Lakland Owners Group #69

[Thom Fioriglio]

Well, DHL surprised me yesterday. Even though the website still indicated it was waiting for the next delivery cycle, my black bridge/ferrules showed up yesterday afternoon. I'm still waiting on one part; the aforementioned (a lot) string bar for the headstock. That should be here today.

First off, my very first Lakland; 2015 55-02 Deluxe purchased back in early 2018.

View attachment 5284246

Started by pulling off the old bridge. Well, technically, I started by watching a couple videos on how to safely remove string ferrules. THEN I took the strings off and removed the bridge. Two things struck me immediately:

1. Blech!

View attachment 5284247

-and- 2. You can tell the difference in quality with the Skylines judging by the string-thru holes. Looks like they missed on the first try...

View attachment 5284248

I used a long handle size 3 allen wrench to catch the lip of the ferrules through these holes and gently tapped them out. Then I used the wooden handle from a small foam brush (foam removed) to tap the black ones back in. The rounded end of the small handle fit perfectly inside the ferrule distributing the force evenly.

View attachment 5284249

That was way easier than I thought it would be. Thankfully. I then put the bridge on. I attempted to set the saddles for height and intonation off my old bridge before putting it on to save a little time down the road. It looks pretty good if I do say so myself.

View attachment 5284250

Then, to bring this back on topic, I removed the old chrome and installed black Dunlop strap locks.

View attachment 5284251

Next up I removed and installed a set of black Hipshot 1/2" clover tuners.

View attachment 5284252

Having done this a number of times, this was simply drop-in and tighten complex. (Note the slight indentations in the fretboard behind the nut for the B and E strings. I may need to file those down to make some grooves.)

View attachment 5284253

And like I said, I'm waiting on a 48mm half-round string bar that should be here today. If for some reason it doesn't align, I'll simply paint the old one black. I also still need to get a new black output jack but I'm saving that for another time.

Pre-setting the bridge to mirror the old one really helped with setup after the fact. I did a quick clean and oil of the fretboard, installed a set of medium Lakland steelies, and made some minor intonation tweaks and height adjustments and she's set to go.

View attachment 5284263

I almost went a different direction this morning and made the change to my 55-01. Knowing now how relatively easy it is to swap everything, I still may...

View attachment 5284266

I am generally not a fan of black hardware but that looks fantastic!! What a really great contrast to the wood and it even seems to bring out the grain more. Well done!!

 

[MaxSpinrun]

That really looks fantastic! Great job. JJ suggested I go that rout for my 44-02. Now after seeing your conversion you got me thinking about doing it also!

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Perhaps they are still a type of button that works with Dunlops. I thought about reaching out to them just to ask, but I don’t want to bug them with something so trivial.

Arguments on TB are anything but trivial!!!

 

[Jamvan]

That really looks fantastic! Great job. JJ suggested I go that rout for my 44-02. Now after seeing your conversion you got me thinking about doing it also!View attachment 5284416

I think that would look fantastic! I personally like the black hardware with maple boards which is why I debated doing it to the 55-01 instead. However my rosewood board is so dark, it works. Yours would pop!

 

[MaxSpinrun]

To get a black bridge do you have to send your chrome one to Lakland for an exchange?

 

[Z-Bass]

Well, DHL surprised me yesterday. Even though the website still indicated it was waiting for the next delivery cycle, my black bridge/ferrules showed up yesterday afternoon. I'm still waiting on one part; the aforementioned (a lot) string bar for the headstock. That should be here today.

First off, my very first Lakland; 2015 55-02 Deluxe purchased back in early 2018.

That was way easier than I thought it would be. Thankfully. I then put the bridge on. I attempted to set the saddles for height and intonation off my old bridge before putting it on to save a little time down the road. It looks pretty good if I do say so myself.

Yes, that black hardware looks great and as Thom Fioriglio indicated, it brings out the black outline of the spalted top. Speaking of that, is that flame and spalted maple? Looks beautiful.

My DJ4 is blacked out, not be me but by the previous owner. I think it looks classy against it's transparent red finish.

 

[macribas]

Also, if you look at newer Lākland’s online (Sweetwater or maybe Midlothian Music), you’ll see the buttons they use. They definitely are not a standard button that would securely hold a strap. They probably changed suppliers in the last year or so, potentially during the covid shortages. I’ve also noticed they changed. String retainers for the 4 string basses, based on looking online at older models vs newer models.

Now that you mentioned, I went online to see pics, yeah, those are not the ones that came with my bass last year. I'm wondering what are those, because they don't seem to have a big enough lip to be used without locks, and they don't conform to the 2 major standards.

 

[Johnny Alien]

To get a black bridge do you have to send your chrome one to Lakland for an exchange?

