Lakland Owners Group #69

[Gougedeye]

Very paradoxical.

In my opinion, you should get that 44-94 set up! That will in no way alter the value of it and will probably make it a better player.

 

[JEDI BASS]

For real!!! Set up the 44-94 and get a taste of bass perfection!

 

[3bc]

In my opinion, you should get that 44-94 set up! That will in no way alter the value of it and will probably make it a better player.

For real!!! Set up the 44-94 and get a taste of bass perfection!

I am 95% sure I’m keeping it. Assuming I do I will get it professionally set up. I dropped the saddles to lower the action and on a couple strings I couldn’t even get as low as my 44-02 is set up, and the neck is nearly straight so it looks like I’ll need to have the bit filed down. Not something I trust myself to do.

 

[JEDI BASS]

I am 95% sure I’m keeping it. Assuming I do I will get it professionally set up. I dropped the saddles to lower the action and on a couple strings I couldn’t even get as low as my 44-02 is set up, and the neck is nearly straight so it looks like I’ll need to have the bit filed down. Not something I trust myself to do.

I assume you mean nut. I’ve filed many, but never needed to on a US Lakland! Maybe you should call Lakland?

 

[Grahams Groove]

Set up the 44-94 and then compare. I would value playability and smoothness/ease on the neck over the feeling of a higher quality build, especially if they sound about the same.

For the record, I like the look of the 44-02 a bit more.

 

[overbybr]

View attachment 3289196 View attachment 3289197

Looks very similar -

 

[3bc]

I assume you mean nut. I’ve filed many, but never needed to on a US Lakland! Maybe you should call Lakland?

Yeah, stupid auto correct.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Looks very similar - View attachment 3294832

Nice.

 

[3bc]

Set up the 44-94 and then compare. I would value playability and smoothness/ease on the neck over the feeling of a higher quality build, especially if they sound about the same.

For the record, I like the look of the 44-02 a bit more.

The 44-02 is a nice copy with good figuring on the top. The red has never been a favorite color of mine, but I got it for a total steal and will probably make a couple hundred bucks profit on it. In person, the quality of the top on the 44-94 is night and day better. I’m more of a flamed maple guy, but as far as quilts go, the natural is a real looker in person and as quality as I’ve ever seen.

 

[3bc]

So the first pick is the nut on the 44-94. I’m assuming this is pretty standard for USA lakland? The second pic is the nut on the 44-02. I bought this used so I don’t know if it was previously filed down, but as you can see the string is barely off the fretboard. And it works.

 

[inthebassclef]

Looks very similar - View attachment 3294832

That is gorgeous

 

[Grahams Groove]

View attachment 3294858 So the first pick is the nut on the 44-94. I’m assuming this is pretty standard for USA lakland? The second pic is the nut on the 44-02. I bought this used so I don’t know if it was previously filed down, but as you can see the string is barely off the fretboard. And it works. View attachment 3294857

Hard to tell form the picture because of the darkness of the rosewood. It's fine for the string to angle down toward the string posts. The thing that matters for action/playability is the height on the bridge-side of the nut. If you have a feeler gauge, just check the string height off of the first fret.

 

[Dub56]

Looks very similar - View attachment 3294832

Beauty!! Very nice. Definitely does have a similar vibe to it

 

[Double E]

View attachment 3294858 So the first pick is the nut on the 44-94. I’m assuming this is pretty standard for USA lakland? The second pic is the nut on the 44-02. I bought this used so I don’t know if it was previously filed down, but as you can see the string is barely off the fretboard. And it works. View attachment 3294857

I simply cannot imagine that the first fret action on the factory setup of a USA Lakland being any less than optimum. The best I can tell from the photos, it looks as tight on the 44-94 as the 44-02. The nut slots and overall finish of the nut on the USA looks much better. If there is an issue with the action it probably has more to do with a truss rod adjustment than anything. Any bass is susceptible to a little movement in the neck so I would check the neck relief before making any other adjustments to the bridge or nut.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Yes, the 44-02 nut is not optimal!! That’s me being nice, LOL! Nut slots should be no deeper than half the thickness of the string that rests in them. I prefer even shallower slots.

I agree with Double E!

 

[basspraiser]

View attachment 3293615
Here is the new addition on the left, 44-94. The first lakland on the right, a 44-02. Some thoughts in no particular order.

1. The 44-02 was a gateway drug and slippery slope. I had it for less than 3 months before I bought the 44-94.

2. They sound nearly identical. The only real difference is in the strings, which are different.

3. In a weird way, each bass makes the other seem slightly inferior. I have been treating the 44-94 with white glove service basically, because I’ve been unsure about keeping it and wanted to keep it in new condition with no even swirl marks on it in case I decided to send it back. As such I haven’t messed with the action. The 44-02 is dialed in. The 44-02 plays faster and nicer with lower action. The 44-94 just feels nicer, even if it’s slower right this second. I pick up the 44-02 after playing the 44-94 and it’s like, “wow, this feels a little more hobbyist”. I pick up the 44-94 after playing the 44-02 and it’s like “wow, this is kind of a struggle to play in comparison”. Very paradoxical.

Ramble over!

Take off the kid gloves... Set it up... Love it..

Carry on

 

[3bc]

Well, here is a preview of the 44-02 classified ad... going up shortly!

 

[Grahams Groove]

Yes, the 44-02 nut is not optimal!! That’s me being nice, LOL! Nut slots should be no deeper than half the thickness of the string that rests in them. I prefer even shallower slots.

I agree with Double E!

Not trying to be argumentative for the sake of it, but how can you say whether a nut is optimally filed/slotted without playing the bass? The nut should be slotted according to optimal string height over the first fret (or two) assuming the relief and action is set properly & to preference. The height/leveling of the frets and the height of the nut (along with how far it's set into the neck) will determine how deep you need to slot it. It's about function rather than how you want the string to look at the nut...

 

[markn]

I wonder what got that green wire loose? Anyhow it was an easy fix, and now the bass sounds great again!

 

[davidak]

David has an eye for the “vintage “ Laklands! I know what you mean about that yellowing. I would like to see a family pic.

This JO actually isnt “vintage” one. It is 2010 model with Hanson pickups. But looks, plays and sounds very well.

Here in pair with its Fender cousin (btw this FSR AV58 has the closest feel of the neck to US Laklands from all Fenders I have played):