Lakland Owners Group #69

[macribas]

What do you think of the slap tone on the 5 string cobalt flats?

Awesome.

 

[macribas]

55-60 vs DJ5
Is the pickup spacing different between the 2?
Who has some pros or cons for one over the other?

Of great interest to me too.

I did a search and found that the pickup placing is indeed different but no one is saying in what way they are different.

I used to own a DJ5 and have demoed plenty of 55-60s. There will be a lot of commonalities such as the neck dimensions, upper fret access, and the pickups used which I think are Lakland single coils used in both (unless you request a different make). For me, the DJ5s slightly downsized body shape and elongated upper horn (compared to the 55-60) was very comfortable. I think that would be a big pro, especially if you could find one with a nice weight (less than or equal to 9 lbs). I don't know about the pickup spacing; I think both have the 60s jazz bass spacing. I do not own the DJ5 anymore. I have a DJ4 and a 44-60 and there are more differences between those models than the 5 strings. Oh and as far as aesthetics go, if your a bound and block person, the DJs will always have them, whereas the 55-60s may or may not depending on which one you find.

I could be wrong since it has been several years since I had this conversation on this. I was told that the DJ was setup with 70's spacing and the 44/55-60 were set up with 60's J bass spacing. I want to say it was someone at Lakland that told me, but it has been at least 10 years ago that I recall.

Yeah, I'm not sure on the 5 strings. Not even certain on the 4 strings. I do know that my DJ4 has 70's spacing compared to the 60's spacing on my 44-60. But all of this may have changed.

True dat

And yes...

DJ = 70 spacing and a smaller body

44/55-60 = 60s spacing

Had both... Loved both..

This is an urban legend that has been debunked in the past but seems to come back. We need to kill it today.

55-60s and DJ5s both have the same pickup spacing, Approximately 3.6" apart. Here are crappy pics I just took for confirmation.

55-60 (JO5):

DJ5:

 

[JEDI BASS]

Not asked of me, but I've slapped cobalt flats a lot. They've been on my Lakland 4-94 (tuned BEAD), Stingray (EADG), and several other basses (EADG and 1/2 step down). They sound fantastic, until they don't... very roundwound-ish. It's too bad that I can't find new sets for around 20 bucks anymore, since they rust so quickly for me. And, don't ask about the rust issue. I've discussed it at length elsewhere and won't go into it here. Clean hands, no sweat....blah blah blah. So, I'm moving on to other brands now.

 

[Si-bob]

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.

Thanks very much, only just seen your reply.
Yeah I have a US 44-PJ, so I’m kinda expecting the Dual J to be the same, but with a straight Jazz tone.
Did you notice any particular differences between your Classic and US Custom? (Accepting that they’re both essentially US basses).

Cheers
Si

 

[macribas]

Thanks very much, only just seen your reply.
Yeah I have a US 44-PJ, so I’m kinda expecting the Dual J to be the same, but with a straight Jazz tone.
Did you notice any particular differences between your Classic and US Custom? (Accepting that they’re both essentially US basses).

Cheers
Si

No problem!

I think our very own @Jamvan has the best post about the differences between the Classic and the USA Series.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/lakland-owners-group-69.1056364/page-966#post-27813469

 

[Jamvan]

No problem!

I think our very own @Jamvan has the best post about the differences between the Classic and the USA Series.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/lakland-owners-group-69.1056364/page-966#post-27813469

I wish I could go back and edit the original post as I neglected to point out a big difference in the neck/headstock between Skyline and US versions. Skylines have a 17mm thick headstock compared to 19mm for the US versions. US versions also leave much more wood beneath the nut before tapering to the neck, making it feel very different in the hand. I have to believe it also adds some tonal clarity due to improved vibration transfer in this critical area.

You'll have to bookmark this post as well, @macribas.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

I wish I could go back and edit the original post as I neglected to point out a big difference in the neck/headstock between Skyline and US versions. Skylines have a 17mm thick headstock compared to 19mm for the US versions. US versions also leave much more wood beneath the nut before tapering to the neck, making it feel very different in the hand. I have to believe it also adds some tonal clarity due to improved vibration transfer in this critical area.

View attachment 5314865

You'll have to bookmark this post as well, @macribas.

Ah, so that is why the fretboard on USA models goes further up the headstock past the nut.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Skylines have a 17mm thick headstock compared to 19mm for the US versions.
View attachment 5314865

Love the way the US necks are built! Very solid where they need to be.

 

[Bass Ape]

My DJ had a neck that looked more like the US classic in your image. Hard to see the carve in mine though

 

[Jamvan]

My DJ had a neck that looked more like the US classic in your image. Hard to see the carve in mine though
View attachment 5315012

The Skylines have the taper (like yours is showing) but it’s further up the headstock and not as pronounced as the US models. Here’s my skyline showing a similar taper to yours from the back but it does not extend down beneath the nut.

 

[Udawwgy]

Always good to see Uriah Duffy shredding on a 55-94. Sounds good with those Barts!

WOW- Thanks for posting this man! I didn't really nail the solo part here as we opted to go with this take- and we were all pretty rushed, but hey, it's a recording and it's out there. Yup- been returning to this bass time and time again. Hoping to convince Lakland to make me a custom bass, now that after 25 years of this one, I think I finally know what I want! This was Lakland 55-94 (1999) into the Noble preamp. Cheers!

 

[basspraiser]

WOW- Thanks for posting this man! I didn't really nail the solo part here as we opted to go with this take- and we were all pretty rushed, but hey, it's a recording and it's out there. Yup- been returning to this bass time and time again. Hoping to convince Lakland to make me a custom bass, now that after 25 years of this one, I think I finally know what I want! This was Lakland 55-94 (1999) into the Noble preamp. Cheers!

Thank you this posting!

The song is great

Would love to hear the specs on a custom!

 

[IvanBassist]

WOW- Thanks for posting this man! I didn't really nail the solo part here as we opted to go with this take- and we were all pretty rushed, but hey, it's a recording and it's out there. Yup- been returning to this bass time and time again. Hoping to convince Lakland to make me a custom bass, now that after 25 years of this one, I think I finally know what I want! This was Lakland 55-94 (1999) into the Noble preamp. Cheers!

What a tone!

 

[g4string]

WOW- Thanks for posting this man! I didn't really nail the solo part here as we opted to go with this take- and we were all pretty rushed, but hey, it's a recording and it's out there. Yup- been returning to this bass time and time again. Hoping to convince Lakland to make me a custom bass, now that after 25 years of this one, I think I finally know what I want! This was Lakland 55-94 (1999) into the Noble preamp. Cheers!

There really is something magical about the late 90's early 00's Lakland. What would you want from a custom Lakland that you cant find or modify?

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Hot stuff coming through!!! Digging the bumblebee black & gold hardware…

Lākland Basses on Instagram: "Some Buckeye Burl and figured maple eye-candy for your Tuesday morning! "

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Hot indeed! Black and gold hardware was hot!

 

[MaxSpinrun]

There really is something magical about the late 90's early 00's Lakland. What would you want from a custom Lakland that you cant find or modify?

I would want a custom 44-07.

 

[Z-Bass]

Hot stuff coming through!!! Digging the bumblebee black & gold hardware…

Lākland Basses on Instagram: "Some Buckeye Burl and figured maple eye-candy for your Tuesday morning! "

The flame on that neck is insane!

 

[Z-Bass]

I would want a custom 44-07.

I forgot about those 44-07s. Yes, that would be a very cool and different.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

What is a 44-07?