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G&L vs Lakland vs Suggestions Taken

R

rootshock

Feb 17, 2008
110
0
Chicagoland
#1
Hi

I'm a new bassist (played guitar for over a decade) and am looking for a 4 string. I just sold my MIA 5 string Jazz, cause the low B was too flabby. I liked the tone overall though. I've played Lakland, G&L, Peavey, Fender, Zon and Music Man. I've not been able to establish a favorite, I like things about all the necks.

As a guitarist I've noticed a difference in practice tone, vs tone in the mix. I've not got enough experience playing bass to know the ins and outs of those basses, much less in the mix. I'm playing through a small Ampeg 50w combo, which won't cut drums, and barely cuts guitar, so I'm also in the market for a head and cab. This thread is about the bass guitar though :)

I see a lot of people playing Lakland, and I like the tone. I would be looking at the 44-02.

I like G&L guitars, they are a tremendous value and have superior craftsmanship vs Fender (imo), so I'm looking at the L-2000, which seems to be very versatile.

The Music Man is too pricey and I don't think I'd be into composite necks (Zon, Modulus)

I'd like to purchase used, and be somewhere between $700-1000.


Suggestions appreciated. I've played a bunch, and have no immediate favorites as I've stated.

-Thx
 
#2
Any of those basses you mention are great instruments. I have G&L's, Zon's, and Laklands currently, and I've owned many of the others you mention. I'm a big G&L fan, and the L-2000 is a great "swiss army knife" bass. It kinda does it all. In the price range you mention you are looking at a used Skyline or a used US G&L. Given that choice I'd personally go with a used US G&L (And I love my Skyline and US Laklands!)
 
#3
I guess a lot of this depends on what kind of music you play and what kind of sound your looking for. If you can provide that information I'm sure someone can help you out.

I have tried G&L and I currently own MusicMans and for me MusicMan's are better. G&L's are well made, high quality basses but I always had problems with my L2500 getting buried in the mix. They have somewhat of a scooped sound so it is heavy on bass and can be somewhat heavy on treble.

MusicMan's are known for their tight punchiness w/ some sizzle. I have a Bongo and 2 Stingrays and they sit really well in a full band mix. I find that the Stingrays can cut through any live mix like a knife.

It's all really in how you play and what you play that will determine the best bass for you. I would recommend not only trying a bass out in a store but trying it in a full band context. You can never really appreciate a bass until you try it in context. This rule is good for amps as well.
 
#4
I have had Modulus, Musicman, and G&l, I have not owned lakland yet but I have tried a few at the local store. I have to say the US laklands are much better than skyline, not talking about tone, more along the line of materials, quartersawn necks which I love. and those birdseye fingerboards are to die for. I would say Used, you oughta get a US g&l and in that price range you can definitely get a pretty one,

And tone wise, I have had the opposite experience, I have finally found myself in the mix for once. my l2000 is just the most awesome bass, maple neck\fingerboard on a big slab of swamp ash. sounds big round punchy, has some nice snap on the treble, definitely more funk than modern treble. my
L2500 is ash body with maple neck, rosewood fingerboard. little more high end but super punchy and cuts right through drums and guitar.

Finally !!
 
#7
Some points to clarify:

1) Budget sweet spot is around $800. Looking to buy used, not new at retail

2) I like a lot of funk bass but also prog rock, and electronica/nu jazz.

3) The post about playing in the full band context is exactly what I'm concerned about. I think we've all had practice tones that were great, but don't work in the mix.

If the G&L really is the "swiss army knife" it's claimed to be, that would seem to be a good direction to go. I also like the Music Man, but it's only got one pickup, and I've read that the L-2000 can pretty much nail the MM anyhow. The MM is also pricey, and doesn't seem like a good value compared to the L-2000.

I'm also considering the 44-02 Lakland. It seems like a better Jazz bass with more options (MM pup bridge). I'm just leery of spending what the Skyline's go for used on an instrument made in Korea... Being from Chicago I'd like to support the hometown company though.

I'm not expecting the Lakland to be as diverse as the L-2000, but does it offer a variety of tones? I'm also weary of a jack of all trades is master of none kinda instrument (L-2000). For instance on the BassPlayer video review of the Tribute L-2000, there are definitely some tones I love, but also some that are meh at best.

