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Lakland vs Sadowsky

fishdude101101

fishdude101101

Oct 15, 2020
2,153
3,372
#1
The backstory...

About a month ago I picked up a Lakland 55-02 on the cheap and frankly it was world-changing for me. I barely look at my other basses now. It plays so well that it makes me a better player, which doesn't happen very often. It also let me know that all this time I'd been switching amps, I should have been switch basses, and that I just don't like passive basses all that much (with a couple of exceptions).

The only issue I have with the 55-02 are a couple of deadspots. Thought I might step up to a 55-14 for a little bump in quality, but I also started looking at the metroline 5 string JJ's.

Talking with Sweetwater sales guy, he can't get any 55-14's other than the relic ones until March. So I started looking at those sadowsky basses more seriously.

Now I have it in my head that I need one or the other, and that I'm gonna unload some basses I never play. I've been on a G&L kick for a couple of years, but other than my l-1000 5 strings (and I only like those in OMG mode for the smoother sound), I just don't care much for that midrangey sound that my l-2500's have. I never play them. Beautiful instruments that just collect dust.

I know I love the Lakland. I don't know that I've ever played a sadowsky other than a metroline modern 4 and that wasn't quite my cup of tea.

Seems like most people love their Sadowsky instruments but then again peole rave about their l-2000/l-2500's too.

So what do you guys think?

Maybe I'm over thinking it. Maybe its a good problem to have.
 
#3
Not a 1:1 but I own a 44-14 and a Korean made 55-01. Both have a natural ash body with maple neck/fretboard. The 44-14 is really nice, but I'm not sure it's THAT much nicer than the 55-01. The 44-14 has nicer grain in the ash body and a smoother feel to the neck. The electronics should be the same for you between the 55-02 and the 55-14. The 55-14 is an probably an upgrade, but for me, I'm not sure it would really be worth the $$. Just my $0.02.

As far as Metroline Sadowsky vs US Lakland vs US G&L, I don't think there is a wrong answer, but man, those Sadowskys are reallllly nice. Good luck and enjoy!
 
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#6
I'm a tried and true Lakland guy. Been playing them close to 20 years now. I've played several Sadowsky's and none of them had me in awe. The Lakland neck profile and weight do it for me. If it were me, I'd try sourcing another neck for the Lakland. It'd be way cheaper than buying a Sadowsky unless you're looking at the China made versions which seem to be pretty decent now.

Just my opinion.
 
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#7
tb-player said:
I’ve owned both. I really liked the Lakland. But the Sadowsky is on another level, in my book. I will say I didn’t care for the Sadowsky Modern. It sounded like a Ken Smith. But I sure do dig their jazz basses.

Truth is, you can’t go wrong with either.
Click to expand...
What put the sadowsky on another level?
FRoss6788 said:
Also…

Lakland 5’s are 35” scale and Sadowsky’s are 34” IIRC.

Don’t know if that’s an issue for you.
Click to expand...
I like the 35 scale as it seems to play faster, but no issues with 34 either.
 
#8
Bringindafunk said:
Not a 1:1 but I own a 44-14 and a Korean made 55-01. Both have a natural ash body with maple neck/fretboard. The 44-14 is really nice, but I'm not sure it's THAT much nicer than the 55-01. The 44-14 has nicer grain in the ash body and a smoother feel to the neck. The electronics should be the same for you between the 55-02 and the 55-14. The 55-14 is an probably an upgrade, but for me, I'm not sure it would really be worth the $$. Just my $0.02.

As far as Metroline Sadowsky vs US Lakland vs US G&L, I don't think there is a wrong answer, but man, those Sadowskys are reallllly nice. Good luck and enjoy!
Click to expand...
I'll probably never buy another g&l if that matters. Just can't work the tri tone.
 
#9
DWBass said:
I'm a tried and true Lakland guy. Been playing them close to 20 years now. I've played several Sadowsky's and none of them had me in awe. The Lakland neck profile and weight do it for me. If it were me, I'd try sourcing another neck for the Lakland. It'd be way cheaper than buying a Sadowsky unless you're looking at the China made versions which seem to be pretty decent now.

Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
I would be buying the German made one. I'm pretty much a no-China guy unless I have no choice. Not trying to start a war, just saying.

The dead spot that gets me is d string, 7th fret. Fundamental becomes a harmonic in about 2 seconds and just doesn't sound full.
 
