Lakland Owners Group #69

[macribas]

Hey all. Any suggestions for hum canceling jazz pickups for my Lakland DJ-4? I love the tone of the stock pickups but the hum bothers me. I know in a band setting it won't be noticeable but just curious to see what's available or recommended that sound similar to the stock pickups of the DJ-4. Thanks for any recommendations.

Hey Thom, I believe the Nordstrand NJ4SV pickups will get you the hum canceling with a tone similar to the single coils you have.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

Hey Thom, I believe the Nordstrand NJ4SV pickups will get you the hum canceling with a tone similar to the single coils you have.

Thanks for the suggestion. Wow, those are expensive but have gotten some great reviews.

 

[Holdsg]

worth it, in my book

 

[KevinMG]

So I gave in to GAS pains today. I still can't believe I pulled the trigger on this, but I couldn't stop thinking about it all week. This is a 2017 Skyline 55-AJ and weighs only 9.2lbs. Great price and includes a hardshell case too. I've been seeing a lot of charcoal bursts from boutiques lately, and I really really dig them. So kudos to Lakland for being a trend setter.

While I love my 55-02, especially the neck,p I've been missing my Fender 5 that I sold a couple years ago (for no good reason). So I'm excited and hope this fills the jazz void in a lovely lakland way! Pics below are from the seller. Will share more when it arrives next week.

I turned 50 last month so we'll just call this a belated bday gift to myself!

 

[Joeykun]

^^^ Very nice and happy belated birthday!

 

[KevinMG]

I'm curious to hear from other 55-AJ owners. Limited YouTube videos of varying quality out there but they sounded good to me. How is the MK-1 preamp with the Lakland vintage pickups? Is it relatively neutral when flat? How much difference between flat and bypassed? Hoping I don't need to swap out the preamp, but I went into this figuring the price was good enough even if I need to swap electronics. Anyway, while I wait for the brown truck I'd love to hear your experience with the AJ model.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

I have no reservations about ripping out a pre to replace it with something I like better to suit pups or tone I am after. Too the mk1 pre out of my 44-01 and replaced it with a Custom Audere pre. which is very neutral when EQ is set flat and in Mid impedance Z mode. John East MM 3 band pre is my preference for versatility of tone shaping as well as his 3 band Unipre.

 

[KevinMG]

I have no reservations about ripping out a pre to replace it with something I like better to suit pups or tone I am after. Too the mk1 pre out of my 44-01 and replaced it with a Custom Audere pre. which is very neutral when EQ is set flat and in Mid impedance Z mode. John East MM 3 band pre is my preference for versatility of tone shaping as well as his 3 band Unipre.

Those preamps seem to be recommended often. Swapping pickups on my 44-64 PJ was my first experience modding a bass and came with much anxiety lol. I think it was a good mod, but I still consider putting the stock pickups back in. I've always believed it should sound good stock or don't buy it. Not so easy when we're buying online and returns aren't feasible.

I sold off all my active basses except my 55-02 because I've never been a knob turner. I tend to keep my active basses flat - maybe a little treble tweak in lieu of a passive tone.

I like what I've heard of the Lakland vintage jazz pickups when passive, so I'm hoping the MK-1 isn't too intrusive and the bypass doesn't kill volume like the LH3. But if I do replace the pre I'd want something neutral, with a bypass and passive tone control. Basically turn the AJ into flame top 55-60 with the option to go active for more specific tweaks. I'll check out the audere and unipre.

I suppose I need to brush up on my soldering skills so I can start doing these mods myself!

 

[deepestend]

Those preamps seem to be recommended often. Swapping pickups on my 44-64 PJ was my first experience modding a bass and came with much anxiety lol. I think it was a good mod, but I still consider putting the stock pickups back in. I've always believed it should sound good stock or don't buy it. Not so easy when we're buying online and returns aren't feasible.

I sold off all my active basses except my 55-02 because I've never been a knob turner. I tend to keep my active basses flat - maybe a little treble tweak in lieu of a passive tone.

