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Is there TRULY a difference soundwise Lakland vs Fender?

#23
Grizzey said:
I like both, except for that oval Lakland bridge, yuck.
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I thought I was the lone wolf on hating that oval bridge. It's actually a good bridge, but I can't stand looking at it. Otherwise, I like them both and I think their Fender copies don't sound a whole lot different than Fenders. But the oval bridge..can't get past it.
 
#24
It all depends, are they rosewood or maple fretboards because we all know what a huge difference that makes.

This question involves huge generalisation which, to me, negates any kind of yes or no style answer.

Do all Fenders sound the same? There are countless threads here which suggest not. How, then, can a question like does Lakland sound like Fender ever be definitively answered?

I'll bet if you take a like for like instrument they'll sound pretty close, probably close enough to be indistinguishable in a mix. Is that close enough? There are countless versions of old Leo Fender designs out there. If built to the same specifications they can't all sound that radically different, can they? As ever, the answer is to find an instrument which sounds and feels the way you want an instrument to sound and feel. The logo on the headstock should, ultimately, not matter.
 
#25
Objectively, to the non musician there is no difference soundwise between a Lakland, Fodera, Fender, MM or SX. Plus, a talented musician will always sound better on a POS, than someone who doesn't know what they're doing will on the greatest bass in the world.

As far as bass choice is concerned, I think what's most important is what you're comfortable with. Everyone's ears, tastes, wants, needs and playing styles are different. People form their opinions here based on different things also. For me I have to take a bass into my playing situations to know if I'm going to like it, and how it's going to sound/fit in the mix. Ya get a lot of opinions on talkbass, but you rarely know the experience of the poeple those opinions are coming from. Could be a guy/gal who picked the bass being questioned up in a store for 10 minutes, the guy who plays in a hardcore band with a super heavy hitting drummer and 2 marshals, or the person playing brown eyed girl in restaurants every other weekend.

Bottom line is it doesn't matter what people say here. If I'm interested in a bass or amp, I do my best to find it at a price I can resell it for (not an incredibly difficult thing to do these days) and I give it a go. There is no such thing as objectivity as far as I'm concerned when it comes to something like this.
 
#26
pbass62 said:
Couldnt agree more!
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I'm a HUGE Fender guy, but I know what your saying. A few years ago I came across one of Lakland's entry level Skyline models (44-01 I think). I could not believe how good it felt. I next ran into a USA 44-60 (aka Joe Osborne Model) and it was more of the same. That said, in terms of passive instruments I truly believe my 2012 Am Std Jazz is in the ballpark with the USA 44-60 I tried. The one thing I loved about the Laklands was that you could have the action so incredibly low and yet there was no buzzing, clanging, dead spots etc. By the way if I'd love an ash bodied Bob Glaub with the P/J pickup configuration and a maple neck. Lastly, the maple necks on USA Laklands are GORGEOUS.
 
#27
JimmyM said:
I thought I was the lone wolf on hating that oval bridge. It's actually a good bridge, but I can't stand looking at it. Otherwise, I like them both and I think their Fender copies don't sound a whole lot different than Fenders. But the oval bridge..can't get past it.
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I can't stand that bridge. It sticks out like a sore thumb! I so badly want to order a Lakland but can't get past the look of that bridge. I love the headstock look on them though.
 
#29
I love the bridge and think it looks cool. But whatever.

What I like about Lakland is their Fender versions are meant to sound like the old classic pre CBS ones. And they do. For me, that equals recording gold.

As for 5 strings, I played a fender and a Lakland, and it was not even close. I put the Fender down in 2 minutes and I had been playing a MIA Fender J for years.
 
#31
All I know is that there's an all Black Lakland P-Bass for sale on here and I want it. It's friggin gorgeous.

As for comparing, Need I remind everyone that you have to play it with the Band to truly get an idea of how they sound?

I Love the Lakland bridge.
 
#34
MarTONEbass said:
USA Lakland necks are sex. The profile, radius, frets all feel better to me than USA Fenders. The 55-94/55-02 is thicker in the lows than traditional Ps and Js and is more versatile than a P or J. The Lakland is worth the extra dough IMO, IME.
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+1


Don't have one but have played with them a few times - to me the body wood is denser (or perhaps selected & aged differently) and resonate much easier. And as the quoted poster noted - the whole instrument is sexy, sleek, ergonomic and just plain out "Sings" if you let it. (necks actually remind me of the feel of my MTD's actually)

These smaller "boutique" makers are the stuff to grab hold of while you can before either their prices skyrocket, or they get bought out by some corporate giant that completely ruins the instruments (Cough Tobias - Gibson Cough).
 

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