Lakland Owners Group #69

[Green Knight]

Wow, this thing is reaching legendary status for how determined previous owners were attempting to make this work. Interesting modifications though. It would have been cool to have demos for each pickup configuration to hear the differences.

There are some videos out there. The consensus seems to be the J, P, and MM sounds are close enough, with most favouring the PJ—go figure—and that it has more, er, gonads to its tones than the more hi-fi Fishman version of the same gimmick.

I think 35” scale, like fanned frets, is something many people try for a bit but give up before their muscles can make new memories.

 

[kiat]

Those look like Lakland steels.

Also, is it just me or is the middle string ferrule out of alignment?

Thanks @Jamvan. Not sure what you mean by ferrule or which alignment. Do you mean the middle string at the bridge? The height of the string there?

 

[Jamvan]

Thanks @Jamvan. Not sure what you mean by ferrule or which alignment. Do you mean the middle string at the bridge? The height of the string there?

The ferrules are the metal sleeves for the string through holes. The middle one looks off center which is uncharacteristic for a Lakland so wasn’t sure if it was just the angle or some other photographic anomaly.

Here’s your photo with a straight edge lined up in the middle of each hole so you can see it better.

 

[masoncole]

Looking to purchase a Joe Osborn USA 4 string. Prefer a 2005 or older model but open to other years. PM here if you have one you’d like to move.

 

[macribas]

Looking to purchase a Joe Osborn USA 4 string. Prefer a 2005 or older model but open to other years. PM here if you have one you’d like to move.

Good luck on your search. Might also want to post in the Wanted section. More eyes, I think. Why the specific cutover date?

 

[Green Knight]

Got my Sims-equipped Lakky today! Action is the lowest I’ve played … it really doesn’t feel 35” scale. B string sounds great! Blue light on bridge pickup doesn’t come on though ..not sure how ocd I’ll get about that.

 

[JB Player]

Got my Sims-equipped Lakky today! Action is the lowest I’ve played … it really doesn’t feel 35” scale. B string sounds great! Blue light on bridge pickup doesn’t come on though ..not sure how ocd I’ll get about that.

Congrats!! love low action - pictures if able

 

[Green Knight]

This is a crazy playable bass for 35” … the reach feels much closer

Congrats!! love low action - pictures if able

it was too low! Perfectly set up … for Flea! I raised the saddles a bit so I can play finger style a wee bit harder, but it’s still crazy low. No truss adjustment required after a week of trucking… UPS/CP has been very good to me lately!

 

[Green Knight]

The Sims pickups are really cool too. Don’t know if I’ll keep it—depends how often I use the B—but right now it’s huge amounts of fun to fly all over the neck, which is insanely player-friendly, and fiddle with settings. I like double MM so far. Wilkins did a killer job refinishing the headstock, which had been subject to a botched repaint almost immediately upon purchase in 2018.

 

[ejschultz]

This is a crazy playable bass for 35” … the reach feels much closer

it was too low! Perfectly set up … for Flea! I raised the saddles a bit so I can play finger style a wee bit harder, but it’s still crazy low. No truss adjustment required after a week of trucking… UPS/CP has been very good to me lately!

What’s too low for you? I usually aim for pretty low action.

 

[Green Knight]

What’s too low for you? I usually aim for pretty low action.

Too low to pluck even a little enthusiastically without buzzing

 

[kokorollc]

I recently picked up a “newer” 55-94. I’ve had two others over the years that I loved. One late 90s other maybe 2003. I was part of the school of older is better. Well, I was wrong. Played it on first gig today. Same great feel. Perfect balance (sitting) it’s heavy. But holy crap. I’ve never played anything with the low end focus/precision of this thing. I have it posted now on talkbass but it will be coming down. I listed it because I haven’t been playing a ton of 5. This will now be my number 1. The Lakland/hansen pickups are a game changer. I never expected this. They have so much more grit and character than the original Barts (which are great!!). I played half the day on the front pickup with a truly convincing P tone. Anyone that’s ever played one knows you can’t achieve that with the Bartolinis. Only way I would sell/trade this thing is for an older/lighter 55-94 classic with a guard. You can keep your original Bart pickups because I would immediately replace them with the new pickups and pre. Didn’t see this one coming. Props to the crew at Lakland/Hansen

 

[Green Knight]

These 55-94 necks are magic. I’m flying around like I’m playing a Mustang. I got thin strings yet good tension. Sounds as good passive as active. I may have to put googly eye stickers on these crazy lights on the Sims(es) tho.

