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Lakland, why did you choose ?

#41
I had been playing for a few years on an Ibanez GSR200 to start, then got an Epiphone Tbird. I was looking to upgrade once again and decided to start looking beyond the Gibson/Fender/Epi/EBMM market and see what else was out there. I did tons of research and basically had it narrowed down to either a G&L or a Lakland. Lakland actually had a slight edge over the G&L after hearing about the amount of quality and care that went into their construction. And the wonderful stories of Dan's customer service and respect for his customers

I managed to get my hands on both and the Lakland just felt right.

You know how older or vintage basses (or at least the good ones...) have that worn-in feeling that just feels great? You can tell they've been played a lot and just seem to kind of play themselves? Yeah, the Lakland felt like that immediately. Whenever someone asks me about my Lakland and how I like it, the first thing I always mention is how amazing the neck feels.

Second to that was the versatility. The amount of tonal variations was mind-boggling at first. I had only ever played with passive instruments, the 3-band EQ combined with the blend, the coil tap, the option to go passive, the mid-freq dip switches, etc... I knew it was going to be able to handle anything I'd ever need.
 
#42
I bought a Skyline DJ4 from another Talkbass member. While I loved the feel and finish of the bass, I wasn't real big on the passive electronics (personal taste). I read up on adding Active preamps, and tried out the Audere- absolutely loved it. Great sounding and playing bass.
I do not own it anymore- the ONLY reason is that I had to trade it with someone to get my all-time dream bass, a Roscoe LG3000. I would love to have the DJ4 back, but finances, along my with my playing schedule, do not permit me to have two expensive(ish) basses.
Scott C
 
#43
I bought a 55-01 from a fellow TB'er (Thanks Bardorph) last year after attending the Lakland event here in Chicago. I was actually able to play several basses that day but given my budget at the time, the 55-01 was the answer for me. I love the 19mm spacing, weight, neck, tone and the body size is just perfect for me. I'm debating whether to Mod it (aggie pre with Nord DC's) or flip it for a 55-02.

Jauqo, how in the world do you get your action so low without any buzz?
 
#44
I chose Lakland by complete chance, I had a SWEEEEEET P bass that I just couldn't play b/c the neck was too big. I listed it for sale here, and was offered a 44-02 in exchange, this bass had been in my "floater" spot, so I figured why not take a chance, I assumed that I'd be selling or trading the Lakland shortly after I got it, but took it home and WOW... holy cow, I was in love. Quickly it moved to my #1 spot, and before I knew it, I had sold off my other basses to make room for a JO. I am a true Lakland lover at this point!
 
#46
I had been playing Warwicks (SSII's and a Corvette) for years. I still love the Warwick's unique sound but just got tired of playing 4+ long shows a week + hours of rehearsals + lessons with the heavier weight and what I feel can be somewhat uncomfortable ergonomics(an upper horn not extending out to at least the 12th fret is just a turnoff for me now). I also wanted a different set of tones and needed to get some variety from my basses at this point. So I started looking into getting something that would suit my needs.

In the past I had tried a number of Laklands (4-94, 44-02, 55-94, 55-02, DJ's, JO's) and always liked their sound, look, and feel. Add to that seeing videos and a lot of discussion on talkbass about Laklands and it made sense to start there. I played some Lakland models again and just really liked all of them. I then decided to order a 44-02D.

My 44-02D is the bass I play for all of my gigs now. It took a little getting used to because I was so used to the Warwick sound but now I LOVE my 44-02! It is so tonally versatile(P bass, J bass, close to a Stingray, etc.), lightweight, feels great(the upper horn extends out to the 12th fret!), and I feel is a great deal at it's price. I'll be getting a DJ5 soon and probably a 55-02 down the line. Overall, my Lakland just functions very well for a regularly gigging/recording player. Also add in the fact that Dan and Brian were such a pleasure to work with. Mine has completely fulfilled my needs.
 
#49
I had a 55-01 for a time, I was mainly playing 4's at the time and got the Lakland because I really wanted to support the Builder and really liked the US stuff when I had played it. I got rid of it because I didn't play it, I was playing a Thumb and a Spector alot at the time. I've been looking at the 44-02 and was hope to arrange a fix on the drawing at Monsters of bass (this is Chicago after all) :D but no dice.
 
#51
I bought mine when I was looking to replace a 13.5 pound MIM Jazz Deluxe V. I hadn't seen a Lakland in the stores near me at that time, but from what I read here it seemed like a 55-02 would be a good match for what I was looking for (I wasn't necessarily looking a direct replacement for the Jazz). I wanted versatility, the descriptions I heard about the tone of the Bartolini electronics seemed to be what I wanted, and on top of those subjective things that may or may not appeal to individuals it seemed like there was general agreement that the built quality was both consistent and outstanding. I decided to give it a try and I was very happy I did. I loved the sound, I loved the versatility, and I loved the build quality. It semed to be the perfect fit.