I like what I've heard of the Lakland vintage jazz pickups when passive, so I'm hoping the MK-1 isn't too intrusive and the bypass doesn't kill volume like the LH3. But if I do replace the pre I'd want something neutral, with a bypass and passive tone control. Basically turn the AJ into flame top 55-60 with the option to go active for more specific tweaks. I'll check out the audere and unipre.

I suppose I need to brush up on my soldering skills so I can start doing these mods myself!

I put a Nordstrand 3 band in my Lakland HB and love the control that it gives me. Let's me filter out some of the boominess and sweeten things with a mid bump when necessary.

 

[macribas]

I suppose I need to brush up on my soldering skills so I can start doing these mods myself!

Speaking of which... Seymour Duncan just came up with a free online course on replacing pickups/pres and soldering:
Pickup Installation 101

 

[macribas]

I like what I've heard of the Lakland vintage jazz pickups when passive, so I'm hoping the MK-1 isn't too intrusive and the bypass doesn't kill volume like the LH3. But if I do replace the pre I'd want something neutral, with a bypass and passive tone control. Basically turn the AJ into flame top 55-60 with the option to go active for more specific tweaks. I'll check out the audere and unipre.

FWIW, the LH-3 pre doesn't have anything to do with the passive volume on the 55-02. Those pickups are designed to have very low output.

None of the Audere pre amps has an active/passive switch, but they are very transparent when flat. If you're not happy with the MK-1 and you need active/passive I believe the East Uni Pre is your best bet.

 

[KevinMG]

I put a Nordstrand 3 band in my Lakland HB and love the control that it gives me. Let's me filter out some of the boominess and sweeten things with a mid bump when necessary.

The Nordstrand 2 or 3 band with passive tone control was my original thinking. Been considering a 3 band for my 55-02 and thinking maybe the 2 band for the AJ (a la Sadowsky).

 

[KevinMG]

FWIW, the LH-3 pre doesn't have anything to do with the passive volume on the 55-02. Those pickups are designed to have very low output.

That was my sense and why I haven't swapped out the preamp (though I think about it often). I'd be bummed if I swapped only to find passive mode is still barely audible. The LH3 preamp sounds good enough flat. I just wish the treble was voiced better and the mid didn't push into clip so easily. First world problems of a bedroom bassist.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

FWIW, the LH-3 pre doesn't have anything to do with the passive volume on the 55-02. Those pickups are designed to have very low output.

None of the Audere pre amps has an active/passive switch, but they are very transparent when flat. If you're not happy with the MK-1 and you need active/passive I believe the East Uni Pre is your best bet.

Agree on the Unipre being a good choice. I would like to put one in a 44-02. My Audere does have an active/passive switch which is not available any more I believe. I was able to get a few options no longer available.

 

[basspraiser]

So I gave in to GAS pains today. I still can't believe I pulled the trigger on this, but I couldn't stop thinking about it all week. This is a 2017 Skyline 55-AJ and weighs only 9.2lbs. Great price and includes a hardshell case too. I've been seeing a lot of charcoal bursts from boutiques lately, and I really really dig them. So kudos to Lakland for being a trend setter.

While I love my 55-02, especially the neck,p I've been missing my Fender 5 that I sold a couple years ago (for no good reason). So I'm excited and hope this fills the jazz void in a lovely lakland way! Pics below are from the seller. Will share more when it arrives next week.

I turned 50 last month so we'll just call this a belated bday gift to myself!

View attachment 4415623 View attachment 4415643

Congrats on a great bass!

 

[macribas]

Agree on the Unipre being a good choice. I would like to put one in a 44-02. My Audere does have an active/passive switch which is not available any more I believe. I was able to get a few options no longer available.

Now you got me curious... I'm a former Electrical Engineer, so I geek out on those things. Are you sure it is an active/passive switch? Interesting, it's the first time I hear about this. It's even in their FAQs:
"Can I add an Active/Passive Switch?
Not possible but our design addresses the most common reasons players want an A/P switch, which are:
1) Sound issues - we do not screw up your sound with a lot of distortion.
2) Battery issues - we have a LED battery meter.
3) Electronic failure - the switch would reduce not increases your reliability."

