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Fender Jazz Bass 24 V 5-String Bass Guitar or Lakland 5501

capnsandwich

capnsandwich

Jul 18, 2006
9,120
5,190
Columbus, Ohio
#1
Ok, I'm saving up some money this year for a new bass. I need a 5 string slapper that I can use for anything really. I've got a Warwick 4 and it's a slapper but when I need a 5 I've got to switch to my Toby 5, which is a great fingerstyle player but not much of a slapper.

I've got it narrowed down to the Fender Jazz Bass 24 V 5-String Bass Guitar or the Lakland 5501 5'er. both I've played in music stores and both have a nice hot slap tone to them, but which one could I use for everything and which one will hold up the longest as far as quality and set up? Anyone out there who has experience with these 2 instruments please, I'm all ears.
 
#2
The 5 string fenders dont set too well with me for some reason. I need to test out some more I guess. I will say this. I got my 5501 from MF for almost half of what it costs because it was on the blemished line (had a lil fret poke, VERY minor). I only got it to be a back up for another bass I was going to order. Needless to say, I never ordered the other bass. The 5501 is a very versatile instrument. I also slap alot and it sounds delicious (esp. with some DR fat beams). Its now my main bass and makes me want a 5502 to join it. You wont be disappointed with the Lak.
 
#5
If you can sacrifice a few frets, and make a few extra bucks, I'd say go with a used Am Dlx Fender Jazz. Most versatile bass I've ever played on IMO. Not too badly priced either.

Edit:
cricketfever32 said:
the jazz 5 is very good for finger playing, though definitely not comparable to a lakland, mostly because lak's are very well made, and since the MIA's quality is really slipping i wouldnt risk buying a jazz 24, plus the lakland sounds beautiful when slapping
Click to expand...

Aren't Jazz 24's made in Korea? :confused:
 
#6
cricketfever32 said:
the jazz 5 is very good for finger playing, though definitely not comparable to a lakland, mostly because lak's are very well made, and since the MIA's quality is really slipping i wouldnt risk buying a jazz 24, plus the lakland sounds beautiful when slapping
Click to expand...

Good points.

BUT... I think you can find extremely well constructed MIA Fenders IF you try before you buy as the quality varies so much. Older used MIAs seem to be generally better than with is hanging on the walls currently.

My MIA Jazz V is a 1997 and the fit/finish is as good as my Lakland or any bass I have played.
 
#7
cricketfever32 said:
the jazz 5 is very good for finger playing, though definitely not comparable to a lakland, mostly because lak's are very well made, and since the MIA's quality is really slipping i wouldnt risk buying a jazz 24, plus the lakland sounds beautiful when slapping
Click to expand...

The Fender Jazz 24, like the Lakland is built in Korea (Maybe the same plant....who knows). I don't think you will see a difference in the quality between the two. (I believe the Jazz 24 V is made in Korea like the Jazz 24 four string version)

With that said, I've owned four string versions of both the Jazz 24 and the Lakland 44-01. Both were great built basses, very solid and played well......BUT I like the sound of the Lakland better. I was not crazy about the pickups and preamp in the Fender. So in your case I would say the Lakland.
 
#8
I don't like the Bart Mk1 electronics package in the 55-01. Replacing the pickups is very difficult in that bass as they asre an odd size, IIRC. So, you could replace the preamp, but not the pickups w/o routing the body. The Lakland will likely have a better B string.

I don't like the Duncan electronics in the Fender Jazz 24 V either. Replacing the pickups on this bass is a cinch, there is a GLUT of 5 string Jazz bass pickups out there. The low B will not be as good as the Lakland, but it will probably be plenty useful.

They are both built well, reasonably priced, and I would expect quality to be close enough to not matter too much. You also have to decide fo you like single-coils more, or humbucking pickups. If you don't like single-coils generally, then I woud stay away from the Jazz.

I would choose the Fender myself, as there is more you can do to change it up easily compared to the Lakland. I think you'll be ok either way.
 

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