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Lakland, why did you choose ?

JAUQO III-X

JAUQO III-X

Inactive
Jan 4, 2002
15,367
235
CHICAGO,IL.
jauqoiii-x.com
Disclosures
Endorsing artist:see profile.
#1
This is for all who have chosen Lakland basses.

Just curious as to why you chose Lakland and what is it that you like most about the Lakland you chose.


And for those who once owned a lakland, why did you get rid of it?




Please with all due respect,no need to post pics of your Lakland(s)
 
#3
I owned a Lakland 55-01 briefly. I wanted to try a bass with 35" scale neck & 19mm string spacing. I tried very much to like the bass. The extra inch and width caused my hands to fatigue but I could have learned to live with it. The next thing that bothered me was that horrid pre-amp! Way too overbearing for my taste. I prefer subtle boosts and cuts and the stock pre gave way too much! I like being able to turn the treble all the way up! Way too brittle and ear piercing with the Lakland. The last thing that annoyed me was the mandolin sized frets. I prefer jumbo or medium jumbo. The frets caused me to have a clicky sound all the time. I just could not get rid of it! I was never comfortable with it so I ended up trading it for a Fender Marcus Miller to a fellow TB'r!

I'm a true and tried 34" scale neck guy and prefer passive basses even though I have 3 actives (along with my passive Fender 4 string). I usually run them all flat with a boost in treble when I slap. At some point, they will all go away and I will have my Valenti or Fender Am St. passive 5.
 
#5
I first wanted a Lakland 55-01 the day I went to a GC and played a used one. I loved the feel and the tone I got from it and also the fact that it didn't cost over a grand. I was reluctant to buy one for about a year after that since I had already bought 2 basses in that year but when the time came I got one that Zooberwerx was selling in a music store in Virginia. I loved that bass. The neck was probably the best I've played, or at least up there with the the best.

I sold it due to the fact that I was overcome by GAS pains and really wanted an active jazz bass. At the time the only way I could come up with the money is to sell all my guitar equipment and that Lakland. I had since upgraded the preamp and pickups to an 18v Bart NTMB and stuck a pair of Nordstrand Big Singles in it. That bass was amazing after that. I still regret selling it this day but I know when I get my custom Valenti in my hands it'll be worth the sale. I WILL OWN ANOTHER LAKLAND 55-01 ONE DAY!!!
 
#6
For me, the main reason I bought my Lakland (Skyline Duck Dunn) last year was because it was the best playing, best constructed, best looking P-bass (I love blocks and binding!) I could find in my price range. Not to mention it was one of the few P's with a Jazz neck. I later found out that they have awesome customer relations. The reason I got rid of it was because I just wasn't into the P-bass sound. At that time I was also really into Jazzes. I eventually traded it for a nice MIJ Jazz (Thanks RS!). Today I wish I had it back (kinda wishing I gave it more of a chance), but I don't regret the trade what-so-ever. That said, I would recommend a Lakland product to anyone.

-Joe P.
 
#7
CanadaMan said:
Why? Pictures rock! A 55-02 is still high on my list of things to buy, why not a couple visuals?
Click to expand...

Because there are links that offer all the Laklands your eyes could stand :)

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310869

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4612090#post4612090

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=406140

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5550380#post5550380



Wilbyman said:
Hey Jauqo, I just picked up an alder/rosewood 44-94 Classic with the new Lakland pickups and preamp. I find it incredible versatile, being somewhere between my Fender and Fodera both tonally and visually. Neat.
Click to expand...


I fully agree and I own some Fenders and a Fodera imperial and Ive come to the same conclusion.
 
#8
I like the wider string spacing on the 5500 series. The stingray 5 was too close for me. Love the Bartolinis, can go from muddy to in your face biting... just set the eq where you want. Fit and build is incredible quality for the $$$!!
 
#9
I've always liked the smart design and solid feel of the 55-94 or 55-02 models. The design has enough old-school vintage features to keep that sort of sound, but also has the modern upgrades and improvements that make for a better and more versatile bass overall. I like wider spacing on a 5 string bass, and Lakland fills that need for me, too.

The comparative affordability and value of the Skyline models is also a huge plus.
 
#10
Kind of a tangent but the reason I did not get a Lakland is spacing. There was a period in '97 or so when I was looking to get a new 5. I really dug the Lakland as a concept but I wanted 17mm spacing.

I contacted Dan and said I would be willing to pay quite a bit (I was making good money at the time) for a custom. Pretty much whatever it cost (I was willing to probably go to $5K) but no dice.

They're not obligated to cater to me of course, but that's why I didn't get one.

Not that you asked that question tho ;)
 
#12
I really like the sound of a good jazz bass, but all the Fenders that I ever played felt clunky and cheap. I read many rave reviews about the Lakland Darryl Jones being sort of a super quality jazz bass and it looks very nice.

I ended up trading a Warwick that I wasn't entirely happy with for a DJ-4. To say I love this bass would be a huge understatement, it's "The One". The neck shape and fretwork are perfect for my hands and it has super-low action. The pickups are just awesome and actually respond to playing technique and pressure with a wide dynamic range of tones. The tone is beyond description and just has to be heard in a good amp. It's a beautiful bass that just feels right to me and the quality is almost beyond belief. I can't really pick out any particular aspect of the bass that I like "best" since the whole instrument is, in my mind, perfect.

I would never sell this bass for any reason, period. I may be buried with it. It's by far the best bass that I've ever owned or played. After this experience, I would never consider another brand at any price or reported quality level. I wouldn't trade my Lakland for a Fodera even. My next bass will likely be a 44-02 for an active sound and perhaps even a fretless.
 
