Lakland Owners Group #69

[basspraiser]

...another item of interest.

The band leader is a drummer/trombone player by education and is also the music director at the school attached to the church.

As part of the praise band, he plays piano which is much easier to "lead" from than drums.

However, he often gives the drummer mini-solos for song verses etc...During these solos, he does NOT like others intruding on the drummer's space....he actually gets a bit angry if that happens...although the anger is very short lived...obviously he really likes the drums and has admitted to me that he is not the hugest of bass fans

I have been the subject of this momentary anger at times and have gotten the "look" of...it's HIS turn (the drummer...)...STOP!

All that being said, he and I are pretty good friends and he is very talented.

He has a GREAT ear (and hears EVERY mistake and can call it out....he is very good at hearing if one of the guitarists has one small issue with a chord for example).

He knows what he wants to hear and most of the time I trust his decision as he lives in the music world and I am a hobbyist dabler.

He has written several songs and parts of songs that are very good BTW...

For a bit more background, he is a huge (original) jazz fan so syncopation and other jazz traits are "standard operations".

Sorry for all of the background for this story but I thought it might help.

Anyways...we did a song today where the first half of each verse is a mini-drum solo (about 8 bars).

The first time the song was played at our church the bassist (not me - but an extremely talented bassist) played something in the second verse over the drum solo which sounded pretty good.

I had a recording of this version.

Saturday night I worked out a very close note for note riff of what he did....I decided to "go for it" today and "warned" (via text) both the drummer and our lead guitarist (2 great friends as well) that I was going to do it so they were not surprised....I also told them I wanted their personal opinion on whether it fit and if I should do it again when we play the song again. Both said they thought it was a great idea to change up the second verse as one of the band leaders disdains is verses that sound the same....he does like variety.

I also told them to look at the band leader to see how he reacted as I decided to (literally) keep my head down as I played it so that if he DID react it did not throw me off (I wanted to keep the timing no matter what).

The time came...I smiled at the drummer and went off....NO REACTION at all from the band leader ( I did look at him several times as I played...just to judge acceptance or not)....when the 8 bars were over, the guitarist gave me a "thumbs up smile" and the song went on.

After the service, I approached the band leader to see if he heard it....he kind of shirked it off and said something like "oh well - I didn't really notice"...That was a GREAT thing actually!

I think we have a new mini drum/bass solo in the second verse of that song from now on....

Love the Lakland 55-60 fretless!

 

[davidak]

Nbd.. #160 BG PJ, Fralins.. good old Lakland

 

[cv115505]

As some of you know, I have a 55-60 fretless with an LH3 preamp. This bass was custom built for Leo Lopez (of Lakland) as a fretted bass with an ebony neck...I had the master (Carl Pedigo) defret it a couple of years ago and he put in killer BEM lines!

Anyways...Leo had Lakland nickels on it...They sounded great when the bass was fretted but for some reason, I did not like the sound once I had it converted to fretless...something was missing...could not put my finger on it....

Friday I decided to put a set of D'Addario Pro Steels (45/65/85/105/135) on it that I had just sitting around...and oh man!

I put them on Friday night about 8 PM...tuned them up and played for about 2 hours...they never went out of tune!

I picked it back up about 7 PM Saturday night for self-practice and 3 out of the 5 strings were still in tune!

I took it to church today and did a mix of songs that needed mwah and those that didn't and this bass did an excellent case of sounding fretted or fretless as I wanted it to and the glissandos were amazing!

The mwah was much more pronounced as well.

overall, it sits much better in the mix as well...

Yes the strings are described as "super bright" Maybe that was what was needed!

If the band leader shares some clips, I will post them.

I always liked this bass....like it much more now!

Here she is on the bench in my new workshop (first string change at the new house):



Yes - I need a better neck rest...I know! I had to improvise!

That’s awesome. I just emailed Brian last night because I want to convert my number one (US 44-60 that got, had to sell, then got back) to a J sonic. It has some other little issues too, but nothing major. It has MJC Ironworks flatwound prototypes on it now. I am doing Beta testing for them.

 

[basspraiser]

That’s awesome. I just emailed Brian last night because I want to convert my number one (US 44-60 that got, had to sell, then got back) to a J sonic. It has some other little issues too, but nothing major. It has MJC Ironworks flatwound prototypes on it now. I am doing Beta testing for them.

