lakland 55-64 vs fender p5

jacojbass · #1 03-05-2013, 06:11 AM

looking for opinions besides the obvious things like 34" vs 35". what do you think is the better bass? why?

cegrant · #2 03-05-2013, 06:17 AM

First BIG difference is plek vs. not. I just sold my fender p5 and picked up a LOG 55-64. I noticed the Lakland is smoother to play. My opinion only.

Grateful · #3 03-05-2013, 06:52 AM

I've owned both, and (minus the 35" scale) the Lakland was the clear favorite for playability for me. If the Lakland was 34", I'd probably still own a bunch of them.

jacojbass · #4 03-05-2013, 07:34 AM

I kinda figured the lakland would get props..I did own a 55-01 and played nicely...I am looking for a P bass sound for more rock tones..theses kind of basses seem to fit the bill

Thumper · #5 03-05-2013, 08:09 AM

I have both (including cegrants old P5) . The 55-94 has a world class neck and playability. The P5 gives up nothing to the 55-94 in terms of playability, I actually prefer the neck with its slightly wider nut spacing. It delivers the P sound the 55-94 can't deliver (it can get close though). The B is great on both. For Country, my band prefers the P5.

Disclaimer: neither is plekked

Gord_oh · #6 03-05-2013, 08:11 AM

get a P5 and go get it plek'd...that's what i would do.
and hopefully will do.

Thumper · #7 03-05-2013, 08:59 AM

I'm guessing plek is like the new Harley frame, you don't know what you're missing unless you try it. I've never played a plek'd bass, so mine, like my Harley, feel great to me

jacojbass · #8 03-05-2013, 09:49 AM

so by saying the P bass should be pleked, the fret job is less than good?

Fair Warning · #9 03-05-2013, 09:56 AM

Plek-snobs.....
RE: the OP, I too was considering the same choice. I love my 44-64 Skyline for playability and sound. Needed a 5 string and was going to get the 55-64, but there was no where to play one, and the color choices are only the 1 TSB. I ended up with the P5, which is a great player and no complaints with the sound.

Kmose · #10 03-05-2013, 11:40 AM

I had a fender p5 and sold it. It never felt right to me and the B string felt floppy and weak. I do love my MIA fender P four string, but something about the P5 just wasn't right for me. My main player is a Lakland 5594, and it gets close enough to the 5 string P vibe when I need that sound.

jacojbass · #11 03-05-2013, 11:53 AM

yea I was worried abut a floppy B string on a fender....

Fair Warning · #12 03-05-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacojbass

yea I was worried abut a floppy B string on a fender....

I dont get the popular "Floppy" B string notion. A given string size on any 34 inch scale bass would resonate the same. I dont see why it would be floppier on a P5.

ggvicviper · #13 03-05-2013, 12:04 PM

The B is fine on the Fender P5 IMO. Floppy if you use floppy strings, maybe.

jacojbass · #14 03-05-2013, 12:08 PM

No, I have played many basses and was never super impressed with the B, lakland and status lead the pack by a lot..but they are 35" and most others were 34". Just my experience talking...

Thumper · #15 03-05-2013, 12:25 PM

The P5 B string IS NOT FLOPPY! I have owned the following 5ers: 2 Sadowskys, 4 55-94s, 2 Fbasses, Elrick, Nordstrand, 4 Roscoes, Modulus Quantum, Modulus Genesis, Sukop, Warwick Infinty, MTD 535, Zon 5/1, Benavente, Rob Allen, Pedulla Rapture, so I feel qualified to give an opinion. A few had a floppy B string, and I was less than happy with a few DR B strings, but I think I know what floppy feels like. The P5 B string (at least with Sadowsky Black Label Stainless Lites) is not floppy.

Perhaps Cegrant has another opionion about this particular P5. And it is the only P5 I have played, but still that is IMO.

jacojbass · #16 03-05-2013, 12:34 PM

ok: flop 1 no flop 1 tie breaker anyone ahaha.
Obviously this is a subjective opinion...Not looking to start a flame here, just want opinions...

Jim Carr · #17 03-05-2013, 01:04 PM

P5 is too floppy for me. I like 35" B strings, like my 55-01D and MTD passive "MM" Kingston (Korean).

Grateful · #18 03-05-2013, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacojbass

ok: flop 1 no flop 1 tie breaker anyone ahaha.
Obviously this is a subjective opinion...Not looking to start a flame here, just want opinions...

I have owned both basses in question. My Fender P5's B string was not floppy, but I have owned better. Not stellar, but not bad by any means. The Lakland's was better. But I do not like the 35" scale of the Lakland.

basspraiser · #19 03-05-2013, 01:49 PM

I own 2 Lakie 55-64s (1 US and 1 Skyline) and have played a few Fender P5s.

to me, the Lakland neck feels better and the B is much (much) more useable.

Jim Carr · #20 03-06-2013, 12:48 AM

The smell of sulfur is strong, but not unpleasant to a sinner....(Mark Twain on the topic of Hawaiian volcanoes).

Back on topic: 35" IS NOT SO BIG. My 9 and 1/2 year-old bass student plays a 1/2 size upright with no problem. BTW, that is a 37 1/2" scale FRETLESS played with a bow!!!

Go for the Lakland and fear not the 35" scale, which is a few mm bigger per fret.