Please continue.

-Thx
 
#8
rootshock said:
Some points to clarify:

1) Budget sweet spot is around $800. Looking to buy used, not new at retail

2) I like a lot of funk bass but also prog rock, and electronica/nu jazz.

3) The post about playing in the full band context is exactly what I'm concerned about. I think we've all had practice tones that were great, but don't work in the mix.

If the G&L really is the "swiss army knife" it's claimed to be, that would seem to be a good direction to go. I also like the Music Man, but it's only got one pickup, and I've read that the L-2000 can pretty much nail the MM anyhow. The MM is also pricey, and doesn't seem like a good value compared to the L-2000.

I'm also considering the 44-02 Lakland. It seems like a better Jazz bass with more options (MM pup bridge). I'm just leery of spending what the Skyline's go for used on an instrument made in Korea... Being from Chicago I'd like to support the hometown company though.

I'm not expecting the Lakland to be as diverse as the L-2000, but does it offer a variety of tones? I'm also weary of a jack of all trades is master of none kinda instrument (L-2000). For instance on the BassPlayer video review of the Tribute L-2000, there are definitely some tones I love, but also some that are meh at best.

Please continue.

-Thx
Click to expand...

If the G&L can nail the MusicMan tone I must have had a defective model.
 
#10
rootshock said:
I'm also considering the 44-02 Lakland. It seems like a better Jazz bass with more options (MM pup bridge). I'm just leery of spending what the Skyline's go for used on an instrument made in Korea... Being from Chicago I'd like to support the hometown company though.
Click to expand...
Don't be leery. IMO, as well as that of many others here, Lakland Skylines are excellent basses for the money--I own two (though not a 44-02). Plus, Lakland is not only the hometown builder, they're good people over there with fine customer service.

Also, in case you don't already know, Bass Club Chicago has all three of those brands, and specifically a 44-02 (I've played it and liked it) and an L-2000 last time I checked. Mark, who runs the place, is a good guy to talk to about basses in general.
Invalid Link Removed
 
#11
The US G&Ls have come up here a few times, but finding one with the 1 1/2 nut width is difficult. The 1 1/2 nut width seems to have better resale appeal too. It's an option, not the standard.

As far as the L-2000 nailing the MM tone, I don't speak from experience, just what I've read.

I played a 5 string Lakland, I believe the 55-01 in natural, and I wasn't impressed at all with the finish or the tone. The Peavey Cirrus 5 blew it away, but I realize they're in different price categories. Both were used, and a friend's.

I would consider the MM, my buddy has one, and swears by them, they just don't seem to be a good value, and the one pickup seems to really limit the tones you can get out of it... Also, Leo ended with G&L. It almost seems to me that the L-2000 is his last and potentially could be his greatest bass creation.

I also LOVE the MFD pickups on my Comanche.

I must also say that I like the Jazz sound, and realize that neither the L-2000 or the MM would be in that territory. Sometimes I think about just keeping it to the classics. In that case though, I'd prolly buy a G&L JB.

Again I've not found a preference between the Jazz and P width nuts or necks.

Another concern I have with the L-2000 is it could be too twangy, or hi-end treble-y. On the Jazz I found I was usually somewhere on the tone knob between half and rolled off. Above 3/4 it had too much treble. I'm concerned the L-2000 lacks the low end punch and thickness.


Again, please continue! :)
 
#12
I have never played a Lakland but people swear by them. I am sure they are great basses and I would love to try them out sometime (no one around here carries them and I don't want to order one without playing one first).

This may have been brought up already but have you considered an Ibanez ATK? These are great basses for the money and can provide a wide variety of tones. You can get a high end one for below your price range.
 
#13
Lakland Owners:

Would you please tell me the tonal differences between the 44-01 and 44-02. The 44-01 uses soapbar Bartolini's? The 44-02 uses a MusicMan in the bridge and a jazz in the neck?

I'm assuming they sound completely different.

