String Question for Lakland 55-02 Owners

[TuneIn]

OP - 55-02's are really great Basses, congrats! A burr on the saddle is most likely the cause for such an issue.

DR's fit the 55-02 through body perfectly. I loved the Dragon Skins and Sunbeams on mine.

Hey mmbongo,
I bought a used 55-02 here on TB, 'bout 10 mo ago that I love, it was shipped with Elixer's. I remember 20 years back, trying out a free pair of these Elixer's(4 string set) wasn't crazy about them then, but I kind of like them now. I've always been a DR string guy though. Do you have experience with Elixer's on your Lakland? Is the string tension, feel, and tone similar or better on the DR dragon skins? Its coming time to change the strings on my 55-02, your input, or others would be helpful.

 

[Gougedeye]

I have used Elixers on my 5594, but not for a while. If I remember correctly, the biggest problem I have with them is the feel. They feel "spongy" for lack of a better term. To my finger, they feel soft. Not the sort of tension I like. I'm getting a bass in the next day or two (Black DJ5) that is strung with Elixers. I'll give you an updated review when I can.

 

[mmbongo]

OP - 55-02's are really great Basses, congrats! A burr on the saddle is most likely the cause for such an issue.



Hey mmbongo,
I bought a used 55-02 here on TB, 'bout 10 mo ago that I love, it was shipped with Elixer's. I remember 20 years back, trying out a free pair of these Elixer's(4 string set) wasn't crazy about them then, but I kind of like them now. I've always been a DR string guy though. Do you have experience with Elixer's on your Lakland? Is the string tension, feel, and tone similar or better on the DR dragon skins? Its coming time to change the strings on my 55-02, your input, or others would be helpful.

Yeah like Gougedeye said, they literally have a soft feel, and very slick. I never used Elixirs on my Lakland but have used them on other basses. Dragon Skins have a different type of coating so they feel more like regular strings and will have less tension than Elixirs, they are essentially coated HiBeams but not as bright.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

So I recently became the owner of my first Lakland. New to 5 string, new to Lakland. LOVE IT! I bought some new D'Addario strings. I Snapped the E string (TWICE), and the B string isn't sitting right. It feels like there is too much tention. How do I resolve this? Also suggested strings?

What exact model strings were breaking? I use D'Addario EXL170-5SL (.045/.065/.080/.100/.130), Nickel Wound on my Joe Osborn 5. It's very important that they say "SUPER LONG SCALE" (the '5SL'). I have never had this problem. Hope this helps.

 

[MattyH]

Yea the DAddario long scales won't work I dont think. Gotta get super long if you're going through the body.

 

[mattygbass]

it doesnt seem the breakage would be from string choice. its either burrs (seems unlikely for 2 strings) maybe theres to much tension on the neck to tune to pitch, check the relief in the neck.

 

[Thumpinshelton]

If you go D'addario make sure you use Super Long scale. I use EXL220sl and a single 125sl for my Lakland's. You have to get the Super Long scale because they are the only ones that fit Lakland 5'rs.

 

[TinIndian]

On my 55-02 I use DR Hi Beams or Stainless Lo riders. I go through the body and typically I have two to three wraps and never had a string break.

 

[basspraiser]

Congrats on a great bass!

Sorry I cannot help you with your strings breaking...

I second Lakie SS or Nickels!

 

[Jim Carr]

I strongly recommend Lakland strings for your 35" scale 5-string. I have used their strings for 12 years and counting. I like both the nickel RW and the stainless steel RW on my 2003 55-01D (it's a deluxe with 3tsb quilted top and a RW fingerboard). Totally stock. Great bass.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Here is my experience with strings on electric bass. I play more acoustic bass than electric so take this with a grain of salt I guess. I have stuck with DR high beam strings since high school and they are the most durable strings I've used. Every once and a while I've had different strings to try (Rotosounds, sadowsky, Dean Markley and a few others). Not to say those are bad strings but DR has been the most reliable. Had a set on my bass for a year of moderate use. My friend who is more of an electric player was having trouble with the D'Adarrio electric strings (broke a bunch of G/C strings) and after I made him get high beams and/or low riders the broken strings stopped. I'd say pick up a set of DR's

 

[pan1k]

Here's an update from rehearsal . I put some DR Hi Beams on and they were perfect. Idk weird issue. But thank you guys for all your input.

 

[pan1k]

Im going to order a stockpile of Laksnd Strings.

 

[Sav'nBass]

DR's fit the 55-02 through body perfectly. I loved the Dragon Skins and Sunbeams on mine.

Yerah I like DRs as well...

When I played Laklands I always used DR strings. or Lakeland strings.
Strings breaking at the the tuners is most likely operator error

I have never had that happen.. glad the OP got it resolved though.. I will have to try a set of Lakkies on my 55-01.

 

[MattyH]

Im going to order a stockpile of Laksnd Strings.

Try both the Steels and the Nickels. The steels come stock on Lakland basses I believe, and they do sound great. But for me, the nickels are perfect because they don't have that super new "brightness". They sound like they're the perfect amount (to my ears) of broken in right out of the pack. And they fit a wider range of genres, which is also perfect for me, because I play in a wedding band and jump from genre to genre in minutes. But try them both out. Email the guys there through the web site, tell them what you play, and they'll give you a great recommendation. They're fantastic over there.

 

[pan1k]

Thank you guys so much! I knew my TB family would know the answer.