Lakland Owners Group #69

[rictrose]

Laklands did not say "Made in the USA" until around 2001 because the Skyline series did not exist and ALL Laklands were made in the USA. No need to call it out.

I asked someone at Lakland about the Made in USA on the back of the headstock. He said they meant to put one on each headstock even back in the early days. He said it “even back then it was important so we made a point of it”. Mine doesn’t have a Made in USA stamp. It’s from 1998
Anyone know what the little exclamation mark drawing is about?

 

[basspraiser]

Beautiful OW US Glaub on Reverb:

Lakland Bob Glaub Precision Bass 2007 Olympic White | Tully's Gear | Reverb

That's sweet

 

[basspraiser]

I've had this HB30 for a few years, and never loved the burst finish on the maple top. I tried a tort guard, but it still didn't come to life. So I punted and went for a refinish of the body in LP blue. I also changed the pots to Bourne 250ks and put in a .1 capacitor and a True Tone jack, and replaced the ugly J knobs. The pick guard is from Chandler Music (Pickguard Planet.) Very happy with the look and tone!
View attachment 4150790

Love the new look!!

 

[JEDI BASS]

I've had this HB30 for a few years, and never loved the burst finish on the maple top. I tried a tort guard, but it still didn't come to life. So I punted and went for a refinish of the body in LP blue. I also changed the pots to Bourne 250ks and put in a .1 capacitor and a True Tone jack, and replaced the ugly J knobs. The pick guard is from Chandler Music (Pickguard Planet.) Very happy with the look and tone!
View attachment 4150790

I’m not normally a fan of LP Blue. But, that looks stellar!! Very classy and appealing look! Congratulations!

 

[Yummy Notes]

Dear Laklanders,
I love my US 55-94. You probably guessed that. I'm curious though, has anyone changed the knobs on their 55-94. I have searched and can't seem to find info, pics, specs on the size of the control shafts or types. Is there a standard size? I would love to see a 55-94 with silver knobs (like on the 55-AJ, 55-60, etc.). I just did not want to pull my knobs off without knowing if there were any good options--someone must have swapped their knobs out before. I also thought about emailing Lakland, but figured someone here probably would know. BTW, I did add Schaller lock straps to my bass (I liked the locks so much I also added them to my Spector Euro LT and Squire P). Thanks for any help.

 

[Jimmy Hubbard]

I haven’t been on the Lakland Owners Group for quite a while. It’s funny, I wanted to get you guys opinion on the neck of my bass, but it seems like you’ve already been talking about it. It’s Lakland 44 94 serial number 323. I had doubt cast about the neck being quarter sawn, but to me it’s definitely not flat sawn, and after talking to John Pirruccello, he’s saying the same thing. All Lakland US are quarter sawn, and it wasn’t a special order. The grains all run in one direction, unlike flat sawn which have such wavy, and sometimes circular shapes and such. Am I crazy? I’ve added some pics, the response from John Pirruccello and the pic of the serial number. Thanks you guys.

Jimmy

 

[TedH]

Dear Laklanders,
I love my US 55-94. You probably guessed that. I'm curious though, has anyone changed the knobs on their 55-94. I have searched and can't seem to find info, pics, specs on the size of the control shafts or types. Is there a standard size? I would love to see a 55-94 with silver knobs (like on the 55-AJ, 55-60, etc.). I just did not want to pull my knobs off without knowing if there were any good options--someone must have swapped their knobs out before. I also thought about emailing Lakland, but figured someone here probably would know. BTW, I did add Schaller lock straps to my bass (I liked the locks so much I also added them to my Spector Euro LT and Squire P). Thanks for any help.

I put on Sadowsky style knobs as I preferred the bigger size. Think I got them from Best Bass Gear, but really anywhere. Super cheap thing to try out; if you don't like it, you're only out ~$30 or so or may be able to return or flip them somewhere.

 

[Yummy Notes]

I put on Sadowsky style knobs as I preferred the bigger size. Think I got them from Best Bass Gear, but really anywhere. Super cheap thing to try out; if you don't like it, you're only out ~$30 or so or may be able to return or flip them somewhere.

Thanks, I'll check Best Bass Gear out in a moment.

 

[PraiseBassing]

Dear Laklanders,
I love my US 55-94. You probably guessed that. I'm curious though, has anyone changed the knobs on their 55-94. I have searched and can't seem to find info, pics, specs on the size of the control shafts or types. Is there a standard size? I would love to see a 55-94 with silver knobs (like on the 55-AJ, 55-60, etc.). I just did not want to pull my knobs off without knowing if there were any good options--someone must have swapped their knobs out before. I also thought about emailing Lakland, but figured someone here probably would know. BTW, I did add Schaller lock straps to my bass (I liked the locks so much I also added them to my Spector Euro LT and Squire P). Thanks for any help.

