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Fender vs Lakland... I need your experience

#41
Templar said:
They wanted to faithfully replicate Glaub's actual '64 P bass. The default P bass profile in '64 was wide and flat, aka a "pancake". Of all the L-series P basses the '64's seem to have been the most notorious for being uncomfortably wide at the nut. My '64 was the same way...uncomfortably wide. My Skyline Glaub was, too. When I got it I recall thinking "yep, feels just like a '64 Fender." Two weeks later, sore wrist.
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My theory on, at least, one of the reasons why the Lakland USA Glaub necks were so uncomfortable was their 10" fingerboard radius along with their wide and flat contour. It's probably bad form as I am a self taught hack on my best day, but I often loop my fretting hand thumb over the fingerboard and the neck felt sharp against my hand. If I'd gotten the J width neck option on my USA Glaub, I probably would have kept it as it was a fine, fine, superfine instrument otherwise.
 
#42
I have the penultimate 1059 Fender Precision Bass. It’s a beautiful instrument and sounds wonderful. I also have a Lakland 55-94 and a Lakland 55-02. The Fender stays at home. The Lakland’s are lighter and their necks play better than the Fender.
 
#44
My experience is every lakland i've owned and or played is better quality, build wise, than any fender i've owned or played. I like the lakland necks and 35 scale 5's. I also prefer the tone of the laklands. Fender pickups and preamp sound muddied and bland to me in comparison. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
#45
DISCOSTUVW said:
So, I have a 2017 Fender Elite Pbass. I'm not thrilled with the pickups. The feel is decent though. I have thought about just replacing the pickups, but I was offered a Korean made Lakland Bob Glaub. It seems nice in pictures, but the only experience I had with a Lakland was a 55-01 in a Guitar Center. I know there is a bit of a price gap, but that is not a huge deal to me. Please lend me your thoughts.
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I also have a 2017 Elite also. The pickups are great and that's not the problem. It's the garbage factory preamp. I replaced mine with a 4 band Audere that also has a passive tone control. Opened the pickups and bass way up. The stock preamp has a hole in the mids and a harsh top-end. The Audere completely transformed the tone. Trust me, you will be more than happy with the upgrade. It's night and day from a tone perspective.
 
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#46
Quadzilla said:
I also have a 2017 Elite also. The pickups are great and that's not the problem. It's the garbage factory preamp. I replaced mine with a 4 band Audere that also has a passive tone control. Opened the pickups and bass way up. The stock preamp has a hole in the mids and a harsh top-end. The Audere completely transformed the tone. Trust me, you will be more than happy with the upgrade. It's night and day from a tone perspective.
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I’ve noticed that one of Fender’s biggest criticism is with their preamps. I had an MIM P Bass Deluxe and the preamp as absolutely horrid. I promptly switched it out and it sounded much better.
 
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#47
Quadzilla said:
I also have a 2017 Elite also. The pickups are great and that's not the problem. It's the garbage factory preamp. I replaced mine with a 4 band Audere that also has a passive tone control. Opened the pickups and bass way up. The stock preamp has a hole in the mids and a harsh top-end. The Audere completely transformed the tone. Trust me, you will be more than happy with the upgrade. It's night and day from a tone perspective.
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I'll have to keep this mod in mind for my Elite.
 
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#48
Pet Sounds said:
I'll have to keep this mod in mind for my Elite.
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I love my 2016 Elite Jazz for playability, but like you hate the preamp. Ordered a complete Nordstrand solution, preamp and '70's wind single coils for it. Only bummer is the preamp is not available till January so I'm having it all shipped together. Audere is also great, have one with Aguilar p' ups on my PJ Precision Special
 
#51
DISCOSTUVW said:
So, I have a 2017 Fender Elite Pbass. I'm not thrilled with the pickups. The feel is decent though. I have thought about just replacing the pickups, but I was offered a Korean made Lakland Bob Glaub. . . . .
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If you like the feel of the Fender just replace the pickups. I would have a look at Nordstrand pickups. I might even change the bass back to passive.

On the other hand, Lakland Skyline basses are great instruments for the money.

My vote, keep the Fender and replace the pickups and buy the Skyline as well.
 

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