do it.
The 02 has a music man pickup that you can switch to single coil, and it was a neck pickup. its like a blend of the two basses, and you get the superior lakland build quality and feel
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Ray35CA or Lakland 55-01
- Thread starter ODDBALL
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The 02 has a music man pickup that you can switch to single coil, and it was a neck pickup. its like a blend of the two basses, and you get the superior lakland build quality and feel
If you can swing the 55-02, you'll be happier. The electronics are the same as in the USA Laklands. The MK-1 preamp in the 55-01 is really disappointing IMO and I wish Lakland would finally scrap it and those soap bars in the 55-01.
What I've found is that Lakland necks are just very comfortable to play. I also think the build quality is very good on their imports. The 55-01 is a good instrument out of the box, but if you want or need to upgrade it, there are many parts available. Check the Lakland Owners Group thread.
I prefer the Ray 5CA. I like the tighter string spacing and the punchy tone
Amen, brother. So true about bass. Probably applies to amps and cabinets as well.
Finding these two basses in a store will be a huge challenge. So if im going to choose one of these basses it most likely will not be a hands on expirence. All I will have is YouTube and all of your advise.
Shaun
Shaun
I'm in the minority but I don't care for Lakland Skylines in the least. They feel like an import bass from the 80s to me. That being said I'm sure there are tons of people who say the same about the SBMM. The Lakeland will have better resale down the road. If possible you should try them both.
These are both very different instruments in feel, scale and sound. I have had a pair of Skyline 55 01s and a Musicman Stingray 5.
Apart from the string spacings, scale length and neck profiles both have active eqs so both have a fair deal of flexibility, but Stingrays have their own particular sound, unlike no other bass. If you want that sound: very punchy, very cutting in a live mix and aggressive if needed, then the Skyline 55 01 won't give you that.
As suggested, if you prefer the neck, scale and string spacing of the Skyline but also want some of those Stingray sound attributes, then the Skyline 55 02 would be the logical choice.
Just for the sake of full disclosure: I no longer have any of the above named basses.
Peace,
Rob.
Apart from the string spacings, scale length and neck profiles both have active eqs so both have a fair deal of flexibility, but Stingrays have their own particular sound, unlike no other bass. If you want that sound: very punchy, very cutting in a live mix and aggressive if needed, then the Skyline 55 01 won't give you that.
As suggested, if you prefer the neck, scale and string spacing of the Skyline but also want some of those Stingray sound attributes, then the Skyline 55 02 would be the logical choice.
Just for the sake of full disclosure: I no longer have any of the above named basses.
Peace,
Rob.
Huh? I have been buying EBMM SR5's since 2007, and the cheapest I ever found was $1700. As far as I know an SBMM 5er is selling inn the $700 range. Not sure where you;re getting your numbers from.
I would look used at GC and try both for the 45 day period. You can return either or both no questions asked. I just got a used Ibanez from GC in GA and tried it for a week, and returned it for full refund. Best way to go IMHO.
Either one will be a good bass. For what you're playing though I'd think I'd lean towards a Lakland. I own a Ray34 with the 3 band and it's pretty aggressive. I'd think for a church group a Lakland might be more versatile.
I owned a Ray35 that I enjoyed for a few years. If you like the neck profile, it really is a great bass. I strung my with Sadowsky flats to take out the bite I could never dial out. But I played all kinds of styles of music with it. I still miss it sometimes. My biggest reason for getting rid of it was it's weight. Wearing a 10+ lbs. bass for more than 4 hours a week wears on you shoulders after a bit, even with a good strap.
2 years ago, my local Long & McQuade was $1550 CAD on an EBMM Stingray 5...NEW, not on sale. Now, an SBMM Ray35 is $1430 CAD. A SUB Ray5 is $540. Not sure where you're getting your numbers from.
I'm biased toward Lakland, but I like that the Lakland Skyline 5 necks have graphite reinforcement bars.
Well now that makes more sense. a few years ago the Canadian Dollar was alot stronger than today, hence the discrepancy. Check out how much a new EBMM SR5 is today.2 years ago, my local Long & McQuade was $1550 CAD on an EBMM Stingray 5...NEW, not on sale. Now, an SBMM Ray35 is $1430 CAD. A SUB Ray5 is $540. Not sure where you're getting your numbers from.
Yeah, they're over $1000 more, but not all of it can be attributed to the dollar dropping. The vast majority of the increase is due to arbitrary price increases by the distributor and vendor. Our dollar is at almost $0.20 US difference right now, which is only about $0.10 lower than where it was 2 years ago when I was looking.
If it was straight up exchange rates, MIM Fenders should be over $1000, now. They're not. They're at $800.
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Between the 55-02 and the 01, I really prefer the 01 electronics.. I have had 44-02's in the past and a pockup swap was the first thing I did. The 02's are too polite for me out of the box. I have a pair of 44-01's. They can be polite but they also can cop a snarl bone-stock.
I personally prefer the Indonesian made Skylines. I've had both and the plekked neck on the Indo basses is a winner... Construction wise, other than the sticker, you can't tell them apart.
I personally prefer the Indonesian made Skylines. I've had both and the plekked neck on the Indo basses is a winner... Construction wise, other than the sticker, you can't tell them apart.
New Ray35's are $800 US. That's $1022 CAD. Sounds like you're getting hosed by some hosers up there.
Fretboard radius is the curvature of the fretboard... a compound radius means the radius at the nut is more curved than at the other end of the fretboard. This is meant to allow for low, consistent and comfortable action on the entire neck.
Here is an article: Invalid Link Removed
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