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Lakland Owners Group #69

#11,081
KevinMG said:
This has been my experience too. Coming from a Fender American Deluxe Jazz, the 55-02 has a more compressed, darker, mid-present tone and which makes the treble seem more subtle. If you play with the mid frequency dip switches in the control cavity, the frequencies affect the treble presence so you might be able to cut some mids and boost treble to get more presence. But I found switching strings made a bigger difference. I switched from my standard D'Addario XL to DR Pure Blues and it definitely brought more in some more treble bite. I keep contemplating a pickup/preamp swap, but the Pure Blues helped enough. I specifically wanted a 5 string to cover the modern tone and I think the 55-02 definitely fits that bill, not to mention the neck is fantastic. But I still miss my ADJV because sometimes you just want that J tone and the 34" scale feel that goes with it.
Click to expand...

Thanks Kevin!

That makes me feel better that it's not just me or an "off" 55-02. I've never played a 55-02 in person until I got this one this week.

I think the 55-02 tone is really nice so far but its tone is more darker than I anticipated. Since the "original" Bartolinis I've used in the past were too dark for my taste, I guess I was thinking the Hansons would be something completely different than Barts (not saying they sound alike). Now that you mentioned the mid dip switch, I need to check the switch because the original owner might have fiddled with it.

Also, like yourself I wanted a 5 string for the modern tone. I think the Lakland will work fine but I probably need to adjust my mindset coming from mostly Fender Jazz basses. At this time, I'm definitely not interested in swapping the pickups or preamp. Although I understand why someone would if the tone isn't working for them because these basses feel nice. Also, this is absolutely the quietest bass/electronics I've ever used!

Thanks for the tip on the DR's! I don't like to mess with switching strings, as I usually get caught in the weeds searching for my "ideal strings".

Ironically, I have my AmDlx Jazz 4 up for sale. I like it pretty well but I'm really needing to move to 5 strings once and for all. I looked at the AmDlx and Elite 5's but for what a used one costs, I figured I'd try out the Lakland's. I picked up a 55-60 back in May and liked it but I really wanted and should've just bought the 55-02 at the start.
 
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#11,082
Cyborg said:
Thanks Kevin!

That makes me feel better that it's not just me or an "off" 55-02. I've never played a 55-02 in person until I got this one this week.

I think the 55-02 tone is really nice so far but its tone is more darker than I anticipated. Since the "original" Bartolinis I've used in the past were too dark for my taste, I guess I was thinking the Hansons would be something completely different than Barts (not saying they sound alike). Now that you mentioned the mid dip switch, I need to check the switch because the original owner might have fiddled with it.

Also, like yourself I wanted a 5 string for the modern tone. I think the Lakland will work fine but I probably need to adjust my mindset coming from mostly Fender Jazz basses. At this time, I'm definitely not interested in swapping the pickups or preamp. Although I understand why someone would if the tone isn't working for them because these basses feel nice. Also, this is absolutely the quietest bass/electronics I've ever used!

Thanks for the tip on the DR's! I don't like to mess with switching strings, as I usually get caught in the weeds searching for my "ideal strings".

Ironically, I have my AmDlx Jazz 4 up for sale. I like it pretty well but I'm really needing to move to 5 strings once and for all. I looked at the AmDlx and Elite 5's but for what a used one costs, I figured I'd try out the Lakland's. I picked up a 55-60 back in May and liked it but I really wanted and should've just bought the 55-02 at the start.
Click to expand...

Hey man, don’t be knocking my 55-60
 
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#11,083
KevinMG said:
This has been my experience too. Coming from a Fender American Deluxe Jazz, the 55-02 has a more compressed, darker, mid-present tone and which makes the treble seem more subtle. If you play with the mid frequency dip switches in the control cavity, the frequencies affect the treble presence so you might be able to cut some mids and boost treble to get more presence. But I found switching strings made a bigger difference. I switched from my standard D'Addario XL to DR Pure Blues and it definitely brought more in some more treble bite. I keep contemplating a pickup/preamp swap, but the Pure Blues helped enough. I specifically wanted a 5 string to cover the modern tone and I think the 55-02 definitely fits that bill, not to mention the neck is fantastic. But I still miss my ADJV because sometimes you just want that J tone and the 34" scale feel that goes with it.
Click to expand...
This is interesting. I recently received an '08 55-02 with the USA Lakland pickups and LH-3 preamp and in my first live outing with it last weekend my impression was that it was a very bright and lively bass. Strung with DR Hi Beams helps. But my quest is to actually tame that just a bit. Certainly mine is neither dark nor compressed.
 
