Added a Classic 44-60 in Shell Pink today (custom ordered with a 1.6 nut width) to my Classic 44-64 in LPB.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Great looking basses! Love the shell pink 44-60. The 1.6 nut width, is that Lakland's "tweener" neck?
Yeah, that's their tweener. I think they also put that neck in the 44 dual J but I really wanted the 44-60. Turned out great and worth the wait.
Thanks Doug, dear friend!
I was hoping to see you again and was very disappointed when I didn't see you here at first. How have you been?
Is that a Carlo in your avatar? And also something reminding me of my voyage oh twenty years ago already
Nooo, as I said above I've been Laklandless (lack-lakland?) for quite a while, I think, 7 years or so. Was only playing guitar and sold all my basses (well, by that point all my basses been all Laklands for a long time anyway
). Recently I was invited in a band - but as a bass player, have acquired 2 cheap basses but what I really long for is a 55-94 or 55-02I sold Nessie long ago. She was outstanding in every way, and had my very most favorite neck of all Laklands I ever had, but she was too different. I just didn't play any music that her unique sound would fit into. I always thought she would make a great fretted but never dared to do the blasphemy. The next owner did dare though, he installed bell brass frets and that stompbox LH-3 preamp Carl had built for me.
The bass changed hands twice since, but it was always a close circle of Lakland addicts. Actually, the guy who owns the fretted & active Nessie now also owned my old beaten 55-94 (and is selling back its old beaten bridge to me, ha ha )
Last edited:
It all started one summer night when I got a set of new Aguilar 5J-HC pickups for my DJ5 in the mail (shout out to Fat Bass Tone for guidance and excellent customer service). Excited to put them on, I took off the pickguard, threw it on the couch and took the bass to the garage and began to shield and swap. Upon finishing, I came back to look for the pickguard, but it wasn't on the couch, it was on the floor.
"No big deal" I thought, but upon picking it up I realized the house canine, Dr. Beverly "Hills" Crusher, thought it looked more like a chew toy than the finishing touch on my beloved. It wasn't too bad, a little mangled, but I could make it fit, that's when I realized the top layer of plastic film, not the protective kind, but a layer that makes up the pearl was coming up in big chunks. I tried to peel it off as best I could and make it uniform, but the damage was done, the smooth finish layer was gone and what was under was a sticky matte surface that just attracted dirt and grime.
The offender knows no shame...
After some digging, it seems that no one stocks Lakland DJ5 pick guards, and I didn't trust mine to make a tracing since it was misshaped. I was talking to my brother in law, who helps man the CNC machine at the local high school, and decided to take this on myself. After a few tracings, some photoshop, and printing out several revisions and cutting them to make sure they lined up, I was ready to have him make a template and cut a pick guard using a cheap Amazon tortoise shell blank.
Initial fit was great, then it came time to put a bevel on it. I recently acquired a router, so this was the perfect project to try it out. Didn't turn out perfectly, but I'll be darned if those aren't some tight corners on the upper bouts. The bevel was cut with a 45 degree bit, and I actually wonder if I should go to a steeper angle for my next attempt. From more than 3 feet away you don't notice, but I have enough material left over I can do another, and blank pickguard material is $20 a sheet for the cheap stuff, and I can get 2 out of each sheet. Was able to drill some holes with an 1/8 drill bit and counter sunk with the router. My hole placement was a little off, but was able to remedy.
All said and done, it's not perfect, but it ain't slop either. The red tortoise shell really makes it pop
Now I'm wondering if I should just get some thin sheet metal, anodized to some color, and use that, then not have to worry about beveling.
Zero Mod thumbrest. Highly recommend if you ever are in need of a thumb rest. Non-permanent and easily removeable.
Old guard and template, you can see how it was attracting dirt without the smooth top layer, and this was only about a month of use.
