Lakland Owners Group #69

[marc40a]

That was very helpful and thank you. Following up on this, can anyone confirm if the center coil selector switch, for both coils active, has them in series or parallel? In digging around this morning I have not yet found the definitive answer. TY

I'm going to say parallel. Series would have a noticeable volume bump in comparison and it would change the interaction with the volume knob and the blend with front pickup.

I have another bass with a dual coil in the bridge that has a parallel/series switch, so I'm familiar.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

If I am correct, you can have it either way, I have mine in parallel.

 

[nervous]

If I am correct, you can have it either way, I have mine in parallel.

Good point and since it’s not stock, with the pickups replaced, I’ll have to look closer at the switch wiring and that will tell the story.

 

[JB Player]

For those of you who have had or know about the Classic Series vs Custom, is the feel and construction similar, specifically on the neck and overall weight of the bass? From what I can gather, it's the same custom build process outside of choice woods and appointments - I am considering a 55-14 the pice difference in CDN dollars is significant.

 

[macribas]

For those of you who have had or know about the Classic Series vs Custom, is the feel and construction similar, specifically on the neck and overall weight of the bass? From what I can gather, it's the same custom build process outside of choice woods and appointments - I am considering a 55-14 the pice difference in CDN dollars is significant.

Always good to refer to @Jamvan 's comparison below. That should answer your questions.

I don't know if this will help but it gave me a good reason to get them out side by side and do a visual comparison:

The Classic and the Skylines share the import Hipshot Lic. tuners as you can see here whereas the 55-94 is the US version.

View attachment 5195454

This is more evident from the front side as the US versions use a narrower shaft than the barrel shafts on the lic. version. The tuners, again, are the same on the Skyline and the US Classic so I've only taken a picture of the Classic in comparison to the US 55-94.

View attachment 5195459


I can not identify any visual differences between the bridges. I'd heard that the imports are supposedly inferior but short of dismantling my basses and measuring for weight and size, there is nothing visually apparent. Even the saddles appear to be similar.
View attachment 5195455

The backs of the basses show the most finishing distinction between the different models. The Skyline uses black pot metal(?) hardware to attach the neck whereas both the Classic and 55-94 use chrome. The battery box on the skyline is a Fishman box whereas the Classic and the 55-94 use a sturdier box. and the electronics cavity covers are attached via round headed Phillips screws screwed directly into the wood whereas the 55-94 uses flush mounted Phillips flat head machine screws that screw into inserts in the body. (Pay no mind to the dodgy looking cavity cover on the Classic as I still have the plastic on it and it's gotten bubbled up in a couple areas.) From what I can tell, the string ferrules are the same as well. At least no visual discernable difference.

View attachment 5195456

Taking the covers off reveals a world of difference in the electronics cavity. Between organization, shielding, and overall craftsmanship, the quality does not compare at all. (Note the inserts in the 55-94 cavity for the cover screws.)

View attachment 5195476

Now, from a general playing standpoint for me with these three examples, the 55-94 is the most enjoyable to play. Just a pleasure to have in my hands. I like the US Classics overall tone the best (likely Alder vs Ash but I won't go down that rabbit hole) and the Skyline is the lightest of them all coming in at 7lbs 14oz.

Again, not sure if this helps but it gives a good visual overview of the three different models.

 

[JB Player]

Great comparison - thanks for sharing! lots of great specifics about the hardware and build, really helpful. I always keep an eye out for a used 55-94, but so hard to score for a decent price in Canada - used prices are usually around $6500-$8000 CDN before taxes/shipping! My usual rant

 

[JB Player]

Well I think I will have to retract my ranting for another lifetime, here's a nice story to share if you care to read through it - today, I reached out to Brian at Lakland to inquire about the idea of buying direct with them vs my local dealer on a 55-14 or 55-94, just wanted a clearer idea what could be possible or not, once and for all for final costs to my door - I wasn't optimistic given the exchange rate, challenges with shipping costs, duties, etc. Not more than a few hours later and to my surprise, it wasn't Brian who responded, it was the man himself John Pirruccello! He was incredibly helpful and sympathetic, and wanted to work with me on getting that elusive bass. The timing was meant to be as they were just sealing up a 55-94 body with a quilted top, neck was near completed with a rosewood fretboard - it was not too late to choose a colour for the body - provided me with a great price on the particular build, included shipping. How could I say no to that? 55-94 quilted top in Ocean Blue Translucent with a rosewood fretboard is being completed, 2-3 week ETA. No more ranting! Pictures promise.

