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Make Me Like Lakland

#21
I've had my Lakland for almost 10 years now, it's been through hell and back with me.

The reasons to love it?
Swiss army knife of basses - I can cop a lot of different 'benchmark' tones (J, P, MM) but it still retains its own voice nicely to not sound like a clone

Super duper schmooper comfy neck and impeccable fretwork - people who play my bass are amazed at how low I can get the action

'Above and beyond'-style customer support.

And IMO, they are classy looking instruments that scream sexy :D

They're obviously not for everyone (otherwise, everyone would own one) but I personally can't see why someone wouldn't like em.
 
#22
Great basses, though I play SRs since I have small hands and they're super comfortable to me, I've found myself almost buying a Lakland 5 a few times. Great quality, great sound. My only issue was the neck size and that wasn't even that bad. I'd just have to spend some time getting used to it. I like the G&Ls as well, but if I had to go one way or the other, I'd go Lakland.
 
#24
I've owned both a Tribute and a US G&L L-2500 and also own a Lakland 55-02.

The G&L has a personality all its own. I have large hands, and the big fat G&L neck felt really nice to me. I loved both my G&L's.

That said, when times got hard and I had to part with a 5er, I let the G&L go. The Lakland offers more flexibility with it's built in EQ, switchable mid frequencies, and the more traditional sounding pickups. The G&L MFD's are awesome, but I think most people expect to hear a P or J tone, and the Lakland does a better job of emulating those tones.

The build quality of my Lakland is excellent. Even though it's a Skyline model, it's final production is done in Chicago. The frets are Plek'd and the same electronics as the US model are fitted.
 
#25
Kevin Hailey said:
I owned a Lakland 5 string for about 9 months, I hated it after 6.
Preamp/controls too complicated, Anonymous tone, buying 35' dr's in Australia was a pain in the arse, couldn't play it sitting without a strap.
Best thing about that bass was the gig bag it came in..
Click to expand...

I wish I had never sold my Lakland 5 string. It had the most comfortable neck of any 5 string I've ever played. Perfection.
 
#26
i just picked up a used skyline darryl jones fiver yesterday in near mint condition. i have had it one day and it is something else. even my buddy who plays all of leo`s creations had to agree that it was awesome. i can`t imagine how good the american ones are when the base models are out of bounds
 
#29
I used to own a sexy Cherryburst 55-01 but sold it and bought a Conklin GT7. I traded that for a Yamaha TRB-1006. All I can say now is I wish I had the Lakland back. One of the most amazing things about that bass was that sound guys and recording engineers really loved the tone. So now I'm going to sell my Yammy to fund a 55-02D. Sorry I ever left.
 
#30
I can't convince you to like or not like anything. That's totally up to you. All I can do is to tell you why I like 'em.

My first Lakland came to me by good fortune. A local guy who'd gone to school with Dan Lakin had gotten a wonderful 4-94 Deluxe from Dan. At some point this local guy decided he was more interested in production and recording than trying to be a bassist too, so he worked out a trade to a local store for various recording gear. The store wasn't a regular dealer for the mixer he wanted, so they were going to have to pay for it COD. Because he'd gotten it from Dan as a friend, the guy didn't have much money in the bass compared to what it was worth. The local store told me that "there are only about three guys in town who'll appreciate what this is, and frankly, you're the only one gigging and making money". So, they sold it to me for a grand including tax, at a time when I could have flipped it in a week or two for $1500.

I played it at the store and it said "Hi, honey- I'm home!!!". The only other bass that happened with in my life (and I managed a guitar store for 11 years too, so there were a LOT of great instruments that went through my hands!) was a brand-new Fender VS '62 Precision back in April 1983. Anyway, this Lakland said that to me, so I had to buy it.

At the first gig, right after the first song, the drummer leaned over and said "Don't ever play another bass with this band!". At the end of the first set the sound man (one of those seemingly rare ones that have great ears and really know what they're doing- he's also a wonderfully soulful and tone-wise guitarist) came up and said "that bass has cleaned up the whole low end- the kick drum, the floor toms, the congas, the keyboard, and the acoustic guitar ALL sound better with that bass!"

She's been my #1 call since January of '99, suplanting that VS '62 P bass that had been #1 for almost 16 years. Since then I've owned two more US Laklands, and a Skyline. I had a Classic 4-94 (Burgundy mist/rosewood) for a long time which I traded for a fretless Deluxe 4-94 (amber over quilted maple, just like my first 4-94). The Skyline 55-01 is a wonderful five string, and a buddy of mine got one because I let him use mine for about two months.

Ron ordered one, and the shipment was delayed a few times. I sent Dan Lakin an e-mail and he said he'd make sure one got sent to the dealer as soon as the next overseas shipment came in. Ron had ordered a regular 55-01 with the solid ash body. Dan sent the store a deluxe 55-01 with the figured maple cap, but only charged them the price for the standard model, along with a note telling them to tell Ron it was a gift for being so patient.

