5501, Pre, or Pickup change

[garbev]

Hi Everyone,

Greetings from Wales, U.K. This is my first post so please be gentle.
I've recently got hold of a Lakland 55-01 Dlx. Maple fingerboard,
beautiful quilt maple, cherry sunburst top.
The bass plays like a dream but I find the electronics are not up to the
job. I'm considering changing the preamp for a Glock 3 band and pickups
to Nordstrand.
I think the preamp change is first on the agenda because if I switch the
bass to passive mode, with a few tweaks on my Markbass SA450 the
sound improves by leaps and bounds.
I know there have been many posts here regarding modding the 55-01
but has anyone changed the preamp to a Glock and left the MK 1's
in situ.

Thanks in advance,

Gary.

 

[DWBass]

I say get rid of that horrible pre-amp! Something warmer and with less boost will do!

 

[flacoclef]

Did you ever put the Glock pre with Mk1s?

 

[garbev]

I decided to change the p/ups as well and the Glock/
nordy combination is terrific.

 

[DWBass]

It's been 2 years and I'm just about ready to mod mine. I plan to go the all US Bartolini route after I'm done modding my Fender Jazz.

 

[ric stave]

You know, it's funny (and prob not helpful to your situation), but my 1st Lakland was a 55-01 that had the upgraded NTMB Bart pre, and although the bass was wonderful for some music theatre shows I was doing, it did not work for me in a live rock band setting. Not good mids, high end too brittle, and low was either 'ehh' or too much, but no cut or tone.

I sold that one, got a 55-02 (had the Bart electronics) - probably didn't give it enough time, but live, my G&L L2500 blew it away, so I moved it on too.

Then I came across a 55-01 that had the stock pre and Nordstrand Big Singles - that's what I should've done to my 1st one rather than get rid of it - but I had some noise issues in a few clubs and although I loved the bass and the sound, if I couldn't use it in those places it was useless to me, so I sold it. Again, I loved how it felt and played, so I SHOULD'VE tried some other pickups - Big Splits or something. (Call me Capt. Hindsight...)

So after trying a few other basses, I ended up recently buying the same color 55-01, but this one was all stock - all with the intent of swapping out the electronics or pickups and not giving up on such a fine playing bass this time.

So, back to the 'funny' part - I've used it in 2 rehearsals and a live show, and it sounds amazing! None of the 'problems' I had with the 'upgraded' preamp in the 1st, and I'm happy with the EQ and cutting I'm getting.

So, like I said - absolutely no help in this thread..... (sorry!)

I'm still interested in hearing how alterations work out for people on this bass, just in case some day I feel the need for change....

 

[DWBass]

My issue may not be so much the pickups but I find the pre-amp is pretty harsh. The high boost goes way to high (way too glassy and piercing) and the bass boost goes way too low! Not very practical, IMHO! I prefer a pre that is a lot more subtle and pleasing. I will be adding some Hipshot Ultralights.