LAKLAND 35" SCALE BASS OWNERS

[Bassmunnky]

Hey Buds,

Questions to anyone owning a Laky 5, The DJ in particular, or the Jazz...(Skyline version)

My question is in regards to "THE REACH"

ON the LAKLAND...is it noticable, or nothing to get cramped up about.
These are NOWHERE to be found out in the wild, so it's buy and send back if I don't like it.

But for example, I can play a 34" scale bass and if the strap button is HIGHER than the 12th fret (Carvin LBs for example)...it's clams-ville, I'm like a 1/4'' off from where I want to be in the Fret 1-5 land. That's what I mean by reach.

On my Fender V...I don't have to think a wink about hand position. It's just home.

I've read a bit about Lakland owners talking about the scale, being a non issue because of bridge placement...but I don't understand that.

So if you would be so kind, enlighten me, I really did the DJ 5 but that scale

Mucho thanks

 

[alembicbones]

I currently own a 55-02 and used to own a Skyline JO5. Both 35" scale. I've never had an issue with the longer scale. I also own 34" scale basses and a Dingwall NG-3 which goes from 37" to 34". I'm fine with the differences.

Bones

 

[JLY]

I had a DJ5 and loved it. Moved on to Sadowsky/active tone. I’ll eventually have another

Reach was not an issue for me.... it was much more comfortable than the Lakeland 5 string Skyline P I previously had

They are really nice basses and a good bang for the buck

 

[FRoss6788]

I find the reach on my 55-01 quite comfortable. In reality it's only about 1/2" different. Take a look at how far back the bridge is on a Lakland, ALL the way back on the body. This position takes up half of the scale length difference, essentially pulling the nut closer to you. WAAAAYYYY more comfortable than the Spector Legend 5 I had for a while. Not even close.

 

[Steve88]

I've played Fender Jazz basses almost exclusively for several years. When I got my DJ5, there was zero adjustment to the longer scale. If I hadn't known ahead of time it was a 35" scale, I probably wouldn't notice. It was incredibly comfortable to play, even though I have smallish hands with short fingers.

 

[bassbully]

I have two Lakland skylines. The 35” scale is a breeze and the neck profile is comfortable.

 

[G On Bass]

It's different for everyone. I played Laklands exclusively for a while and never really noticed stretching. The necks are indeed comfortable and Laklands are great basses. I played no 34's then so I didn't switch back and forth to really feel the difference. Now I own all 34's except for a single 35" custom that I play rarely. For me, the 34's are home but I could probably play a 35 with minimal adjusting if needed. Then again, they are Wilkins basses and they fit me like an extension of myself. I would have a harder time playing a 4 string than a 35" 5 string. YMMV.

 

[tkonbass]

,...it was much more comfortable than the Lakeland 5 string Skyline P I previously had

They are really nice basses and a good bang for the buck

I too could not get comfortable with my 55-64. I've owned the five Skylines below, the 55-64, 55-01, DJ5 and the two I still own a MIK and MII 55-02's. The geometry of the P and how it positioned on me made it feel a mile long. I have a pretty good reach being 6'2" tall and I've never felt that way about any of the others. I recall the DJ5 being particularly comfortable, the modified J shape is really nice.

About 6 months ago I started playing my Fender 4-string PJ's again as they just fit the band I'm with better. But when practicing I routinely switch between the Fenders, 55-02's and 4 or 5 string Stingrays and it takes little to no time to feel at home with any of them.

It's surprising you can't find a DJ5 to give a good try out in your area but there's plenty of on line shops that'll take the bass back if it's not for you. Good luck.

*Notice the upper horn/12th fret relations and bridge and nut positioning on the P and you can see why it felt so different. I think they should've made the 55-64 conform closer to their other 35" basses. Anyway some folks love 'em.

 

[chris_b]

I have swapped between 34" and 35" basses (Lakland, Wal, Lull, Sadowsky) for the last 20 years. In a blindfold test I couldn't tell you which scale I was playing.

If you anchor your left thumb and try to stretch to the notes you might notice some difference, but if you move your thumb so you place your fingers over the note, then you won't notice the scale at all.

 

[jim nolte]

I too could not get comfortable with my 55-64. I've owned the five Skylines below, the 55-64, 55-01, DJ5 and the two I still own a MIK and MII 55-02's. The geometry of the P and how it positioned on me made it feel a mile long. I have a pretty good reach being 6'2" tall and I've never felt that way about any of the others. I recall the DJ5 being particularly comfortable, the modified J shape is really nice.

About 6 months ago I started playing my Fender 4-string PJ's again as they just fit the band I'm with better. But when practicing I routinely switch between the Fenders, 55-02's and 4 or 5 string Stingrays and it takes little to no time to feel at home with any of them.

It's surprising you can't find a DJ5 to give a good try out in your area but there's plenty of on line shops that'll take the bass back if it's not for you. Good luck.

*Notice the upper horn/12th fret relations and bridge and nut positioning on the P and you can see why it felt so different. I think they should've made the 55-64 conform closer to their other 35" basses. Anyway some folks love 'em.
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Wow,yeah that P bridge is quite a bit further up the body than the other models.I had a 55-02 for several years and the reach was no problem, it actually was more comfortable than 24 fret 34” basses I’ve owned such as the old Carvin LB75W I had a long time ago.