Lakland 55-02 String Alignment

Texan · #1 02-04-2012, 07:51 AM

So I'm gassing for a Lakland 55-02 and ordered one which I got earlier this week. The strings were out of alignment/offset with the fretboard. I tried to correct this by setting up the bass and I had no luck adjusting the alignment. I returned that bass and had another shipped to me with the same issue which I am returning as well. Unless I am totally wrong, the strings should be parallel with the edge of the fretboard, not slightly askew, i.e. the "A" string should split the fret markers pretty much down the middle. Is there a quality problem with the new 55-02's or am I too picky?

Johnny Alien · #2 02-04-2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texan

So I'm gassing for a Lakland 55-02 and ordered one which I got earlier this week. The strings were out of alignment/offset with the fretboard. I tried to correct this by setting up the bass and I had no luck adjusting the alignment. I returned that bass and had another shipped to me with the same issue which I am returning as well. Unless I am totally wrong, the strings should be parallel with the edge of the fretboard, not slightly askew, i.e. the "A" string should split the fret markers pretty much down the middle. Is there a quality problem with the new 55-02's or am I too picky?

I have never been as pleased with the Indonesian Laklands as the Korean ones. While I am sure they are fine even with the alignment slightly off I would not accept that on an expensive bass. For $1500 that bass is not really "entry-level". They are nice basses and I doubt they all have poor alignment so it might be worth searching. The real catch is there is no way to adjust that alignment on that type of bridge.

Texan · #3 02-04-2012, 08:16 AM

I plan on calling lakland on Monday and asking them about it. I don't understand how this gets through QC. I'm really baffled by this.

Jim Carr · #4 02-04-2012, 08:22 AM

The neck may have shifted a fraction of an inch in the pocket. Take it to a good guitar tech and get them to loosen the neck screws and reset the neck with proper alignment. Once tightened back up, it should be good to go.

However, if it won't set set up straight, return it. This is not an acceptable flaw. If it does set up straight, but slips back out of true, I would also return it.

I have a 10 year old 55-01. That instrument has one of the best necks and most solid true pockets of any instrument I have ever known (and I have some fancy basses). Yours should be the same as mine, true, solid, and great to play. Lakland needs to be informed their instruments are not being properly constructed, inspected, and set up.

Got pics?

mccartneyman · #5 02-04-2012, 08:23 AM

Does the current bridge have channels for the saddle screws? If so, I'd say it's bridge placement because the saddles can't slide side-to-side. unless they have cut the neck pocket out of line consistently. I've had a Korean 5501, an Indonesian Glaub, a Korean JO5 and a DPLE Glaub and now have a 55-94 with no such problem, although the action on the 5501 had to be set pretty high to be playable. It was one of the earlier models when they still used the Gotoh tuners. Contact Leo st Lakland and see what he says.

Johnny Alien · #6 02-04-2012, 08:24 AM

That is true. I always forget that. With bolt on necks you can sometimes fix that easily by shifting the neck.

Texan · #7 02-04-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

The neck may have shifted a fraction of an inch in the pocket. Take it to a good guitar tech and get them to loosen the neck screws and reset the neck with proper alignment. Once tightened back up, it should be good to go.

However, if it won't set set up straight, return it. This is not an acceptable flaw. If it does set up straight, but slips back out of true, I would also return it.

I have a 10 year old 55-01. That instrument has one of the best necks and most solid true pockets of any instrument I have ever known (and I have some fancy basses). Yours should be the same as mine, true, solid, and great to play. Lakland needs to be informed their instruments are not being properly constructed, inspected, and set up.

Got pics?

Tried that with no luck on both. I use a 48" straight edge the check the bridge alignment and it appeared off by a couple of degrees.

pb9717 · #8 02-04-2012, 08:37 AM

FWIW...older used 55-02's out of Korea with the Bart pre & pups are pretty spectacular. I've owned 5 55-02/55-94's, even got one of the first 100 ever made, and the older ones are really excellent. Save yourself $600-800 and look for a good used one. They come across the for sale boards fairly often....good luck.

hdracer · #9 02-04-2012, 08:41 AM

I have yet to see any Skyline 5 that had the A string line up anywhere close to the marker dots. They are all that way.
They all play and sound great though.