By the way, for those of you who know Brian, John told me tomorrow is his last day, he is retiring - Brian had taken over John's job/role at the time 25 years ago - although I interacted with him maybe a half dozen times, he was always so quick and helpful with all my questions over the last 6-7 years. I told John to wish him the best and thanked him for his great service, and as a member of the LOG too!

 

[68Goldfish]

Cool story. Can’t wait to see it. I grow fonder of my 55-94 every day.

 

[JB Player]

Thanks! I am pretty stoked, been on my hit list for awhile

 

[SCT1422]

Great company to deal with, and both Brian and John have great with customer service..

 

[68Goldfish]

All this talk about the 55-94 makes me want to share a pic of mine.

 

[jjk2007]

All this talk about the 55-94 makes me want to share a pic of mine.
View attachment 7451999

I'm a little fuzzy on the timeline....but I remember heading into the Mesa/Boogie store in Hollywood, CA somewhere around late 95 or maybe early 96 and got to talking to one of the employees who I guess handled the bass side of things. I was using a Stingray back then so he introduced me to a 'new company' they had linked up with. You guessed it....Lakland. I don't remember the timeframe but I do remember the bass....I played one very similar to this one and I was beyond impressed. He went through the controls and I remember he was telling me about how I could use the Lakland like a Stingray but also had the extra tonal options with the front p/u etc. I was a broke musician at the time (there's a joke in there somewhere) so there was no chance of buying one but it was cool getting my hands on some very early Laklands. Thanks for sharing a great pic!

 

[JB Player]

All this talk about the 55-94 makes me want to share a pic of mine.
View attachment 7451999

Beautiful - love the BEM board! I had a Carlo like that and had a nice flame back as well

 

[68Goldfish]

I'm a little fuzzy on the timeline....but I remember heading into the Mesa/Boogie store in Hollywood, CA somewhere around late 95 or maybe early 96 and got to talking to one of the employees who I guess handled the bass side of things. I was using a Stingray back then so he introduced me to a 'new company' they had linked up with. You guessed it....Lakland. I don't remember the timeframe but I do remember the bass....I played one very similar to this one and I was beyond impressed. He went through the controls and I remember he was telling me about how I could use the Lakland like a Stingray but also had the extra tonal options with the front p/u etc. I was a broke musician at the time (there's a joke in there somewhere) so there was no chance of buying one but it was cool getting my hands on some very early Laklands. Thanks for sharing a great pic!

Beautiful - love the BEM board! I had a Carlo like that and had a nice flame back as well

I feel like I got real lucky when I found this one. Only had it for a few months but I think it’s a keeper for life. I was looking for what I thought would be the quintessential Lakland and to my mind this 97 small Bart 55-94 fits that bill perfectly. I wish I knew more about its history as far as where/when it was originally sold and how it was used etc.

 

[jjk2007]

From the gig last night….

 

[jjk2007]

Did a search but didn’t come up with anything so….for those with the 55-02’s etc, what frequency are you setting the mids at and are you boosting or cutting?? Or just keeping flat?? Would love to hear what everyone has going on.

 

[mixbus]

I like the 1100hz internal switch setting.
Not using much of a boost or cut after changing to that setting.

I found the default switch setting too mid scooped sounding.

 

[Jamvan]

Did a search but didn’t come up with anything so….for those with the 55-02’s etc, what frequency are you setting the mids at and are you boosting or cutting?? Or just keeping flat?? Would love to hear what everyone has going on.

Keep mine at factory default (600hz) and always a slight boost to it. Helps it pop out of the overall mix.

 

[JB Player]

I have also used the default 600hz and 1100hz the most and on different 55 02s - although they shared the same electronics, the few 55 02s I have had (3), they did have some sound variations, which got me to experimenting with the settings - different frequency points can be nuanced and hard to discern, running flat on the rig and preamp I kept at it over time and found some preferred settings. One 55 02 I could never get right with, the other 2 sounded identical - all 3 were bought new, go figure

 

[jjk2007]

Back at it last night!!