Personal preference is personal preference so I won't debate what you like BUT I will say that Laklands are by no means overpriced anymore than any other manufacturer.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Lakland vs. MusicMan
- Thread starter christianharger
- Start date
Personal preference is personal preference so I won't debate what you like BUT I will say that Laklands are by no means overpriced anymore than any other manufacturer.
I actualy own each.
I liked the lakland 5 string better than the EBMM, but I like EBMM 4 string better than the lakland 4 string.
although the skylines are extremely well built basses, I simply have yet to find a bass as well built as my stingray.
on the other hand I find my lakland is better built than my US jazz bass.
I do not think the lakland are overpriced at all. the only I could see saying that is because they are foreign built. but I find them better built than a lot of domestic brands.
I liked the lakland 5 string better than the EBMM, but I like EBMM 4 string better than the lakland 4 string.
although the skylines are extremely well built basses, I simply have yet to find a bass as well built as my stingray.
on the other hand I find my lakland is better built than my US jazz bass.
I do not think the lakland are overpriced at all. the only I could see saying that is because they are foreign built. but I find them better built than a lot of domestic brands.
I've owned both a US 55-94 Deluxe and one of the early SR5's, when there was some serious quality in the EBMM.
Lakland had a definite better B, but always felt "dark" to me. The SR was incredibly bright, to the point where I always felt I was reigning it back. After both I went Dingwall and never looked back. If I was forced to choose again I'd go EBMM, because you can always dull out the clarity, but you can't add it.
Lakland had a definite better B, but always felt "dark" to me. The SR was incredibly bright, to the point where I always felt I was reigning it back. After both I went Dingwall and never looked back. If I was forced to choose again I'd go EBMM, because you can always dull out the clarity, but you can't add it.
While the general consensus is that the new ones are more consistently lighter than the previous models, I tend to prefer the earlier ones. The hand done fretwork and Fralins on the Glaub and JO make these instruments incredible IMO. Of course as far as 02's are concerned I believe most people prefer the new Lakland pickups.
Did your 55-94 have Barts? They're definitely darker than the Lakland pickups that have been used since '07.
Wow guys, thanks so much for your thoughts! I have a ton more to consider now when I go in to test.
That's his opinion, not shared by me. I like the sound of this bass in passive mode. Easy to get many tonal variations between the pickups; it's a great bass in active mode, too which is probably the reason I never brought myself to purchase an EBMM. My opinion. Get thee down to yonder store, grab one of each and enjoy yourself (in the store, that is).
Here's a little something, maybe not another ton more but hey, who knows
Invalid Link Removed
I don't mind the EBMM 4 bangers, but when it comes to fivers, it's hard to beat a Lakland. Best necks and B's in the business, and even though the Skylines are produced overseas, they are hand finished by the same guys that build their US models right there in Chicago. Best customer service I've dealt with in the musical instrument/pro audio industries.
Iv not played a 55-02 but iv played EBMM and i own a skyline joe. The Joe is my favorite bass iv every played the EBMM didnt do much for me
I've owned two 55-02s and a 55-01. I have owned several SR5s, a Sabre, two SUBs, and a SR5HH. In other words, I really like Music Man and Lakland. The main thing I can say is that they really are different. Don't let the humbucker on the 55-02 fool you, it is not a Stingray clone. As others mentioned, the necks feel totally different, and the scale difference is noticeable for many also. Really try to play them in person before you make a decision. Owning both would be cool if you can swing it.
I had a USA Deluxe 55-94 and while this was a great bass, amazing build quality, I would actually prefer the EBMM. In the end I sold the Lakie for a Sadowsky. I have decided i didn't like the Barts, or the LH3 preamp.
OTOH, I would definetly like a JO or DJ or BG.
The EBMM has such a unique sound. If you love that sound, go that route. I don't care for the Skyline 5 strings at all.
OTOH, I would definetly like a JO or DJ or BG.
The EBMM has such a unique sound. If you love that sound, go that route. I don't care for the Skyline 5 strings at all.
As you can see it's a matter of personal choice. I have a Musicman Bongo 4 with Chromes on it that I just put down to log on. I was playing it acoustically w/o plugging it in and I said to myself (again) that it is my 90% gig keeper bass. Had another one before this I lost due to personal misfortune.
Had to get another quick. Why Bongo when you asked about Sterling. Because I sold my 1st Sterling due to my problems with scrawny,(jazz necks) but could not avoid buying another recently. Musicman makes killer build and tone basses.Sterling no exception
I however have had two 55-02's recently and love em for the 5 string thing (35" scale). I have only had 1 34" scale MM 5 string and thought the B was floppy and dull and I put 4 string set changes on before I sold it. This could be the specific instance thing and others might be better. If you come to see me gig there will be A 4 string Bongo on most songs and a sterling played with guitar player bad ergonomics thumb hangover form, and a 55-02 with a killer B string when a 5 string is needed. All great basses. I have no doubt some people have 34" MM basses with great B's though.
