Lakland Owners Group #69

[Killens84]

Just changed knobs on my JO (from chrome to fender plastic), looks more classic


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I have a Lakland P bass identical to yours being built right now. I originally ordered it with an Olympic white finish, but I changed it to 3-tone sunburst. Yours looks amazing, which makes me more exited about getting mine.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Plays beautifully, although the nut sits VERY low. Other fretless lakie owners tell me if it's supposed to be filed lower than the fretted models.

Yes, the nut slots should be almost all the way down to the surface of the fretboard. My personal setup would have them even. My fretted bass nutslots are at the height of what a zero fret would be... a little lower than most builders.

 

[soundsupport1]

That's killer! Congrats!

Yup...the LH3 makes a great growly Fretless!

I've owned several... And loved them.

My current Lakie Fretless basses are

5560 with the LH3 PRE
Carlo 55 dual humbucker with lh3

And yes... They sound great!

As for the nut... Yes... Having it filed a bit lower is fine....

That color is great as well!

Congrats

....and you need a quicker cycle on the next one my friend!

Yeah, it is great.
I dunno, I quite like the once-a-decade approach! (Mmmm...'Decade'...)
Thanks for your help. If I hadn't got the email for Leo, I'd never have got it.

The short version of the story is that I ordered this bass through a shop in Germany in February 2018. It arrived in June, but it was a standard fretted one. Had to go back. Lakland then said that they'd have to wait for the new production run in the first quarter of 2019 before they could replace it. Fair enough.
In March this year, decided to check how the order was progressing. Shop said that they had placed the order. On a hunch, emailed Leo -
- who told me no order had been placed with them!

This is a significantly shorter version of the story - there were a LOT of email between me and the shop asking for updates on my bass!
Don't think the shop was lying - think the distributor had lost the order and not told anyone. But the shop customer service was rubbish too: weeks would pass without an answer, and when I did get a reply, it would just confirm the status quo.
I ended up doing the distributors job for them, placing the order with Lakland and getting them to ship it out to the shop.
I think I'll wait another decade, and get a US 44-51: that way I'll be able to deal directly with Lakland from start to finish!
And that way, it won't take 16 months to get a Skyline...

Peace,
SoundSupport

 

[armybass]

Ok here we go. NBD... 2015 55-94. Olympic White with Ash body and mild BEM neck. Weighs in at a stealthy 7.8lbs. Sounds great!

 

[Mohawk]

Ok here we go. NBD... 2015 55-94. Olympic White with Ash body and mild BEM neck. Weighs in at a stealthy 7.8lbs. Sounds great!

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Wow that's light! And a good looker too.

 

[basspraiser]

Ok here we go. NBD... 2015 55-94. Olympic White with Ash body and mild BEM neck. Weighs in at a stealthy 7.8lbs. Sounds great!

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Wahoo!
Congrats

 

[fretlessbass]

Hi Laklanders,
I'm about to purchase a 55 02 from Sweetwater...I'm between the black ash body w/ ebony fretboard and the 3- tone sunburst ash w/maple top and rosewood fretboard.
To be perfectly honest, the biggest reason why I'm considering the black one is those humongous fret markers...my eyesight ain't what it used to be.. and though I don't look at my nrck a helluva lot, when I do, those look like they'd do a better job than the dots...
I've had ebony on fretlesses-never fretted: any huge difference?
Will the added maple on body make much difference?

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Hi Laklanders,
I'm about to purchase a 55 02 from Sweetwater...I'm between the black ash body w/ ebony fretboard and the 3- tone sunburst ash w/maple top and rosewood fretboard.
To be perfectly honest, the biggest reason why I'm considering the black one is those humongous fret markers...my eyesight ain't what it used to be.. and though I don't look at my nrck a helluva lot, when I do, those look like they'd do a better job than the dots...
I've had ebony on fretlesses-never fretted: any huge difference?
Will the added maple on body make much difference?

From the Lakland.com FAQS

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Q. What is the difference between a Deluxe, a Standard and a Classic?
A. Electronically the models are the same. The Standard and Deluxe are both made with Swamp Ash for the Body and are available in sunburst and translucent finishes. Deluxe models add a figured Quilt or Flame Maple Top, tone-wise the addition of the maple top is negligible. The Classic has a body made from Alder and is available in solid metallic finishes only and a pick guard is added (un-attached).


Q. What is the sound difference between Rosewood, Maple and Ebony Fingerboards?
A. Maple boards have a bright and round response with good ringing piano-like treble and sustaining quality. Rosewood is a little mellower on the treble side with great midrange and thick bass. Ebony has the brightness of Maple but the treble characteristic has a different “presence” that especially helps bring out a “growling” quality that sounds great with fretless basses.

I agree with these statements, and cut & paste is a lot easier than typing

 

[Mohawk]

A first group Lakland picture that is now up to four basses. The 4 string PJ will be getting listed soon though cause I need to change to a 5 string PJ. I'm not a photographer so it is what it is. Lol.