Before
"No big deal" I thought, but upon picking it up I realized the house canine, Dr. Beverly "Hills" Crusher, thought it looked more like a chew toy than the finishing touch on my beloved. It wasn't too bad, a little mangled, but I could make it fit, that's when I realized the top layer of plastic film, not the protective kind, but a layer that makes up the pearl was coming up in big chunks. I tried to peel it off as best I could and make it uniform, but the damage was done, the smooth finish layer was gone and what was under was a sticky matte surface that just attracted dirt and grime.
The offender knows no shame...
After some digging, it seems that no one stocks Lakland DJ5 pick guards, and I didn't trust mine to make a tracing since it was misshaped. I was talking to my brother in law, who helps man the CNC machine at the local high school, and decided to take this on myself. After a few tracings, some photoshop, and printing out several revisions and cutting them to make sure they lined up, I was ready to have him make a template and cut a pick guard using a cheap Amazon tortoise shell blank.
Initial fit was great, then it came time to put a bevel on it. I recently acquired a router, so this was the perfect project to try it out. Didn't turn out perfectly, but I'll be darned if those aren't some tight corners on the upper bouts. The bevel was cut with a 45 degree bit, and I actually wonder if I should go to a steeper angle for my next attempt. From more than 3 feet away you don't notice, but I have enough material left over I can do another, and blank pickguard material is $20 a sheet for the cheap stuff, and I can get 2 out of each sheet. Was able to drill some holes with an 1/8 drill bit and counter sunk with the router. My hole placement was a little off, but was able to remedy.
All said and done, it's not perfect, but it ain't slop either. The red tortoise shell really makes it pop
Now I'm wondering if I should just get some thin sheet metal, anodized to some color, and use that, then not have to worry about beveling.
Zero Mod thumbrest. Highly recommend if you ever are in need of a thumb rest. Non-permanent and easily removeable.
Old guard and template, you can see how it was attracting dirt without the smooth top layer, and this was only about a month of use.
Before
Denis
Great to see you again.
Yes... That's one of several Carlos I currently own
Will be playing it Sunday (even though it's technically "Banned" by the Bears loving band leader!)
Great to see you again.
Yes... That's one of several Carlos I currently own
Will be playing it Sunday (even though it's technically "Banned" by the Bears loving band leader!)
That's right!Nooo, as I said above I've been Laklandless (lack-lakland?) for quite a while, I think, 7 years or so. Was only playing guitar and sold all my basses (well, by that point all my basses been all Laklands for a long time anyway
I sold Nessie long ago. She was outstanding in every way, and had my very most favorite neck of all Laklands I ever had, but she was too different. I just didn't play any music that her unique sound would fit into. I always thought she would make a great fretted but never dared to do the blasphemy. The next owner did dare though, he installed bell brass frets and that stompbox LH-3 preamp Carl had built for me.
The bass changed hands twice since, but it was always a close circle of Lakland addicts. Actually, the guy who owns the fretted & active Nessie now also owned my old beaten 55-94 (and is selling back its old beaten bridge to me, ha ha )
Forgot her name!
Shame it's no longer a fretless... Very unique sounding bass for sure!
Glad you are still musically active.... Even though it's not bass.....ha!
Way to go!
Looks like you learned along the way so a win win!
resonates with my coming to my friend's family in Green Bay 20 yrs ago. Didn't go to a game but did see the stadium
my younger brother used to have a Packers sweatshirt
How's Carl doing? Is he still active? that gorgeous man
exactly! I just couldn't dare to change anything about her
well, she's having love and playtime, isnt't that her best destiny?
yeah, glad to be alive in each way, lol
I WAS not in bass for , like, 7 yrs, but now back to bass again. Have two cheap but unteresting basses now, but alas not a Lakland yet!
My brother got my old custom LH-3 MME/MME overwound 5-string set for me, and a my old USA 55 bridge may be coming to me as well. I'll see what I can do, maybe a Skyline Japan ugrade or something. Almost sold my main guitar to finance a Skyline recently, oh well
Last edited:
After some time, I had a chance to grab early Glaub (BG2xx) in excellent shape - even though I have a lot of Pbasses, I could resist - these are very hard to find in EU nowadays. So I share a few pics with you - it really is beauty, I especially dig the parchment guard - there are usually much whiter. The rest - sound, craftsmanship, effortless play etc - does not have to be mentioned anymore.