Not a 55-94, but Sadowsky style on my 55-01 and inlayed ones on my 55-02.

 

[Yummy Notes]

After some trepidation (and trying it on my Spector first ), I just pulled the knob off. The shaft is 7/32 in circumference, 6mm diameter, and 7-8 splines (coarse).

 

[Yummy Notes]

I knew I wasn't alone. Nice knobs! (Not in that way!)

Update: I ordered some Vintage Forge Chrome Metal Flat Top Barrel Knobs. I'll keep you posted.

 

[JEDI BASS]

I haven’t been on the Lakland Owners Group for quite a while. It’s funny, I wanted to get you guys opinion on the neck of my bass, but it seems like you’ve already been talking about it. It’s Lakland 44 94 serial number 323. I had doubt cast about the neck being quarter sawn, but to me it’s definitely not flat sawn, and after talking to John Pirruccello, he’s saying the same thing. All Lakland US are quarter sawn, and it wasn’t a special order. The grains all run in one direction, unlike flat sawn which have such wavy, and sometimes circular shapes and such. Am I crazy? I’ve added some pics, the response from John Pirruccello and the pic of the serial number. Thanks you guys.

Jimmy

I hate to disagree with the company owner. But, there’s a gorgeous (recently purchased new) 55-94 poplar burl top with roasted FLATSAWN birdseye neck w RW board for sale on Facebook right now. The owner fielded the same skepticism you would expect: “Lakland only uses quartersawn on US blah blah blah” but he verified it’s flat and birdseye.

Here’s your end grain:

And here is the definition of quarter, rift, and flat sawn:

And, even the Chicago Bass Doctor himself says it’s not the perfect example of flatsawn but, that it is.

I don’t care either way as I special ordered my Carlo with flatsawn birdseye maple neck RW board, built at Lakland. So.... enjoy the bass and it’s flatsawn neck. It matters not.

 

[JEDI BASS]

 

[Jimmy Hubbard]

Jedi Bass,
Thanks for the reply. I agree that the “word” from Lakland can be a little skewed. I’ve gotten bad information from them before about the history of a bass. I’m a carpenter as well as musician, so I’m familiar with wood grain. I started to suspect rift sawn, which makes sense from your “diagram”. The end grain being what it is, the actual body of the neck doesn’t look flat sawn at all, all the grain runs in one direction, but it doesn’t look as tight as quarter sawn does. (I attached another diagram )

Jimmy

 

[Jimmy Hubbard]

I hate to disagree with the company owner. But, there’s a gorgeous (recently purchased new) 55-94 poplar burl top with roasted FLATSAWN birdseye neck w RW board for sale on Facebook right now. The owner fielded the same skepticism you would expect: “Lakland only uses quartersawn on US blah blah blah” but he verified it’s flat and birdseye.

Here’s your end grain:View attachment 4153191
And here is the definition of quarter, rift, and flat sawn:View attachment 4153198
And, even the Chicago Bass Doctor himself says it’s not the perfect example of flatsawn but, that it is.

I don’t care either way as I special ordered my Carlo with flatsawn birdseye maple neck RW board, built at Lakland. So.... enjoy the bass and it’s flatsawn neck. It matters not.

Not shocked though, I’m always on the losing end of the trade, and whoever’s trading is juicing me for $500 bucks...

Jimmy

 

[JEDI BASS]

I think rift sawn does look more accurate. And, I bet the wood vendor passed it off to Lākland as quartersawn years ago, since it’s in between.

And lengthwise, the rift and quartersawn look the same. So, probably just as stable.

 

[Jamvan]

I knew I wasn't alone. Nice knobs! (Not in that way!)

Update: I ordered some Vintage Forge Chrome Metal Flat Top Barrel Knobs. I'll keep you posted.

The exact knobs I put on my 55-01.

 

[Yummy Notes]

The exact knobs I put on my 55-01.

View attachment 4153279

That looks as good as I imagined it would...thanks, now I definitely feel good about my purchase.

BTW @Jamvan , I checked back to the bass family pic you posted before and I missed it b/c of all of the eye candy!

 

[Ric Vice]

Today I received my Lakland lined fretless 55-94 from Joebone (many thanks Joe). It is a remarkable instrument in every way. Lightweight, exceptional neck, beautiful flame maple tri color sunburst. This will be my main fretless Bass for the ages.

P.S. and the sound is to die for

 

[Ric Vice]

I have a pertinent question about installing a Hipshot Bass Extender with the double drop attachment on my new 55-94 Lined Fretless (see above)

Are the the Ultralites 3/8” or 1/2”. Many thanks.