I currently own an upgraded 55-01 and have been wanting a 55-02. I see sire has released the Z7. I feel like I'm drawn to the MM tone. I thought I'd get your guys take. I don't have a location to try them out. Anyone have a feel for them. I primarily play worship music at my church. Thanks.
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Sire Z7 vs Lakland 55-02
- Thread starter Wes275
- Start date
I’ve never touched a Sire. I’ve had a number of 55-02 basses. Love them. If I weren’t hooked on Roscoe now, I’d probably have another 55-02.
If you're drawn to the Stingray tone, then get the Z7. The 55-02 is a very nice bass, but the MM pickup is closer to the bridge than on a Stingray, so while it sounds good it doesn't get the Stingray tone. Not even close, in my opinion. Great bass, however.
The Z series basses have not been released yet. Some demo models have been sent to sponsored artists and dealers, but I'd be surprised if many here have had actual hands-on experience.
The Z7 sounds great in this review:
The Z7 sounds great in this review:
But the classic MM configuration is one humbucker with active preamp.
I think you’re talking about different MMs: Marcus Miller and Musicman. This thread is about the second one.
If you want the true MM vibe, Z7. As has been stated, the position of the humbucker itself is important to the MM tone. I have a modified 44-02. Mine gets closer to the MM tone but not quite. There are some good vids on YouTube, the recent one from Andertons is decent to hear the Z7 tone.
Well yes, I was talking about Musicman, but I see now the other person must've been talking about Marcus Miller.
Anyway, I have a 55-02 and a Stingray 5, and I agree with others in the thread that they don't sound the same, but with some EQing you can get something kind of comparable. Both great basses though.
Ahhh geeze, I'm an idiot. I thought it was already released. I seen them for sale, I didn't recognize they were pre-orders. Thanks for the help. Lol
Many compare the 55-02 to the MM. But to me this a is mistake. Those who think they sound the same judge with their eyes, nor their ears.
I have owned 2 MM and a 55-02 and a 55-94.
To me, very different instruments.
I have owned 2 MM and a 55-02 and a 55-94.
To me, very different instruments.
Yes. But not just any humbucker and not just any active preamp.
And besides being specific parts of the equation, placement of that pickup is very much an important part of the MM sound.
To my ear, and with an MM bass always within arm's reach, I haven't heard or seen another bass that nails that tone. I'm certain the others are great basses (based on what I've ready around here) and make a very usable tone(s).
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
55-02 - mostly because it's a 'Swiss Army Knife' bass and can get you in the ballpark of a lot of different tones. It was never designed to be a 1:1 substitute for a StingRay - it was designed to be its own thing, with its own sound. So first, decide if the Lakland Sound is what you want - i.e. both pickups full on with no coil splitting. The solo'ed 'MusicMan' pickup in the back is farther back than the traditional MusicMan placement and will not get that tone exactly. However, with proper EQ adjustments on the bass (boost some treble and bass, cut a little mids), you can get in close enough that, in a mix, it works if you don't have a 'Ray close by. Same goes for the J pickup combined with the split rear pickup - you can get a kinda sorta 60's J or 70's J sound (again, approximate, with proper EQ thrown in). The tone that I think a 44 or 55-02 does the least convincingly is a 'P-Bass' tone. Not even close no matter what you do.
Maybe? But the size of the trussrod adjustment cavity might contribute to that impression.
I’m sure both are nice basses. To my ears , neither will sound exactly like a EBMM StingRay. I hear that signature Sire
congested preamp tone. It’s very powerful but somewhat overbearing to my ears. Not smooth .
congested preamp tone. It’s very powerful but somewhat overbearing to my ears. Not smooth .