As I mentioned, I wasn't a big fan of the 55-01. I preferred the Cirrus 5 or the Marcus Miller JB my buddy had for comparison. I'd assume the 44-01 sounds just like the 55-01 just with one less string. Maybe it was his amp/cab combo though. It seems to me that Ryan Stasik (Umphrey's McGee) plays a 55-02 or 55-94, and I really liked his tone until he moved to GK amp from the Eden...
 
#14
Ibanez:

I had considered Ibanez, I'm a fan of their guitars, but haven't been able to find a model above SDgr. Also the necks seem to be quite thin, if not the thinnest available, which both intrigues me and worries me. I'm not having any comfort or playability problems on any necks I've yet tried, but that may be because I don't have as much experience playing bass as I do guitar, so I've not developed any preferences.

Gary Willis likes Ibanez, and I like him. Just not the rest of Tribal Tech so much. I like Uncle Moe's a lot more. I'd also like to go with basses that have strong resale value in case I (prolly will) find that I need to check out something else :)
 
#15
"Another concern I have with the L-2000 is it could be too twangy, or hi-end treble-y."

Be not concerned... there is MUCHO beef in those MFD humbuckers.. I run mine passive mostly, and it has great bottom end, and I have no problem dialing it in to get plenty of cut through in a band context. The last band I used it in was with 2 keayboardists, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drummer, percussionist, and 3 vocalists. NO problem cutting through or being "lost" in the mix.

I have much love for the single H Sterling's.. you could find a decent used one in that range, and I've (personally) found the Sterling to offer more tonal options and I like their necks better as compared with the 'Ray's I've had.

The 44-02 is basically the same as my US 4-94, mine has the Barts. It has lots of tones in there. I've had zero complaints with the bass. I like the mid knob on the 4-94, but I tend to prefer passive basses overall. I've had several Skylines, and though assembled in Korea, they are excellent instruments. A big +1 on Lakland's customer service. They have been quite good to me.

Personally, if I could only have one, I'd lose the others I have and keep the '84 G&L L-2000. It just does it so well.

(Glad I don't have to make the call though ;) )
 
#16
rootshock said:
Lakland Owners:

Would you please tell me the tonal differences between the 44-01 and 44-02. The 44-01 uses soapbar Bartolini's? The 44-02 uses a MusicMan in the bridge and a jazz in the neck?

I'm assuming they sound completely different.

As I mentioned, I wasn't a big fan of the 55-01. I preferred the Cirrus 5 or the Marcus Miller JB my buddy had for comparison. I'd assume the 44-01 sounds just like the 55-01 just with one less string. Maybe it was his amp/cab combo though. It seems to me that Ryan Stasik (Umphrey's McGee) plays a 55-02 or 55-94, and I really liked his tone until he moved to GK amp from the Eden...
Click to expand...
Soundclips by the bushel:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#18
About the ATK: the necks are much chunkier than the Soundgear necks, with a 1 11/16" nut radius--personally, I find them very comfortable (I don't like slim, jazz-like necks). If you can find one, try an ATK750; it has a j pup in the neck posistion, and nails the active jazz tone, as well as the stingray-like sound ATKs are known for.
 
#19
Im just going to throw in that Musicmans arent as pricey as some of the basses out there, especially used.

Musicmans are super punchy and cut through really well as already stated.
G&L L2k's in my opinion are underrated and are one of the most versatile basses I have ever played before my Stingray HH. They have tons of punch and top end, they can go active or passive, series or parallel, and you have pickup selection.

In my opinion G&L is where it is at

Lakland's 44-02 is also extremely versatile as well, it can do P-bass thump to jazz bass growl.
 
#20
Picture140.jpg


I have a few G&L's and love them all :D
I would suggest taking a look at the SB-2 if you are going to be getting a 4-string bass. They have a very small neck (1-1/2" at nut) and are still the best playing 4-string bass I have ever owned. They have a natural aggressive tone to them that will cut through any mix with ease, and don't let the fact that there is NO tone control on these basses scare you...they don't need a tone control.

I have a MM SR4 and that bass never leaves my house, it plays well but I have never been happy with the sound from it.

As far as Lakland goes, unless you get a DJ or JO model I really don't like the looks there basses. They may play very well but I just can't get past the looks of them.
 

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