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Lakland or Ibanez?

#21
bordinco90 said:
Ok cool. One of the best basses I have ever played was an Ibanez. Is the Lakland necks similar to the Fender 5 string necks? Is it really chunky?
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Skylines are nice basses in my experience, but if you're looking for a thin neck like the Ibanez SR series typically has I don't think you'll find it on a Lakland. I have a 44-64 custom, so I can't speak for the 55-02 but the neck on mine is basically a Jazz neck.
 
#22
I think the question is: Which Lakland vs. Which Ibanez? All the Laklands I have played are excellent instruments, beautifully constructed and the fretwork/action is very easy to play. I haven't played Ibanez in a while but they have been putting out some interesting stuff...you should definitely give them a try if there are models you like.
 
#23
With the changes in the Ibanez lines in the last few years including, KTS titanium stiffening rods in the Premium and Prestige lines, Nordstrand pickups, better woods, including ash, wenge, jatoba, bubinga, purpleheart and burl woods, technical innovations including fanned frets and singlecut designs, Ibanez has definitely stepped up their game.

I haven't' seen innovative changes like that at Lakland in quite a while. Ibanez is making a lot of basses in Indonesia, like the Lakland Skylines and I"m seeing excellent QC from that plant.

I've bought an SRFF805, an SR1400, and an SR650 in the last two years and I'm very happy with each of them.

So, when looking at the higher end of the SR family, Premium, and Bass Workshop products, I think they are competitive (but different) to the Lakland Skylines. I like both brands!

All the best, Bob
 
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#24
InhumanResource said:
I think the question is: Which Lakland vs. Which Ibanez? All the Laklands I have played are excellent instruments, beautifully constructed and the fretwork/action is very easy to play. I haven't played Ibanez in a while but they have been putting out some interesting stuff...you should definitely give them a try if there are models you like.
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The OP was pretty specific:
bordinco90 said:
I was wondering which bass would be better? The Lakland Skyline Deluxe 55-02 or the Ibanez SR1805E Premium?
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#26
bordinco90 said:
If you were choosing between these two basses which one would you pick?
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Lakland definitely. I prefer the wider string spacing and 35" scale. The Lakland necks feel better to me as well.

FTR: I've owned two Ibanez basses in the recent past; an SR1205 and SR5 Limited. While good instruments, for me they couldn't hold a candle to the Laklands I have.

As always, YMMV...
 
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#28
Having played both I would say you can't go wrong with either...depending on your tastes. The Ibanez SR1805E had a very crisp and bright tone compared to a Lakland 55-02 and as has been mentioned the string spacing could be a deciding factor as well. Me? I like the wider spacing and lean towards a more traditional look and sound so the Lakland wins for me. I also don't really dig gold hardware.
 
#30
bordinco90 said:
Well I have never played a Lakland before, but they look like very quality built basses. The only thing that I am weary about is the Musicman Style Pickup on the Lakland. I had a Ray35 once and could not stand the overly trebly, clanky tone. I've watched vids on the Lakland and it appears to be toned down a little from the SBMM Ray35.
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The MM style bridge pickup in the 55-02 is not like the pickup in the Stingray. While you can get Stringray sounds out of the 55-02, it is a very different beast. The 55-02 will get you almost any bass sound that you want.

Bobster said:
With the changes in the Ibanez lines in the last few years including, KTS titanium stiffening rods in the Premium and Prestige lines, Nordstrand pickups, better woods, including ash, wenge, jatoba, bubinga, purpleheart and burl woods, technical innovations including fanned frets and singlecut designs, Ibanez has definitely stepped up their game.

I haven't' seen innovative changes like that at Lakland in quite a while. Ibanez is making a lot of basses in Indonesia, like the Lakland Skylines and I"m seeing excellent QC from that plant.

I've bought an SRFF805, an SR1400, and an SR650 in the last two years and I'm very happy with each of them.

