I have no affiliation with them other than that’s where I got my US 44-60. The owner is cool and he has a good relationship with Lākland, which is why he’s one of the very few dealers that stocks new US models. I’d recommend buying from them.
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I took a chance and bought a Lakland bridge on Reverb with a dealer in Indonesia. It arrived just today it got here within 7 days. Holes lined up except one other two holes matched up on this Warmoth body. Just put strings on and getting ready to tune and set it up and check intonation. Everything seemed to line up and exactly 17 inches from 12 fret to bridge saddles. One of the pictures shows where had to drill one hole at E string position saddle.
I bought my DJ-4 from Midlothian. Was a very good sale and got a very good deal. I would also recommend.
I asked Brian,at Lakland about buying a bridge for the Lakland/Warmoth bass,and he said it had to a direct replacement. So I did a search on Reverb and there were Lakland bridges for sale even for the 5 string basses,black or chrome.
Well I did it. Bought a used 55-60 from Guitar Center. Was listed in Fair condition with cosmetic damage, looks like it's missing the tone knob, and is generally dirty, but otherwise looks in OK condition. Looks like it definitely needs a new set of strings. But for just over $500 out the door couldn't pass it up. I've been wanting to try a straight Jazz Lakland to compare to my 55-14, and while I know the quality won't be the same, the general tone should be in the same ballpark as a new Skyline or USA jazz.
Really this is a way for me to test a 55-60, and see if I like it before I pony up and get a real USA made Lakland. Would have preferred to get a DJ5, but those seem to be rather rare, and except for the body differences, seem to be the same electronics for both.
Anyways, here's some non-glamour shots of this hunk o junk before I clean it up and see if it's playable.
Really this is a way for me to test a 55-60, and see if I like it before I pony up and get a real USA made Lakland. Would have preferred to get a DJ5, but those seem to be rather rare, and except for the body differences, seem to be the same electronics for both.
Anyways, here's some non-glamour shots of this hunk o junk before I clean it up and see if it's playable.
That one has been rode hard for sure, but at that price, I would have picked it up too. Hope it cleans up well and plays great!
The “rode hard” basses are sometimes the best ones. They were played because they were good players. Closet queens sometimes get relegated to that position for a reason.
Congrats!
$500 huh?
What a steal
That means the poor guy who sold it guy $300 or less ...
I had a couple of each way back, the Bartolini pickups were smoother and more polite sounding - very nice. The Duncan Basslines were more aggressive sounding with a bit more output and growl. My favorite was a Classic 55-94 with alder body and Duncan pickups.
That's what I'm hoping, but time will tell. I can always return it and just be out the $25 for shipping, which honestly is worth it to just trial a bass.
Already got new strings and a new set of knobs en route to slap on this when it shows up. If I do end up keeping it will get a new pickguard as well.
A tale of two Laklands. Played two songs with two bands (one mine) at an awards show this past weekend and decided to mix things up a bit.
Brought out the 55-02 for the group I sat in with as their bass player couldn’t make it.
And used my trusty “Old Glory” with my band.
Ran them both plugged directly into the same rig (Milkman 800 into a 2/15 Fender cab) and listening to the audio, they both sounded…exactly the same and exactly how I always sound.
Makes me wonder why I chase tone so much. Gah!
Brought out the 55-02 for the group I sat in with as their bass player couldn’t make it.
And used my trusty “Old Glory” with my band.
Ran them both plugged directly into the same rig (Milkman 800 into a 2/15 Fender cab) and listening to the audio, they both sounded…exactly the same and exactly how I always sound.
Makes me wonder why I chase tone so much. Gah!
A tale of two Laklands. Played two songs with two bands (one mine) at an awards show this past weekend and decided to mix things up a bit.
Brought out the 55-02 for the group I sat in with as their bass player couldn’t make it.
View attachment 5433245
And used my trusty “Old Glory” with my band.
View attachment 5433246
Ran them both plugged directly into the same rig (Milkman 800 into a 2/15 Fender cab) and listening to the audio, they both sounded…exactly the same and exactly how I always sound.
Makes me wonder why I chase tone so much. Gah!
Great pics!
deepestend
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I have an old 4 string lakland bridge that I'm going to put in the classifieds... does anyone know if there might be any interest and what that might be worth? Just doing some spring cleaning and making up for some pedal purchases.
- Jan 2, 2006
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If your an active kinda cat, maybe throw in an East pre??
It’s kinda crazy how that happens, huh?A tale of two Laklands. Played two songs with two bands (one mine) at an awards show this past weekend and decided to mix things up a bit.
Brought out the 55-02 for the group I sat in with as their bass player couldn’t make it.
View attachment 5433245
And used my trusty “Old Glory” with my band.
View attachment 5433246
Ran them both plugged directly into the same rig (Milkman 800 into a 2/15 Fender cab) and listening to the audio, they both sounded…exactly the same and exactly how I always sound.
Makes me wonder why I chase tone so much. Gah!
I can play my 4-94, my Ric, my Pedulla MVP, a P bass, my Stingray… and unless I’m slapping (which is very rare) they all sound pretty much the same, in the live band mix.
Two fantastic photos Jamvan. "Old Glory" has active electronics in it, correct? If so, what kind. Like you, I have that same combo but in the 4 string version. And my DJ 4 does not sound like my 44-02. At least not when recording. Thanks.A tale of two Laklands. Played two songs with two bands (one mine) at an awards show this past weekend and decided to mix things up a bit.
Brought out the 55-02 for the group I sat in with as their bass player couldn’t make it.
View attachment 5433245
And used my trusty “Old Glory” with my band.
View attachment 5433246
Ran them both plugged directly into the same rig (Milkman 800 into a 2/15 Fender cab) and listening to the audio, they both sounded…exactly the same and exactly how I always sound.
Makes me wonder why I chase tone so much. Gah!
Yea. I have an Audere Pro-JZ3 4 band in it.
And I was running my 55-02 with the rear pickup split to the rear coil so while my basses should have sounded similar. The fact I didn’t have any of my outboard gear and was running through a rig I’d never used before and it imparted no change to my live sound over how i normally sound was a wee bit disappointing.
Recording starts out with very different sounds for me but my experience is those nuances usually get mixed away.
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I've experienced the same. Very different basses at home wind up sounding more alike than different in the mix (but both sounding good!). Doesn't seem to stop me from chasing those tonal nuances though.
My Lakland DJ5 (year 2006) is one of my three go-to five strings. I bought this as a new 2006 and only modification is black pickguard. It’s a great instrument in my collection five strings (ESP Amaze 5 sl, Modulus Quantum 5 Spi, Yamaha TRB1 with Glockenklang electronics active/passive.) Musical, great sound and looks good!
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