 

[fretlessbass]

From the Lakland.com FAQS

Invalid Link Removed

Q. What is the difference between a Deluxe, a Standard and a Classic?
A. Electronically the models are the same. The Standard and Deluxe are both made with Swamp Ash for the Body and are available in sunburst and translucent finishes. Deluxe models add a figured Quilt or Flame Maple Top, tone-wise the addition of the maple top is negligible. The Classic has a body made from Alder and is available in solid metallic finishes only and a pick guard is added (un-attached).


Q. What is the sound difference between Rosewood, Maple and Ebony Fingerboards?
A. Maple boards have a bright and round response with good ringing piano-like treble and sustaining quality. Rosewood is a little mellower on the treble side with great midrange and thick bass. Ebony has the brightness of Maple but the treble characteristic has a different “presence” that especially helps bring out a “growling” quality that sounds great with fretless basses.

I agree with these statements, and cut & paste is a lot easier than typing

Many thanks for your response, Fred!

 

[JEDI BASS]

A first group Lakland picture that is now up to four basses. The 4 string PJ will be getting listed soon though cause I need to change to a 5 string PJ. I'm not a photographer so it is what it is. Lol.View attachment 3419583

They are beautiful! Is the P/J trans-brown or just black and reflecting? Also, are those MTD brand strings on 2 of them (the ones with yellow/gold thread)?

 

[Mohawk]

They are beautiful! Is the P/J trans-brown or just black and reflecting? Also, are those MTD brand strings on 2 of them (the ones with yellow/gold thread)?

Thanks Jedi. The 44-64 PJ is transparent black over ash which looks like dark chocolate in most lighting. The two string sets with the gold silk are DR Legends. The PJ has Labella DTB strings and the black 55-94 has Dean Markley Nickel Plated Blue Steels on it for the round wound sound.

 

[Silverpen]

Greetings and Salutations - Returning from a 10+ year break and, having picked up this 55-01, read through the last few months worth of posts. Working on recovering what's in my meat~brainz, as well as trying to not be ashamed at how bad my coordination has gotten and (especially) how weak my hands are now... Lots and lots to work on

Figured I should do the polite thing and let you all know who's lurking in the shadows.

Warmest,

Scott

 

[basspraiser]

Greetings and Salutations - Returning from a 10+ year break and, having picked up this 55-01, read through the last few months worth of posts. Working on recovering what's in my meat~brainz, as well as trying to not be ashamed at how bad my coordination has gotten and (especially) how weak my hands are now... Lots and lots to work on

Figured I should do the polite thing and let you all know who's lurking in the shadows.

Warmest,

Scott

Scott

Welcome!

You mean a 10 year break from playing?

I did that...um... About 10 years ago myself so I know what coming back can be like!

Welcome back to the great LOW end and great bass to get reacquainted!

Congrats and peace

Doug..

Aka " Doude"

 

[Silverpen]

Thanks Doug

Yah - Over a 10 year break. Was something approaching half decent back in the day: Could play Steve Harris to the bone. Plus Rush, Yes, etc... Now? I remember bits and pieces. Enough to have a sense of how much I've lost.

Picked up a Phil Jones Bighead to practice with, signed up at Scott's Bass Lessons (gotta love the name), and started re-learning the beginner stuff: How many ways can I play a major scale, etc... Flipped on the radio a little earlier today and tried to learn whatever came on. Trying to build back some strength, so I kept everything to closed positions. Of course, my Left hand got pretty tired, pretty fast. But I'm glad to know I still have a a half decent ear (not that most pop is difficult).

 

[basspraiser]

Thanks Doug

Yah - Over a 10 year break. Was something approaching half decent back in the day: Could play Steve Harris to the bone. Plus Rush, Yes, etc... Now? I remember bits and pieces. Enough to have a sense of how much I've lost.

Picked up a Phil Jones Bighead to practice with, signed up at Scott's Bass Lessons (gotta love the name), and started re-learning the beginner stuff: How many ways can I play a major scale, etc... Flipped on the radio a little earlier today and tried to learn whatever came on. Trying to build back some strength, so I kept everything to closed positions. Of course, my Left hand got pretty tired, pretty fast. But I'm glad to know I still have a a half decent ear (not that most pop is difficult).

Yahoo!

Keep us informed of your progress!

I'm jealous...I still cannot play some Rush ... No matter how hard I try!!!

 

[GreyBeard]

I had a standard 5502 about 10 yrs ago and in a really dumb moment, sold it. I just now got around to replacing it. I love it

 

[basspraiser]

I a standard 5502 about 10 yrs ago and in a really dumb moment, sold it. I just now got around to replacing it. I love it

Oh man...

Sweet one!!!!

That looks like nice quilting!

Time to search for another.....

 

[armybass]

Played my new to me 55-94 on my country gig yesterday. Sounded perfect once I stopped confusing the bass and treble knobs on the bass. Great B string and a full authoritative tone laying down the bottom end.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Showed off my Scheff to TBer Ken R, at Saturday's gig. Unfortunately, I stuck with my Stingray all night though.

I typically switch to a drop tuned bass (this time it was the Scheff) for a handful of songs. But, we had a guest singer and I didn't need to after all. Anyways, I think Ken was impressed.