So, when looking at the higher end of the SR family, Premium, and Bass Workshop products, I think they are competitive (but different) to the Lakland Skylines.

All the best, Bob
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All Lakland 5 strings come with graphite reinforcement bars which is going to give the same stability at the titanium stiffing rods that Ibanez is using. The only thing that you gain with the Titanium is, arguably, the ability to say that you have Titanium rods in the neck. I have 3 Lakland 5 Strings and have never had to adjust the necks. Totally stable.

the Ibanez basses sound great, but comparing the SR to the 55-02 is not apples to apples. The 55-02 is designed to be a Swiss army knife. The more similar comparison is and upgraded 55-01, which you could buy new and upgrade to your liking for the same price, if not less than the 55-02 and get an awesome instrument.

I have a 55-01 and 55-02 and have played the Ibanez SR Prestige series. I prefer the wider spacing of the Laklands, but the Ibanez sounds great with the Nordstrands, which you can install in the 55-01.

You have lots of choices, none of which will be bad. I will add one thing, Laklands customer service is second to none.
 
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#33
This question is moot because "better" is too subjective to answer with any kind of certainty.
Plus would you eat your pizza with anchovies just because some butthead on an internet forum said it was the best?
Don't be a lemming. try them both and make up your own mind.
 
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#34
Double E said:
Having played both I would say you can't go wrong with either...depending on your tastes. The Ibanez SR1805E had a very crisp and bright tone compared to a Lakland 55-02 and as has been mentioned the string spacing could be a deciding factor as well. Me? I like the wider spacing and lean towards a more traditional look and sound so the Lakland wins for me. I also don't really dig gold hardware.
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i'm guessing you didn't try the bass boost knob, which makes gives the SR1805 much fatter bottom.
 
#35
Lakland... Hunt down a shop in your area that stocks them and go play one. They are fantastic basses, but as others have posted here, the feel is completely different than an Ibanez. Its worth it to drive a couple hours to try and play one (closest shop for me was about and hour and 15 minute drive). The MM/J configuration blends well, offering a wide range of tones. This was on my top 3 basses I was looking at recently. I was trying to decide between a 55-02, a StingRay HH 5, and a Peavey Cirrus 5. In the end for me the Stingray won. The Lakland was amazing, but the tone on the MM was just a bit more aggressive for me (and I already own a Cirrus 4).
 
#36
pcake said:
i'm guessing you didn't try the bass boost knob, which makes gives the SR1805 much fatter bottom.
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I did a thorough test run and yes...the stock Ibanez probably has a wider tonal palette than the stock Lakland but the Lakland is a little bit better at copping traditional tones IMHO and has the ergonomics I like. I could definitely see myself playing the Ibby given the right circumstances. Both basses are a great value for the coin.
 
#38
Bobster said:
Texan,

The KTS rods are included in all 4, 5, and 6 string Premium and Prestige basses. It's the Atlas-(number of strings) neck. Very light, stable and the wenge gives it a great feel.

All the best, Bob
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Understood, but using the Titanium vs Graphite is simply a selling point. You will get the same performance from both.
 
#40
bordinco90 said:
Ok cool. One of the best basses I have ever played was an Ibanez. Is the Lakland necks similar to the Fender 5 string necks? Is it really chunky?
Click to expand...

Aside from the string spacing differences already mentioned, the neck is completely different. Ibanez SR's are narrow at the nut and very flat C shaped. Lakland 55 is a deeper C with a bit of a "shoulder" at the fretboard. It's not as rounded as, say, a Stingray but it is a deeper C than a Jazz V. They're both pleasant, but I prefer the Lakland. Also worth noting, if you play seated the Lakland is extremely comfortable on your leg whereas the Ibanez is narrower and less so. They're about equally upgradable regarding pickups and electronics. Tons of great options for both. I had Nordstrands and an Aguilar OBP-3 in my 55-02 and it sounded excellent.
 

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