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Lakland 01 Club

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#661
Bus_Mute said:
I'm very seriously considering a 55-01 in the next few months.
It'll be my first attempt at a 5 string, as well as my first bass with active electronics.
(I've played mostly Fender P's in the past)

I don't have the best technique. Should I be worried about transitioning to a 5 string?
Click to expand...

Nope!

Just jump right in, you'll have a blast!!!

It took me a few hours to figure out how to deal with the 5th string and I was good to go.

I don't understand these people who say they can't play a 5 string.

I think they should say they don't want to play a 5 string, that's okay.

Unless you have really small hands and short arms you should be good to go...
 
#662
Bus_Mute said:
I'm very seriously considering a 55-01 in the next few months.
It'll be my first attempt at a 5 string, as well as my first bass with active electronics.
(I've played mostly Fender P's in the past)

I don't have the best technique. Should I be worried about transitioning to a 5 string?
Click to expand...

That sounds like me! I bought a G&L L2500 tribute, but could not get used to the tight spacing. I was also a bit worried about the weight. We tend to play long gigs.

So I bought a 55-01. Much much much better. I *never* have problems with the fifth string, but I still have a bit of problems with the spacing. I have no problem with the 35" scale, but some do.

I still don't have the confidence to *gig* with the 5, but I think I will bring it to practice tomorrow. I have been practicing almost exclusively on the 5, even for songs where I don't need it.

It does take me a minute or so to switch back to the 4, so make sure you do a warmup song.

The biggest problem with starting out on a 5, IMHO, is that it will feel awkward at first. So it is really hard to know which bass will work best for you.

You might also need to decide if you *need* a 5. I bought it for playing country, but am now playing almost exclusively classic rock. Our set list is about 60 songs and there is 1 song that is easier on the 5 and a couple others that can make good use of the B.

So, to cut this rambling short, if you can afford another bass, I think a 5 is a great thing to try. You can't really just do a short test in a store... you need some time to get used to it. I think, and this is really IMHO, that the people with really great technique have no trouble switching (we've heard the stories... bought my first 5 one hour before a gig and used it), for the rest of us... we need some time to get comfortable. :bassist:
 
#664
I've had my 5501 for less than a week. It is my first 5, I've been playing 4's forever. Nothing to fear!

Learning new stuff is no problem after you've adjusted for the extra string. Re learning old stuff is more difficult, but breaking old habits always is. The biggest surprise is not so much the B string, but how the 35" scale affects the other 4. All sound deeper, and I like the increase in tension across the board. I am having a lot of fun with this!~:bassist:
 
#669
although I'm a former owner of 55-01 I found a neat pickguard on Ebay fitted for a 44-01 that I thought some may find interesting. I kinda dig it. Jeannies makes it and I have no affiliation with them, I just appreciate their work on this one.


7a21_1.jpg
 
#670
switching to a 5'er takes a little getting used to at first but once you get used to the B string it's no sweat. I haven't owned a five string in a few months but as soon as i picked up my 55-01 when it arrived, it was still easy as pie. To me the hardest part was getting it straight in my mind that the top string was not the E string.
 
#672
*I love my 44-01 But am getting a serious GAS attack for a 55-01. Want to retrofit it with some Nordies and an Audere preamp. Would do this modification on the 44-01 but Nordstrand doesn't offer a pickup that fits. Besides I could use another 5-string in the fleet.

*I have a 9 space, custom made, oak storage rack to hold all my guitars. Since my storage rack is full right now the only way I can do this is by getting rid of a bass to open up the space. This was the wife's rule but I agree with it since I know that I can't control the GAS on my own.

*So the obvious choice would be to sprinkle some fairy dust over the 44-01 and have it go *poof* and turn itself into a 55-01. I have it posted for trade in the classified section for those who might be interested.

*Also if anyone here could help me keep an eye out for a good used 55-01 then maybe I could pick it up and then sell the 44-01 outright. That, or maybe beg the wife to keep it just this once.
 
#673
Just took delivery of my brand new Lakland 55-01 and have come to discover that it actually weighs less than my 44-01. The 55-01 weighs in at 9.25 lbs on a postal scale while the 44-01 is right at 10.0 lbs even. Imagine a 5-string that weighs less than an identical 4-string, go figure.:eyebrow:

Doesn't mean much to me but I know there are a lot of members that consider instrument weight very carefully. Just thought it was kind of interesting and wanted to share.:bassist:
 
#674
I've seen several 4 string Laklands that were heavier than my 5501's and JO5.

I guess it's just the luck of the drawn.

I've sold basses because of their weight.

If it's too heavy, it's got to gooooooo...
 
#675
It's a silly question to ask, but...

is there a chance anyone has (or has heard of) a not so necessary 55-94 /-02/-01 fretless neck? I have 2 fretted 55-94s and would like a fretless. However, getting each of my 3 Laklands was every time a pain... Also, a neck can be sent by mail - and not charge me extra 35% of custom duties.

I've seen a 4-94 with 2 interchangeable necks on the e-bay...
 
#676
Well the big singles have been ordered and I am now ready to upgrade 55-01. I will pair it with an Aggie OBP-3. I am really anxious on how it is going to sound. I really did not detest the stock tone at all but I wonder is it going to be a real noticeable upgrade. I will post post-op pics when I am done.
 
#677
If you didn't like:
glassy high end
verrrry big bloomy low end

and were looking for:
sweeter but very present high end
controllable solid low end
more traditional J bass mid presence

you're very much gonna like it.

Personally, I would have opted for Nordstrands preamp...but, that's just me.
 
#678
Looks like I dropped in at the right time.

I too, do not detest the stock tone, but I'm also still feelin' the thrill of it all 'cause it's new. I could be content, but...all the mods are makin' me itch!

I wonder what would be the effect of just a pre amp change- I'm thinking the LH-3- and leaving these p/u's in place? Any one done this? Is this glass half empty or half full? Mission accomplished , or a half assed upgrade?

Chef, your testimonial in particular is haunting me. After looking up all I can find on Nordstrands, I think the Big Singles are where I'm at. Aren't these supposed to be a passive thing though? I don't need a coil tap or anything like that, the simpler the better w/ me.

Opinions?
 
#679
My take:
The stock pickups top end was still too glassy for me, even in passive mode. That's what pointed me to changing the pickups, as opposed to only the preamp.

I have the Nord Big Singles in a couple of other basses, and wanted to try something else...so I went with the dual coils. Had Nord had their preamp out when I did mine, that's what I would have used. As they didn't, I went with the LH3 as I wanted to try that.
 
#680
emblymouse said:
I wonder what would be the effect of just a pre amp change- I'm thinking the LH-3- and leaving these p/u's in place? Any one done this? Is this glass half empty or half full? Mission accomplished , or a half assed upgrade?
Click to expand...

The glass would be half-full.
The preamp is the weakest link.
Try it and see how you like it.

I have a LH3 in my 01, it just what the doc ordered.

Lakland also has their own soapbar pickups I'm dying to hear a review.

emblymouse said:
Aren't these supposed to be a passive thing though? I don't need a coil tap or anything like that, the simpler the better w/ me.
Click to expand...

Big Singles are passive, single coil so there are no coils to tap.
Only two wires...
 
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