Lakland Owners Group #69

[Johnny Alien]

It's GC so if you call them they will tell you. A 5 string Skyline is "usually" in the 10-11 pound range but there are ones that are much lighter out there. If you can't call then assume it will be over 10. But you know what they say about assuming.

 

[happygilmour]

A fretless J-Sonic sold back in Nov. That one weighed around 10 lbs.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Can anyone tell me how much a Lakland J Sonic 5-string bass weighs, and if it is well balanced (i.e. no neck dive)?

They’re made of wood so they’re all going to be different but they tend to be pretty heavy at 10-11 pounds. I got lucky with my skyline 55-02 deluxe at 9 pounds.

 

[Steve88]

Can anyone tell me how much a Lakland J Sonic 5-string bass weighs, and if it is well balanced (i.e. no neck dive)?

My Skyline 5560 is a bit over 9.5 lbs, pretty well balanced (tho I like the balance of a 5502/5594 better).

I know weights on Skylines are all over the place so I agree with calling GC to get the weight of this particular one...they should be able to get an accurate number pretty quickly, and you can also have the rep look it over to verify the condition. They might even be willing to send additional pictures if you need some.

 

[nervous]

Can anyone tell me how much a Lakland J Sonic 5-string bass weighs, and if it is well balanced (i.e. no neck dive)?

My 2016 fretless L-Sonic weighs 10.3# with an Audere preamp and battery installed and has a bit of neck dive when seated, not a problem on the strap.

 

[Si-bob]

So......two separate things here, albeit they're related for me.

- Anyone with a Classic Series Dual J? I'm considering one and would like your thoughts please. I mean....I'm a Lakland fan already obviously, so I'm asking you to preach to the converted, but still interested in thoughts on this particular model (Dual J Classic).

- Who has a Lakland with a Dark Grey Metallic finish? That's not an official name, but what's closest? I've seen a 'Cobalt Grey' on Google, that seemed to be a one off perhaps. I can also see a Charcoal Frost, but that seemed very 'bluey'. Neither are listed on the site. I am talking to Brian about it, but wondered if there were any other examples out in the wild?

Cheers
Si

 

[macribas]

So......two separate things here, albeit they're related for me.

- Anyone with a Classic Series Dual J? I'm considering one and would like your thoughts please. I mean....I'm a Lakland fan already obviously, so I'm asking you to preach to the converted, but still interested in thoughts on this particular model (Dual J Classic).

- Who has a Lakland with a Dark Grey Metallic finish? That's not an official name, but what's closest? I've seen a 'Cobalt Grey' on Google, that seemed to be a one off perhaps. I can also see a Charcoal Frost, but that seemed very 'bluey'. Neither are listed on the site. I am talking to Brian about it, but wondered if there were any other examples out in the wild?

Cheers
Si

Hi! I think the dual J is awesome. It has the ergonomics of the -94/-02/-01 series but acts and sounds like a regular J bass. I had two, a Classic and a US series. Obviously they were redundant so I sold the Classic and kept the USA.

As for Dark Grey, I had a US DJ4 in what was described to me as "Clapton Gray". I'm assuming it is the same color. Let me see if I can find pics. It was gorgeous.

 

[Oldtimer]

They’re made of wood so they’re all going to be different but they tend to be pretty heavy at 10-11 pounds. I got lucky with my skyline 55-02 deluxe at 9 pounds.

My 2013 Deluxe 55-02 is 8lbs 13oz. The weight was the reason I bought it. Now, if I could just get used to the 35 inch scale!

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Both my 44-01 and 44-02 are about 8lbs. 6 oz.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Here is a question for @macribas. If memory serves me correctly, my #19 4-94 had the Bartolini embossed into the body of the pup. I seem to remember talking to Dan about this. I have not seen this on any other low serial number basses from that era. JJ has had two and one that I have a pic from, the embossing is external. Marcel I figured you would know as you probably had one of the early ones. My #19 was very special with some unique features. Too bad it is gone.

 

[warptheory]

I have a 55-14, and love how it plays, kicked my Sadowsky to a backup. The 55-14 however while being incredible to play, the tone is a little bland. I'm debating either swapping out the pickups or preamp. Something with a little more growl or bite to get it to sound a bit more like a Jazz bass.

I was thinking of swapping the preamp (John East Uni-5 or Nordstrand 3B-5B) as the EQ points on the LH3 aren't the best for me, would like something in the 4-5k range for the treble, and sweepable mids would be a bonus. I do have plenty of pedals to tone sculpt however, EQs and preamp, so not sure if this is the best bang for the buck.

For pickups, I was thinking of going with Nordstrand, but not entirely sure which model. Though I fear that even if I upgrade the pickups, they are still going through the preamp which will inflict it's character on it and negate some of the enhancements.

I'm stuck in a chicken and egg loop that I can't reason myself out of. Any suggestions?

 

[Bass Ape]

I have a 55-14, and love how it plays, kicked my Sadowsky to a backup. The 55-14 however while being incredible to play, the tone is a little bland. I'm debating either swapping out the pickups or preamp. Something with a little more growl or bite to get it to sound a bit more like a Jazz bass.

