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4401 or 4402?

Stranger Danger

Stranger Danger

Feel Like A Stranger
Jan 3, 2010
14,549
14,124
Denver, CO
#1
I just played my first Lakland last week and I'm in serious lust. It was a 4401 and I really dig it. I listened to the clips on the site and with my crappy computer speakers I'm having a hard time deciding between the 2. Without having access to an 02, I'm looking for some solid advice. This will be my first active bass. I play rock and my only bass right now is a G&L SB-2. Thanks y'all.
 
#3
From what I know, most people prefer the 44-02. So do I, but mostly because it contains more of the classic sounds. The 44-01 is a fine bass though in its own right. I love the sound of the bass player of Good Charlotte even though it is not really my kind of music.
 
#4
LDonnie said:
From what I know, most people prefer the 44-02. So do I, but mostly because it contains more of the classic sounds. The 44-01 is a fine bass though in its own right. I love the sound of the bass player of Good Charlotte even though it is not really my kind of music.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Classic sounds? Like Jazz & MM?
 
#5
My current bass is a 44-02 and I really like it. So much so that I am having trouble buying a 5 string as it sounds so sweet and I am still debating if I really NEED a B string.

It's not exactly like this for the purists, but the neck pickup sounds enough like a P for my needs. The hum bucker at the bridge sounds very MusicManish, and when you split the bridge pup you get a sort of 60's and 70's jazz placement sort of thing. Again, not exactly like those basses, but in that tone neighborhood.
 
#8
I was looking at a 55-01 in a local store. I ended up not buying it just because it seemed that most people who bought an -01 would swap the electronics out pretty soon after buying. I really didnt see the need to spend $900 on a bass only to spend a few hundred more on a new set of electronics. I'd go for the -02, probably would be about the same price after you swap out pups without the hassle.

However the -01 I tried was a gorgeous instrument in it's own right...

BnB
 
#9
MarTONEbass said:
Many people who buy the 01 series end up modding the electronics, but not many people mod the 02's.

To me, the difference is enough to warrant the upcharge of the 02 series.

I'd want to see a pic before I committed to buy the 02 with the BEM board as that is not a standard option.
Click to expand...


The electronics are the Achilles' hill of that bass.
 
#11
I think the determining factor maybe be gas related. If I get the 01 I'll probably gas for the 02, but if I get the 02, I won't feel like I need the 01.

Still makes me uneasy to buy a bass I never played. So come on Lakie lovers, gimme some insight. I'm sure the 02 can do the smooth thing great but can it growl like the 01?
 
#13
StrangerDanger said:
I think the determining factor maybe be gas related. If I get the 01 I'll probably gas for the 02, but if I get the 02, I won't feel like I need the 01.

Still makes me uneasy to buy a bass I never played. So come on Lakie lovers, gimme some insight. I'm sure the 02 can do the smooth thing great but can it growl like the 01?
Click to expand...

I've got a both a modded 55-01 (Aggie/Nordy big singles) and a stock 55-02 with the Lakie electronics.

My .02: the 55-02 is more versatile, tonally. If you want the bridge 'bucker (Stingray) sound, you've got it. If you want the 2 single coil (Jazz) sound, you've got it--and can choose (something like) '60s or '70s placement for the bridge pup.

I'd agree with earlier posts that the 55-02--eh, the 44-02--gives you more for a relatively modest bump in price.
 
#17
I've had both the stock 44-01 with Barts and the 44-02 with Lakland pickups and electronics. I loved the feel of the 44-01 but after a while I longed for a punchier j bass sound. I upgraded the preamp, but still wasn't completely content. I sold it to get the 44-02 before I put more money into it.

I love my 44-02. I find that it can get a variety of tones and the switch makes a huge difference with the pickups. If that wasn't enough, you can take the cover off the back and select a different mid frequency for the mid gain/fade. I've used it for jazz and rock and it does a nice job. You'll like the stock 44-01, but you'll love the 44-02. Thats just my opinion.

I had a 55-02 that played like butter and sounded incredible, but I'm just not a 5 string player.
 
#18
augdog said:
I've had both the stock 44-01 with Barts and the 44-02 with Lakland pickups and electronics. I loved the feel of the 44-01 but after a while I longed for a punchier j bass sound. I upgraded the preamp, but still wasn't completely content. I sold it to get the 44-02 before I put more money into it.

I love my 44-02. I find that it can get a variety of tones and the switch makes a huge difference with the pickups. If that wasn't enough, you can take the cover off the back and select a different mid frequency for the mid gain/fade. I've used it for jazz and rock and it does a nice job. You'll like the stock 44-01, but you'll love the 44-02. Thats just my opinion.

I had a 55-02 that played like butter and sounded incredible, but I'm just not a 5 string player.
Click to expand...

Thanks dog, I just found out about the mid frequency business today. That's really exciting stuff. I think I'm pretty much sold on the 02. The shop I do business with is willing to get me a sample from their distributor to try, so I'll be back reporting soon hopefully.
 
#20
I just don't understand the hate on the 44-01 electronics. I think since the preamp is made overseas it puts a bad taste in everyones mouth. I bought one on a whim a few months ago for an amazing price and can't believe how great it sounds stock. Very versatile too. Can get a decent P sound , a nice bridge pickup bite. Roll off the treble and its smooth city. It can sound pretty mean too. Much better IMO for rock than the 44-02.
 

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