Had to get another quick. Why Bongo when you asked about Sterling. Because I sold my 1st Sterling due to my problems with scrawny,(jazz necks) but could not avoid buying another recently. Musicman makes killer build and tone basses.Sterling no exception
I however have had two 55-02's recently and love em for the 5 string thing (35" scale). I have only had 1 34" scale MM 5 string and thought the B was floppy and dull and I put 4 string set changes on before I sold it. This could be the specific instance thing and others might be better. If you come to see me gig there will be A 4 string Bongo on most songs and a sterling played with guitar player bad ergonomics thumb hangover form, and a 55-02 with a killer B string when a 5 string is needed. All great basses. I have no doubt some people have 34" MM basses with great B's though.
It did have the Barts. Don't get me wrong, they sounded great, just not for me. The other problem I had was string spacing, too wide for my tastes. That part is entirely subjective though. It all depends what feel the OP is looking for.
That's really good info though. A friend of mine was considering Lakland, so I'll be sure to pass that along. I want him to get an awesome bass, not another Parker!
i had an EBMM stingray 5 string and now own a lakland skyline 55 - 01 with nordstrand big splits and an audere 18v preamp. the build quality of both is superb. i personally prefer the lakland as i like the 19mm string spacing at the bridge, i prefer the wider and shallower neck and my hands are big enough that the 35" scale is no problem ( doing the old 1 finger per fret at the nut ). the skyline i feel is also more sonically flexible than the EBMM. that being said, while the EBMM doesn't have a lot of choices when it comes to sound, what it does it does extremely well and the time i had the EBMM i was very satisfied with it.
Boombass76
Commercial User
Wow. What a coincidence... I have the exact same issue, and I have solved it this way:
1) I bought a MM SR5 from '04 (only one humbucker, though. Classic!)
2) I bought a 55-02 (MIK), but I haven't received it yet.
When I have them both, I will A/B and may decide to sell one of them again. However, if they are very different, and they both sound great - I may just decide to keep them both
In fact, I just had some GAS for a SR5 as I think they sound great. However, I am very much a 19 mm / 35" kinda guy... Enter the 55-02, which also has the extra flexibility of the added single coil. I tried a 44-02 in a music store, and that one sounded amazing... I need the extra string, though
1) I bought a MM SR5 from '04 (only one humbucker, though. Classic!)
2) I bought a 55-02 (MIK), but I haven't received it yet.
When I have them both, I will A/B and may decide to sell one of them again. However, if they are very different, and they both sound great - I may just decide to keep them both
In fact, I just had some GAS for a SR5 as I think they sound great. However, I am very much a 19 mm / 35" kinda guy... Enter the 55-02, which also has the extra flexibility of the added single coil. I tried a 44-02 in a music store, and that one sounded amazing... I need the extra string, though
It's really just going to boil down to your personal preference, as has been said several times.
Both are extremely high-quality instruments, and I'd even say they're on par with one another. But I've never gotten a sound out of an MM bass that I liked, so I went with Lakland. I've found it to be a much more comfortable bass (as has been said, the necks are AMAZING), and I find it to be much more versatile in its tonal options.
I'd say try both, and buy from somewhere with a good return policy. You can't really lose with either option though.
Both are extremely high-quality instruments, and I'd even say they're on par with one another. But I've never gotten a sound out of an MM bass that I liked, so I went with Lakland. I've found it to be a much more comfortable bass (as has been said, the necks are AMAZING), and I find it to be much more versatile in its tonal options.
I'd say try both, and buy from somewhere with a good return policy. You can't really lose with either option though.
I pretty much agree with all the observations -- and none of the generalizations -- made in this thread. fwiw, 3 or 4 weeks ago I went out shopping with the expressed intent of buying an EB/MM Stingray5
...and I came home with a Lakland Skyline 55-02 Deluxe. There was nothing "wrong" with the Stingray, the Lakland did not "blow it out of the water", the construction of both instruments seemed top-notch & good enough that I clearly would have been perfectly happy with either. But there was something about the 55-02D that just felt a bit more comfortable in my hands. Personal preference, period.
...and I came home with a Lakland Skyline 55-02 Deluxe. There was nothing "wrong" with the Stingray, the Lakland did not "blow it out of the water", the construction of both instruments seemed top-notch & good enough that I clearly would have been perfectly happy with either. But there was something about the 55-02D that just felt a bit more comfortable in my hands. Personal preference, period.
Latest posts
-
Greetings, and help me value my basses, please.- Latest: gustobassman
-
-
