Lakland Owners Group #69

[ejschultz]

What kind of Capacitors do they use?

Honestly, I’m not sure. They look similar though. I plan on opening it up again soon to swap in my 920D VVT control plate instead of the stack knob configuration they ship with. I’m not liking them after really getting to use them. I find them too difficult to dial in quickly. I’ll get pictures when I do that and post them up on here.

 

[macribas]

Fretless 55-02 labeled (and priced) as a 55-01 (currently $825 shipped, plus tax, with a case)

Lakland Skyline 55-01 5 String Fretless Bass Guitar - Gator Case | ReverbView attachment 5172470

Thank you for ruining my night... I stayed up way late mulling about this one. Emailed the seller who said it weighs 9.4lbs. I'm just glad someone bought it this morning.

It is my impression that either this is one of the rare Korean 55-02s with Lakland Electronics or an aftermarket neck swap. Either way, a great deal!

 

[daddymactx]

If not for how fragile the wiring is I wouldn’t even consider it. Tone wise it’s fine. Did you notice a huge difference with the East? How much of the LH3 tone was from the preamp vs. the pickups?

Just an FYI, the East pre's don't require Soldiering and IMHO they sound fantastic. My experience is with 2 Skyline DJs. My 55-63 USA which I got in 2004 has whatever Dan Lakin put in there. I haven't changed squat on that one. Its amazing, but He did put Lindy Fralin PUPs in that one!!!

 

[JDA04OSU]

Well, after deliberating on what electronics package to install on my 55-02 Deluxe, I ended up going with the Trickfish IPA and Nordstrand pups—NJ5S in neck position and MM5.4 Quad coil in the bridge position. Toggle switch functions as coil selector (as it would in the LH3 setup).


Took almost 6 weeks for the pickups to ship, then I hit a couple snags on the installation. Eventually got the wiring right, also added some “Sadowsky style” knobs. While I haven’t played it in a band setting, I am liking the sound. Enjoy some pics…

Thanks for all the input, guys! As it turns out, the Aguilar pups aren't going to work out so I'm really starting from scratch with the electronics. The seller played it off like he didn't install the neck pickup because he "didn't get around to it," citing "personal reasons." As it turns out, the Aguilar J did not fit the Lakland route... super sketchy, and almost certainly a dishonest explanation from the seller. Anyway, I had the original LH-3 preamp and LH-55 pickup set, but had already committed them to another friendly TB'er who was seeking these. I was interested in trying something different anyway, so here we are...

I'm pretty intrigued by the Nordstrand brand, and it looks like they can put together a package to mirror the Lakland functionality. So a MM/J pickup set and preamp w/ 5-knobs, 3-band EQ with Push/Pull Active/Passive on the Volume knob. I think I'd also want the coil-select toggle to keep it consistent with Lakland 55-02/55-94 design.

Also toying with the idea of a Trickfish IPA. I have a Trickfish Bullhead .5K amp and really dig it, but currently bypass its preamp section due to having a Noble pre on the floor.

Both Nordstrand and Trickfish offer 15% discounts through Scott's Bass Lessons, so that's another incentive to go in that direction. Will do a little more research this week as time allows, and I'll definitely report back with the outcome!

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Just an FYI, the East pre's don't require Soldiering and IMHO they sound fantastic. My experience is with 2 Skyline DJs. My 55-63 USA which I got in 2004 has whatever Dan Lakin put in there. I haven't changed squat on that one. Its amazing, but He did put Lindy Fralin PUPs in that one!!!

Ok, I can attest to the fantastic sound and tone sculpting of the J East Unipre! Combined with the Bartolini Quad coil and matching neck pup, next level.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Well, after deliberating on what electronics package to install on my 55-02 Deluxe, I ended up going with the Trickfish IPA and Nordstrand pups—NJ5S in neck position and MM5.4 Quad coil in the bridge position. Toggle switch functions as coil selector (as it would in the LH3 setup).


Took almost 6 weeks for the pickups to ship, then I hit a couple snags on the installation. Eventually got the wiring right, also added some “Sadowsky style” knobs. While I haven’t played it in a band setting, I am liking the sound. Enjoy some pics…

View attachment 5173236 View attachment 5173237 View attachment 5173238 View attachment 5173239

NICE! I like it. Interesting choice for pups and pre.

