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How do you like the Fender Super Bassman?
300 watts of ALL TUBE YUMMINESS is very tempting!!! I have a friend that wants me to test drive one that he has for sale.
Didn't mean to derail the thread, but I really, really dig the SB. Went through a Mesa 400+ and a Strategy for a bit - too middy-grindy for me.
The SB is really transparent and I really like the way the OD channel is balanced/blended with the vintage channel. It's very reliable as well, as I gig it a ton.
Full disclosure, I really dig my Verellen Meatsmoke as well. Completely different animal altogether, but absolutely on par.
Just picked up the Berg NV212 cab (sealed) to go with the SB and it's a perfect pairing.
But my sensibilities lean towards Big Tubes + Killer Sealed Cabs + Passive Basses = Tone Nirvana.
BTW - Thanks Lakland !!
Your early work borders on the Devine.
Thanks everyone
I am going to try both ideas.
My baby is buzzing away.
Joe
What differences do you see between early and present day Lakeland’s?Didn't mean to derail the thread, but I really, really dig the SB. Went through a Mesa 400+ and a Strategy for a bit - too middy-grindy for me.
The SB is really transparent and I really like the way the OD channel is balanced/blended with the vintage channel. It's very reliable as well, as I gig it a ton.
Full disclosure, I really dig my Verellen Meatsmoke as well. Completely different animal altogether, but absolutely on par.
Just picked up the Berg NV212 cab (sealed) to go with the SB and it's a perfect pairing.
But my sensibilities lean towards Big Tubes + Killer Sealed Cabs + Passive Basses = Tone Nirvana.
BTW - Thanks Lakland !!
Your early work borders on the Devine.
Bringing this one with me to NAMM, I’ve got the bug for another 5. Will probably list here and Reverb after that. I replaced the original pickups (with the same Kent Armstrongs, the originals were scratched up quite a bit) and the preamp is a Darkglass Tone Capsule which complements this bass very very well. I was about to post a PSA on LOG, just learned that it’s gone! I guess it had been longer than I thought since I got on there. Hopefully I’m not breaking any rules, just let me know!
That's a killer bass! Glad it's not a fiver or I'd be tempted!
Yes the LOG closed up late last year...
Visually? The JO headstock signature is obvious and the dots on both are quite redonkulously ornate. But I’d say it’s more a feel. Maybe close to the way a pre cbs Fender feels compared to the later ones?
My Lakland experience? First I bought a newer 44-14 and flipped it immediately - totally not my thing. But I didn’t give up. Then I tried more than a few USA Glaubs. I bought a couple here on TB. Bought Tim Gibson’s Glaub. Bought a newer Coral one as well. Tim’s was a nice bass but the other newer one was....meh. Then I picked up the USA Glaub 01 and it felt....almost sublime. It had this supple feel that seduced me immediately. I won’t blather on, but I still can’t keep it out of my hands. I dug it so much that I traded a ‘69 refin J for a sub 50 USA JO and it has that same supple feel - just freaking “royal”.
When someone puts their own name and reputation on the line when building a product, it’s going to be a different product when they leave it behind; even if it “looks” the same. Even if those who carry on promise to uphold or go above and beyond the previous quality of build, it’s going to be different - hence the Fender metaphor.
I have a ‘79 MM and it “feels” different than the EBMMs. Not to mention it sounds a lot mellower. When Leo left, it was the same but it was different.
IMHO, when Dan left, the feel was different. Not bad - different. YMMV
IB
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,796
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
I don't see any differences in current Laklands vs. older Laklands. The quality has remained exactly the same IMO. I've been playing Laklands for 16 years now. My 'oldest' is a 494 Deluxe from 1999 and my go-to every day bass is a US Joe Osborn (44-60) from 2007 and they're both absolutely fantastic. I personally don't like it when sellers say things like "these early Laklands are the best!" or refer to them as "Lakin era" because Lakland never had a 'down' or poor era in the company's history (Like FENDER did!). They're every bit as good today as they were 20 years ago. That being said...is it possible there have been 'duds' here and there? Sure. But that's really quite rare. And if you ever have a problem with your bass, Lakland is right there for you.
I agree with InnerBass. The necks on my ‘98 through ‘01 US Laklands were/are indescribably comfy. And, the BEM should have been called HBEM (hyper Birdseye).... unmatched amount of figuring! My SN 11 ‘95 4-94 with the McFarland neck, it beats every Lakland I’ve ever touched in comfort and feel. I wonder if it’s not just age and years of playing that makes them feel so good?
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,796
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
I definitely feel that anytime you play an instrument for years it acquires that broken in feel. My JO has literally 500+ gigs on it and it feels so nice; it's getting better with age
I own " too many " Laklands (according to my lovely wife).. Both "Dan era" and post.
I have favorites from both.
I love all of the Laklands I have owned... But some more than others... And they transcend pre and post Dan
I have favorites from both.
I love all of the Laklands I have owned... But some more than others... And they transcend pre and post Dan
It's a "McFarland neck".
Even Carl says those are great necks...
But.... You haven't played until you've played a Carlo neck!
Jus sayin....
The very early necks were made by Carl Pedigo or a hand full of other master luthiers Dan employed
They started using a CNC shop very soon after....I forget the name... But they still use them today.... For some of their product
The absolute BEST Lakland neck I ever played was a bass they made for Adam Clayton.... It was remarkable!
I went to the shop one day...Carl saw me come in and said " You gotta play this!".... Not even a " hello"....
I went to the shop and he pointed to this gold flaked bass.... No words.. Nothing...I asked " who's is it?"... All he said was " play it".
My jaw dropped.... He said " yeah... Right?".... Then " dunno what we did but it's magic.... All of the crew says so".
It was super fast and felt like an old pair of shoes...
AC loved the neck but not the bass... That's a much longer and involved story
I went to the shop one day...Carl saw me come in and said " You gotta play this!".... Not even a " hello"....
I went to the shop and he pointed to this gold flaked bass.... No words.. Nothing...I asked " who's is it?"... All he said was " play it".
My jaw dropped.... He said " yeah... Right?".... Then " dunno what we did but it's magic.... All of the crew says so".
It was super fast and felt like an old pair of shoes...
AC loved the neck but not the bass... That's a much longer and involved story
