+1 on all counts, except I owned a Geddy rather than an MIA Fender--and I did own a Skyline DJ4. It was my "gateway drug" to Laklands , as it has been for others. Great bass, I only sold it because I ultimately figured out I'm not a J guy. I've also owned an Indonesian-made Skyline and thought it was every bit as good as the Korean ones I've owned.
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Lakland DJ4
- Thread starter Knavery
- Start date
Hey guys,
I don't mean to beat a dead horse here, and I am taking all your comments into consideration. But how is the Lakland 55-02? I've seen some really good deals around for these things and am just curious what the consensus is for them. Thanks!
I don't mean to beat a dead horse here, and I am taking all your comments into consideration. But how is the Lakland 55-02? I've seen some really good deals around for these things and am just curious what the consensus is for them. Thanks!
Nevermind... I did some research here and it sounds like a lot of people are replacing the electronics in them (55-02s) to really be of any interest. So, it's looking more and more like the DJ4 or DJ5 or a Fender American Standard or Deluxe. It just depends how deep I want to dig into my wallet.
I've owned several 5502s and found them to be superb players - great tone, great playability, "tight" B string, and as well made and nicely designed as any of the other Laklands. I've not heard about a trend toward replacing the electronics in the 5502s - no need to, IMO.
The 55-01 is a bass that a lot of people mod. But I've seen very very few replace the electronics on the 55-02. The LH-3 preamp and pickups are pretty highly regarded.
I've modded a 55-02 quite a bit, but now it has the LH-3 system.
sj_bass
Supporting Member
Yeah, MrF's DJ sold in what - 5 hours???
+1
The build, fit, and finish of my Skylines is equal to or better than either of my MIA's. This includes both Korean (non-plek'd) and Indo (plek'd) models.
I have a 55-02 with the LH-3 and it is an amazing pre. I have no plans to mod it whatsoever.
I'd also like to add that the 55-01 is no slouch either. Most of the time, I run the pre with a minor bump of the lows, and leave the mids and highs flat. gain is just about right - I think that people want to modify the pre because the Q is tighter, which cause a more dramatic scoop when boosted/cut.
Of course, YMMV
Ha! This is funny. I called down to Bass Central and talked to Grasshopper. He tried turning me onto the 55-02 as well. There mush be something about that bass that people really love. It's really going to come down to five main things for me:
1.) Affordibility - how much bass am I getting for the price?
2.) Feel - As a guitar player, I love the jazz neck feel with lower action. So it can't have a fat P neck.
3.) Sound - Does it meet the demands of everything I play?
4.) Look - Do I really want the modern look or do I want the classic J look?
5.) Manhood - Do I really want to lose it by bringing home another instrument? I could possibly get around this by saying "Honey! I've ALLWAYS had this bass. It was sitting in the back of the closet!"
So how do I find out what electronics it has? Can someone tell me the year they switched to LH-3?
1.) Affordibility - how much bass am I getting for the price?
2.) Feel - As a guitar player, I love the jazz neck feel with lower action. So it can't have a fat P neck.
3.) Sound - Does it meet the demands of everything I play?
4.) Look - Do I really want the modern look or do I want the classic J look?
5.) Manhood - Do I really want to lose it by bringing home another instrument? I could possibly get around this by saying "Honey! I've ALLWAYS had this bass. It was sitting in the back of the closet!"
So how do I find out what electronics it has? Can someone tell me the year they switched to LH-3?
1. Plenty, IMO.
2. Lakland 5-string necks are pretty comfy, but if you're strictly a 4-string player and like a skinny neck, get the DJ4 or the 44-02.
3. Hard to know, but the 02s are quite versatile. Then again, you'll get a lot of different sounds out of a jazz bass.
4 and 5 are your call.
They switched to the LH-3 system in late 2006/early 2007.
I am kicking myself now. I saw an awesome deal on a 55-02 for under a grand in mint shape with a maple neck. It came with the hard shell case as well. I called about it and said I'd call back once I did a little investigating. When I did, it had been purchased.
Anyone know if the rosewood necks on these are ok? With active electronics, is it any "less" snappy? The reason I ask is that there's another for the same price although I don't know the condition nor does it come with a hard shell case.
Anyone know if the rosewood necks on these are ok? With active electronics, is it any "less" snappy? The reason I ask is that there's another for the same price although I don't know the condition nor does it come with a hard shell case.
I had the chance to A/B a 55-02's before buying mine. One had rosewood and the other maple. I couldn't tell much difference between the two. I bought the rosewood because I thought it looked better. Tonally there was not enough either way to make me choose one over the other.
I mainly play blues, alternative, progressive rock, and some heavy metal. A few of my favorite bands are Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Rush, Queens of The Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, Megadeth, and Symphony X. So, that would be few of the sounds I'd be utilizing. So, the second question is around the proper bass for me... Would a jazz fit these styles?
Yes.......the Jazz bass would be an excellent choice....in fact many of the bands you mention used Jazz bass's at one time or another.
Yes.......the Jazz bass would be an excellent choice....in fact many of the bands you mention used Jazz bass's at one time or another.
I would be repeating much of what already has been said here.
I have owned both a dj4 and a dj5 and liked them both....sold the 4 to buy the 5 and only sold the 5 to help pay for a us lakie.
The quality on these are great according to Leo @ Lakland. Also that color is much hotter in person.
The b&b neck is nice and fast.....
Lakland has super customer service and support.
If you want a jazz go with the dj....if you want more variability...go with the 5502.....
You will be happy either way
I have owned both a dj4 and a dj5 and liked them both....sold the 4 to buy the 5 and only sold the 5 to help pay for a us lakie.
The quality on these are great according to Leo @ Lakland. Also that color is much hotter in person.
The b&b neck is nice and fast.....
Lakland has super customer service and support.
If you want a jazz go with the dj....if you want more variability...go with the 5502.....
You will be happy either way
I agree....JOs are great basses! I have a fretless Skyline and a US JO with chisonics.....
I think the OP is looking at the skylines.....
I think the OP is looking at the skylines.....
pablomigraine
Commercial User
I deal with USA Fenders all the time... about 3 out of a batch of 10 can compare to the quality found on every Lakland Skyline... the other 7 are usually inferior in some way.
I would put any of the four current Skylines I own against any equivalent MIA Fender, and I would pick the Lakland 9 out of 10 times. I own a P, an active J, a 44-02 (which is a very versatile bass as far as number of good tones), and have a passive DJ4 inbound. I used to play your style of music, but it was at a time that I still thought Fenders were the bees knees. But I think an active bass is best in your music wheelhouse. I never really liked active Fenders, and that sent me the EBMM way for a while, and I still like those for what they do, just not for most of the music I now do, which is much mellower. That's a long way to say: I would recommend the 44-02 or 55-02 for the type of music you do, and think you'll be very satisfied with that choice.