I also had the opportunity to visit the Lakland shop around 2001. When I got my first one it had the Duncan Basslines PUPs instead of the Barts. I had replaced the pickups (which also required replacing one pot as well) and it was fine. But it wasn't as tidy as the factory wiring so I asked them to rewire the parts just so they would look as carefully done as the rest of the guts. Karl took my bass while Dan lead me into the amp room- they said I could play anything on the wall through any of the amps- a huge collection of vintage, state-of-the art, and typical consumer gear- SVTs, Fender Bassmans, an Acoustic 360, Epifani, Bergantino, Eden, T/E, Aguilar, etc. I played every bass in the shop, including the prototypes of the then-new Skyline five-string basses. All were excellent. While I was doing this, Karl took my bass apart, buffed the finish and the hardware, resoldered everything, gave it a fret job, new nut, and a complete set up.

Now, I've done my own set-ups since 1976, and when they returned my bass to me it was almost perfect for me. I figured I'd tweak it when I got home, but Karl watched me play for about a minute, took the bass back, and returned it in a few minutes set up exactly how I'd have done it myself.

Including the brand new strings, they charged me exactly.... nothing. Dan even apologized for not having a baseball cap, T-shirt, or strap to give me.

Me, I love Laklands. I don't know if you will, but the answer is to play them and let the instrument persuade you.

John
 
#32
JTE said:
I can't convince you to like or not like anything. That's totally up to you. All I can do is to tell you why I like 'em.

My first Lakland came to me by good fortune. A local guy who'd gone to school with Dan Lakin had gotten a wonderful 4-94 Deluxe from Dan. At some point this local guy decided he was more interested in production and recording than trying to be a bassist too, so he worked out a trade to a local store for various recording gear. The store wasn't a regular dealer for the mixer he wanted, so they were going to have to pay for it COD. Because he'd gotten it from Dan as a friend, the guy didn't have much money in the bass compared to what it was worth. The local store told me that "there are only about three guys in town who'll appreciate what this is, and frankly, you're the only one gigging and making money". So, they sold it to me for a grand including tax, at a time when I could have flipped it in a week or two for $1500.

I played it at the store and it said "Hi, honey- I'm home!!!". The only other bass that happened with in my life (and I managed a guitar store for 11 years too, so there were a LOT of great instruments that went through my hands!) was a brand-new Fender VS '62 Precision back in April 1983. Anyway, this Lakland said that to me, so I had to buy it.

At the first gig, right after the first song, the drummer leaned over and said "Don't ever play another bass with this band!". At the end of the first set the sound man (one of those seemingly rare ones that have great ears and really know what they're doing- he's also a wonderfully soulful and tone-wise guitarist) came up and said "that bass has cleaned up the whole low end- the kick drum, the floor toms, the congas, the keyboard, and the acoustic guitar ALL sound better with that bass!"

She's been my #1 call since January of '99, suplanting that VS '62 P bass that had been #1 for almost 16 years. Since then I've owned two more US Laklands, and a Skyline. I had a Classic 4-94 (Burgundy mist/rosewood) for a long time which I traded for a fretless Deluxe 4-94 (amber over quilted maple, just like my first 4-94). The Skyline 55-01 is a wonderful five string, and a buddy of mine got one because I let him use mine for about two months.

Ron ordered one, and the shipment was delayed a few times. I sent Dan Lakin an e-mail and he said he'd make sure one got sent to the dealer as soon as the next overseas shipment came in. Ron had ordered a regular 55-01 with the solid ash body. Dan sent the store a deluxe 55-01 with the figured maple cap, but only charged them the price for the standard model, along with a note telling them to tell Ron it was a gift for being so patient.

I also had the opportunity to visit the Lakland shop around 2001. When I got my first one it had the Duncan Basslines PUPs instead of the Barts. I had replaced the pickups (which also required replacing one pot as well) and it was fine. But it wasn't as tidy as the factory wiring so I asked them to rewire the parts just so they would look as carefully done as the rest of the guts. Karl took my bass while Dan lead me into the amp room- they said I could play anything on the wall through any of the amps- a huge collection of vintage, state-of-the art, and typical consumer gear- SVTs, Fender Bassmans, an Acoustic 360, Epifani, Bergantino, Eden, T/E, Aguilar, etc. I played every bass in the shop, including the prototypes of the then-new Skyline five-string basses. All were excellent. While I was doing this, Karl took my bass apart, buffed the finish and the hardware, resoldered everything, gave it a fret job, new nut, and a complete set up.

Now, I've done my own set-ups since 1976, and when they returned my bass to me it was almost perfect for me. I figured I'd tweak it when I got home, but Karl watched me play for about a minute, took the bass back, and returned it in a few minutes set up exactly how I'd have done it myself.

Including the brand new strings, they charged me exactly.... nothing. Dan even apologized for not having a baseball cap, T-shirt, or strap to give me.

Me, I love Laklands. I don't know if you will, but the answer is to play them and let the instrument persuade you.