I was thinking of swapping the preamp (John East Uni-5 or Nordstrand 3B-5B) as the EQ points on the LH3 aren't the best for me, would like something in the 4-5k range for the treble, and sweepable mids would be a bonus. I do have plenty of pedals to tone sculpt however, EQs and preamp, so not sure if this is the best bang for the buck.

For pickups, I was thinking of going with Nordstrand, but not entirely sure which model. Though I fear that even if I upgrade the pickups, they are still going through the preamp which will inflict it's character on it and negate some of the enhancements.

I'm stuck in a chicken and egg loop that I can't reason myself out of. Any suggestions?

Personally I would swap the Pre-out first. Then, if you still are not hearing what you would like, go for the pickups.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

I have a 55-14, and love how it plays, kicked my Sadowsky to a backup. The 55-14 however while being incredible to play, the tone is a little bland. I'm debating either swapping out the pickups or preamp. Something with a little more growl or bite to get it to sound a bit more like a Jazz bass.

I was thinking of swapping the preamp (John East Uni-5 or Nordstrand 3B-5B) as the EQ points on the LH3 aren't the best for me, would like something in the 4-5k range for the treble, and sweepable mids would be a bonus. I do have plenty of pedals to tone sculpt however, EQs and preamp, so not sure if this is the best bang for the buck.

For pickups, I was thinking of going with Nordstrand, but not entirely sure which model. Though I fear that even if I upgrade the pickups, they are still going through the preamp which will inflict it's character on it and negate some of the enhancements.

I'm stuck in a chicken and egg loop that I can't reason myself out of. Any suggestions?

I put the John East Unipre you describe along with Barts in my 44-02. The Jazz bass tones I can get work for me and are wide ranging. The treble frequencies as well as the lows are configurable and as you mentioned, the sweepable mids are very useful once you understand how to use them. The active/passive switch is also a master tone that works in either mode. This sounds really good in passive mode. I have mine configured so that the level between passive and active about equal until you take EQ from flat to boost in active mode, then the beast is released! Pull bright will give top end sizzle that is above the treble EQ point. Hope this info helps.

 

[Ric Vice]

I tried modding things with basses in the past. My experience was that while swapping out pickups and preamps may have gotten me closer to what I was hearing it
didn't get me what I was hoping for and it can get pretty expensive. I know lots of players do it. Years ago, everyone was pulling out the Bartolini Preamp and installing
an Aguillar or switching to the LH Pickups and Preamp when they first came out. I just stuck with the Bartolini System because it was designed to work with the 55-94's
and I like what it does. I realize it's not everyone's cup of tea. It sits right in the mix with the music I play. Just my take.

 

[macribas]

Let's trade, I have a 55-JJ

I have a 55-14, and love how it plays, kicked my Sadowsky to a backup. The 55-14 however while being incredible to play, the tone is a little bland. I'm debating either swapping out the pickups or preamp. Something with a little more growl or bite to get it to sound a bit more like a Jazz bass.

I was thinking of swapping the preamp (John East Uni-5 or Nordstrand 3B-5B) as the EQ points on the LH3 aren't the best for me, would like something in the 4-5k range for the treble, and sweepable mids would be a bonus. I do have plenty of pedals to tone sculpt however, EQs and preamp, so not sure if this is the best bang for the buck.

For pickups, I was thinking of going with Nordstrand, but not entirely sure which model. Though I fear that even if I upgrade the pickups, they are still going through the preamp which will inflict it's character on it and negate some of the enhancements.

I'm stuck in a chicken and egg loop that I can't reason myself out of. Any suggestions?

I went that route years ago.

Tried different preamps and pickups.

Even ordered a custom set of pickups that had single coils in the 55-94 shells.

It's not worth it. Just get a jazz bass. Or in your case, a 55-JJ.

 

[cxcxcx]

I went that route years ago.

Tried different preamps and pickups.

Even ordered a custom set of pickups that had single coils in the 55-94 shells.

It's not worth it. Just get a jazz bass. Or in your case, a 55-JJ.

+1 - I’ve seen players try to turn a 55-94 or the later-issue 55-14 into something it just can’t be for nearly 20 years. They tried pickups, midrange modules, buffers, everything else. Nobody was happy with the results, even after a $300-$750+ spend.

Many that owned this model (myself incuded) were trying to get a Sadowsky-style zing and slice and never met with success. It’s not just all about pickups and preamps - build concept, design, and pickup placement matter, too.

When left stock, these Lakland instrument models sound amazing but they won’t do certain things. Mods don’t seem to change the basic DNA of their signature tone, which is more subdued and polite than some other makes and models. It’s to the point where you can thoroughly gut it and that baked-in sound will still be there. It’s been my experience that they may shine a little bit more and present what they are best at in the studio than on the live stage.

 

[Steve88]

+1 - I’ve seen players try to turn a 55-94 or the later-issue 55-14 into something it just can’t be for nearly 20 years. They tried pickups, midrange modules, buffers, everything else. Nobody was happy with the results, even after a $300-$750+ spend.

