Lakland Owners Group #69

[Si-bob]

Link Removed Lakland USA Short Scale 44-64 w/ Darkstar. | Reverb

Ben Kenney has a US J-Sonic shortscale, I remember thinking it looks a little odd, but hey, if it sounds and feels good….

Possibly why Lakland went ahead with the HH-30, to cover off the slightly more ‘Fender’ vibe shortscale needs from customers.

Si

 

[ReeV0]

The 44-02 and 55-02 basses had the same Bartolini pickups and preamps as the US basses, for a while, until the Lākland/Hanson set and preamps became the norm. I would venture that the bass in question is from the time before the change, or has been customized with the Bart set.

Thanks, that's what I understood too. Just threw me a bit because the bass is dated 2012, so wondered why someone would put the Barts back in.

 

[Si-bob]

…so wondered why someone would put the Barts back in.

Perfectly reasonable action, if they preferred Barts. I would absolutely do that.

Si

 

[ReeV0]

Do you know if the Bart preamp has the adjustable dip switches and passive volume increase?

 

[ThomasTronics]

Do you know if the Bart preamp has the adjustable dip switches and passive volume increase?

My '98 does. Dip switches and a trim pot.

 

[Mohawk]

My '98 does. Dip switches and a trim pot.

Bart settings

 

[ReeV0]

Thanks, that's very helpful. One more quick mention, I tried another 44-02 a few weeks ago and the frets were quite sharp on the edges. Is the PLEK machine supposed to smooth them out?

 

[macribas]

Thanks, that's what I understood too. Just threw me a bit because the bass is dated 2012, so wondered why someone would put the Barts back in.

Many people prefer the Bartolini pickups and pre over the Lakland electronics on -02/14/94 models. In fact, I believe you can still custom order Bartolini pickups and pre in US basses.

 

[macribas]

Thanks, that's very helpful. One more quick mention, I tried another 44-02 a few weeks ago and the frets were quite sharp on the edges. Is the PLEK machine supposed to smooth them out?

No, the PLEK machine doesn't do fret ends: Does Plek Pro do Fret End dressing?

If a Lakland bass has sharp fret ends, it means that after it left the factory, the wood shrunk.

 

[Chrome Dome]

Here in Ohio temperatures are up and down alot. I looked at some videos,of guitar parts place that have tools to repair,or adjust different things you can do yourself,if you are willing to do. No affiliation it is a place in south eastern Ohio. Place called Stewart McDonald. Here is a picture of small fret file to knock down the fret spurs that pop out due to fret wood shrinkage.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Here in Ohio temperatures are up and down alot. I looked at some videos,of guitar parts place that have tools to repair,or adjust different things you can do yourself,if you are willing to do. No affiliation it is a place in south eastern Ohio. Place called Stewart McDonald. Here is a picture of small fret file to knock down the fret spurs that pop out due to fret wood shrinkage.View attachment 4799071 View attachment 4799073

I use that tool regularly on my builds and refrets, and it still occasionally gets away from me, and scratches up the tops of some frets. It’s nothing that can’t be removed during the level, crown, and polish. But, I’d never recommend someone who’s inexperienced to use it on a Lākland, for the first time. It has practically no margin for error.

 

[Chrome Dome]

I use that tool regularly on my builds and refrets, and it still occasionally gets away from me, and scratches up the tops of some frets. It’s nothing that can’t be removed during the level, crown, and polish. But, I’d never recommend someone who’s inexperienced to use it on a Lākland, for the first time. It has practically no margin for error.

Yes I agree,have to be careful,not be aggressive when using. I have used it alot,with no problem.

 

[Z-Bass]

If a Lakland bass has sharp fret ends, it means that after it left the factory, the wood shrunk.

This. I purchased a new 44-60 back in 2018. The neck was Plek'd and after a season change or two, it developed the side fret sprout. I just took it back to the shop and the tech took care of it. I wasn't surprised as this had happened on a few basses over the years. Once they file them back, seems to take care of it.

 

[basspraiser]

Except for the 44-51, 44-60, 44-64 and 44-76

Those are basses " based on" basses made in those years... There's always exceptions!

Ha.


PS .... I KNOW you know that.. Just filling in the blanks for the new people

 

[ShawnG]

Those are basses " based on" basses made in those years... There's always exceptions!

Ha.


PS .... I KNOW you know that.. Just filling in the blanks for the new people

Anyone know why the 44-64 was based on a 1964 P-bass? The other “Fender-based” Lakland are numbered for the year Fender introduced them (1951, 1960). Any idea what made 1964 special? Maybe just last year of pre-CBS production?

 

[Si-bob]

Anyone know why the 44-64 was based on a 1964 P-bass? The other “Fender-based” Lakland are numbered for the year Fender introduced them (1951, 1960). Any idea what made 1964 special? Maybe just last year of pre-CBS production?

Could well be a reference to the year of the original Fender bass they took their measurements from.

Si

 

[JEDI BASS]

Anyone know why the 44-64 was based on a 1964 P-bass? The other “Fender-based” Lakland are numbered for the year Fender introduced them (1951, 1960). Any idea what made 1964 special? Maybe just last year of pre-CBS production?

The first Lākland P bass was modeled after Bob Glaub’s, and I think his was a ‘64. Back in the day, Lākland P basses were called Glaubs and the J basses were Joe Osborns.

 

[bubinga5]

Ive been through a lot and I mean a lot of instruments when it comes to 5 strings. The one that always stuck was a Lakland 55. Ive owned now 3 55-02's and a 1999 Bart 5594, 1 Joe Osborn 4 string, and a DJ5... For me personally the thing that makes it so great is that MM J pickup config. Its versatile, its warm, its punchy, its just a beautiful sounding instrument that will out punch anything imo. I loved the 55-94 but I personally think you get enough of Lakland from a 55-02 deluxe. I will probably not want another 5 string because it does everything. And it does it really well.And for god sake they are so well made. . Ive always been a Laky boy at heart..Here is my Korean made 2006 deluxe.

 

[Gougedeye]

Here is my Korean made 2006 deluxe.

That top is super!

 

[Z-Bass]

That top is super!

Agreed. That's one of the cooler quilt tops I've seen on a 55-02. It's like it's being pulled or stretched. I also enjoy a good read when someone finds something that works so well for them.