I think you can do that or buy some from Lakland. There is a company selling Lakland hardware on Reverb. Based on location I am assuming they are being taken from the Indonesian factory. I haven't checked with Lakland to see if its an unauthorized thing but I assume it is. No accusations to people on here buying the stuff (its available on legit sites) I'm just not sure its on the up and up.

 

[Jamvan]

I think you can do that or buy some from Lakland. There is a company selling Lakland hardware on Reverb. Based on location I am assuming they are being taken from the Indonesian factory. I haven't checked with Lakland to see if its an unauthorized thing but I assume it is. No accusations to people on here buying the stuff (its available on legit sites) I'm just not sure its on the up and up.

It's honestly where I picked this one up. I had spoken to Hipshot to see if they would sell direct and they sent me to Lakland. Those popped up on Reverb before I'd contacted Lakland and, even though I checked the seller's feedback, I didn't notice they were from Indonesia until the shipping notice popped up.

For the record, it appears to be a legit Lakland bridge so my assumption is they're from the factory. I'm telling myself it's just someone who replaced their black hardware with chrome...

Yes, that black hardware looks great and as Thom Fioriglio indicated, it brings out the black outline of the spalted top. Speaking of that, is that flame and spalted maple? Looks beautiful.

My DJ4 is blacked out, not be me but by the previous owner. I think it looks classy against it's transparent red finish.

It is flamed and spalted maple cap. I've seen a couple that have both but unlike some others, this one seems to have a very distinct flame with a somewhat muted spalt which I really like.

 

[ejschultz]

It's honestly where I picked this one up. I had spoken to Hipshot to see if they would sell direct and they sent me to Lakland. Those popped up on Reverb before I'd contacted Lakland and, even though I checked the seller's feedback, I didn't notice they were from Indonesia until the shipping notice popped up.

For the record, it appears to be a legit Lakland bridge so my assumption is they're from the factory. I'm telling myself it's just someone who replaced their black hardware with chrome...



It is flamed and spalted maple cap. I've seen a couple that have both but unlike some others, this one seems to have a very distinct flame with a somewhat muted spalt which I really like.

The bridge is probably a Hipshot licensed bridge, that’s used on Skylines and USA Classics. I don’t really know what the differences are, if any.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Well, DHL surprised me yesterday. Even though the website still indicated it was waiting for the next delivery cycle, my black bridge/ferrules showed up yesterday afternoon. I'm still waiting on one part; the aforementioned (a lot) string bar for the headstock. That should be here today.

First off, my very first Lakland; 2015 55-02 Deluxe purchased back in early 2018.

View attachment 5284246

Started by pulling off the old bridge. Well, technically, I started by watching a couple videos on how to safely remove string ferrules. THEN I took the strings off and removed the bridge. Two things struck me immediately:

1. Blech!

View attachment 5284247

-and- 2. You can tell the difference in quality with the Skylines judging by the string-thru holes. Looks like they missed on the first try...

View attachment 5284248

I used a long handle size 3 allen wrench to catch the lip of the ferrules through these holes and gently tapped them out. Then I used the wooden handle from a small foam brush (foam removed) to tap the black ones back in. The rounded end of the small handle fit perfectly inside the ferrule distributing the force evenly.

View attachment 5284249

That was way easier than I thought it would be. Thankfully. I then put the bridge on. I attempted to set the saddles for height and intonation off my old bridge before putting it on to save a little time down the road. It looks pretty good if I do say so myself.

View attachment 5284250

Then, to bring this back on topic, I removed the old chrome and installed black Dunlop strap locks.

View attachment 5284251

Next up I removed and installed a set of black Hipshot 1/2" clover tuners.

View attachment 5284252

Having done this a number of times, this was simply drop-in and tighten complex. (Note the slight indentations in the fretboard behind the nut for the B and E strings. I may need to file those down to make some grooves.)

View attachment 5284253

And like I said, I'm waiting on a 48mm half-round string bar that should be here today. If for some reason it doesn't align, I'll simply paint the old one black. I also still need to get a new black output jack but I'm saving that for another time.

Pre-setting the bridge to mirror the old one really helped with setup after the fact. I did a quick clean and oil of the fretboard, installed a set of medium Lakland steelies, and made some minor intonation tweaks and height adjustments and she's set to go.

View attachment 5284263

I almost went a different direction this morning and made the change to my 55-01. Knowing now how relatively easy it is to swap everything, I still may...

View attachment 5284266

Great job!

 

[MaxSpinrun]

I bought some to make a handy little strap rack for the back of the storage closet door.

View attachment 5283827

YES! I’m going to do that right next to where I have one bass hanging. Two straps on each side of the bass since space is tight where we live, great idea!

