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Lakland owners, Educate Me!

kjpollo

kjpollo

Mar 17, 2008
3,456
87
CT
#1
OK people, one thing I've learned in my time here on TB is that there are some serious experts on all brands of basses and they are universally willing to share what they know about their particular specialty.

I need another 5 string and I think Lakland is the route I want to take so I'm looking for some guidance.
First- my budget- I have roughly $900 to spend.
Second- my needs- I play in a modern country band so a "modern" sound suits me just fine. We do a few traditional sounding songs but most of what we play is uptempo modern country-rock. Think Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley.

My present main bass is a G&L L2500 Trib and my backup is a 20 yr old Carvin LB-75. When I first got the L2500 Trib, it made a huge difference. I played our first couple of shows on the Carvin but when I brought out the L2500, the whole band noticed the difference.
So now I want to have two difference-makers on hand.

From the research I've done, I figure with my budget I have 3 main choices- a brand new stock 55-01, a used 55-01 with upgrades or a stock used 55-02.
So educate me- how much of a difference is there between a stock 55-01 and a stock 55-02? And I'm looking for sonic differences- which electronics package will let me be heard better without having to crank my amp to the rafters? I'm not worried about the 35" scale. I've played them before and I'm fine with it.
 
#3
Thanks for that link. But what I'm really looking for is real-world feedback from the people who actually play them. Strengths, weaknesses, etc.
Its not like Lakland is going to say something like "Our basses rule for classic rock, blues and country but really dont cut it for heavy metal" right on their website. They're also not going to tell you what modifications make their basses better.

I also want to know if there are other options in my price range that I missed.
 
#4
Check out the soundclips for the 55-01 and 55-02, they cover many genres including country: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

My choice would be the 55-02 because I like the electronics better. A used upgraded 55-01 might be more of a crapshoot, since upgrades can obviously take many forms.
 
#5
I have a stock 55-01 and a 55-02. You can use either for modern country, which I do play as well. However, IMO, the 55-01 nails that modern country sound through my rigs. Many people complain about the stock electronics, but I have no issue with them. Besides, the 55-01 is a great platform to modify. The mods are endless.

Both models sound great, just very different. To me the 55-02 will get you close to a Jazz, a P and a Stingray and many other sounds in between. It's great for any kind of music. The 55-01 just has that modern 3D sound that I hear in many of the latest country tracks.

I'd say try a new 55-01 from a shop that will accept returns. If you don't like it, send it back a look for a 55-02. Feel free to PM me.
 
#6
It's a tough decision, and I think a lot of it depends on how much time you want to spend on upgrades.

A 55-02 is good to go. Some folks upgrade the pickups but there is no requirement to do so. Bring it home, plug it in, rock.

A 55-01 is identical in every way other than the electronics. I opted to go this route and upgrade to USA Bart MK5's and a Bart Preamp. Overall this is the best bass I own (and I own two USA Spectors!) and it just covers everything. This can be a better option because you can choose the pickups you want. A 55-02 is rather limited in pickup selection. Not a lot of Wide5 MusicMan pickups out there and the neck single coil will always be a single coil or single coil sized pickup. With the 55-01 you can get humbuckers, single coils, split coils, whatever you want. I prefer humbuckers with single/series/parallel switches.

Boils down to whether or not you want to upgrade. If not, 55-02 for sure. If you want to experiment and have a wider selection of pickups, 55-01.
 
#7
I have 2 55-01's as my main basses and they are perfect for everything. I have done country, modern country, rock, pop, jazz, funk, etc.........You have a lot of flexibility with them and they upgrade really easy. So, I look at it from a universal standpoint. I love the 55-01's. I have played several 55-02's and they played just as good as my 55-01's. Same basses just different electronics (as said by MMBongo).
 
#8
mmbongo said:
It's a tough decision, and I think a lot of it depends on how much time you want to spend on upgrades.

A 55-02 is good to go. Some folks upgrade the pickups but there is no requirement to do so. Bring it home, plug it in, rock.

A 55-01 is identical in every way other than the electronics. I opted to go this route and upgrade to USA Bart MK5's and a Bart Preamp. Overall this is the best bass I own (and I own two USA Spectors!) and it just covers everything. This can be a better option because you can choose the pickups you want. A 55-02 is rather limited in pickup selection. Not a lot of Wide5 MusicMan pickups out there and the neck single coil will always be a single coil or single coil sized pickup. With the 55-01 you can get humbuckers, single coils, split coils, whatever you want. I prefer humbuckers with single/series/parallel switches.

Boils down to whether or not you want to upgrade. If not, 55-02 for sure. If you want to experiment and have a wider selection of pickups, 55-01.[/QUOTE

I like the same thing in pickups- humbuckers with the series/parallel/single switches. My G&L does NOT have the single coil mod but I love the series/parallel switching.
There was a 55-01 with that exact setup in the classifieds and I missed out on it at the begining of the week.
Click to expand...
 
#9
I would say stock used 55-01, and upgrade pickup/preamp later if you feel the need. I had one for some time, and it was awesome for the modern country-ish gig I had at the time. I now have a 44-02 and its a different sounding animal.
 
#10
I played both on a few tours in modern country, (well, 2003/2004) so that may not be too modern I guess. I always preferred the 55-02 when doing the newer stuff and the 55-01 when doing the older stuff. Now, that being said, my 55-02 has the Bartolini's in it.
 
#11
Hmm...several good points...think i'm leaning more toward the 55-01...now Do I get one of the brand new sharp looking spalted maple topped ones from Bass Central and contemplate future mods, or buy a used one thats already modded OR buy a stock used one and actually do a mod since I'd have $$ left over by not buying the brand new one.
 
#13
You really need to play one to understand.
I only learned about Lakland a year ago.
I have been playing bass for 45 years and have owned pretty much everything made over the years (no exaggeration).
When I picked up a Lakland it was like going home!
Since then it is all I play. I have pretty much sold off all my other basses (except for two others).
You need to play one.
 
#14
kjpollo said:
Hmm...several good points...think i'm leaning more toward the 55-01...now Do I get one of the brand new sharp looking spalted maple topped ones from Bass Central and contemplate future mods, or buy a used one thats already modded OR buy a stock used one and actually do a mod since I'd have $$ left over by not buying the brand new one.
Click to expand...

If you want one of the spalt tops, email around asking for pics of what they have in stock until you find the right one...took me 2 or 3 weeks to find this one. I added Rosewood knobs to it. :D

DSC_0010_zps0ab41949.jpg


DSC_0011_zps66d5b449.jpg
 
#15
I got to this thread late but would have given you the same advice....a 55-01 is a GREAT bass for an even better price...a 55-02 is much more versatile (not "better"...just more versatile).

as for new vs used? you can save some coinage by buying used BUT I have seen several of the spalt top basses and they are KILLER...if you like the look...go for it....well worth the cost of entry....
 
#16
Itzayana said:
You really need to play one to understand.
I only learned about Lakland a year ago.
I have been playing bass for 45 years and have owned pretty much everything made over the years (no exaggeration).
When I picked up a Lakland it was like going home!
Since then it is all I play. I have pretty much sold off all my other basses (except for two others).
You need to play one.
Click to expand...


+100
I currently play in a "modern country" band, and use a Lakland 44-02 and a 55-01 exclusively. The Fender(s), G&L, Ibanez(s), Schecter, and others stay at home. I can get everything I need from these two basses. My 55-01 has stock Barts and I could not be happier with the tones I can get out of her. The Laklands are, by far, the most versatile basses that I own.
 

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