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Ok and is there any way how to darken it a bit? Some kind of oil, shoe polish etc.
thanks.
Ok and is there any way how to darken it a bit? Some kind of oil, shoe polish etc.
When you say " darken"... What do you mean?
Like rosewood dark or just "aged" look?
I would not use shoe polish on any bass.... No matter what....just my opinion.
There are some on this thread who know how to "age" basses... So hopefully they will chime in.
Imho I would leave a Lakland neck alone...
Hey, I need some advice on my Lakland US 44-60 Classic.
It's a great instrument, amazing playability, finish etc... No question about that: it's an amzing bass. But there's something about it that I don't like, or am I missing something? I get the impression that - when playing harder or digging in - it sort of compresses the sound. It just doesn't really open up like my '72 Fender or other basses I play. I've tried many different strings, tried different setups... but it just doesn't work for me. I'd love to keep it because it's gorgeous and plays perfect, but I'm close to letting it go. Did anybody had this same experience? Any tips or advice?
It's a great instrument, amazing playability, finish etc... No question about that: it's an amzing bass. But there's something about it that I don't like, or am I missing something? I get the impression that - when playing harder or digging in - it sort of compresses the sound. It just doesn't really open up like my '72 Fender or other basses I play. I've tried many different strings, tried different setups... but it just doesn't work for me. I'd love to keep it because it's gorgeous and plays perfect, but I'm close to letting it go. Did anybody had this same experience? Any tips or advice?
Agreed, I would try changing the pickups or pickup positioning. If that doesn't work, sell it to me!
Agreed. That was my first thought as well. I think that 'compression' you perceive is a function of the pickup design. I know it can be in guitar pickups. Of course that's a whole new can 'o worms but if you like the Fender response than anything in that output or measure might react similarly. There are many vintage Fender 'clones' if you will that might be perfect. I happen to love my Nordstrands and that's where I have settled. But, I also loved my Aero's as well. Others love Fralin's, etc. All depends on the sound in your head I guess.
The Aero's get some nice feedback all the time. This was one I found:
AERO PICKUPS - Religious Tone Experience
Agreed, I would try changing the pickups or pickup positioning. If that doesn't work, sell it to me!
That, and/or swap in a new plate preamp. I would advise changing one thing at a time so you can judge the impact of each change individually.
I think I know what you mean, and it's happened to me twice. Not to be confused with 'dead spots' or minimal sustain. When you dig in the note just...stops.
One was an old 73 P Bass I had, maple board, the other a nice MIJ E Series Jazz w/ rosewood. Never figured it out.
My first and second thoughts are lighten up or go heavier gauge strings if you haven't already.
One was an old 73 P Bass I had, maple board, the other a nice MIJ E Series Jazz w/ rosewood. Never figured it out.
My first and second thoughts are lighten up
or go heavier gauge strings if you haven't already.
Thanks for the advice. Swapping pu's is one of the last things I'd try before seling it. I was looking at the Aggie 60ies, maybe Fralins or something else. Like @nervous wrote: I do like the response I get out of my Fender basses. Concerning strings: I tried all options from light to medium heavy, rounds, flats, nickel, stainless steel... That doesn't really change the instrument's response to my playing dynamics. I like to dig in, not all the time of course, but when doing so my bass needs to respond to that. I hope changing pups will do this for me...
Best way to tell:
Play the instrument acoustically. If it has full response when digging in then it is the pickups you don't connect with
So I had rehearsal yesterday and had the opportnity to play the Pawn Shop Lakland.
First impressions:
1. I think I've found my new favorite strings. DR Lo Riders steel. I'd never used these on any bass before and I love the feel, tone and tension.
2. This 55-02 is very easy to play. I'm not a huge fan of 5 strings as I have small hands. We play a few Rush tunes and I was flying around this neck like nobody's business.
3. I love super low action but despise any fret rattle. I don't know if it's the Plek work or the unique frets but I got a setup on this bass like no other.
4. Lots of sounds in this bass. I wasn' sure this would be "mean" enough for hard rock/early metal we play. No problem. I had to nudge a few EQ sliders but was cutting through very well.
5. String alignment seems a little to far to the treble side. I had no problem with the G string sliding off the board but you can see in the pic it's a little closer to the edge than I'd like.
It was truly amazing how much the string change transformed this from ok to top of the heap. I see more Laklands in my future.
First impressions:
1. I think I've found my new favorite strings. DR Lo Riders steel. I'd never used these on any bass before and I love the feel, tone and tension.
2. This 55-02 is very easy to play. I'm not a huge fan of 5 strings as I have small hands. We play a few Rush tunes and I was flying around this neck like nobody's business.
3. I love super low action but despise any fret rattle. I don't know if it's the Plek work or the unique frets but I got a setup on this bass like no other.
4. Lots of sounds in this bass. I wasn' sure this would be "mean" enough for hard rock/early metal we play. No problem. I had to nudge a few EQ sliders but was cutting through very well.
5. String alignment seems a little to far to the treble side. I had no problem with the G string sliding off the board but you can see in the pic it's a little closer to the edge than I'd like.
It was truly amazing how much the string change transformed this from ok to top of the heap. I see more Laklands in my future.
Morning all. I'd like to join the group. I just purchased a beautiful 44-01 with upgraded pickups and preamp from mysteryclock and also own a 55-01 with an upgraded preamp. I'm loving both.
I’m like you small hands and most fives necks kill me. Lakland necks and frets make up a neck which I can play with ease. Best five neck and spacing for me that I have found on an affordable bass.
Best years (or any years to avoid) for a Lakland 55-02?
I'm a 5-string player, and like narrow necks (such as ~ 1.8" at the nut), and like active basses. Am very curious to try a 35". Looking to buy my first Lakland, and am thinking 55-02. I know that the earlier models didn't have the Lakland pre-amp; not sure if the pups also changed. Any advice on which years to look for, or to avoid? (I looked, and didn't find a thread on this.)
Thanks!
I'm a 5-string player, and like narrow necks (such as ~ 1.8" at the nut), and like active basses. Am very curious to try a 35". Looking to buy my first Lakland, and am thinking 55-02. I know that the earlier models didn't have the Lakland pre-amp; not sure if the pups also changed. Any advice on which years to look for, or to avoid? (I looked, and didn't find a thread on this.)
Thanks!
Welcome to the fray....
I forget the exact year of the switch over from Bartolini to LH3 (Lakland) electronics.
Yes - the "total package" was changed out...including the pickups.
In many opinions, the LH3 is brighter and the Barts are darker.
As for years to avoid? I cannot think of any....it all really depends on the sound you will like.
Good luck with the search! I think you will be well pleased.
