Absolutely! But the cheapest I've found has been 1600 or so, which I can't justify right now.
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Gassing for a Lakland! Opinions please?
- Thread starter madbassplaya
- Start date
Absolutely! But the cheapest I've found has been 1600 or so, which I can't justify right now.
What do those qualities include? If you don't mind going into detail.
I'm just trying to weigh my options here.
Most of them are just personal preference. I like better on Fender '08s:
- Tone
- Rounder fretboard radius
- Larger Fret Wire
- Finish on back of neck
- Less buzzing/noise (better shielding?)
- Slightly lighter
- Tuners seem better
- Adjustable spacing at bridge
- Build quality. My skylines aren't bad by any stretch of the imagination. They just have tiny blemishes here or there - some paint running over a tad or the pot not seated perfectly level.. my JO has a very minor dead spot. I don't want to give the wrong impression. they are NICE. but my Fender is PERFECT.
I like these things better for the skylines:
- The B-string. 34" B-strings, as good as they might be, do not feel the same as the 35", and they also tend to get pretty questionable sounding when you get up to the higher frets.
- Customer Service. I have never actually sent my bass to them for anything, but I have asked them questions via email before and they were returned quite promptly with detailed explanations. Compare this to Ibanez, from who I have been waiting several years to receive a response from.
I want to stress that I love Lakland Skylines, and I love Fenders. Both of these companies produce basses that I prefer to any other mass-produced products, as well as many "boutique" basses. My first bass was a MIJ Fender Jazz and I had it for 10 years before I found this site and discovered the need to buy multiple basses
I just have that Fender tone and feel locked in to my brain..
Well the op wants and needs criteria for a new bass was a modern sounding 35 inch scale 5stg. If those are the requirements then the Fenders are not even in the Laklands 55-01 league. The Lakland is a different animal for sure. Both are excellent basses and a good value but the Jazz only allows marginal upgrades where as the lakland offers more options. Having said that based on the op's criteria the Lakland is the better option in stock form as well.
Now if the op had mentioned the Peavey Cirrus 5stg then we are talking night and day difference as the Cirrus owns everything lol.
Now if the op had mentioned the Peavey Cirrus 5stg then we are talking night and day difference as the Cirrus owns everything lol.
I had a Lakland 55-01 for six mths. then sold it, too anemic. Yeah, the low B was nice, but the rest of the strings we're very weak. I've got a 08 MIA Jazz V and the 55-01 doesn't even come close to sounding as good. As far as crafsmanship the Jazz is a bit nicer. If you want a 35" scale go with the Lakland 55-02, you'll be much better off than a 55-01.
I was originally looking for a fender MIA 5 string Jazz Deluxe, But I ended up (happily) settling on a DJ 5 in lake placid blue.
I now have a fingerstyle ramp on it and string with a high c.
The only other things I would ever consider doing to it are:
1. Replace the pickups with bartolinis since the highs can be a bit harsh for me and
2. Cut a new nut for the high c string.
Other than that, it is super duper amazing.
I wont need another bass for a good long while, if ever.
I now have a fingerstyle ramp on it and string with a high c.
The only other things I would ever consider doing to it are:
1. Replace the pickups with bartolinis since the highs can be a bit harsh for me and
2. Cut a new nut for the high c string.
Other than that, it is super duper amazing.
I wont need another bass for a good long while, if ever.
I agree you should get a 55-02 over a 55-01. There is nothing that makes me angrier than sub-par electronics. I can make due with less-than-stellar everything else.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
All of our experiences are different but I have never played a Lakland that sounded anemic.Sometimes strings can make or break a basses overall tonal performance.
I also endorse Lakland and Fender basses
You endorse both?
Who do you think makes a better 5 string?
What do you think are the pros and cons of each?
I have had 55-01 for a year and play it basically in church. I love it and would not part with it probably ever. Two weeks ago I did replace the pre-amp which has mellowed the high strings. But even after buying the $157 Bartolini NTMB (i installed it) I am still under the price of a 55-02. The 55-01 smokes and for the price... it cannot be beat. I think the stock pickups sound just fine by the way. The NTMB is an improvement but its not earth shattering.
My 55-01 is the first bass I have ever had where I feel like it is an extension of my body. Kinda new age I know but it really feels great in every way. Also did I mention how comfy the neck is?
Go for it you will not be disappointed.
My 55-01 is the first bass I have ever had where I feel like it is an extension of my body. Kinda new age I know but it really feels great in every way. Also did I mention how comfy the neck is?
Go for it you will not be disappointed.
Also, how long do active preamps usually work? They don't go out all that often do they? I've never really played basses with active preamps for an extended period of time.
The knock against Korean instruments really is an old, mostly outdated knock. It was a lot more relevant 20 years ago than it is now. That said, I love my Skyline JO5, and it's a nice tonal counterpart to my active Bongo. That might be your choice if you want to stay Jazz. I'm not entirely sure what your preamp options are, but mine sounds great all passive with the Fralins.
Well, I bought a Lakland Duck Dunn Skyline just a few weeks ago without seeing it and so far, it has been amazing! I played my first live gig and apart from looking fantastic, the neck is the best ever! It was around £550 with a lime green pick guard and Lakland soft case but it was well worth the money. With TI flats, it has plenty of treble, punch and pretty much everything you need! After my gig on Friday, several bass friends came up just to have a play and compared to my backup (Fender Geddy Lee), it plays fantastically.
The guitar technician who set up the bass said he'd never heard such a nice P-bass I'm now thinking of getting another Lakland, maybe a DJ or the 44-01 but either way, it's shown me that Fender isn't always the way
The guitar technician who set up the bass said he'd never heard such a nice P-bass
I'm now thinking of getting another Lakland, maybe a DJ or the 44-01 but either way, it's shown me that Fender isn't always the way
Seriously, the off shore Bartolini's and the preamp were way too weak, I was truly disappointed. No matter what eq settings I used, I couldn't get the upper register notes to stand out, plus when I slapped on it, it would have no projection at all. My Ibanez BTB405QM has a 18v preamp with passive pups and it sounded much fuller and with much more presence than the Lakland. The low B on the Ibby wasn't as thick, but the rest of the strings sounded full. The JO 5 is a viable option, too.
I agree, I'm just saying that my experience with the 55-01 was less than favorable, in fact disappointing - I really wanted that bass to work out for me, but it didn't.
