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Joeykun
pronounced ジョーイくん
- Jun 22, 2007
- 4,200
- 16,151
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: LAKLAND SADOWSKY GENZLER DARKGLASS NORDSTRAND TEMPLEBOARD KIRLIN DRSTRINGS ACCESS
Tonight’s Show in NJ with my 55-02 and Genzler rig!
Looks like you are enjoying the lakland!
Since we are talking about preamps, this is an interesting post over at the East thread:
The John East preamp club
Replacing the Bart pre with a Uni Pre on a 55-94.
The John East preamp club
Replacing the Bart pre with a Uni Pre on a 55-94.
Ha, what timing. I was lookin at the Uni Pre 5 knob 3 band last knight. Thinking about ordering one. Pre first, then the bass to put it in. A 44-02. For the same reasons the post in the East thread mentioned. Much more versatility with the Uni Pre.
I still plan on selling my 44-01. Just haven't been in a hurry to post it. I just don't play it and I hate to see great gear go unused
Well the 55-AJ arrived and I’m totally bummed to say it’s heading back. It sounds fantastic. Some treble hiss at the center detent position but no big deal. The neck had so much relief it was unplayable. So I get out my trusty lakland truss rod wrench to discover the body cutout is smaller than the wrench. Measure and it’s smaller than the 55-02 and 44-64 by almost a 1/4”. Enough that the wrench won’t fit into the slot. Upon more careful inspection I see the truss rod head is stripped. I messaged the store via reverb and he immediately processed the return shipping. I’m just glad he’s not creating any fuss and I’ll get a full refund. But I am bummed. Might just get a new 55-01 or keep looking for a 55-60 that isn’t a boat anchor.
Man! So sorry to hear. The anticipation of getting a new instrument only to be disappointed upon arrival is definitely a BUMMER! Sounds like your return should be painless, hopefully. Well, continue the search for a replacement bass.
Greetings! I am talking myself into ordering a custom Lakland 55-64. Flammed top, custom paint, blocked and bound neck, and active electronics. This model has to be a Drop Top. That is no pick guard so they can add the preamp cavity to the back of the bass. Not exactly what I was planning, but I think it will be fine. The question I have is what pickups? Since this is kinda going off the board anyway, I was thinking Chi-Sonics, I'm open to suggestions. Anybody out there have any experience or knowledge you'd like to share? Fire away!
Chis sound great. Better than the standard jazz pickups (IMO). I have other jazz pickups I even like more (like the Nordstrand jazz blades) but keeping it in the "family", I would recommend the Chis (if available).
What I do not recall is if they still require the larger soapbar-like case, or whether they still offer chis that fit in the traditional shape jazz pickup. If soapbars, then there are many other good soapbar size pickups to choose from, SD, Nordy, Barts, etc. that give more output than the standard jazz pickups. you can tell I'm not a fan of standard jazz pickups.
What I do not recall is if they still require the larger soapbar-like case, or whether they still offer chis that fit in the traditional shape jazz pickup. If soapbars, then there are many other good soapbar size pickups to choose from, SD, Nordy, Barts, etc. that give more output than the standard jazz pickups. you can tell I'm not a fan of standard jazz pickups.
I agree with G-man. Since it's a 55-64, it sounds like you want something moderately P-like but not necessarily a faithful reproduction. I submit that you can get more of a P-like tone from a Chisonic in the classic neck position of a J bass pickup alignment than you could from a traditional J pickup in the same spot.
I still can’t get the models right after 15 years. I’m hopeless
What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet…
But yeah, their model #s don’t really roll off the tongue, do they.
They won't do a pick guard when there's a cavity in the back of the bass for active electronics? Am i understanding that correctly? Doesn't make sense, but maybe I'm misunderstanding!
This is the inspiration, but in a 5 string with active electronics. Purple is my favorite color and well, there is just something about that look...
https://www.lakland.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_6970_clipped_rev_1.png
https://www.lakland.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_6970_clipped_rev_1.png
Well I get a figured top changes certain things about a build. You're not going to get a solid piece of ash or alder from front to back. I don't know why that prevents them from putting a pick guard on the top. I also don't know why most people would want to spend a lot of money on a figured maple top and then cover it up with a pick guard, but if it's what you want and you're willing to pay for it I don't get why they wouldn't do it for you! I would think once it's been lacquered they could easily use a drill press or whatever they do to put holes in the right places without damaging the maple top, but i digress! Maybe a figured maple top is more more fragile than I imagine and they're afraid it might split...
Pretty! Is it just me or does that J pickup looks a little crooked, but not intentionally so, like a warwick or dingwall or something.
That's not what I want. I want ash with a transparent finish. The figured top is one of the options that was offered. Regardless, a solid top is all they offer with active electronics on a P Style bass.
