Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Comparing Asian Made 5 string basses G&L, Lakland, and Cort?
- Thread starter Bowedtoothdoc54
- Start date
My vote among this group goes to the G & L L2500. The pickups and electronics package give you lots of tonal flexibility.
Owned:
Lakland 5501 Skyline (GREAT neck)
Owned a neck through Cort A5 Artisan (nice)
Have owned G&L's in great #'s (Tributes included) [worked there in the 80's in Fullerton]
Currently Own a Squier VMP5 that I love.
The G&L L2xxx series give provide an huge tonal spectrum.
A Tribute L2500 is on my Radar!
Lakland 5501 Skyline (GREAT neck)
Owned a neck through Cort A5 Artisan (nice)
Have owned G&L's in great #'s (Tributes included) [worked there in the 80's in Fullerton]
Currently Own a Squier VMP5 that I love.
The G&L L2xxx series give provide an huge tonal spectrum.
A Tribute L2500 is on my Radar!
Last edited:
I can't speak to the other two, but I ran into one of the G&Ls on the used wall at Sam Ash and it blew me away! If I didn't already have a Stingray HH it would have gone home with me. It really kind of pissed me off that I had paid over twice as much for my Stingray- don't get me wrong, I love my Stingray, but I would've been very happy with that G&L.
Wow, Would that bass be in the same price range as the others? I really don't know much about Spector basses.
Last edited:
That Spector looks nice, but if you read my original post I am in the 500-600$ price range and would prefer something used but in good condition.
OOPS!!!! Sorry, Spector does have the Legend Classic & Standard Series as well.
I have owned two different schecter basses both five string. Both very nice in build quality. Every bit as nice as my stingray 5HH. I just received my second schecter studio 5 and it was within the budget listed. Sounds and plays awesome!
So I have ended up with a Lakland Skyline 55-01 and from what I can tell it was the first year of production 2001 and made in Korea. The serial number is 0301 2646. The bass is in good condition for it's age and from what I have read the early Skylines were fairly high quality as they were fretted and gone over by Lakland techs here in the states? Correct me if I am wrong. It had a loose output jack and a loose volume knob which I fixed and the truss rod need a bit of tightening.
I was gassing for the cream finish when this one came up on GC for 200$ less, so I went for it.
2001 was the first year of production for these... that is what the "-01" stands for if I am not mistaken, just as the US model which started in 1994 is "-94". The Skyline serial numbers date the instrument with the first two digits, so your's is actually a 2003... right in the wheelhouse of what some think is the golden era for these basses. Sounds like you made a great score!
Seem like nice basses you're choosing from. To make things more difficult I'll recommend the Asian-made Brubaker Brute. Most comfortable bass I have played, really can't say enough about the feel of the neck, the balance, and the "short scale feel" on a 34" instrument. Low B string is tight and completely usable all the way up the neck. Sounds good with stock pickups and electronics but if there is a weak point, that would be it. If you can find one used and upgrade the pickups and pre you've got yourself a high-end bass for middle-end money.
i would seriously consider bacchus too, in fact there are usually some pretty sweet ones in the tb classifieds
Instead of looking at the G&L Tribute, I would look for a used USA G&L. Prices are comparable to the Lakland Skyline.
IMO, finding a used G&L will give you the most bang for the buck. They are a lot of bass for the money.
If you don't like all of the switches, the M-2500's are also a very viable option.
All of the basses on your list are very different in terms of style, neck profile and tone. Keep that in mind as you are shopping around.
IMO, finding a used G&L will give you the most bang for the buck. They are a lot of bass for the money.
If you don't like all of the switches, the M-2500's are also a very viable option.
All of the basses on your list are very different in terms of style, neck profile and tone. Keep that in mind as you are shopping around.
Something else you may want to consider is that the string spacing at the bridge on the Lakland is 19mm, whereas the G&L is tighter at 17mm. Unsure what the Cort is but I'd guess tighter than 19mm, as well.
Might make a difference to you; might not.
Might make a difference to you; might not.