Isn't yours maybe the Z-mode switch? Here's how they describe it:
"How do I make it Sound like a Passive Bass?
Put the Z-Mode switch in Mid Z-Mode for both pickups (by default the Z-Mode switch will be in the center) and the Tone controls in the center detents which are flat.
We do not have the distortion which most preamps do so we won't mess up your tone."
and
"The Pro preamps include the Z-Mode system - when the Pro Z-mode switch is in the center position, it's in the Mid Z-Mode setting and sounds just like your non-Pro Jazz preamp. This setting sounds like a passive bass."

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Now you got me curious... I'm a former Electrical Engineer, so I geek out on those things. Are you sure it is an active/passive switch? Interesting, it's the first time I hear about this. It's even in their FAQs:
"Can I add an Active/Passive Switch?
Not possible but our design addresses the most common reasons players want an A/P switch, which are:
1) Sound issues - we do not screw up your sound with a lot of distortion.
2) Battery issues - we have a LED battery meter.
3) Electronic failure - the switch would reduce not increases your reliability."

Isn't yours maybe the Z-mode switch? Here's how they describe it:
"How do I make it Sound like a Passive Bass?
Put the Z-Mode switch in Mid Z-Mode for both pickups (by default the Z-Mode switch will be in the center) and the Tone controls in the center detents which are flat.
We do not have the distortion which most preamps do so we won't mess up your tone."
and
"The Pro preamps include the Z-Mode system - when the Pro Z-mode switch is in the center position, it's in the Mid Z-Mode setting and sounds just like your non-Pro Jazz preamp. This setting sounds like a passive bass."

Mine is an older Pro Z pre. In the pic the switch is A/P. The smallest knob farthest away is a six position Z mode selector. I talked directly with him when ordering mine. He stated reasons as you mentioned why he was not in favor of A/P switch, but he added it for me as it would not be available on the newer gen available now. What you stated about tone in Mid Z mode is true. I have many Z mode combinations on tap with the 6 position rotary. One limiting factor with mine, is that in passive mode, switch engaged, on volume works with both pups full. A/P switch was meant as failsafe in case batteries totally die. Mine is 18 volt so batt life is VERY long!

 

[macribas]

Mine is an older Pro Z pre. In the pic the switch is A/P. The smallest knob farthest away is a six position Z mode selector. I talked directly with him when ordering mine. He stated reasons as you mentioned why he was not in favor of A/P switch, but he added it for me as it would not be available on the newer gen available now. What you stated about tone in Mid Z mode is true. I have many Z mode combinations on tap with the 6 position rotary. One limiting factor with mine, is that in passive mode, switch engaged, on volume works with both pups full. A/P switch was meant as failsafe in case batteries totally die. Mine is 18 volt so batt life is VERY long! View attachment 4416485

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Are those Sadowsky knobs? Are they a shoe-in?
And are those Splits or Single Coil Nordys?
Now we need tone audio samples...

 

[JEDI BASS]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Are those Sadowsky knobs? Are they a shoe-in?
And are those Splits or Single Coil Nordys?
Now we need tone audio samples...

Max's 44-01 is flat magical! And that is coming from a guy that has had some absolutely killer US Laklands! Max knows that I want it if he ever sells it. It can do anything with just the turn of that rotary Z Switch. He let me do a 4 hour show with it once and I was sold!

 

[MaxSpinrun]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Are those Sadowsky knobs? Are they a shoe-in?
And are those Splits or Single Coil Nordys?
Now we need tone audio samples...

Yeas those are Sadowsky type knobs from Best Bass Gear. They went right on the solid shaft pots. As JJ, stated tone changes come mostly from selecting desired tone from Z mode combinations, with very little EQ adjustments needed. Those are Nordstrand Big Singles. Did copper foil shielding of control cavity. Very quiet, not much single coil noise. JJ used it on a gig and liked it, but I have NO PLANS OF SELLING THIS ONE! LOL! As a bonus this bass is blood very heavy at all.