Love the shoreline gold!
You'll love the Chis !

 

[cv115505]

Love the shoreline gold!
You'll love the Chis !

Yep I’m just waiting for them to respond.

 

[Drkwdsman]

Gentlemen, I am a Roscoe player (35”) mainly, but I have owned several Skylines (55-01 and 55-64). What are your thoughts on a 55-60 versus 55-02 IYHO? I know one is a Jazz style, the other is a Jazz/MM style, but how many times do you flip the switch versus running wide open.

If I could find a US 55-94 or 55-14 (that would take a trade plus cash on a Roscoe 6) would it be worth it?

Thanks!

 

[inthebassclef]

Gentlemen, I am a Roscoe player (35”) mainly, but I have owned several Skylines (55-01 and 55-64). What are your thoughts on a 55-60 versus 55-02 IYHO? I know one is a Jazz style, the other is a Jazz/MM style, but how many times do you flip the switch versus running wide open.

If I could find a US 55-94 or 55-14 (that would take a trade plus cash on a Roscoe 6) would it be worth it?

Thanks!

I can't speak to the 5 string thing but I own a 4460 and have had a 494. Totally different. The 60 gets a really deep thump jazz sound out of the neck and burppy near the bridge. The 94 get cutting near the bridge but less burppy. Kind of like a mm bongo imo. Not really a stingray sound. And the single is about similair. Personally I like the 60 better, I find it sits really well in a mix. Hope this helps.

 

[makaspar]

I can't speak to the 5 string thing but I own a 4460 and have had a 494. Totally different. The 60 gets a really deep thump jazz sound out of the neck and burppy near the bridge. The 94 get cutting near the bridge but less burppy. Kind of like a mm bongo imo. Not really a stingray sound. And the single is about similair. Personally I like the 60 better, I find it sits really well in a mix. Hope this helps.

My main bass is a Skyline 55-60, and I’ve owned a couple of 55-02s, and this is an accurate description. I prefer the 55-60s too, obviously...

 

[cv115505]

I’m the opposite. I actually prefer the the 94/14. I have a 55-14 as my 5 string. I run all coils and the preamp flat. The only time I really mess with the switches is when I’m goofing off with it at home, but I love the way it sounds with all 3 coils running. If you want a jazz tone out of it, you can get it with the switch and a treble boost. I also have a us 44-60 that is my number one in most recording sessions and original material. I use the 55-14 for covers mostly.

 

[basspraiser]

I have owned various 55-02/ 55-94s over the years.... Mostly play with all coils going.

The only time I do the single coils on the bridge is on a fretless... When I want more of the J sound.

I also have had a few 55-60s and liked those as well.... But I like the versatility of the lh3 pre and and pickups so I prefer that.

Yes... Worth the trade for a 55-14 etc...

Have fun and peace

Doug

 

[cv115505]

I have owned various 55-02/ 55-94s over the years.... Mostly play with all coils going.

The only time I do the single coils on the bridge is on a fretless... When I want more of the J sound.

I also have had a few 55-60s and liked those as well.... But I like the versatility of the lh3 pre and and pickups so I prefer that.

Yes... Worth the trade for a 55-14 etc...

Have fun and peace

Doug

When you’re wanting a P or J sound do you find you need to boost Treble a bit as well? I find that to be the case on my 55-14. Not a big deal or anything, but it just seems that way.

 

[Drkwdsman]

Thanks, Guys!
Yeah, I would prefer an US model, but no one is buying lately, so a trade would be my best option. I am about to drop my Roscoe six to the lowest I would go (I will lose money), but I have cash to add for another bass.

If it does not sell, I will keep and have over $900 to play with so a 55-02 and a 55-60 is definitely a possibility.

So if I head the direction of a 55-60, any preferred models (DJ or anything like that).

I would probably be looking for a maple fret board since my Roscoes (3 LG5s) are some of the darker woods.
So this bass would be a brighter tone which sounds like the 55-02/55-14/55-94 would be the way to go.

 

[Eilif]

Gentlemen, I am a Roscoe player (35”) mainly, but I have owned several Skylines (55-01 and 55-64). What are your thoughts on a 55-60 versus 55-02 IYHO? I know one is a Jazz style, the other is a Jazz/MM style, but how many times do you flip the switch versus running wide open.

