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Lakland Owners Group #61
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
- Status
Hello Lakland Peeps,
Please excuse my ignorance... but I was offered an early USA Lakland JO 4 on trade recently and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on these instruments. I have played a handful of skylines that were phenomonal, but never a USA model. I know that this particular one has Sadowsky electronics, but the gentleman offered me the option to switch back to Lindy's and the stacked pots. I'd be curious to know about the shape of the necks on these basses, also their overall resonance, etc.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Please excuse my ignorance... but I was offered an early USA Lakland JO 4 on trade recently and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on these instruments. I have played a handful of skylines that were phenomonal, but never a USA model. I know that this particular one has Sadowsky electronics, but the gentleman offered me the option to switch back to Lindy's and the stacked pots. I'd be curious to know about the shape of the necks on these basses, also their overall resonance, etc.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
I love mine. I have two US JOs and they're both phenomenal instruments. I doubt you'll be disappointed if you take it.
I don't get along with jazz basses, but the two US JOs I've had--an early one with Fralins and a more recent one with Chis--came closest to staying.
The early JO with Fralins absolutely nailed that '60s J sound to my ears--I've played another early JO and there seems to be something special about the first 100 or so with Joe's name on the headstock.
Both JOs that I've owned had somewhat shallow neck profiles to me (disclaimer: I'm generally a P bass guy), very comfy. Then again, I've never played a US Lakland neck I didn't love right away. And both JOs were nice and light.
In short: Go get it!
Found this on CL. 55-01, 2007 model. So I guess now I'm a Lakland owner.
The only real issue is some tarnish on the tuning keys. The volume pot is a little scratchy but that should be easy to fix.
edit: I'm liking this bass.
The only real issue is some tarnish on the tuning keys. The volume pot is a little scratchy but that should be easy to fix.
edit: I'm liking this bass.
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
Good year! Looks like my '03 fretless 55-01. Enjoy!
Found this on CL. 55-01, 2007 model. So I guess now I'm a Lakland owner.
The only real issue is some tarnish on the tuning keys. The volume pot is a little scratchy but that should be easy to fix.
edit: I'm liking this bass.
I have a dilemma. I've got an opportunity to buy this.
Pretty unique for a 55-02. An unlined 55-02 fretless is right up my street and the birdseye maple makes it even more unique.
Trouble is, I'm really not sure about the looks. If it had been a black body I wouldn't hesitate. To me it looks like the neck is visually not anchored against the body. (I'm purely talking how it looks visually here).
I'm thinking maybe it needs a black pickguard to finish it off, or possibly tort. I've checked out some pics of maple necked precisions and a black pickguard seems to work well visually.
Anyone else see it the way I'm seeing it ? Got any other suggestions ?
Or am I being very, very, picky ?
Pretty unique for a 55-02. An unlined 55-02 fretless is right up my street and the birdseye maple makes it even more unique.
Trouble is, I'm really not sure about the looks. If it had been a black body I wouldn't hesitate. To me it looks like the neck is visually not anchored against the body. (I'm purely talking how it looks visually here).
I'm thinking maybe it needs a black pickguard to finish it off, or possibly tort. I've checked out some pics of maple necked precisions and a black pickguard seems to work well visually.
Anyone else see it the way I'm seeing it ? Got any other suggestions ?
Or am I being very, very, picky ?
I have a dilemma. I've got an opportunity to buy this.
Pretty unique for a 55-02. An unlined 55-02 fretless is right up my street and the birdseye maple makes it even more unique.
Trouble is, I'm really not sure about the looks. If it had been a black body I wouldn't hesitate. To me it looks like the neck is visually not anchored against the body. (I'm purely talking how it looks visually here).
I'm thinking maybe it needs a black pickguard to finish it off, or possibly tort. I've checked out some pics of maple necked precisions and a black pickguard seems to work well visually.
Anyone else see it the way I'm seeing it ? Got any other suggestions ?
Or am I being very, very, picky ?
I noticed right away exactly what you're talking about. They just don't look like a good match.
A refin would be the ultimate solution. I was thinking something like this pickguard might do it for cheaper though.
But that bass, in contrast to the one I'm looking to buy, actually has some body grain worth showing off. Maybe a refin in black has to be factored in to the cost.
But that bass, in contrast to the one I'm looking to buy, actually has some body grain worth showing off. Maybe a refin in black has to be factored in to the cost.
I have a dilemma. I've got an opportunity to buy this.
Pretty unique for a 55-02. An unlined 55-02 fretless is right up my street and the birdseye maple makes it even more unique.
Trouble is, I'm really not sure about the looks. If it had been a black body I wouldn't hesitate. To me it looks like the neck is visually not anchored against the body. (I'm purely talking how it looks visually here).
I'm thinking maybe it needs a black pickguard to finish it off, or possibly tort. I've checked out some pics of maple necked precisions and a black pickguard seems to work well visually.
Anyone else see it the way I'm seeing it ? Got any other suggestions ?
Or am I being very, very, picky ?
I like it like it is.
+1, but you could always just go for a solid understated color if black is not you're thing, even burgundy would work, but not CAR.
Perhaps something to contrast and set off the neck visually so you can see the detail. As is, the burst and size and color of the pickups is competing with the board and robbing it of any aesthetic definition.
If I was to buy it and go for a refin, I think it would likely be black, it's the only thing I can think of that I can picture working. I'd welcome other ideas on colours though.
I think a black pickguard might also do the trick that you describe (contrast). But that still feels like a compromise, I think part of the issue for me is the lack of a nice grain on that body. I'll have to check out the cost of a refin locally.
Hmmm ... maybe Olympic White is an alternative. That might provide an adequate contrast to the neck (texture/no texture) and the pickups.
Chef re-did a Valenti that's similar coloring.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/valenti-062-make-over-957946/
It may give you an idea of how much difference a pickguard can make. His turned out rather fetching.
I'm in the process of a refin and I'm adding a pickguard on a bass that didn't have one originally. Makes a world of difference.
Whatever you do you may want to consider different knobs. Black or chrome metal knobs would probably affect the appearance more dramatically than you might think.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/valenti-062-make-over-957946/
It may give you an idea of how much difference a pickguard can make. His turned out rather fetching.
I'm in the process of a refin and I'm adding a pickguard on a bass that didn't have one originally. Makes a world of difference.
Whatever you do you may want to consider different knobs. Black or chrome metal knobs would probably affect the appearance more dramatically than you might think.
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