 

[BassAgent]

Left: my JO from 2004. Right: my new (to me) JO5 from 2003. Absolute beasts of basses.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Hi all, just posting my most recent acquisition- US 4464 with 1.5" nut. This one's tuned down a half step to Eb. A couple of the groups I work with tune that way including one of my main gigs. A couple observations: this neck feels slightly chunkier than my workhorse US 4460 (also 1.5 nut). The body contours aren't as 'dramatic' compared to my Fender Precision and aforementioned 4460. It's on the lighter side too (not that I care). Tone is outstanding! I love how the upper notes don't ever get lost; they really pop. I had a blue one just like this that I sold to fund a vintage 1962 jazz bass a few years back. So glad this one popped up for sale!

 

[basspraiser]

View attachment 5491647 Hi all, just posting my most recent acquisition- US 4464 with 1.5" nut. This one's tuned down a half step to Eb. A couple of the groups I work with tune that way including one of my main gigs. A couple observations: this neck feels slightly chunkier than my workhorse US 4460 (also 1.5 nut). The body contours aren't as 'dramatic' compared to my Fender Precision and aforementioned 4460. It's on the lighter side too (not that I care). Tone is outstanding! I love how the upper notes don't ever get lost; they really pop. I had a blue one just like this that I sold to fund a vintage 1962 jazz bass a few years back. So glad this one popped up for sale!

Great looker!

 

[FoghornLeghorn]

View attachment 5491647 Hi all, just posting my most recent acquisition- US 4464 with 1.5" nut. This one's tuned down a half step to Eb. A couple of the groups I work with tune that way including one of my main gigs. A couple observations: this neck feels slightly chunkier than my workhorse US 4460 (also 1.5 nut). The body contours aren't as 'dramatic' compared to my Fender Precision and aforementioned 4460. It's on the lighter side too (not that I care). Tone is outstanding! I love how the upper notes don't ever get lost; they really pop. I had a blue one just like this that I sold to fund a vintage 1962 jazz bass a few years back. So glad this one popped up for sale!

Enjoy!!! That’s exactly the next model and color I’m looking for, with the OEM P nut width. Play that thang in good health. Congratulations!!

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

View attachment 5491647 Hi all, just posting my most recent acquisition- US 4464 with 1.5" nut. This one's tuned down a half step to Eb. A couple of the groups I work with tune that way including one of my main gigs. A couple observations: this neck feels slightly chunkier than my workhorse US 4460 (also 1.5 nut). The body contours aren't as 'dramatic' compared to my Fender Precision and aforementioned 4460. It's on the lighter side too (not that I care). Tone is outstanding! I love how the upper notes don't ever get lost; they really pop. I had a blue one just like this that I sold to fund a vintage 1962 jazz bass a few years back. So glad this one popped up for sale!

Just curious, you say it's on the lighter side. How much does it weigh? I've been looking at Skyline 44-64s and they are all 10 lbs. and more. Because of that, I ended up getting a Fender Am Pro II. Just picked it up yesterday.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Just curious, you say it's on the lighter side. How much does it weigh? I've been looking at Skyline 44-64s and they are all 10 lbs. and more. Because of that, I ended up getting a Fender Am Pro II. Just picked it up yesterday.

I've never put it on a scale but it's lighter than my us 4460. In the past I've used the Comfort Strapp with heavier bass. The difference is night and day

 

[macribas]

Just curious, you say it's on the lighter side. How much does it weigh? I've been looking at Skyline 44-64s and they are all 10 lbs. and more. Because of that, I ended up getting a Fender Am Pro II. Just picked it up yesterday.

A traitor!

If I knew that you'd defect, I would have offered you my D. Lakin Glaub. At least it is in the family.