#13
I've owned a 55-01 and a Skyline Bob Glaub w/ Dark Star. I first got the 55-01 because I wanted to try a Lakland and got a good deal on it, but I thought the electronics were terrible. It was very brittle-sounding; it was tough for me to get a nice, even sound out of it.

I later bought the Glaub because I heard one just like it at Jive Sound and loved the huge, clear tone it had. I played it for a while before coming to the conclusion that I just feel more comfortable with two pickups, since the first tonal adjustment I make whenever I'm searching for my sound is to vary the pickup levels.

I'm convinced that Lakland makes great stuff, and I've always got my eye out for a good deal on a 55-02... I wouldn't hesitate to grab it if I found the right one.
 
#14
I chose my 55-01 about 3 years ago from clubbass in Toronto for a number of reasons:

- It was between the 55-01 and a Warwick Corvette and the Warwick was $300-400 more.
- It felt solid and well constructed.
- After a search on TB I noticed that everyone was raving about Lakland. Usually there is substance behind the hype.
- It looked really good, I love the natural finish.
- I bought it from a reputable boutique, bass only shop (clubbass.com). When I went in and talked to the owner (Dave) we discussed the pros and cons of the instrument and I knew that he really backed this bass. There's definately something to be said about customer service.

Why do I keep it?
- I was about to sell the bass a year ago due to a purchase of a Warwick and I decided to give it one last chance by putting a set of flatwounds on it. I was glad I kept it. Flatwounds on the 55-01 absolutely make it sing. I found the stainless steel DR strings I had on it made it sound artificial but the flatwounds bring out that characteristic Lakland sound. Kinda like the goose honk you hear people talk about when they describe Lakland sound, but rather smoothed right down.
 
#15
Lakland 4-94: The quality was amazing, but I'm a jazz neck guy and I wasn't feeling the 1.6" neck. It was throwing me off going from my Reverend Rumblefish to this. The neck felt great though (nice broken in feel) and I definately felt a difference between the US neck and the Skyline neck. I found a few usable tones from the Bart pre and pickups, but it was really warm and I had to sit and toy with the preamp and I'm more of a plug n' play player. Dan offered to swap out the pre and pickups, but I bought it because it was a steal because of some finish issues.

Lakland Bob Glaub DPLEII: The Darkstar and I didn't get along as well as I'd like. It was a hard beast to tame. I loved the neck (my favorite next to a Rumblefish), the weight wasn't bad and the color combo was amazing. Hands down, my favorite looking bass that I've owned. Oly white, rosewood with blocks, tort guard. I ordered a Nordstrand NP4 pickup and was going to have Jeannie's send me another tort guard for a standard pickup, but I needed money for an amp and I put two basses up for sale. This one sold first. I wish I still had it though and made the conversion and kept the Darkstar on the side. However, the current owner really loves it and so I'm happy it's still in the TB community. :)

Lakland Duck Dunn: The neck felt really thin and I was afraid I was going to break the headstock off if it fell. It felt thinner than my DPLEII. I wasn't all that keen on the flats. Played it with rounds and enjoyed it much more, but I was in a financial bind and it was the Duck Dunn or a fully decked out caramel burst Mike Lull M4. The M4 stayed...until taxes hit. Now I have no basses. :(

I may get another one later on, but given my situation ($40k college loans, masters program coming up, owning a house would be nice...), I don't think that will be anytime soon. I really do think they have a good thing going on though and I recommend them to anyone looking for a quality bass at that pricepoint.
 
#16
I had a 55-94 for a year or so, and loved it. It was my first 35", and I got used to it. The set up, frets, and finish were some of the best I've ever owned. I really dug the smaller fretwire, and the the neck was super-comfortable to me. The preamp and bartolinis were not my favorite, but I was still able to get good sound out of it. I purchased it because it was at a really good price due to a scratch 'n dent on the front, and I was getting pretty disenchanted with my Warwick Corvette. Going from those jumbo Bell Brass frets to the Lakland was a breath of fresh air for me. A year later I joined a blues band, and my B-string became nothing but a thumb rest, so I traded it for a '75 Precision. Next time I have the $$ for a nice bass, Lakland will be on the top of my list.
 
#18
I just bought my 1st Lakland, DJ5 from Moorebass, the white/maple/white pg. It has Norstrand singles and Audrere pre. I was so impressed, I just bought a used 5594/USA that was posted. I'll prolly have to sell the DJ5 to help fund the USA, BUT, in no way am I disappointed. I am hoping that my new lakland will cure gas, at least for a little while!
 
#19
I have owned two 55-02s and a 55-01. All three were fine basses. The 55-02 I currently own is a keeper by my standards.:ninja: I find the 55-02 to be very comfortable. it is a full sized bass, but it balances well and it is not very heavy. I love the feel of the neck. I really enjoy 19mm string spacing too. Both 55-02s I owned had Barts; Barts are not aggressive, but I rather like their dark tone which is funny because I usually like bright and aggressive basses like a Cirrus or a Stingray. Lakland is pretty much perfect for me when I want something versatile and somewhat Old School. I guess my Cirrus and TBC give me that modern and aggressive vibe when I want it.:)
 
#20
I've owned 2 Lakland basses, soon to be 3. I will go over each of them and why they didn't last:

55-02- Cool bass, nice feel. I didn't like one thing and it amazes me that Lakland has yet to offer it: A Bridge spacing on 5 strings that isn't 19mm.

US Lakland PJ 44 series- I didn't like the size of the neck and I didn't care for the body shape or size. I'm a jazz neck guy and I prefer small body shapes, but the bass sounded phenominal.

I have a Lakland DJ4 coming my way and I'm hoping it will fit the bill.


Dan
 

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