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OK, so call me twisted. I apparently have a soft spot for the misfit Skylines. I have this sweet oddity coming to me tomorrow. As some of you may recall I actually did a a version of a 'PJDJ' Or PDJ as I am seeing them referenced, last year. But in a lunatic moment I sold off both my DJ5's to the same buyer and off I ran in another direction. So after many months of unrest it seems as though I am back home again, first with the knobby 55-64 and not this factory built version of the vision I had many months ago. I about feel off my chair when I first saw it as I though that it was mine. Same color, pickups, etc. But, alas, no. It was better! This one was done right and professionally by the folks that make them every day. On a little longer glance I saw that it could not be mine because of the rosewood board instead of the maple. But I think that I actually like that package better. And it will be my first PLEKed bass as well so I an very curious just how much better this will be. To date every Lakland I have owned has been a stellar player with the ability to get the action that I prefer. I'd expect this one to be as good an hopefully better.
I'll get better pics once I get it in hand and have some time but here it is:
This is what my version looked like for reference:
I'll get better pics once I get it in hand and have some time but here it is:
This is what my version looked like for reference:
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Playing at a jazz festival tomorrow! This is my setup.
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is the black hardware stock or did you replace it yourself? That is a sexy looking bass you got there. Also LOVE me some U5. Best sounding DI out there, IMO of course.
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Random act of the day - put rounds on my Glaub . . . just struggling with tone I'm looking for with the flats on some of the tunes we play. Saving the LaBellas just in case . . .
Well, a few hours and some elbow grease and she cleaned up real nice. And, just scored a like new East DJ Retro so that will complete the package.
Without trying to start another useless string thread I am not finding anything specific so I'll put it out there.
What is you favorite or regular string for a J style Lakland? I'll tell you why I ask. I have been using DR Hi Beams for a long time. And the 35" scale makes me crazy to buy strings for because I'm never sure what will fit right. Sonia have simply stayed with what I know. But... It seems as though I have noticed a pattern with the strings that I was blaming on many other reasons, I am finding them to be a bit loose, buzzy and clanky for my liking. Better after broken in but just problematic initially. So, I am thinking of a slightly higher tension hex core style like the Lo Rider.
But before I do I thought I'd get some opinions and experiences from Lakland users before I make a choice.
What is you favorite or regular string for a J style Lakland? I'll tell you why I ask. I have been using DR Hi Beams for a long time. And the 35" scale makes me crazy to buy strings for because I'm never sure what will fit right. Sonia have simply stayed with what I know. But... It seems as though I have noticed a pattern with the strings that I was blaming on many other reasons, I am finding them to be a bit loose, buzzy and clanky for my liking. Better after broken in but just problematic initially. So, I am thinking of a slightly higher tension hex core style like the Lo Rider.
But before I do I thought I'd get some opinions and experiences from Lakland users before I make a choice.
I really like the Lakland Nickels. They feel and sound already broken in, because they aren't overly "bright" like a brand new set usually is. They've got that great just recently worn in tone immediately. The tension is perfect, and of course, it'll fit any Lakland 5er like a glove. You don't have to search for extra long scale strings with the gauge you like. They're made to fit. I also really liked the steels that came stock, but for me, covering all the genres in a wedding band, the Lakland nickels are the perfect string for any style music.
I see you're in NY. I'm on Long Island, and after I ordered the strings from Chicago they were at my door and on my bass in 3 days. Maybe order a set of both and see how you like them. I think they're made by GHS, and people might sometimes be turned off because they're stock strings. I always said nah I'll get strings from a company that specializes in just strings! Not anymore. Hell no. Lakland nickels for life for me!
It's funny, when I had Music Man basses, I found that Ernie Ball strings were the best. I'm a long time Ernie Ball string proponent. I have used them exclusively on ALL of my basses for the last 5-6 years. D'addario before that.
Now that I'm back in the Lakland camp (and the 35" scale is a consideration), I'm really liking the Lakland nickels that came on my 55-14. They allowed me to dial in my setup to perfection. They're not overly bright when brand new. The tension is perfect for the ridiculous low action that I like. Since I got everything dialed in with the stock strings, I figured why change it. Roll with what works (for me anyways). Also, in case you didn't notice, I'm a nickle guy. I don't do stainless strings. I just find them too zingy and I don't want them chewing up my frets. But that's just me. I know guys that swear by stainless strings and they sound amazing on their stuff.
Now that I'm back in the Lakland camp (and the 35" scale is a consideration), I'm really liking the Lakland nickels that came on my 55-14. They allowed me to dial in my setup to perfection. They're not overly bright when brand new. The tension is perfect for the ridiculous low action that I like. Since I got everything dialed in with the stock strings, I figured why change it. Roll with what works (for me anyways). Also, in case you didn't notice, I'm a nickle guy. I don't do stainless strings. I just find them too zingy and I don't want them chewing up my frets. But that's just me. I know guys that swear by stainless strings and they sound amazing on their stuff.
This is interesting as I followed a very similar path minus the Lakland strings, so far... I was a DR Hi Beam lover, period. Until that last 6-12 months or so when I thought that I was seeing a pattern. And I am a very restless owner of anything. I had two perfectly perfect DJ5's that I loved everything about, playing the through GK amps that were perfect for me. So, what do I do, I sell everything and go all Spector and TC. They what do I do? I sell all the Spector and go all Music Man and Markbass. And a few short months later where am I again, (almost) all Lakland and GK amplification. I just SMH sometimes. But, along that way the string thing got interesting. The Spector/Hi Beam thing was misery. I don't know why but that combo have me fits and I could not my ReBop to play anywhere near as good as both DJ5's. The EBMM Stingray 5's were/are fine but that was the first departure from the DR strings when they all had some sort of Slinkys. And that was enlightening as they played and sounded just fine. And wiping that 'stock string' stigma that you allude to from my thoughts was liberating.
Now today, while doing some final tweaking on my latest DJ5, I had the same Hi Beam issue. So off they go and on went a set of mystery strings that the seller included. They look and feel nearly new and after conversing with him the thought is that they may actually be Sunbeams. Gold ball ends and taper wound tuner ends just like the Hi Beams. But whatever they are the bass loved them. And to your point of tension I have found that many have this sweet spot where the neck design and the string tension work well together and I have dialed in a fantastic action and playability on this one today. I think your case for the Lakland strings is a good one so I'll put them on the list.
Does anyone now who makes the strings for Lakland?
awesome!!!
congrats on the new incoming!
I can see where you thought this was "yours"...but I have to admit...I like the RW board better
I have Marcus Miller's on my JOCS5 and LOVE them....I put them on my 55-07 as well...they seem to match up well with CHIs....
I think they would sound great on a "std J" bass as well....not that a Lakie is "std" by any means
but I have to admit...I like the RW board better
As do I. This is a beauty.
And... as Providence would have it I found a great deal on a lightly used East DJ Retro that I love in this bass. I am back to the complete package!
Still not there - thinking it is an amp/speaker issue. Tone better for a few songs that need that brighter tone, but was only one gig. Will see more as we've got a busy run this week.
Finally! Black Sparkle DJ5 has landed. 10 years of lusting finally fulfilled! lol. Factory East Pre. Not a scratch anywhere! Dare I say...pristine. This thing is beyond what I'd hoped for.
