Lakland Basses... just in general

[Killing Floor]

I LOVE Fender and I’m a fanboy, unabashed. So grain of salt.

But Fender is not and has never been a boutique brand.
If you look for basses or guitars that are better made, you can find them. I’m honest about it. I play Fender because it’s the brand I associate with the birth and growth of rock’n’roll and pretty much every other genre since WWII.

But yes, Lakland makes nicer stuff.

 

[trothwell]

Sorry, the pedant in me kicked in.

I had at least two typos in the initial post! Sloppy!

 

[Bob_Ross]

yes, I should expect this level of quality from Lakland in general, I don't necessarily need to drive back 2 hours tomorrow to pick up that one particular bass that I tried out. I'll get one later.

^^^That's precisely the reason why I bought a Lakland 10+ years ago: I wanted a bass that was commensurate in quality with the high end boutique (or limited production) instruments I was accustomed to, but that if it ever got lost, stolen, or damaged I could simply walk into the nearest Guitar Center and buy an identical replacement right off the shelf.

 

[ad9000]

I'm not as familiar with recent Laklands other than ones I've picked up and played briefly at NAMM shows and elsewhere (and they still seem to be making great instruments), but I bought a Skyline Darryl Jones 4-string in 2004 and it still about the best sounding bass I own. I got it to serve as a less expensive bass that I could take on the road and not worry about, but it exceeded that purpose right away. It is extremely well built and I love the Aero pickups. I'd take Laklands over recent Fenders any day.

 

[Pep]

I was recently at one of the nicer music shops in my region (still out of town, but close-ish), and played several Precision basses.

Of the Fenders, the markedly best one -- best feel, best sound -- was an American Vintage 1960.

But maybe just every so slightly not quite as good, in my opinion, was a used Lakland Precision-style bass. I was super impressed. And it was even from their more budged-friendly "Skyline" series.

I feel like I've sampled a random Lakland bass before and was similarly impressed. (Probably also a Skyline, as I vaguely recall.) But I don't come across them very often in person, so they really have't been on my radar much.

Thoughts in general? Are these routinely as excellent as the couple of samples that I've stumbled upon?

Every Lakland Skyline I've played has been "top-notch". My 44-51 came with an Ebony fretboard, Neo-Punch hum canceling split P-Bass pickup, and it also came "pleked" at no additional charge. The action is low and it sounds awesome, so much so that I've ordered some of their pickups for some other basses I have.

 

[LowendG]

I have a very early USA Glaub (now called the 44-64). Got it used about 20 years ago. The quality of the build, the looks, the playability (even with a wider neck than I normally go for) are next-level. Standard-wind Fralins that came with them then(which I now put in every pbass as a result). Records like a dream. As one producer I worked with commented, "that bass mixes itself". I have not encountered a vintage Fender I would trade this for since I've owned it.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I was recently at one of the nicer music shops in my region (still out of town, but close-ish), and played several Precision basses.

Of the Fenders, the markedly best one -- best feel, best sound -- was an American Vintage 1960.

But maybe just every so slightly not quite as good, in my opinion, was a used Lakland Precision-style bass. I was super impressed. And it was even from their more budged-friendly "Skyline" series.

I feel like I've sampled a random Lakland bass before and was similarly impressed. (Probably also a Skyline, as I vaguely recall.) But I don't come across them very often in person, so they really have't been on my radar much.

Thoughts in general? Are these routinely as excellent as the couple of samples that I've stumbled upon?

Not gonna lie, I’m a bit of a Lakland fanboy. It’s the subtleties in the construction and the neck dimensions and the tone that sets them apart from similarly styled electric basses. They are very roadworthy, they hold a set up, they sound great no matter what the situation is, they just work. Plus their customer service is nothing less than outstanding. I recently picked up a USA 4464 (p bass style) with a 1.5” nut and it’s now my number one player.

 

[Ignatius]

My Lakland 44-60 is the best sounding bass I have ever owned. It records like a dream. I don’t gig with it anymore as it is too heavy for my aging shoulder and back,

My gig bass is a Lakland HB-30. Half the weight of my 44-60, but with same quality fit and finish. Similar feel too. It has the J-bass neck taper and 2 single coil pickups.

 

[jimmydean]

I was recently at one of the nicer music shops in my region (still out of town, but close-ish), and played several Precision basses.

Of the Fenders, the markedly best one -- best feel, best sound -- was an American Vintage 1960.

But maybe just every so slightly not quite as good, in my opinion, was a used Lakland Precision-style bass. I was super impressed. And it was even from their more budged-friendly "Skyline" series.

I feel like I've sampled a random Lakland bass before and was similarly impressed. (Probably also a Skyline, as I vaguely recall.) But I don't come across them very often in person, so they really have't been on my radar much.

