Lakland Owners Group #69

[JEDI BASS]

I need to find my 55-94 pickup set and preamp that was originally in Sexual Chocolate. They’re in one of my multiple junk/parts stashes… somewhere. I believe it’s a ‘98.

Here’s a set I bought years ago that are pre-2000.

 

[Jeff Roller]

I need to find my 55-94 pickup set and preamp that was originally in Sexual Chocolate. They’re in one of my multiple junk/parts stashes… somewhere. I believe it’s a ‘98.

Here’s a set I bought years ago that are pre-2000. View attachment 4733528View attachment 4733529

I didn't know SC wasn't original! Whoever made the decision for the current setup was pretty smart!

 

[JEDI BASS]

I didn't know SC wasn't original! Whoever made the decision for the current setup was pretty smart!

I’ve heard that before, LOL

 

[johndb]

I’ve been told, by Brian at the LowEnd years ago, that they used a 4 string MM pickup on the early 55-94s. He said they have bar magnets, so the B and G are still (but barely) in the magnetic field. He also said they sounded slightly different. If I remember correctly, and others can chime in, they sound a bit more aggressive & less hi-fi…. so more Stingray-ish and less Bartolini-ish.

Actually, the MM style pickup in the early five string Laklands was specifically built by Bartolini for that bass, and was very different from the 4 string pickup. Bill didn't have an injection molded shell for the larger 5-string MM pickup, and I believe Dan still wanted the ears of the old school stingray pickup. The specially constructed 5 string pickup just barely fit in the shell and adequately covered the string spacing. Plus it looked more balanced with the neck J pickup.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Actually, the MM style pickup in the early five string Laklands was specifically built by Bartolini for that bass, and was very different from the 4 string pickup. Bill didn't have an injection molded shell for the larger 5-string MM pickup, and I believe Dan still wanted the ears of the old school stingray pickup. The specially constructed 5 string pickup just barely fit in the shell and adequately covered the string spacing. Plus it looked more balanced with the neck J pickup.

Thank you! That makes more sense than just making due with a 4 banger p’up.

 

[johndb]

This is a picture of me with a bass I built around 1997 that used the original 55-94 full electronics package I purchased from Dan. I think I sold it around 2002 to Al Stewart's (Year of the Cat) bass player.

 

[Saluki]

My 25th anniversary edition was stock with 34” scale and bartollini pickups and preamp. I really dig this bass. Took me a awhile to get warmed up to it!

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Thanks, that answers my iteration question. However, that needs to be updated. They list the DL52CBJD3 and 59CBJD-LN3. After extensive conversations with Bartolini and a request for those specific part numbers, Bartolini said the current part numbers are DL5CBC and 59CBJD-S1 View attachment 4733120 They fit perfectly.

Size isn’t the only issue though- your mm pickup is a dual coil, not a quad coil like the regular Lakland stuff. Is the coil select switch hooked up? Is it hum free?

 

[basspraiser]

This is a picture of me with a bass I built around 1997 that used the original 55-94 full electronics package I purchased from Dan. I think I sold it around 2002 to Al Stewart's (Year of the Cat) bass player.
View attachment 4733739

Great looking bass

 

[ptidwell]

Size isn’t the only issue though- your mm pickup is a dual coil, not a quad coil like the regular Lakland stuff. Is the coil select switch hooked up? Is it hum free?

Yes sir, coil select is hooked up and it's hum free.
Check this link out
5-String Lakland/MusicMan (DL) Shapes - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Yes sir, coil select is hooked up and it's hum free.
Check this link out
5-String Lakland/MusicMan (DL) Shapes - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

How does the neck pickup fit? When I had my LH3 stuff replaced, I did different Bart pickups, the 59CBJD-LN1 J-Bass, 5-String, Classic Bass, Dual In-Line Coil, Long Neck Position and the quad coil MM
DL52CBJD3 5-String, Music Man (Stingray), 2J Squared, Quad-Coil , with the Bart 3 band pre



I was actually very happy with the sound of that bass, I just decided to go down the vintage Lakland rabbit hole... my current one is a '99

 

[ptidwell]

How does the neck pickup fit? When I had my LH3 stuff replaced, I did different Bart pickups, the 59CBJD-LN1 J-Bass, 5-String, Classic Bass, Dual In-Line Coil, Long Neck Position and the quad coil MM
DL52CBJD3 5-String, Music Man (Stingray), 2J Squared, Quad-Coil , with the Bart 3 band pre

View attachment 4733949 View attachment 4733948

I was actually very happy with the sound of that bass, I just decided to go down the vintage Lakland rabbit hole... my current one is a '99
View attachment 4733953

