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Lakland Skyline pickups/preamp upgrade

M

micael

Dec 27, 2003
7
0
Montreal, Canada
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#1
Friends of the low end,
I love my bass (Lakland Skyline 55-01), but I am not too crazy anymore of that Bartolini preamp/pickups sound I am getting out of it. It has far too much mids for me. I would like to have something closer to J style sound.

I am thinking of replacing the pickups with Nordstrand Big Split (or big singles?) pickups and have the Nordstrand preamp.

I love the sound of single coils but have a hard time dealing with the hum. I figured the Big Splits would be the hum cancelling version of the big singles. I heard they had a great definition.

What about the Nordstrand preamp, has anyone tried it? Is there a better preamp I could look into to hookup with the Big Split pickups to come closest to that sound I want to get closer to?

Thanks for your advice.
 
#3
The -01 club megathread has a bunch of modded -01's in it with experiences. I know the search function will get you some other good answers.

The fat stacks may also be worth looking into. Switch between "Big Single" mode and "Big Split" mode. Chef has DC's in his, wired up for series, parallel, and single coil operation.

As far as preamps, the folks at Nordstrand do everything first-rate. I'm sure their pre is great, but there are plenty of other options out there too. What are you looking for from the preamp?
 
#5
I am currently in the process of replacing all the electronics in a brand new 5501:

DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pups
Audere Preamp
Jeannies pickguards Black pearl Music Man style pick guard.

I am still waiting on the preamp and pickguard, but I couldn't wait - so I wired the DiMarzios straight to the output jack - the Bartolini electronics would not work with the DiMarzios. I would say just doing this improved the sound 1000% :cool:

So Far:

HPIM2522.jpg
 
#7
I also am casually looking at preamps and don't really have a good grasp on the differences of what's out there. I've been looking at the Delano Sonars and some Barts but is one necessarily better than the other? Beyond the points at which the pre's cut/boost, how are they different?
 
#10
Also subscribed. I have an older model 55-01 with the Barts. I want something with a bit more bottom (MTD-ish, Ken Smith-ish, etc.). Stock, these basses can get lost in the mix pretty easily and the stock pre's are just way to harsh and non musical to my ears! I can dial in more bottom but it gives way too much. I need a smoother amount.
 
#12
I modded my 55-01 to all passive with a Nordstrand NP5 in the front and a BigSplit in the back. I have always been somewhat disappointed with how 'thin' some J pickups sound in the bridge position, but that is *not* the case with the BigSplit. That thing is huge all on it's own, and dead silent as well. Highly, highly recommended.

If you're gonna do a Preamp, you could use the Nordstrand Dual Coil or FatStacks. I have heard great things about them. The guys at Nordstrand recommend a pre with those other wise I'd have put them in my -01.

You might want to look at a Lakland LH-3 preamp...
 
#13
I have the Audere Class 4 band in mine. Love it. The 4 band is actually well voiced for the MK1's. You can dial down the 'clinky' withthe treble and dial up the aggro with the hi mid. Dial out the boom with the low mid and get all jiggy/dubby with the low's. I was a little hesitant with the 4 band, having worked with it for a while now I like it.

I will probably have Vintage Vibe do me something custom pickup wise but for now I'm digging the combination.
 
#14
Is that a true 60's position?

This looks like a really cool option if a classic pickup position could be had. I don't know if it would be any cheaper than a JO5 (what with upgrading the pre, pickups, new pickguard, etc) but it would be unique.

1954bassman said:
I actually finished the bass up a while back. Really ended up sounding great, and lots of tone options. I am thinking of building another 55-01 with Norstrand pickups and electronics.

here she is:

HPIM2693.jpg


HPIM2697.jpg


HPIM2696.jpg
Click to expand...
 
#16
"Is that a true 60's position? "

"This looks like a really cool option if a classic pickup position could be had. I don't know if it would be any cheaper than a JO5 (what with upgrading the pre, pickups, new pickguard, etc) but it would be unique."

I do not know if it is jazz position or not. I have no jazz. I can measure if you want?

I will say this bass sound incredable. The folks I play with love it. It is a little zingy but the treble control tames it to my liking. She's a looker too.

I like the '55' series bods, that's why I use them. I have two more 55 projects started:

1 - Natural ash with rosewood (beautiful) I think I will drop a EMG system (P/J) with an EMG BQC pre. Not sure on the pickguard yet, leaning towards tortoise or white pearl. Maybe a light grey pearl.

2 - Another BlackStar with Nordstrand NJ5s, not sure about the pre yet, but I want a passive option.
 
#17
I just installed a Nordstrand preamp in my jazz bass and it is brilliant thus far. I still need to run it through a few more paces to give a detailed analysis but so far it has been very transparent, super quiet with very musical EQ. It is also great to have a +/-10dB output adjustment on the circuit board. But my favorite thing is the ability to have passive volume/volume/tone controls and a 3 band EQ.
 

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