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Lakland question

eddododo

eddododo

Apr 7, 2010
4,421
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#1
I am looking into getting a lakland skyline series. I initially wanted the 55-02, largely due to the tone i found in alot of videos (a great couple of takes are done by Mark Ong, search lakland 55-02, good stuff). The 55-02 currently is sold with Lakland original pickups now

The thing is I found out that he (and others) have the 55-02 with the Bartolini pickups/preamp, so I wonder if the 55-01, considerably cheaper, would be a better fit for the sound I loved since it has Bartolini setup..

Are there other reasons that the 55-01 is cheaper than the 55-02, and I'd love any opinions about the Lakland pickups vs the Laklands with Bartolini gear.

thankssss
 
#2
I have a bone stock 55-01D (D is for deluxe, i.e., quilted top). It was built in early 2003, and was probably one of the last 55-01Ds built. The pickups are Bartolinis and the preamp is the Korean pre that Lakland was using at the time in all the 55-01 Skylines.

Besides the fact that the pre-amp can be very hot, I love this bass. The only instrument I have used more is my Sadowsky P/J 4-string.

IMHO, you should find a nice used 55-01 (mine is not for sale) and then after getting seriously familiar with whatever electronics and strings it is sporting, do a series of upgrades going in an order something like this: Strings and setup, Preamp, Pickups. I'd play the instrument for several weeks before moving to the next item, remembering to only go to a fresh set of the SAME kind/gauge of strings well after each electronic upgrade.
 
#4
The 55-02 has the trim pots. IIRC, the 55-01 has MK-1 preamp and does not have the trim pots.

You could always also try to find an older 55-02 with the Bart pickups and preamp in it. IMO/IME the Lakland pickups and pre sound just as good.
 
#5
The difference between the 01 and 02 is the setup, 2 soapbars versus J/MM. The Lakland 02 and the Bartolini version have the same type of sound, the 01 and 02 will sound very different. You seem to like the sound from the J/MM setup so go for that! Don't worry too much about the different electronics because they're both great.
 
#6
Basshoofd said:
The difference between the 01 and 02 is the setup, 2 soapbars versus J/MM. The Lakland 02 and the Bartolini version have the same type of sound, the 01 and 02 will sound very different. You seem to like the sound from the J/MM setup so go for that! Don't worry too much about the different electronics because they're both great.
Click to expand...

+1

If it is a 55-02's tone you are after, the dual soapbars of the 55-01 won't get you there. Definitely hold out for a 55-02 with Bart pups(they are pretty easy to find used...ebay, TB classifieds, major bass store websites, etc...). You really can't go wrong with a 55-02 regardless of the setup IMO, they are fantastic instruments!
 
#7
cassanova said:
The 55-02 has the trim pots. IIRC, the 55-01 has MK-1 preamp and does not have the trim pots...
Click to expand...

+1

Yes, this is correct. I have no trim pots on my 55-01D. However, the only time it has mattered for me was with an old tech21 compressor, which has since been replaced by an EBS Multi-comp with it's own trim pots and lots of head room.

In any case, despite the somewhat hot pre, I actually like the MK-1. N.B., I have a Valenti with an aguilar OBP-1 with all the pull pots (nice job, Nino), and a terrific Sadowsky P/J to which I can compare the MK-1.

I find my stock 55-01D a nice clear voice with a wide tonal range, great neck, and terrific B string. All IMHO. :cool:
 
#8
gkbass13 said:
...If it is a 55-02's tone you are after, the dual soapbars of the 55-01 won't get you there. ...
Click to expand...

I don't entirely agree, though this is essentially true. However, you know how if you want a growly MM-like tone on a Jazz bass, you can favor the bridge pup and add the right blend of finger position, tone control, neck pickup cut, and mid EQ on your amp?

Well, you can do the same thing, if not more so on a 55-01, mostly because of the 3 band pre. You can get fairly close. Also don't forget they are both 35" scale 5-strings that like similar gauged round-wounds.

Actually, if you want a 35" scale growl monster, you want an older passive MTD Kingston Artist like this (photo by ZKHoury used with permission):

DSC_2118.jpg


Hear it here (Anthony "Turtle" Nembhard):

 
#9
the 55-01 does sound nice. i am selling my 55-01 (shameless plug: it's in the emporium now) as i have more basses than i need. as others have said, the 55-01 does have the bart mk1 package and they do not have trim pots on the pre. still, there is a lot of tone to be had in that setup and the cost is low enough that if you modified it with nordy big singles or some other pups/pre's you wouldn't have a huge amount of cash invested.
 
#10
OK, I tried out both a 55-01 and and a 55-02 (Bartolini pickups/preamp) a few years back. The store was kind enough to let me bring both basses on a gig to give them a try - a direct A/B comparison using the same amp, playing in the same band in the same room. As all of you know, there can be a massive difference between checking out a bass in the store and on-stage with a full band.

In the store - and on its own - I actually preferred the 55-01. It sounded very clean and had a really crispy slapping tone.

Fast forward to the gig...

On-stage, it just took me a couple of songs to realize why the 55-02 was the better option. The 55-01 simply drowned in the mix too easily. And before all you 55-01 owners start bashing me :help:, I do realize that I didn't spend enough time with the bass to really getting to know it, and I am sure it could have been made much better sounding if I had brought it along for a number of gigs and tried out different pickup/preamp/amp settings.

But, on the other hand, why bother? The 55-02 just sounded right in the mix, the second I plugged it in! In my mind, there was no doubt left at all, and I guess that is exactly what you get for the extra $$$ ;)

The 55-02 is a great bass. Period. I have never tried the new non-Bartolini ones, but I guess they are great sounding, too. For me the MM-J setup is great - particularly for fingerstyle. And the 3-way switch really makes a big tonal difference - even when the blend knob is centered.
 
#12
kimb76 said:
OK, I tried out both a 55-01 and and a 55-02 (Bartolini pickups/preamp) a few years back...
On-stage, it just took me a couple of songs to realize why the 55-02 was the better option. The 55-01 simply drowned in the mix too easily...
Click to expand...

Yeah. Mids. :hiding:
 
#14
crustychef said:
Interesting, I have found the opposite to be true. My 5502 (with LH3 pick ups)is way more growly and grinding than the 4401(with barts) I tried out at BassNW. The 4401 was very snappy, crisp and clear.
Click to expand...

I have no first hand experience (no other than in stores - not live) with the LH3 electronics, so I won't comment on that, but I don't think it's possible to compare it to the Barts in a 44-01 as they sound very different from the ones in the 'old' 55-02's, IMO/IME.

Also, as I stated in a previous post, Ialso liked the clear sound of the 55-01 over the 55-02 - but that was in the store, which makes a huge difference (you mentioned that it was in a store you triead out the 44-02, right?). In a band setting it's a whole different story...
 

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