Lakland vs. G&L vs. Fender

[Woodchuck]

44-02

 

[ScottB]

Cortobass (obviously) or an S.D. Curlee from the '70s. Or maybe a modified EB3, or a... (sigh) so hard to pick just one.

 

[doublemuff216]

for punk aye?? i'd say you then want a p-sound...but for a fast neck you'd want a jazz neck...but...the mark hoppus sig. makes me want to vomit...have u thought about the aerodyne jazz bass?...good sound...fast neck...good feel...i saw a band (i think it was moneen) use it live... great for punk...other wise i'd say go with a lakland...the geddy lee is a great bass but its not a punk bass...i just tricked out a p-bass and even tho the neck is beefy its still pretty fast...just keep your action low...put a bad ass bridge on it and you're all set...

 

[Big String]

I'm looking to get a new bass, possibly. It wouldn't be for quite some time, but I like to know well ahead of time what I want. I'm thinking about either a Lakland Skyline 44-01, a G&L Tribute L-2000, or a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass.

I play with a pick, in some kind of punk/hardcore kind of band. It's pretty fast stuff, with bass solos now and then (think Rancid - Axiom). So basically I'm looking for a fast neck, easy to play. I was entranced by the Lakland because of the easy access to the high frets, and I hear the Geddy Lee jazz has one of the easiest playing necks you'll find... but it's prone to warp and twist? I don't know how to feel. Opinions!

And feel free to mention something else, if you think something else would fit my preferences.

How much do want to spend if I'm not being to forward?

 

[niomosy]

Having not played a Lakland, I can't honestly say so I voted G&L.

 

[Yossarian]

I dont know... I've been looking into Dean more (I was thinking about it a while back but i ruled it out for some reason... honestly cant remember why) and I'm starting to like the idea. I thought about the 44-02, but I really don't want to play shows with a $1000 bass. I'd dent it, and then I'd spend the rest of the gig crying and twitching. Maybe. Plus I wouldnt feel bad about putting stickers on a $350 bass, heh.

The Dean Edge 4 felt and played great, would it serve well for punk in terms of sound? Think like... Rise Against or Strike Anywhere bass sound. around there.

 

[AQUANOVA]

Try a Musicman Sterling. It has the same width neck as the Geddy Lee Jazz and sounds great with a pick and slapping.

 

[Ian Theory]

I recently purchased an American L2000 with the #8 (1.5" at the nut, i.e. Fender jazz) neck. G&L offers several neck options on their American basses. It's a great playing bass and the tone flexibility is amazing.

 

[heath_the_great]

well sit around the campfire laddies and ill tell you a story....

once upon a time i was faced by 3 basses, a sunburst G&L asat, a American Deluxe Fender Jazz, and a Kubicki Ex-Factor....the fender and g&l were both freshly strung and the kubicki had absolutely dead strings...the kubicki blew them both away, mind you this was plugged into a Roland DB-900..great amp mind you

 

[sethlow3]

G&L
Lakland

 

[motorhall]

I just went through the exact scenario you are facing. I play fast punk/metal with a pick and I like the bass to really stand out, and I also like the smaller profile of the J-type necks. I needed a backup/replacement for my old Roadstar. The main contenders for me were the Ibanez SRX400 and MTD Kingston.

Among your choices, I love the way the Geddy Lee looks and feels, but with all due apologies to Klaus Flouride, I've never met a single coil pickup that I like. I've never played a Tribute, but I think they will have the thicker P-style neck. That does have the humbuckers, though, which will give you the sound you want for your situation. I've never played the Laklands so I can't comment.

The MTD Kingston sounds great but it has a unique neck profile, so you'd have to see if it suits your tastes or not. The Ibanez SRX400 also sounds great but it is a one trick pony that has two sounds - loud and louder.

I wound up buying a used Music Man Sterling. That might be out of your price range, but Music Man now has a Sub Sterling model that costs less than the regular Sterling. That would give you the humbucker and the slimmer neck, so that gets my vote.

 

[sdguyman]

How about an American Fender Delux Jazz, that would be my choice. I've have the L2500. Either way they are all great guitars. I think that you will like the Jazz neck better if you are looking for a fast neck.

The best thing to do is play all three and buy the one that talks to you. (You know what I mean)

 

[retrohwam]

The only reservation I would have with the G&L is playing punk with a pick. These pups are hotter than the girl next door and striking the strings (esp. the E) could cause contact between the pup pole and the string - nasty noise!
I have an L-2000 and feel there is definately a better feel to the neck than the Tributes I've tried. You could possibly find a used American with a jazz neck.

I also own an Ibanez - neck is thin as very fast.