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#12
A lot of people love Sadowskys but a lot of people prefer other basses. If you want to try one out and are willing to take a slight hit should you decide to sell it then sure, buy one and give it a try. But if you really like the Lakland then it might be worth waiting (surely you can find one somewhere before March). Of course any time you buy a bass without trying it first you're taking a chance. Any bass can have dead spots and not every Sadowsky will have the magic even a Sadowsky fan is looking for. I love the Sadowskys and I'm a "jazz bass guy" - but I haven't kept any of the Sadowsky Js I owned.
 
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#13
bass12 said:
A lot of people love Sadowskys but a lot of people prefer other basses. If you want to try one out and are willing to take a slight hit should you decide to sell it then sure, buy one and give it a try. But if you really like the Lakland then it might be worth waiting (surely you can find one somewhere before March). Of course any time you buy a bass without trying it first you're taking a chance. Any bass can have dead spots and not every Sadowsky will have the magic even a Sadowsky fan is looking for. I love the Sadowskys and I'm a "jazz bass guy" - but I haven't kept any of the Sadowsky Js I owned.
Click to expand...
Reason you've moved on from the sadowskys?
 
#14
I played a 55-94D for 14 years. If it hadn't weighed over 10lbs I would still be playing it, and wouldn't have bought my Sadowsky RV5.

That Lakland was one of the early ones, with Barts, and was a fabulous instrument, but now I've found Sadowsky. . . . I'm done looking.
 
#15
chris_b said:
I played a 55-94D for 14 years. If it hadn't weighed over 10lbs I would still be playing it, and wouldn't have bought my Sadowsky RV5.

That Lakland was one of the early ones, with Barts, and was a fabulous instrument, but now I've found Sadowsky. . . . I'm done looking.
Click to expand...
What make the Sadowsky better in your opinion other than weight.

What I like about Lakland other than playability, is the smooth, low sounds. No into aggressive sounds most of the time.
 
#17
DuluthDank said:
Is it true that Sadowsky won't do passive basses? I feel like I heard that some ago. Obviously it's an easy enough mod, but if you are paying that kind of money, you'd expect it to be made they way you want from the factory.
Click to expand...
All you have to do is pull out on the tone control and its passive.

But why would you bother? The secret sauce is the preamp in this case.

Personally I'll never buy another passive bass.
 
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#18
fishdude101101 said:
The backstory...

About a month ago I picked up a Lakland 55-02 on the cheap and frankly it was world-changing for me. I barely look at my other basses now. It plays so well that it makes me a better player, which doesn't happen very often. It also let me know that all this time I'd been switching amps, I should have been switch basses, and that I just don't like passive basses all that much (with a couple of exceptions).

The only issue I have with the 55-02 are a couple of deadspots. Thought I might step up to a 55-14 for a little bump in quality, but I also started looking at the metroline 5 string JJ's.

Talking with Sweetwater sales guy, he can't get any 55-14's other than the relic ones until March. So I started looking at those sadowsky basses more seriously.

Now I have it in my head that I need one or the other, and that I'm gonna unload some basses I never play. I've been on a G&L kick for a couple of years, but other than my l-1000 5 strings (and I only like those in OMG mode for the smoother sound), I just don't care much for that midrangey sound that my l-2500's have. I never play them. Beautiful instruments that just collect dust.

I know I love the Lakland. I don't know that I've ever played a sadowsky other than a metroline modern 4 and that wasn't quite my cup of tea.

Seems like most people love their Sadowsky instruments but then again peole rave about their l-2000/l-2500's too.

So what do you guys think?

Maybe I'm over thinking it. Maybe its a good problem to have.
Click to expand...

I have owned all 3 of those! even a custom Lakland 55-94 and In my 30 years of playing the Sadowsky will be the best choice, but of course, if you like the specs, the nut width, the string spacing, the 2 band preamp, Etc and etc..... I have owned 13 sadowskys (currently own 3) - They are amazing instruments
 
#19
fishdude101101 said:
All you have to do is pull out on the tone control and its passive.

But why would you bother? The secret sauce is the preamp in this case.

Personally I'll never buy another passive bass.
Click to expand...
I like my preamps outboard, so if I wanted the sadowsky sound I'd put their preamp on my pedalboard. Also if I'm paying that kind of money, I don't want extra unused dials hanging out on my bass.
 
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#20
I do not believe that the more budget friendly Sadowskys are still made in China- They are German now, made in
the Warwick factory.
The NYC basses are custom made with lots of options, but there are many things that Roger just will not do.... perhaps
sometimes for good reasons.... sometimes because he has no need to experiment with the formula....
I asked if he would make a fretless with a piezo pick-up..... nope.
 

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