 

[Z-Bass]

That really looks fantastic! Great job. JJ suggested I go that rout for my 44-02. Now after seeing your conversion you got me thinking about doing it also

I really dig those control knobs. What kind are they? Also, I assume that's a different pre-amp. I think you may have described this before but I couldn't find the post.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Sadowsky style aluminum knobs, pre is John East Unipre 5 knob that has sweepable mids. Fantastic. Got everything plus the flat coil selector switch from Fat Bass Tone. Great service! Oh, and those are Bart pups.

 

[basspraiser]

Speaking of toxic Facebook groups and Lakland... In the Lakland group, every time someone proudly posts about their new Skylines, there are a couple of guys that jump in and say "oh, you like that one made by a different company overseas, wait until you get the real thing made in US". It drives me nuts!

Misguided individuals ....

 

[JEDI BASS]

Well, DHL surprised me yesterday. Even though the website still indicated it was waiting for the next delivery cycle, my black bridge/ferrules showed up yesterday afternoon. I'm still waiting on one part; the aforementioned (a lot) string bar for the headstock. That should be here today.

First off, my very first Lakland; 2015 55-02 Deluxe purchased back in early 2018.

View attachment 5284246

Started by pulling off the old bridge. Well, technically, I started by watching a couple videos on how to safely remove string ferrules. THEN I took the strings off and removed the bridge. Two things struck me immediately:

1. Blech!

View attachment 5284247

-and- 2. You can tell the difference in quality with the Skylines judging by the string-thru holes. Looks like they missed on the first try...

View attachment 5284248

I used a long handle size 3 allen wrench to catch the lip of the ferrules through these holes and gently tapped them out. Then I used the wooden handle from a small foam brush (foam removed) to tap the black ones back in. The rounded end of the small handle fit perfectly inside the ferrule distributing the force evenly.

View attachment 5284249

That was way easier than I thought it would be. Thankfully. I then put the bridge on. I attempted to set the saddles for height and intonation off my old bridge before putting it on to save a little time down the road. It looks pretty good if I do say so myself.

View attachment 5284250

Then, to bring this back on topic, I removed the old chrome and installed black Dunlop strap locks.

View attachment 5284251

Next up I removed and installed a set of black Hipshot 1/2" clover tuners.

View attachment 5284252

Having done this a number of times, this was simply drop-in and tighten complex. (Note the slight indentations in the fretboard behind the nut for the B and E strings. I may need to file those down to make some grooves.)

View attachment 5284253

And like I said, I'm waiting on a 48mm half-round string bar that should be here today. If for some reason it doesn't align, I'll simply paint the old one black. I also still need to get a new black output jack but I'm saving that for another time.

Pre-setting the bridge to mirror the old one really helped with setup after the fact. I did a quick clean and oil of the fretboard, installed a set of medium Lakland steelies, and made some minor intonation tweaks and height adjustments and she's set to go.

View attachment 5284263

I almost went a different direction this morning and made the change to my 55-01. Knowing now how relatively easy it is to swap everything, I still may...

View attachment 5284266

Freaking gorgeous!!!

 

[JPJ]

Thought I'd put some vibes out into the Lakland community. 20+ years ago, I failed to pick up a Hollowbody and have failed to do so to this day. Thought about it often, but just never could pull the trigger. Thinking I'd like to finally get one (preferably a USA or one of the early Skylines). Just keep me in mind if you decide to shift one or know when one becomes available.

 

[Eilif]

I have no idea if this is true but as someone that doesn't like locking straps it would be a positive move. A good strap button combined with the rubber washer works as well if not better and requires no special hardware.

A rubber washer is indeed effective, but it grips the button firmly and can actually loosen the button/screw from the body over time. This especially true with thicker straps and more active bass players.

I experienced this twice and have since stopped using rubber washers. I was using the orange beer bottle washers.

 

[Johnny Alien]

The bridge is probably a Hipshot licensed bridge, that’s used on Skylines and USA Classics. I don’t really know what the differences are, if any.

On the chrome bridges the saddles on the import 4 strings are satin vs shiny on the USA. Quality wise? Likely nothing. Most of the Hipshot licensed stuff is extremely nice and not any major compromise from the USA stuff.

A rubber washer is indeed effective, but it grips the button firmly and can actually loosen the button/screw from the body over time. This especially true with thicker straps and more active bass players.

I experienced this twice and have since stopped using rubber washers. I was using the orange beer bottle washers.

So I just need to keep using thin straps and stand very still.

 

[Holdsg]

Thought I'd put some vibes out into the Lakland community. 20+ years ago, I failed to pick up a Hollowbody and have failed to do so to this day. Thought about it often, but just never could pull the trigger. Thinking I'd like to finally get one (preferably a USA or one of the early Skylines). Just keep me in mind if you decide to shift one or know when one becomes available.

there are 2 burst skylines and one US candy red one on Reverb right now.