison of them against the Mk-1's.

Yeah I can't wait to check them out. Figuring out the wiring is going to be the fun part