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#11,085
nervous said:
This is interesting. I recently received an '08 55-02 with the USA Lakland pickups and LH-3 preamp and in my first live outing with it last weekend my impression was that it was a very bright and lively bass. Strung with DR Hi Beams helps. But my quest is to actually tame that just a bit. Certainly mine is neither dark nor compressed.
Click to expand...
What amplification are you using? That's why I posted that I use a couple of Fender Rumble amps. Maybe the 55-02 is sensitive or maybe I should say, more responsive to different amps.
 
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#11,086
Cyborg said:
What amplification are you using? That's why I posted that I use a couple of Fender Rumble amps. Maybe the 55-02 is sensitive or maybe I should say, more responsive to different amps.
Click to expand...
This job was using a GK MB500 with a 4 ohm Bergantino CN212 and in fairness that's a pretty bright pair. I have to keep the horn about 20-25% all the time on that no matter what I use with it. I also have an MB210 combo that I expect similar results from since it's the same head, diferent form.
 
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#11,087
My love of Laklands was reaffirmed today. I'm in Atlanta this week on business and today wound up being free. A local shop had Sadowskys in stock, which I've been curious about for years. They had a New York made Will Lee, a metro 5 and a RV5. They also had some 44-64 customs and 55-02. I tried the Will Lee first, the neck felt nice, but no better than a Lakland IMO. The sound ok, I wasn't "wow'd" like I thought I would be. Something about the bass felt stiff. I felt the same way about the other two that I tried. They are made well, but just were not comfortable to play. The setups were nice, necks straight, but they had some stiffness to the feel. After reading about the preamps for many years, I was surprised that the bass and treble did not have center detents. I did not like this. They sounded good, I played everything through a Mesa Subway 800 set flat. Maybe the Sadowskys take some getting used to. Maybe next time I try one it will feel right.

I picked up one of the 44-64 customs and the 55-02 and felt instantly at home. The Lakland necks, Skyline necks, felt better to me than all of the Sadowskys. All of the Lakies just felt fantastic, like the first time I had played one.

I also tried a Roscoe and put it down after about 30 seconds. It was a gorgeous specimen, but not comfy to me at all. Soundwise, it reminded of my old upgraded 55-01 with US Bart pre and mk5 pups.

Finally, I tried a Nash PB-57 and was blown away. The fit and tone were everything you expect in a Pbass. Try one of you get the chance. I compared it to a US Fender Precision and the Nash took the cake easily.

Now a 55-94 and Nash are on my GAS list. It's good and bad that there are no good music stores in Houston. Good because I don't know what I'm missing, bad because I don't know what I'm missing...
 
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#11,088
Fyi, the Sadowsky pre is boost only for the bass and treble, thus no center detent.

I can relate though- just got through changing strings (and battery) and cleaning up my somewhat ignored 55-94 from 2000, and it loves the d’addario NYXLs! I was able to get some great p, jazz and mm-esque sounds out of it. Always loved the neck on that bass, just thought the old barts were a little dark, but now I think I need to just try some other strings than my standby DR long necks (steel strings don’t sound good through my genzler rig, so I’ve been doing some changes in strings on all my basses). Maybe it’s because I’ve had a 55-94 for 5+ years now and kind of just took it for granted, but it’s a killer flexible bass!
 
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#11,089
Texan said:
My love of Laklands was reaffirmed today. I'm in Atlanta this week on business and today wound up being free. A local shop had Sadowskys in stock, which I've been curious about for years. They had a New York made Will Lee, a metro 5 and a RV5. They also had some 44-64 customs and 55-02. I tried the Will Lee first, the neck felt nice, but no better than a Lakland IMO. The sound ok, I wasn't "wow'd" like I thought I would be. Something about the bass felt stiff. I felt the same way about the other two that I tried. They are made well, but just were not comfortable to play. The setups were nice, necks straight, but they had some stiffness to the feel. After reading about the preamps for many years, I was surprised that the bass and treble did not have center detents. I did not like this. They sounded good, I played everything through a Mesa Subway 800 set flat. Maybe the Sadowskys take some getting used to. Maybe next time I try one it will feel right.

I picked up one of the 44-64 customs and the 55-02 and felt instantly at home. The Lakland necks, Skyline necks, felt better to me than all of the Sadowskys. All of the Lakies just felt fantastic, like the first time I had played one.