Thoughts in general? Are these routinely as excellent as the couple of samples that I've stumbled upon?

Quality instrument that IMHO is better than the Fender , but that's just my take .

 

[Ravenblack67]

I was recently at one of the nicer music shops in my region (still out of town, but close-ish), and played several Precision basses.

Of the Fenders, the markedly best one -- best feel, best sound -- was an American Vintage 1960.

But maybe just every so slightly not quite as good, in my opinion, was a used Lakland Precision-style bass. I was super impressed. And it was even from their more budged-friendly "Skyline" series.

I feel like I've sampled a random Lakland bass before and was similarly impressed. (Probably also a Skyline, as I vaguely recall.) But I don't come across them very often in person, so they really have't been on my radar much.

Thoughts in general? Are these routinely as excellent as the couple of samples that I've stumbled upon?

I sold my fenders and have only playedLakland for the past ten years.

 

[jbassbrett]

I've owned MANY Laklands. 20-25. Mostly Skylines. 3-4 US. It's been a while.
This past July I bought a US 4-14/4-94 from their "In-Stock" on their website.
Got it on a Wednesday, returned it Thursday.
Absolutely the worst bass I've ever purchased.
TERRIBLE fretwork, 2 dings in the top that were not mentioned.
They sent me a return label.
When I inquired about the status of my refund 4-5 days after they had the bass back.
My sales person (not naming names, as I THOUGHT this guy was a "friend") told me my refund would be "minus shipping"
I freaked out!! The next day I emailed the owner and was told I would get a full refund, which I did.
Never again...

I had similar luck on a $3200 us model it was rough!

 

[Thumpinshelton]

I definitely consider myself a "fanboy" of Lakland basses. Of course like with many other brands people are diehard for that brand. I have some other brands as well in my arsenal, but I can say that since 2003 when I bought my first Skyline I was sold on the brand in general. My main show basses are Lakland. They are my workhorses for 95% of my professional music needs. Yes, I have had a couple through the years that were less than the quality I had expected and didn't hold on to, but in general the customer service support was top notch to rectify the situation. I have both Skyline and US models as well and have seen some bad eggs in both. As a whole though they definitely stand up and IMHO stand out as a high quality bass even with their imports.

 

[SRbass2023]

I picked up a 55-OS skyline a few years ago. Pros: Great fit and finish, great neck, best B string I've had, solid hardware, able to get shocking low action. Cons: HEAVY, IMO Lakland made a poor choice of pickups with the import Bartolini MK1's. I'm always fiddling with the eq trying to get a sound I like. Been wanting to swap them out for something else. Just not sure where to go from here.

 

[denchiq]

Since I got my first Lakland, a MIJ Shoreline 4-94 maybe 15-17 yrs ago, I have been only buying Laklands whenever I was buying on purpose. Impulse buys/random acquisitions do occur as with most of us, but Lakland has been the ultimate choice for me ever since. I had 9, incl those made in USA, Japan, Korea and Indonesia. I haven't had one of the Chinese ones that are eclusively built for, and sold in Japan, but did have a crafted in Japan ESP Edwards clone of a Lakland for a while. I quit playing bass for several yrs and only played the guitar. Now I'm back in the bass realm have a few transitional basses and looking for an opportunity to get a Lakland.
A few bad ones are out there but the general rule of thumb is Laklands are overwhelmingly good. I have a pal who's a pro bassist, - THAT'S his dayjob (well, maybe more of a night job when one is a pro musician, but you get the idea). He traded his Fender American Deluxe V in mint condition with film still on the plastic parts for my made in Korea Lakland 55-02, and I on my part only traded him because I needed fast money and a MIA Fender is always a faster sale.

The only thing I personally would not recommend is any Lakland equipped with the Bartolini Mk-I pickups and pre (44-01/55-01, 44-OS/55-OS). Don't get me wrong, the instrument itself will still be great, but these pups and electronics themselves are so-so. They aren't built nor designed nor supported nor warranty covered by Bartolini, it's a G&B rebranded off-the-shelf set that goes on various budget basses. The worst part being, the weird dimensions of the Mk-I pickups make it tricky to find direct replacements (last I heard there was only one model in the market that fit the pickup cavity, the USA Bartolini Mk-5), and even the cheaper Laklands aren't exactly cheap to chop them up to accomodate for something different.