Musicman20 · #10 02-04-2012, 08:43 AM

I wouldn't shift the neck, you shouldn't NEED TO! Its an expensive bass.

Just so you know, this exact reason is why I have returned 4-5 Lakland's, (including VERY high weight).

Here is another:

Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom Sunburst Block and Bound RW (GUITARGUITAR)

I would get Lakland to check one and send one out to you free of charge and pick your bass up.

Johnny Alien · #11 02-04-2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

I have yet to see any Skyline 5 that had the A string line up anywhere close to the marker dots. They are all that way.

There are tons of photos out there. IMO there are more issues with the Indonesian ones from what I have been hearing.

I agree they should be right from the beginning but it is possible for a neck to shift in shipping. BUT there is no indication that shifting the neck will help. The OP has said as much.

mmbongo · #12 02-04-2012, 09:55 AM

I noticed this on my 55-01...thought it was odd but it didn't really bother me....especially after I started paying attention and every Skyline I saw was the same way. It could probably be fixed with replacement bridge saddles I would think.

Avezzano · #13 02-04-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

I have yet to see any Skyline 5 that had the A string line up anywhere close to the marker dots. They are all that way.
They all play and sound great though.

I have two early 55-02; one maple fretted CAR (2004, a "factory second") and one of the very first lot (2003 "demo"), a fretless. Both of them bought by Beaver Felton (Basscentral) and both aligned very well. (The black demo one originally had the Gotoh minituners, that I replaced with the Hipshot Ultralite Usa made, the only cloverleaf ones that would fit those small holes).

Actually, if we want to be that picky, the very slight offset (half mm: check my pic) of the center string is the natural consequence of the perfect centering of the whole set of strings, leaving the same margin out on the border of both the B and the G strings. Now check the black one (below) and how the center string is aligned with the pickup and the truss rod hole: exactly as on the red one, so this half millimeter is (was?) done on purpose, I guess.

**lowendfriend** · #14 02-04-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texan

So I'm gassing for a Lakland 55-02 and ordered one which I got earlier this week. The strings were out of alignment/offset with the fretboard. I tried to correct this by setting up the bass and I had no luck adjusting the alignment. I returned that bass and had another shipped to me with the same issue which I am returning as well. Unless I am totally wrong, the strings should be parallel with the edge of the fretboard, not slightly askew, i.e. the "A" string should split the fret markers pretty much down the middle. Is there a quality problem with the new 55-02's or am I too picky?

Send some pictures to carl@chicagobassdoctor.com along with your concerns....he is or was the head luthier for Lakland.

JEDI BASS · #15 02-05-2012, 01:32 AM

I've seen this on many Skylines and (being anal)... HATE IT! The handful of Skylines that I've owned were all bought used because I think the new price is a bit high honestly. I always check the string alignment and have found it's usually a product of poor bridge placement. But, shifting the neck can help a bit... I've done it on several basses including the "LOG bass" P 5er for a friend. In the end, the neck shift helped a little on my friend's LOG bass but I would've plugged and redrilled to remount the bridge if it were my bass. My friend passed on my remount offer because he didn't want his new bass altered and it played fine.

Musicman20 · #16 02-05-2012, 04:15 AM

I've seen 2-3 LOG basses with poor bridge placement.

Johnny Alien · #17 02-05-2012, 05:27 AM

My respect for the Korean ones is growing every day.

dj5 · #18 02-05-2012, 05:43 AM

I agree with Jedibass - it looks like poor bridge positioning to me.
It's a fairly straightforward job to plug and re-fit the bridge if you're handy with tools, but you shouldn't HAVE to on an instrument at that price. If Squier can get it right, so should Lakland IMO.

mmbongo · #19 02-05-2012, 07:38 AM

The funny thing is, if there were no dots on the face (which I'd prefer) then nobody would even notice!

Turxile · #20 02-05-2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

The funny thing is, if there were no dots on the face (which I'd prefer) then nobody would even notice!

Yup maybe it's the dots that are not aligned