 

[basspraiser]

Thank you for ruining my night... I stayed up way late mulling about this one. Emailed the seller who said it weighs 9.4lbs. I'm just glad someone bought it this morning.

It is my impression that either this is one of the rare Korean 55-02s with Lakland Electronics or an aftermarket neck swap. Either way, a great deal!

I guess we are both lucky!

I saw this this morning and said if it was still there after I taught my class I would buy it.

I guess we are lucky that it is sold

 

[oysterphish]

Hey gang. I'm joining the club. I've got a DJ5 in blue heading my way. Will share pics of the rig when all is complete.
Currently rocking a MIA Fender Performer jazz. Hoping the dj5 crushes it as my main banger.

 

[basspraiser]

Hey gang. I'm joining the club. I've got a DJ5 in blue heading my way. Will share pics of the rig when all is complete.
Currently rocking a MIA Fender Performer jazz. Hoping the dj5 crushes it as my main banger.

Welcome! You will love it.

cannot wait to see pics.

 

[nervous]

Hey gang. I'm joining the club. I've got a DJ5 in blue heading my way. Will share pics of the rig when all is complete.
Currently rocking a MIA Fender Performer jazz. Hoping the dj5 crushes it as my main banger.

Been down many, many roads looking for something and the DJ5 is and will be my #1 bass and in fact, all I will have, one LPB and one pearl white. Put an East or Audere preamp in and there's none better for me.

 

[Bass Ape]

Hey gang. I'm joining the club. I've got a DJ5 in blue heading my way. Will share pics of the rig when all is complete.
Currently rocking a MIA Fender Performer jazz. Hoping the dj5 crushes it as my main banger.

I can’t wait to hear your experiance. I’ve never owned an MIA Jazz and haven’t played one for over 30 years. I went straight for the DJ4 “skyline” when it was time to pick up a new bass.

 

[ejschultz]

I can’t wait to hear your experiance. I’ve never owned an MIA Jazz and haven’t played one for over 30 years. I went straight for the DJ4 “skyline” when it was time to pick up a new bass.

From my experiences, Skylines are very comparable in quality to USA Fenders. Skylines probably go through better QC though and they’re PLEKed. Fender doesn’t do anything special for their frets. They press them in and that’s it.

 

[Bass Ape]

What does Lakland do with the frets?

 

[Bass Ape]

Been down many, many roads looking for something and the DJ5 is and will be my #1 bass and in fact, all I will have, one LPB and one pearl white. Put an East or Audere preamp in and there's none better for me.

BTW, LPB is an amazing finish. Good choice.

One thing that stood out to me was how thin the neck is at the first fret, compared to what I was used to in the past. I fell in love instantly and then started paying attention to the Jazz bass build from other companies then realized the J style is almost the perfect bass. In the past I had zero interest in J basses.

I also love the thinner body on the DJ. one of these days I'm going to have to weigh it.

 

[ejschultz]

What does Lakland do with the frets?

On the Skylines and USA Classic Series, they run the necks through the PLEK machine. On the regular USA Series, everything is done by hand.

 

[Bass Ape]

Ah, you just opened up an Ah-ha for me. I saw the note with the bass that said it had been plecked, but only right now, I just looked up what that meant. Pretty cool

 

[lomo]

Ah, you just opened up an Ah-ha for me. I saw the note with the bass that said it had been plecked, but only right now, I just looked up what that meant. Pretty cool

Pleking is a very significant quality improvement feature. Sweetwater charges 299 to Plek any new bass, and IMHO it's well worth it.

 

[ThomasTronics]

Hey guys my 44-94 has a super stinky neck.
I'm about to put some fresh strings on but while i got them off i want to scrub the stench off.
On the Birdseyes maplefretboard and quatersawn neck, i was going to use a tiny bit of naptha as a cleanwipe than wipe and dry with soap and water. Dry vigorously.
Am i on the right path?

 

[oysterphish]

My DJ5 has yet to leave the factory to the vendor I ordered from. Still waiting....
That being said, I'm also in need of a 4 string PJ. There's a nice Fender Performer at my local shop. Why should I go with a 44-64 over the Fender? Aside from that candy apple red being serious eye candy. I'll likely ask this same question in a Fender thread. I'm curious what folks say.