I also tried a Roscoe and put it down after about 30 seconds. It was a gorgeous specimen, but not comfy to me at all. Soundwise, it reminded of my old upgraded 55-01 with US Bart pre and mk5 pups.

Finally, I tried a Nash PB-57 and was blown away. The fit and tone were everything you expect in a Pbass. Try one of you get the chance. I compared it to a US Fender Precision and the Nash took the cake easily.

Now a 55-94 and Nash are on my GAS list. It's good and bad that there are no good music stores in Houston. Good because I don't know what I'm missing, bad because I don't know what I'm missing...
Click to expand...

I've played several sadowski's. Yes I agree, very nice but not my style. I had the same problem with the necks.

I do love my Lakland Fiver necks.
 
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#11,090
IMG_20190717_192805264.jpg
IMG_20190717_192757604.jpg
For those of you old timers ....

It's "FRUMPY SHORT" day!!!!
 
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#11,092
Texan said:
My love of Laklands was reaffirmed today. I'm in Atlanta this week on business and today wound up being free. A local shop had Sadowskys in stock, which I've been curious about for years. They had a New York made Will Lee, a metro 5 and a RV5. They also had some 44-64 customs and 55-02. I tried the Will Lee first, the neck felt nice, but no better than a Lakland IMO. The sound ok, I wasn't "wow'd" like I thought I would be. Something about the bass felt stiff. I felt the same way about the other two that I tried. They are made well, but just were not comfortable to play. The setups were nice, necks straight, but they had some stiffness to the feel. After reading about the preamps for many years, I was surprised that the bass and treble did not have center detents. I did not like this. They sounded good, I played everything through a Mesa Subway 800 set flat. Maybe the Sadowskys take some getting used to. Maybe next time I try one it will feel right.

I picked up one of the 44-64 customs and the 55-02 and felt instantly at home. The Lakland necks, Skyline necks, felt better to me than all of the Sadowskys. All of the Lakies just felt fantastic, like the first time I had played one.

I also tried a Roscoe and put it down after about 30 seconds. It was a gorgeous specimen, but not comfy to me at all. Soundwise, it reminded of my old upgraded 55-01 with US Bart pre and mk5 pups.

Finally, I tried a Nash PB-57 and was blown away. The fit and tone were everything you expect in a Pbass. Try one of you get the chance. I compared it to a US Fender Precision and the Nash took the cake easily.

Now a 55-94 and Nash are on my GAS list. It's good and bad that there are no good music stores in Houston. Good because I don't know what I'm missing, bad because I don't know what I'm missing...
Click to expand...

Gotta get back to Texas;

Lots of fun last time....too long ago
 
#11,098
Texan said:
My love of Laklands was reaffirmed today. I'm in Atlanta this week on business and today wound up being free. A local shop had Sadowskys in stock, which I've been curious about for years. They had a New York made Will Lee, a metro 5 and a RV5. They also had some 44-64 customs and 55-02. I tried the Will Lee first, the neck felt nice, but no better than a Lakland IMO. The sound ok, I wasn't "wow'd" like I thought I would be. Something about the bass felt stiff. I felt the same way about the other two that I tried. They are made well, but just were not comfortable to play. The setups were nice, necks straight, but they had some stiffness to the feel. After reading about the preamps for many years, I was surprised that the bass and treble did not have center detents. I did not like this. They sounded good, I played everything through a Mesa Subway 800 set flat. Maybe the Sadowskys take some getting used to. Maybe next time I try one it will feel right.

I picked up one of the 44-64 customs and the 55-02 and felt instantly at home. The Lakland necks, Skyline necks, felt better to me than all of the Sadowskys. All of the Lakies just felt fantastic, like the first time I had played one.

I also tried a Roscoe and put it down after about 30 seconds. It was a gorgeous specimen, but not comfy to me at all. Soundwise, it reminded of my old upgraded 55-01 with US Bart pre and mk5 pups.

Finally, I tried a Nash PB-57 and was blown away. The fit and tone were everything you expect in a Pbass. Try one of you get the chance. I compared it to a US Fender Precision and the Nash took the cake easily.

Now a 55-94 and Nash are on my GAS list. It's good and bad that there are no good music stores in Houston. Good because I don't know what I'm missing, bad because I don't know what I'm missing...
Click to expand...


I played my first Sadowsky recently as well. I was also underwhelmed. There is just something about a Lakland that keeps me coming back.
 
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