 

[SRbass2023]

Since I got my first Lakland, a MIJ Shoreline 4-94 maybe 15-17 yrs ago, I have been only buying Laklands whenever I was buying on purpose. Impulse buys/random acquisitions do occur as with most of us, but Lakland has been the ultimate choice for me ever since. I had 9, incl those made in USA, Japan, Korea and Indonesia. I haven't had one of the Chinese ones that are eclusively built for, and sold in Japan, but did have a crafted in Japan ESP Edwards clone of a Lakland for a while. I quit playing bass for several yrs and only played the guitar. Now I'm back in the bass realm have a few transitional basses and looking for an opportunity to get a Lakland.
A few bad ones are out there but the general rule of thumb is Laklands are overwhelmingly good. I have a pal who's a pro bassist, - THAT'S his dayjob (well, maybe more of a night job when one is a pro musician, but you get the idea). He traded his Fender American Deluxe V in mint condition with film still on the plastic parts for my made in Korea Lakland 55-02, and I on my part only traded him because I needed fast money and a MIA Fender is always a faster sale.

The only thing I personally would not recommend is any Lakland equipped with the Bartolini Mk-I pickups and pre (44-01/55-01, 44-OS/55-OS). Don't get me wrong, the instrument itself will still be great, but these pups and electronics themselves are so-so. They aren't built nor designed nor supported nor warranty covered by Bartolini, it's a G&B rebranded off-the-shelf set that goes on various budget basses. The worst part being, the weird dimensions of the Mk-I pickups make it tricky to find direct replacements (last I heard there was only one model in the market that fit the pickup cavity, the USA Bartolini Mk-5), and even the cheaper Laklands aren't exactly cheap to chop them up to accomodate for something different.

I agree. My 55-OS is a great instrument all around, but I should have just spent the extra money and went with the 55-02 with the Lakland electronics. That would be my advise to anyone thinking about getting one. A $1500.00 bass should come with better pickups that the MK1s IMO.

 

[denchiq]

I agree. My 55-OS is a great instrument all around, but I should have just spent the extra money and went with the 55-02 with the Lakland electronics. That would be my advise to anyone thinking about getting one. A $1500.00 bass should come with better pickups that the MK1s IMO.

Thank you, that's what I meant. You found the right words for what I was trying to convey

 

[Joeykun]

Lakland Available Now

Grab one of these and you’ll never look back!

 

[Ed455]

Had a Lakland DJ-5- best jazz-type bass I've ever played, but heavy and didn't like the color so I traded it away. Been looking for a good deal on another one since then.
Had a 55-01 with Nordstrand big splits and Audere preamp. Played nice but even with the upgrades, pretty generic sounding - good, but didn't stand out in my stable, so it got little playing time. Traded it away, don't miss it.
Currently have a 55-02. Weight is average (9.5#). Looks and plays really good. Very versatile instrument. One impressive aspect is very even volume across all the strings. I have three EBMM 5 strings and the D & G strings have a significant volume drop that I can't tune out. The EBMM basses have better B-strings (even though they're 34") but the 55-02 B-string is still VERY good.
The 55-02 is a good instrument if you have to choose ONLY ONE instrument. Yamaha BBP is also that way.

 

[denchiq]

The 55-02 is a good instrument if you have to choose ONLY ONE instrument. Yamaha BBP is also that way.

that is exactly my thought

 

[johndb]

Since I got my first Lakland, a MIJ Shoreline 4-94 maybe 15-17 yrs ago, I have been only buying Laklands whenever I was buying on purpose. Impulse buys/random acquisitions do occur as with most of us, but Lakland has been the ultimate choice for me ever since. I had 9, incl those made in USA, Japan, Korea and Indonesia. I haven't had one of the Chinese ones that are eclusively built for, and sold in Japan, but did have a crafted in Japan ESP Edwards clone of a Lakland for a while. I quit playing bass for several yrs and only played the guitar. Now I'm back in the bass realm have a few transitional basses and looking for an opportunity to get a Lakland.
A few bad ones are out there but the general rule of thumb is Laklands are overwhelmingly good. I have a pal who's a pro bassist, - THAT'S his dayjob (well, maybe more of a night job when one is a pro musician, but you get the idea). He traded his Fender American Deluxe V in mint condition with film still on the plastic parts for my made in Korea Lakland 55-02, and I on my part only traded him because I needed fast money and a MIA Fender is always a faster sale.

The only thing I personally would not recommend is any Lakland equipped with the Bartolini Mk-I pickups and pre (44-01/55-01, 44-OS/55-OS). Don't get me wrong, the instrument itself will still be great, but these pups and electronics themselves are so-so. They aren't built nor designed nor supported nor warranty covered by Bartolini, it's a G&B rebranded off-the-shelf set that goes on various budget basses. The worst part being, the weird dimensions of the Mk-I pickups make it tricky to find direct replacements (last I heard there was only one model in the market that fit the pickup cavity, the USA Bartolini Mk-5), and even the cheaper Laklands aren't exactly cheap to chop them up to accomodate for something different.

All this is accurate except for one thing. Bill Bartolini did, in fact, design the mk1 pickup. He was working with Hoshino on a simple passive pickup of conventional construction that they could build and put in many of the basses they produced. I worked with Bill in Livermore, CA during this era.