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Hi guys. Thinking about getting into the Lakland camp to see what it's all about. Actually I did own a DJ4 Skyline once that I thought was pretty cool. Right now I'm considering either a 94 or AJ series. Anybody know anything about the US 44-AJ at a guitar center in New Jersey? Used Lakland USA Series 44-AJ Apple Red Transparent Electric Bass Guitar Apple Red Transparent | Guitar Center
Currently I play a US Sadowsky vintage JJ. Curious if anybody can tell me what differences I might expect out of the AJ. I'm sure it would be more similar than a 44-94.
Currently I play a US Sadowsky vintage JJ. Curious if anybody can tell me what differences I might expect out of the AJ. I'm sure it would be more similar than a 44-94.
I don't but will say that buying from GC used is a low harm process because there is a generous return period and it can be returned to your local GC. So if you are interested take the leap!
Been eyeing that for a while, but haven't seen it in person.
It comes with the LH-3 preamp from the factory, but you can always install the Sadowsky pre if you're more familiar with that. I actually did that to my 55-AJ for a while.
Honestly the thing that has me hesitating the most is that I think it will be too much like my Sadowsky and it might be a better idea to go with something completely different like a 55 or 44-94. I'm not much of a bridge pickup guy but maybe the fat humbucker might persuade me. There is a very nice 55-14 on the verb for what seems like a reasonable price. Only slight issue is that I'm not a huge fan of the 94 series body shape. Ah, just musing at this point but I'll definitely be picking something up as soon as I find the right one.
I really love and appreciate Lakeland the USA Series 55 AJ Jazz bass. How does it compare to a Fender Ultra 2 and Sadowsky MetroLine Vintage jazz bass? I know they are all great sounding basses and you can't go wrong with any of them. But what certain characteristics does the Lakeland have that makes it different from the other 2? I know the Sadowsky is a little more modern sounding over Fender but I'm not clear on how the Lakeland character and design is different.
The strength of the -94 is that you can split that bridge pickup so you have a ton of tone options with it. Or you can not use it....but I bet you would. I can't help with the second part because I happen to love the body shape.
Did that this Sunday for several songs that needed different tones ...
I'd like to comment since I have a 5560 which is very similar ( essentially the same as) a 55 AJ but I've never played a Sadowski and mine is fretless... So I cannot.
I can say that I love the sound!
It is more modern sounding than a passive 5560 of which I have owned a "few"
Peace out
Doug ( aka "doude")
I can say that I love the sound!
It is more modern sounding than a passive 5560 of which I have owned a "few"
Peace out
Doug ( aka "doude")
In my opinion, you can't compare production instruments like the Metroline and the Fender Ultra with a custom shop US Lakland. The US Laklands are on a different league, in the company of shops such as Mike Lull and Sadowsky NYC. I had two 5-string Metrolines, excellent instruments, very nicely built, they couldn't hold a candle to my US Laklands.
Build quality aside, the key difference is that the Lakland is a 35 inch scale instrument, and that changes how it feels, how you play it, and how it sounds. To me, the necks on the Laklands feel more like home. Maybe I haven't spent too much time with the Fenders (only had one for a little while). Sound wise, the Lakland has the vintage vibe but with more punch. Even the "vintage" Sadowsky sounds modern to me.
Joeykun
pronounced ジョーイくん
- Jun 22, 2007
- 4,200
- 16,151
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: LAKLAND SADOWSKY GENZLER DARKGLASS NORDSTRAND TEMPLEBOARD KIRLIN DRSTRINGS ACCESS
I have 2 USA 55-AJs & a NYC Sadowsky Standard 4. The Lakland Single Coil pickups real are clear on the high end. The Sadowsky pups have more mids but the preamp has more bite than the LH3. I swapped out the pre's in my AJs to the Nordstrand 2B+ pre. They are similar to the Sadowsky pre. The necks on the Laklands are amazing!! The 55-AJs are my personal favorites out of the Lakland lineup. The JJ tone works best for my tone goals. Even though they are similar to the Sadowsky, they are different!
Thank you!
That's exactly what he needed to know.
And those two basses are absolutely beautiful.
Wow, that's a heck of a collection there! I have a feeling a US 55-AJ would be the perfect companion for my NYC Sadowsky. Not easy to find though. Do they pop up on the used market at all? Probably be best to go straight to Lakland.
Early 2007. Back then they were not called 44-60s yet, it was the Joe Osborn model.
Alright. A friend of mine just bought a JO from July 2007 (I guess, the serial starts with 0707) so that probably already has the Lakland pickups. Very good bass, tough. My USA JOs are better of course, but this is amazing value.
The red bass looks amazing.
Thanks for the input on Lakeland. So they have a slightly more vintage sound and Sadowsky is modern?
Why did you swap out the pre amp in your bass?