If I could find a US 55-94 or 55-14 (that would take a trade plus cash on a Roscoe 6) would it be worth it?

Thanks!

I don't own a 55-60, but I've got a Jazz and a J/MM Carlo which is essentially a custom 4-94 and has the standard Lakand/Hanson pups and pre. I like them both and usually run both wide open.

The two basses each get one set at my weekly or bi-weekly gigs and I can't remember the last time I flipped the switch on the J/MM. Likewise -though not necessarily germane to your question- on my jazz bass I sometimes favor one J pup over the other and the Series/paralell switch gets used from time to time but I can't recall the last time I completely soloed one pickup or the other.

 

[overbybr]

Gentlemen, I am a Roscoe player (35”) mainly, but I have owned several Skylines (55-01 and 55-64). What are your thoughts on a 55-60 versus 55-02 IYHO? I know one is a Jazz style, the other is a Jazz/MM style, but how many times do you flip the switch versus running wide open.

If I could find a US 55-94 or 55-14 (that would take a trade plus cash on a Roscoe 6) would it be worth it?

Thanks!

Having owned a few Roscoe's and Laklands, I suspect you are not going to want the passive tone of the 55-60 since you're so used to the active output sound. While the 55-94/14 has the ability to go passive, it's really there as a gig saver in the event of a battery failure. I'm a passive tone guy at heart, but if I was going to choose an active bass and my choices were a Roscoe 5 string (Century, LG, etc) vs a Lakland 5 string (55-94/14), it's going to be the Lakland every time. The reason is the versatility - the -94/14 tonal palate is really wide, versus the Roscoe which does one or two sounds really well (I do love the Roscoe Bart tone!). Well, and Lakland necks are the best there are. Good luck!

 

[Drkwdsman]

Having owned a few Roscoe's and Laklands, I suspect you are not going to want the passive tone of the 55-60 since you're so used to the active output sound. While the 55-94/14 has the ability to go passive, it's really there as a gig saver in the event of a battery failure. I'm a passive tone guy at heart, but if I was going to choose an active bass and my choices were a Roscoe 5 string (Century, LG, etc) vs a Lakland 5 string (55-94/14), it's going to be the Lakland every time. The reason is the versatility - the -94/14 tonal palate is really wide, versus the Roscoe which does one or two sounds really well (I do love the Roscoe Bart tone!). Well, and Lakland necks are the best there are. Good luck!

I am def leaning toward a 55-model. And correct, I have changed every passive bass I owned into an active. I am tempted by the New Roscoe Classic line, but a 55-14/55-94 might be able to sway me enough for the right price.

 

[basspraiser]

When you’re wanting a P or J sound do you find you need to boost Treble a bit as well? I find that to be the case on my 55-14. Not a big deal or anything, but it just seems that way.

I think each amp is different...at home no...at church...yes

 

[Lovep]

I have owned the 55-02 and 55-60 (currently still own). The 55-02 sounded two modern for me and I really wanted a J-bass.

Given the choice between the 55-60 and the DJ, I would choose the 55-60 given the larger body size...I think everything else is identical.

 

[basspraiser]

I have owned the 55-02 and 55-60 (currently still own). The 55-02 sounded two modern for me and I really wanted a J-bass.

Given the choice between the 55-60 and the DJ, I would choose the 55-60 given the larger body size...I think everything else is identical.

I also like the 5560 better due to the larger body size... But the DJ is so darn sexy!

The neck profiles and pickup placement are different...

 

[jmain]

I've had a couple JO5s, a DJ5 and a couple different 55-02s. On the bridge pickup I mainly use the 60s position, swith to both to get a little 'wider' tone, and flip to the 70's for more mid-forward. I use the switch more than the EQ since it can change the tone and not give the soundguy too much of a fit. He's commented that he noticed the difference but didn't alter his tweaking.

 

[overbybr]

I am def leaning toward a 55-model. And correct, I have changed every passive bass I owned into an active. I am tempted by the New Roscoe Classic line, but a 55-14/55-94 might be able to sway me enough for the right price.

If you want to know whether or not you're going to like the J/MM setup and the tone, I would keep an eye out for a 55-02 with the LH-3 preamp and Lakland pickups version. I found a 44-02 a few years back for $700 on craigslist and was a fantastic little bass. Plus it'll tell you whether or not you want to spit the coin out for a US model.