• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Lakland 55-02/55-94 with Nordstrand pickups and preamp idea

Hi everyone, I was just researching for any sort of information about replacing a 5 string Lakland bass with the MM/J configuration with a full nordstrand loadout ( Nordstrand MM and J plus a Nordstrand Preamp ) or perhaps a different modern loadout.

I'm mainly curious as to how it would sound, and if it would be a good idea for what I want to achieve. For some background, I'm looking for a really kick-butt tone for modern progressive metal/rock, if you're unfamiliar, bands like Intervals, Periphery, TesseracT, and so forth are in that sort of style.

The stock set up for newer Laklands (MM/J with LH3 preamps) are alright but I feel like I could get something that is a bit clearer and punchy, but still deep and warm (That doesn't necessarily mean a really scooped sounding set up). Most bassists I've found in this genre however tend to distort their bass tones for more attack. I like the idea of punch, but I feel this option does not cut through and I personally don't like too much drive. So the alternative for me is a clean, yet aggressive and punchy, but warm tone, that can also sound more polite when I want it, and of course it must cut through live mixes.

I love Lakland models with the MM/J config, I won't drop that for anything. Thus why I'm asking about pickups and pre-amp. I'm leaning on towards the Nordstrand loadout, but perhaps there is a better option to give my Lakland a warm, but still punchy upgrade. I find barts too dark and polite, in case anyone is thinking of that, (unless they have achieved something I don't know of, in which case, please post)

I'll take any suggestions/recommendations and if you have sound demos anywhere, especially with a :akland 55-02/94 then please post them!
 
Very cool, I am also experimenting along those lines. I think the secret is in the pre-amp. In my experiments I found out that most of the characteristic tone of the LH-3 system comes from the pre. I installed Nordstrand pickups on a LH-3 powered bass and it still sounded like an LH-3. I have never tried the Nordstrand pre, I was thinking along the lines of a U-Retro Deluxe 5-knob or even a 5.2 AP Bartolini pre.
 
Very cool, I am also experimenting along those lines. I think the secret is in the pre-amp. In my experiments I found out that most of the characteristic tone of the LH-3 system comes from the pre. I installed Nordstrand pickups on a LH-3 powered bass and it still sounded like an LH-3. I have never tried the Nordstrand pre, I was thinking along the lines of a U-Retro Deluxe 5-knob or even a 5.2 AP Bartolini pre.

I have a Pope Flexcore in my 55-02. More tonal control over the mids as I have the 4 band eq in there. Munjibunga here on TB has Nordstrands in his 55-02 and the Pope also. My Nordstrands just came in so hopefully I'll get it installed this weekend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 31HZ
ImageUploadedByTalkBass1372621329.928794.jpg

Well, here's,a picture of,the finished product. Pope 18v Flexcore. Switching for active/passive, low mid freq., single/dual coil. Stacked tone volume, volume (each pickup with its own), bass, stacked low and high mids, treble. The tonal pallet is extremely flexible and really made the bass come alive. IMO, blows away the LH3 preamp and pickups. If anything, change the pickups first as this is really what changes the tonal character. The Pope preamp allows more tonal adjustment and can be configured pretty much any way you want. Installation is pretty much plug and play. The only soldering would be tinning the pickup wires to prevent fraying. A jeweler screwdriver set and small Allen wrenched for the control knobs are required as well as a socket set to remove and replace the pots. Highly recommended conversion for any 55 series Lakland.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrgoodbass and 31HZ