John
Click to expand...
that's a heck of a story. i'd love to own a 44-64 but could never justify spending that much on a bass, and they dont offer any skylines lefty, only the US basses. that makes me sad.
 
#33
JTE said:
I can't convince you to like or not like anything. That's totally up to you. All I can do is to tell you why I like 'em.

My first Lakland came to me by good fortune. A local guy who'd gone to school with Dan Lakin had gotten a wonderful 4-94 Deluxe from Dan. At some point this local guy decided he was more interested in production and recording than trying to be a bassist too, so he worked out a trade to a local store for various recording gear. The store wasn't a regular dealer for the mixer he wanted, so they were going to have to pay for it COD. Because he'd gotten it from Dan as a friend, the guy didn't have much money in the bass compared to what it was worth. The local store told me that "there are only about three guys in town who'll appreciate what this is, and frankly, you're the only one gigging and making money". So, they sold it to me for a grand including tax, at a time when I could have flipped it in a week or two for $1500.

I played it at the store and it said "Hi, honey- I'm home!!!". The only other bass that happened with in my life (and I managed a guitar store for 11 years too, so there were a LOT of great instruments that went through my hands!) was a brand-new Fender VS '62 Precision back in April 1983. Anyway, this Lakland said that to me, so I had to buy it.

At the first gig, right after the first song, the drummer leaned over and said "Don't ever play another bass with this band!". At the end of the first set the sound man (one of those seemingly rare ones that have great ears and really know what they're doing- he's also a wonderfully soulful and tone-wise guitarist) came up and said "that bass has cleaned up the whole low end- the kick drum, the floor toms, the congas, the keyboard, and the acoustic guitar ALL sound better with that bass!"

She's been my #1 call since January of '99, suplanting that VS '62 P bass that had been #1 for almost 16 years. Since then I've owned two more US Laklands, and a Skyline. I had a Classic 4-94 (Burgundy mist/rosewood) for a long time which I traded for a fretless Deluxe 4-94 (amber over quilted maple, just like my first 4-94). The Skyline 55-01 is a wonderful five string, and a buddy of mine got one because I let him use mine for about two months.

Ron ordered one, and the shipment was delayed a few times. I sent Dan Lakin an e-mail and he said he'd make sure one got sent to the dealer as soon as the next overseas shipment came in. Ron had ordered a regular 55-01 with the solid ash body. Dan sent the store a deluxe 55-01 with the figured maple cap, but only charged them the price for the standard model, along with a note telling them to tell Ron it was a gift for being so patient.

I also had the opportunity to visit the Lakland shop around 2001. When I got my first one it had the Duncan Basslines PUPs instead of the Barts. I had replaced the pickups (which also required replacing one pot as well) and it was fine. But it wasn't as tidy as the factory wiring so I asked them to rewire the parts just so they would look as carefully done as the rest of the guts. Karl took my bass while Dan lead me into the amp room- they said I could play anything on the wall through any of the amps- a huge collection of vintage, state-of-the art, and typical consumer gear- SVTs, Fender Bassmans, an Acoustic 360, Epifani, Bergantino, Eden, T/E, Aguilar, etc. I played every bass in the shop, including the prototypes of the then-new Skyline five-string basses. All were excellent. While I was doing this, Karl took my bass apart, buffed the finish and the hardware, resoldered everything, gave it a fret job, new nut, and a complete set up.

Now, I've done my own set-ups since 1976, and when they returned my bass to me it was almost perfect for me. I figured I'd tweak it when I got home, but Karl watched me play for about a minute, took the bass back, and returned it in a few minutes set up exactly how I'd have done it myself.

Including the brand new strings, they charged me exactly.... nothing. Dan even apologized for not having a baseball cap, T-shirt, or strap to give me.

Me, I love Laklands. I don't know if you will, but the answer is to play them and let the instrument persuade you.

John
Click to expand...

Awesome story!!!
 
#34
I have no opinion on the 44-02, but if I could afford a 44-64 or a 44-60, I'd get one in a heart beat.

Best P and J basses I've ever heard, better than any Fender tone wise.

I've also played a 55-01 and it played like butter and had a great tone.

No one will ever have to make me like lakland basses.
 
#35
I got a Lakland Skyline Duck Dunn model soon after it came on the market several years ago, and it has been my go-to gigging axe ever since. Great tone and playability, impeccable fit and finish, lightweight, balanced, superb neck, stays in tune forever. My bandmates raved about it (I'd been playing an MIA Fender P with flats, which is now my backup), and I've gotten compliments from the audience about its sexy looks!
What's not to like?
 
#37
scubaduba said:
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the difference in neck scale? The 35" neck scale on laklands is the reason I'd choose a G&L. For some, probably not an issue. For others who prefer 34" a big factor.
Click to expand...

Since the OP is looking at the 4-string 44-01, which is has a 34" scale (like all Lakie 4-strings), the 35" scale on the 5-string models is probably not an issue.
 

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