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Lakland Owners Group #69

I’ve got a 6 bass limit, imposed by me. If my wife set the limit, it would be at 1 lol. I have an armoire that fits 6 basses in their cases. That’s where my limit comes from. I’m currently at 5 but all 6 spots are filled. My Lākland case sits empty because I use a Gator hybrid case for my 44-60. It’s a lot lighter.


You do not need to justify. I guess you just have a lot more self control than the rest of us :-)
 
You do not need to justify. I guess you just have a lot more self control than the rest of us :)

Well, on top of my 6 bass limit, I also have 4 guitars (although I can’t play anything with more than 4 strings), a piano, and 4 saxophones. I actually just recently got my grandfather’s 1930s Stresney accordion as well.
 
I’m pretty sure Lākland will pretty much do whatever you want. If it isn’t on the website, you can reach out to them for additional options. Their Chicago shop is a true custom shop.
This is true. Although a headstock burst over quartersawn maple may not look "matching" enough when compared to the figured maple top on a body.
 
Hi all, I plan on purchasing a USA Lakland this year and have a question for the group.

I intend on buying a 55-94. The specs I would select are the same as the specs of a 55-14. E.g. Alder body, rosewood board, standard dot inlays, no chambering, etc. Lakland is offering multiple colors of the 55-14 till end of year. I was thinking sherwood green metallic.

So my question is this: If I purchased a 55-14, am I getting the exact same bass as I would have had I purchased a 55-94 with those same options?

It looks like you all had this discussion in early 2020, and the general consensus was
The tuners and bridge are the same as the skylines, but other than that you’d be hard pressed to tell a 55-14 from a 55-94 standard.

So, the fit and finish are the same, but the hardware is different.

However, when I read the specs on Lakland's website, it appears all of their basses have the same tuners and bridges. Hipshot ultralites and Lakland high mass bridge. Is this a new development?

I want to purchase the best instrument I can. And will pay top dollar for the 55-94. But, if I will get the exact same instrument for $1k less, I'll purchase the 55-14. I do not, however, want to purchase the 55-14 to receive an instrument with different hardware, a heavier piece of body wood, plain-sawn neck, or less attention to detail with regards to fit and finish, etc.

Looking forward to your first hand experience and feedback.

John
 
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Hi all, I plan on purchasing a USA Lakland this year and have a question for the group.

I intend on buying a 55-94.....

John

I'd call John and discuss your exact situation/ wants. I would personally go with the 55-14 and add a couple of options (IME they will do this ). My 54-JJ was ordered as a 55-14 with small upcharges for 34" scale, Chi-sonics and chambering. They are wonderful at getting you your dream bass and IME will not nickel and dime you into oblivion......very excellent people to do business with during the 2 custom orders I have made there over the years.....and the basses....oh their basses ;0
 
Hi all, I plan on purchasing a USA Lakland this year and have a question for the group.

I intend on buying a 55-94. The specs I would select are the same as the specs of a 55-14. E.g. Alder body, rosewood board, standard dot inlays, no chambering, etc. Lakland is offering multiple colors of the 55-14 till end of year. I was thinking sherwood green metallic.

So my question is this: If I purchased a 55-14, am I getting the exact same bass as I would have had I purchased a 55-94 with those same options?

It looks like you all had this discussion in early 2020, and the general consensus was


So, the fit and finish are the same, but the hardware is different.

However, when I read the specs on Lakland's website, it appears all of their basses have the same tuners and bridges. Hipshot ultralites and Lakland high mass bridge. Is this a new development?

I want to purchase the best instrument I can. And will pay top dollar for the 55-94. But, if I will get the exact same instrument for $1k less, I'll purchase the 55-14. I do not, however, want to purchase the 55-14 to receive an instrument with different hardware, a heavier piece of body wood, plain-sawn neck, or less attention to detail with regards to fit and finish, etc.

Looking forward to your first hand experience and feedback.

John
I recently chatted with Steve at Lākland about this and was told the US Classic series still uses the same hardware as the Skylines. The US Classic series is also PLEKed like the Skylines. The US Series is completely hand finished in terms of frets and a lot more attention is spent on the neck. You’re basically paying for more time into the bass and US made hardware instead of licensed imported hardware. I’ve never played a US Classic. I’ve played plenty of Skylines and own a US Series 44-60. While the Skylines are awesome instruments, the US Series basses I’ve tried are some of the best feeling basses I’ve ever touched. I’d imagine the US Classics are somewhere in the middle.
 
Looking forward to your first hand experience and feedback.

Since it sounds like you want a solid top, the 5514 is probably the choice for you. If you check Lakland's website, the 5514 only offers alder bodies with solid colors and no binding or blocks on the necks. I ordered a 5564 a couple years ago with a bunch of custom wants including the bass weigh in as close to 9lbs. as possible. It came in just under. I think if you call them, they are pretty responsive to your needs. My bass, all in was $5300. So if you want some custom options, you should order a 5594 the way you want it. I was going to order a neck a few years ago. Just the neck was $1600. Options are not the reason Lakland builds the 5514. Or you can peruse the used market. Things are a little pricey these days, however there are some great 5594s out there. Good luck and enjoy your bass.
 
Yes please ! They do matching burst headstocks, but not often. Cherryburst or Sunburst, black ebony board with mother of pearl block inlays and matching burst headstock ! A boy can dream :):hyper:
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Man, never underestimate Lakland. It'll probably be later than sooner, but now I'm hellbent to get a Sunburst or Cherryburst with matching headstock. And a Blackburst the same LOL. Killer !! IMO, of course, your taste may be very different. It's all good !!
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I like the quilt veneer under the blackburst. The quilt completes the look. Not sure what I think about the cherryburst... the pic is too blurry. All that said, I do like matching headstocks on most basses, usually solid colors like candy apple red, white, black, etc.
 
I like the quilt veneer under the blackburst. The quilt completes the look. Not sure what I think about the cherryburst... the pic is too blurry. All that said, I do like matching headstocks on most basses, usually solid colors like candy apple red, white, black, etc.

The Blackburst is killer, I really like that Sunburst headstock also. My likes run out of the norm seemingly, as the matching burst headstocks aren't that popular.
 
The Blackburst is killer, I really like that Sunburst headstock also. My likes run out of the norm seemingly, as the matching burst headstocks aren't that popular.
Liking different things makes life interesting for everyone. Last time I went to the beach, there was a large number of trucks cruising around that looked like their rear suspensions were broke. Turned out to be a “thing” called the Carolina Squat. They loved it! The Mrs and I thought it was the stupidest and funniest fad ever. Made our trip that much more entertaining.