It fit about like yours did. I too am happy with the tone, especially with the John East UniPre. I A/B it against my 55-02 with Hanson LH3 electronics and favor the 55-94 Bart/East setup. Don't get me wrong I really like the tone I get from the 55-02 as well, but different which is what I was going for with similar basses.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

So, I joined the Lakland family in 2020 during the Covid shutdown. I picked up a new 55-02 and fell in love with it. I dropped a John East UniPre in it and could not put it down. Unfortunately, it weighed 10pounds 14 oz. Too much for my 3x surgically repaired back, so I moved it along and went on a quest for a 55-94 with Barts. Let me go on record to say I am a big Bartolini fan. I found a 2016 55-94 weighing 8.2 but it had the Hanson electronics. Also found a 55-02 @ 8.8 pounds with the LH3 (backup). I dropped a Bartolini J pickup (59CBJD-S1) and a Bartolini MM pickup (DL5CBC) in the 55-94 along with another John East UniPre I love sweepable mids and an active/passive tone control, I am very happy with this setup. But here is my question, you mentioned "pre-dark Barts", how many iterations of pickup/preamp did Lakland use over the years leading up to the change to LH3 Hansen electronics. Finally, speaking with the folks at Bartolini the "original" pickups were discontinued for the ones I bought. However, your comment suggests that they changed Bartolini pickups at some point during the production years. I thought it would be good to know in the event that I run across an earlier model.

I agree. Sweepable mids make huge difference. I have an East pre in a Ray, and what a difference. I would like to put a Uni pre in a 44-02, but leave the stock pups in.

 

[TedH]

Help!

my 51P got damaged in a flood, however the neck was salvageable. I decided I would build up a new one with a Warmoth body, do the shielding, pot soldering, pickup install and use the Lakland neck. Nearing completion, I realized that the Lakland bolt spacing is a touch different than “standard” Fender spacing, so there is a 3mm gap. What should I do?

1 - say meh, it’s straight and will be covered by pickguard and not impact intonation
2 - redrill holes so that it mates properly and hope there is no hole overlap, and accept that there will be more than 4 holes in the neck
3 - buy a new neck and accept that this sweet, flame maple Lakland will not be used here.

any advice is appreciated!

 

[JEDI BASS]

Help!

my 51P got damaged in a flood, however the neck was salvageable. I decided I would build up a new one with a Warmoth body, do the shielding, pot soldering, pickup install and use the Lakland neck. Nearing completion, I realized that the Lakland bolt spacing is a touch different than “standard” Fender spacing, so there is a 3mm gap. What should I do?

1 - say meh, it’s straight and will be covered by pickguard and not impact intonation
2 - redrill holes so that it mates properly and hope there is no hole overlap, and accept that there will be more than 4 holes in the neck
3 - buy a new neck and accept that this sweet, flame maple Lakland will not be used here.

any advice is appreciated!

View attachment 4734787

With the neck bolts removed, does the neck fit the pocket perfectly? If so, I’d plug the holes in the neck with a hardwood. Then I’d redrill, possibly using inserts and machine screws.

 

[TedH]

With the neck bolts removed, does the neck fit the pocket perfectly? If so, I’d plug the holes in the neck with a hardwood. Then I’d redrill, possibly using inserts and machine screws.

Hey JJ - the neck does mate super well, so your solution sounds like a very good one. I was really happy with the fit, then matched the holes and found my issue. Thanks!

 

[Jeff Roller]

Only thing I would add is double check your scale length with the neck firmly in the pocket. This will show if you have enough bridge adjustment to intonate properly.

You should have plenty of room, but now is the time to find out.

All that to say, I would rather the neck sit tightly in the pocket and move the bridge if necessary.

 

[TedH]

Only thing I would add is double check your scale length with the neck firmly in the pocket. This will show if you have enough bridge adjustment to intonate properly.

You should have plenty of room, but now is the time to find out.

All that to say, I would rather the neck sit tightly in the pocket and move the bridge if necessary.

Scale is spot on fortunately!

 

[Jamvan]

This popped up in my YouTube feed last night and was pleasantly surprised to see notable Fender endorsee Sean Hurley playing a cool 55-Dual J. Great tone!

 

[Hammerfield]

Maybe someone can help me. I was asking myself what pickups are in my Lakie, Skyline Joe Osborn, serial number 08, so 2008. Im the third owner of this bass. I think that they are laklands or aeros, but it has white and black cloth wires.

Yeah, i did the poopy shielding job lol.