Many that owned this model (myself incuded) were trying to get a Sadowsky-style zing and slice and never met with success. It’s not just all about pickups and preamps - build concept, design, and pickup placement matter, too.

When left stock, these Lakland instrument models sound amazing but they won’t do certain things. Mods don’t seem to change the basic DNA of their signature tone, which is more subdued and polite than some other makes and models. It’s to the point where you can thoroughly gut it and that baked-in sound will still be there. It’s been my experience that they may shine a little bit more and present what they are best at in the studio than on the live stage.

I agree with this. I also tried replacing preamp in my '98 5594 with a East Unipre 5 to try and get a more lively sound. It was different, a bit "clearer" sounding, but definitely retained the smooth tone it had. I kept the Unipre in it for a year or so before swapping back to the stock Bartolini preamp.

It's been much more satisfying to lean in to what the 55-94 does best, instead of trying to force it to sound like something else. If I decide I want a brighter more aggressive sound, I'll get a bass that does that sound without a whole lot of extra effort.

 

[warptheory]

+1 - I’ve seen players try to turn a 55-94 or the later-issue 55-14 into something it just can’t be for nearly 20 years. They tried pickups, midrange modules, buffers, everything else. Nobody was happy with the results, even after a $300-$750+ spend.

Many that owned this model (myself incuded) were trying to get a Sadowsky-style zing and slice and never met with success. It’s not just all about pickups and preamps - build concept, design, and pickup placement matter, too.

When left stock, these Lakland instrument models sound amazing but they won’t do certain things. Mods don’t seem to change the basic DNA of their signature tone, which is more subdued and polite than some other makes and models. It’s to the point where you can thoroughly gut it and that baked-in sound will still be there. It’s been my experience that they may shine a little bit more and present what they are best at in the studio than on the live stage.

I agree with this. I also tried replacing preamp in my '98 5594 with a East Unipre 5 to try and get a more lively sound. It was different, a bit "clearer" sounding, but definitely retained the smooth tone it had. I kept the Unipre in it for a year or so before swapping back to the stock Bartolini preamp.

It's been much more satisfying to lean in to what the 55-94 does best, instead of trying to force it to sound like something else. If I decide I want a brighter more aggressive sound, I'll get a bass that does that sound without a whole lot of extra effort.

I appreciate your comments, I do love the sound of the 55-14, I don't want to turn it into a Jazz, even though I hinted at it. I am just looking to get a more flexible tone from it. The existing tone is the perfect foundation to build on, I just want to sculpt it.

 

[Jamvan]

I appreciate your comments, I do love the sound of the 55-14, I don't want to turn it into a Jazz, even though I hinted at it. I am just looking to get a more flexible tone from it. The existing tone is the perfect foundation to build on, I just want to sculpt it.

Two words: outboard gear.

With that said, my 55-14 (LH3) has an alder body and I find it a little bit darker yet punchier than my 55-94 with ash. I can get my 55-94 (LH3) to sound convincingly like a jazz bass with the rear split to the bridge and have used it to cop a jazz tone on several recordings (that unfortunately gets mixed away in the final mix). I really appreciate the 55-14 for its punch but I can’t get it to sound as jazz-like.

Either way, I’m likely running through some external preamp as well to give some additional tone-shaping options as the pursuit of finding alternative pickups and onboard pres can be endless (unless you have the old xx-01s where most anything is better than the original OEM Bart MK1s.

Just (much more than) my two cents.

 

[Deleted member 394512]

I have a 55-14, and love how it plays, kicked my Sadowsky to a backup. The 55-14 however while being incredible to play, the tone is a little bland. I'm debating either swapping out the pickups or preamp. Something with a little more growl or bite to get it to sound a bit more like a Jazz bass.

I was thinking of swapping the preamp (John East Uni-5 or Nordstrand 3B-5B) as the EQ points on the LH3 aren't the best for me, would like something in the 4-5k range for the treble, and sweepable mids would be a bonus. I do have plenty of pedals to tone sculpt however, EQs and preamp, so not sure if this is the best bang for the buck.

For pickups, I was thinking of going with Nordstrand, but not entirely sure which model. Though I fear that even if I upgrade the pickups, they are still going through the preamp which will inflict it's character on it and negate some of the enhancements.

I'm stuck in a chicken and egg loop that I can't reason myself out of. Any suggestions?

I appreciate your comments, I do love the sound of the 55-14, I don't want to turn it into a Jazz, even though I hinted at it. I am just looking to get a more flexible tone from it. The existing tone is the perfect foundation to build on, I just want to sculpt it.

I would install the John East UniPre 5 in it. I was not happy with the LH3 from the get go. The J. East fixed that. Funny thing is though, I run the new pre flat 99% of the time. I pretty much only use the passive tone control. I thought I would end up swapping the pickups too but always do one change at a time. I am quite happy with my 44-94 now. No further changed needed other than some custom wood knobs.