Hey ya'll!
It's been a while since I played a Lakland, but I'm in the market for a high-end Jazz, P Bass, or PJ style bass and I've been eyeing these Classic Aged "Relic" models on Sweetwater.
https://www.sweetwater.com/lakland-classic/series
I'm really loving the relic work on these and the weights don't seem too bad either. Plus, other nice things like easy trussrod access at the heel, and it's easy to see the dots on the side of the neck.
Unfortunately, I'm not seeing a whole lot of info about them - or I'm just bad at searching - so was curious if anyone here has played these models?
If so, how would you compare them to a similar relic-style classic bass like a Nash or a Fender Custom Shop, or Bluesman Vintage?
I'm mainly curious about neck feel and tone.
A few pics....
,
It's been a while since I played a Lakland, but I'm in the market for a high-end Jazz, P Bass, or PJ style bass and I've been eyeing these Classic Aged "Relic" models on Sweetwater.
https://www.sweetwater.com/lakland-classic/series
I'm really loving the relic work on these and the weights don't seem too bad either. Plus, other nice things like easy trussrod access at the heel, and it's easy to see the dots on the side of the neck.
Unfortunately, I'm not seeing a whole lot of info about them - or I'm just bad at searching - so was curious if anyone here has played these models?
If so, how would you compare them to a similar relic-style classic bass like a Nash or a Fender Custom Shop, or Bluesman Vintage?
I'm mainly curious about neck feel and tone.
A few pics....
,
Can't tell you to much about them .. Except I like them.
I'm not a relic guy but these are tastefully done!
Also... They are exclusive sweetwater.... Correct!?
You can't go wrong with them at all!
They one... Try it .. If you don't like it I believe they have a return policy
Sweetwater has a pretty decent return policy. You’ll lose the return shipping, that’s it. But I believe it’s 30 days to try it out. I’ve returned a few basses I ordered from them in the past. My sales engineer probably hates when I place an order. I’ve made the 3 and a half hour trek out to Fort Wayne to try stuff out there as well. I usually leave with a few packs of strings. I have had a bass or two follow me home from there as well.
I've yet to go there... Always order online or over the phone ..
I owned one of these relic'd 44-64 PJ's up until very recently. It was by far the best-playing bass I've ever owned, and it was heartbreaking to let go of it. As soon as I can afford it financially again, I plan on buying another.
The fretwork and build quality was immaculate, and the neck was hands-down the best neck I've ever played. It's smooth, fast, and incredibly stable. Since mine was a PJ, it had a jazz neck (I just don't get along with 1.75" P necks). You can just feel the labor and love put into the neck profile and playability.
Tonally, it was a PJ, nailing all 3 tones you'd expect from any Fender, Nash, etc. I had zero complaints about Lakland's in-house pickups, they gave me everything I could have wanted and expected. The only issue I ever had was that there was a little hum, so I had to shield the pickup cavities and back side of the pickguard.
As soon as I started playing it, I felt right at home. It just felt like it was meant to be in my hands, it felt broken in but not beaten, and it was inspiring and fun to play. You really won't be disappointed if you decide to buy it!
The fretwork and build quality was immaculate, and the neck was hands-down the best neck I've ever played. It's smooth, fast, and incredibly stable. Since mine was a PJ, it had a jazz neck (I just don't get along with 1.75" P necks). You can just feel the labor and love put into the neck profile and playability.
Tonally, it was a PJ, nailing all 3 tones you'd expect from any Fender, Nash, etc. I had zero complaints about Lakland's in-house pickups, they gave me everything I could have wanted and expected. The only issue I ever had was that there was a little hum, so I had to shield the pickup cavities and back side of the pickguard.
As soon as I started playing it, I felt right at home. It just felt like it was meant to be in my hands, it felt broken in but not beaten, and it was inspiring and fun to play. You really won't be disappointed if you decide to buy it!