Unfortunately I hit the point where I decided to sell it. I gave it about a year and a half but ultimately decided the combination of 35" scale and 3/4" spacing didn't work for me. That was the only reason.

I don't for a second regret buying the two Stringray 5's or the MIA Jazz Deluxe V fretless I ended up buying since I had the 55-02. I have no plans to get rid of them. But even after buying 5 basses since I had the 55-02, I'd still say that 55-02 was my favorite overall (check my avatar, I still haven't changed it! ;) ). It's just that the ergonomics didn't work for me personally. If they made a 34", narrow-spaced 55-02, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
 
#55
I bought the first one because she said "Hi, honey- I'm home!". That's the essential test of a keeper bass for me. It's happend very few times, the first time being in April 1983 when a brand spankin' new Vintage Series '62 P bass was part of the big Fender shipment the store I managed received. I didn't much care for Lake Placid Blue, and I really wanted the '57 P (because it looked like Duck Dunn's main bass). But when I picked up the '62 out of the case and played on unamplified note I heard the bass say "Hi, honey- I'm home!". I bought that bass, and it was my main bass until 1999.

One day in January I went into my local good guitar store to tell them about the first gig I'd played with my new Fender California P Bass Special they'd sold me. When I came in Tony said "We've got a bass for you." At first I didn't even want to look at it, having just bought a bass. But there was this amber finished, quilt-top Deluxe 494 with a maple neck hanging on the wall. I knew what Dan Lakin was up to a little, as I'd sold him my '78 StingRay just weeks before he announced the initial Laklands. So I had to check it out.

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And there in Pro-Sound Center in January or February of 1999 I played one unamplified note and the second bass in my life said "Hi, honey- I'm home!". I had to buy it. I could afford it, the bass truly spoke to me, and the price was low enough that I'd be able to turn a profit if I decided to flip it. And we had gigs lined up to pay for it in less than three months. But moslty because she spoke to me.

I picked it up from the store on my way to a gig. As I was setting up I realized I'd never plugged it into an amp, and was thinking "I hope there's a good battery in here!". After the first song the drummer leaned over and growled "Don't ever play another bass with this band!!". At the end of the first set, our sound guy (that rare sound tech who has GREAT ears, knows the equipment, and is a great musician too) told me "That bass has cleaned up the entire low end of the band. The kick, the toms, the keys, the congas, and the keyboards all sound tighter and more focused with that bass on the bottom".

That's why I bough the second one. I traded a '77 StingRay (heavy and dead sounding) to The Swami for a Burgundy Mist Classic 494. I've bought about five instruments without playing the specific instrument first, and this is one of them. It's the only one that I've kept.
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The third one is my 55-01. Because the B string sounds like it's the same bass as the other four strings, because the whole bass sounds as good (different, but just as good) as my beloved 25 year old P bass and my two US Laklands. And it's comfortable because the strings are far enough apart to be able to play them.

Add in that I've met Dan and Karl, and they are wonderful people. Most people I've met in the retail music biz are great people (except for Dean Markly, Paul Reed Smith, and most Gibson sales reps), but Dan and Karl stand out as exceptional.
 
#58
I started off buying an entry-level Yamaha bass, not wanting to spend a lot of money on something I wasn't sure I'd stick with. Fast forward 6 months, and after untold hours playing that instrument, I decided it was time for an upgrade.

I spent weeks visiting every shop in a 100 mile radius, playing every bass they had in the store. Surprisingly, I found myself thinking time after time "this <insert manufacturer> bass is nice, but I think my $150 Yamaha bass has a better feel/neck/fretwork/etc.". That is, until I stumbled across a Lakland 44-01. I didn't know a thing about Laklands, but within 30 seconds of playing it, I knew I was going home with a new bass - Awesome construction, playability, sound... all for a great price.

Since that purchase over a year ago, I've had the opportunity to play some really nice instruments; none have made me regret my decision. As late, I've been considering expanding my horizons with a 5-string. The 55-01/02 is at the top of a short list options.
 
#59
I have a 55-94 that is a really nice bass.

I was at Bass Central while on vacation and my wife gave me a couple of hours to hang and check out basses. When she go back, I was still playing basses but had found a 55-94 that I really liked - they are all VERY similar but there are some differences. Anyway, we left Bass Central and went back to the hotel and later, back to California. The day after I got back there was a package waiting - she bought the bass for me!

Anyway, I was transitioning from a Sonus 5 and an Acacia 6 at the time and the difference in spacing fit me well. SInce then, I have bought other 5'ers that are 1.87 spacing (Sadowsky, Alleva-Coppolo, Ken Lawrence) and I really wish that the 55-94 had that *tiny* bit bigger neck at the nut.

I currently have it strung with TI flats and it sounds great, most of the time. I'm getting an intermittent "hissy, wind" sound with the active electronics. I was wanting a change from the Bart sound so I'm changing out the pickups and electronics to the Lakland/Hanson system.

I will be keeping this bass.

Dan K.
 

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