I don't think it was the post, but the title of the thread which caused the snarky responses. There is a seach engine here as well as whatever your favorite search engine which could have yielded the basic results. I know the OP was sincere, but intended or not, the way it was put out there almost invited the responses.
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What is a Lakland?
- Thread starter Jawbone
- Start date
Hi Jawbone,
Lakland started out as a dealer of used / vintage stingrays. Dan Lankin Guitars I think was the "official" company title.
He knew a couple of VERY good repair guys in Chicago and they decided to do a small run of basses to see what would happen. Everything on those models was done in shop, and by hand. a total of 76 instruments were done the first year. It would have been 75, but the last guy ( customer ) hung around till it got done
After a little time they had outsourced the basic building blocks of the basses but left final assembly, fretwork, and other important done by hand stuff to themselves.
After more time the import ( Westheimer ) Skylines came out, while these are built and assembled overseas, the fretwork and some minor fit and finish is done at Lakland.
What they wanted at the start was a bass that felt familiar in your hands. A well worn in feeling neck with a fretboard that you just glossed over...nothing stopping you, nothing sticking. Nothing..to get used to.
This is part of why they dont make 6 string basses.
So, what does the Lakland name mean? To me, it means a bass that is new, yet familiar. Unique, but not outlandish.
Just a very well built instrument, from a good group of people.
Lakland started out as a dealer of used / vintage stingrays. Dan Lankin Guitars I think was the "official" company title.
He knew a couple of VERY good repair guys in Chicago and they decided to do a small run of basses to see what would happen. Everything on those models was done in shop, and by hand. a total of 76 instruments were done the first year. It would have been 75, but the last guy ( customer ) hung around till it got done
After a little time they had outsourced the basic building blocks of the basses but left final assembly, fretwork, and other important done by hand stuff to themselves.
After more time the import ( Westheimer ) Skylines came out, while these are built and assembled overseas, the fretwork and some minor fit and finish is done at Lakland.
What they wanted at the start was a bass that felt familiar in your hands. A well worn in feeling neck with a fretboard that you just glossed over...nothing stopping you, nothing sticking. Nothing..to get used to.
This is part of why they dont make 6 string basses.
So, what does the Lakland name mean? To me, it means a bass that is new, yet familiar. Unique, but not outlandish.
Just a very well built instrument, from a good group of people.
I have been playing a Lakland 55-94 for 15 years.....this is a 5 string with 1 jazz pickup in the neck position and the MM pickup just about in the sweet spot. As others have mentioned, the selection of woods and the mating of the woods to come up with a balanced bass takes some time, time and wood cost money. Once they are crafted together, joined with a custom designed preamp and Bartolini pickups, you get a whole lotta sonic change by rollin a nob, or flippin a switch.
I have had my 55-94 for over 15 years now and it is my #1 goto bass because it covers a lot sonic ground.....meaning it can sound like a jass bass doing its things pretty well and roll back to the MM pickup every nuance of your technique gets sent down the cord to the amp. The bass is balanced so damn well and also light....8.3 for a 5 string bass.
I cant comment on the skyline series as I have yet to see one....sorry there. I can compare my 55-94 in craftmanship to a Sadowsky, but the Sadowsk barks up a different when it does it thing. There is a time for my Sadowosky Jazz5 and ther is a time for some organic earth tones and I reach for my Lakland.
I hope you find the money to step up..... I truly dont think you will turn back. If you cant, you will still be playing great music whith anything you have in your hands......just let your love flow on to others
Vince
amen brother, much appreciated.
Let's see fu22ba55 - jazznfunk definitely the sharpest two tacks on this forum! You guys should be really proud of your responses.
Jawbone:
One of the posters distinguished between a Skyline and a US Lakie. I have only owned US Lakies, so my opinion comes from that experience. I have never owned, or even played, a Skyline Lakie (made overseas, but electronics installed in the US). The necks on the US models are quartersawn, which is a higher grade than the flat sawn necks of the Skyline Laks. US models will always cost more than the Skyline Laks.
Back when I was learning about Lakies, I spent alot of time at the Lakie website, and I also cruised the 'bay looking at what various models sell for. There is also alot of useful info on Talkbass.
Don't get me wrong....there is nothing wrong with going with a Fender bass if that rings your bell. It all comes down to personal preference.
One of the posters distinguished between a Skyline and a US Lakie. I have only owned US Lakies, so my opinion comes from that experience. I have never owned, or even played, a Skyline Lakie (made overseas, but electronics installed in the US). The necks on the US models are quartersawn, which is a higher grade than the flat sawn necks of the Skyline Laks. US models will always cost more than the Skyline Laks.
Back when I was learning about Lakies, I spent alot of time at the Lakie website, and I also cruised the 'bay looking at what various models sell for. There is also alot of useful info on Talkbass.
Don't get me wrong....there is nothing wrong with going with a Fender bass if that rings your bell. It all comes down to personal preference.
Thanks a lot - I didn't know Laklands were so well respected in the industry and such a fine piece of machinery. I respect quality so it's definitely a brand i want to learn more about. I "know" their not identical to a Fender but I like the looks. I found out from my friend it's a 44-64 is that a pretty decent model?
44-64 is just fine , Sir. 
You'll see comparisons to Sadowsky here some times. Kinda funny cause Roger helped them get their basses out there.
You'll see comparisons to Sadowsky here some times. Kinda funny cause Roger helped them get their basses out there.
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
There is no pride implied in my response. I didn't post that to 'feel better about myself' or 'superior' to anyone else. I said what I did because you are posting on a bass guitar-focused message board with LOTS of information about all brands at your fingertips with the search engine. So much easily-accessible information exists here (and on the Lakland website) about Lakland basses that it's not even funny. With that said, we all rush into things without thinking or researching sometimes. You did so with your post, I did so with my response. Since I'm not above admitting when I'm wrong, and since your question (in spite of its wording) was meant as a sincere attempt to gain information, I send a sincere apology to you. Anyone who knows me on this board from my over 10 years here knows I'm not a jerk for no reason. Sorry to have come across that way, and I know my response did.
The best way I've heard Lakland's described was what Dan Lakin described them as in Bass Player a while back: "Leo Fender's greatest hits"
They've since expanded to very specific models, but the original 44-94 (and the 5 string 55-94) were really taking the best of what Leo Fender had done with Fender, Music Man and G&L and putting them into one bass. In fact the prototype shown at NAMM that first year had a head stock that was so Fender-inspired they got a visit from the nice folks at Fender
You can read more about their history [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]...
But since you said your coworker's is "just like a P" I'm going to guess you're talking about one of their models that's *NOT* a *-94 style...
Sometime I guess 10 years ago they made a custom bass for Joe Osborn- a Passive stack-pot Jazz... and it was awesome. That soon became a production model and then they began making signature models for other guys... Bob Glaub, Duck Dunn, Daryl Jones... they were all Fender inspired but they had... finesse... that's the only way I can describe it...
The fretwork on a Lakland is a BIG part of it... every Lakland I've ever touched (Custom, US off the shelf, and Skyline) have all had fret-jobs that felt like they'd been taken to a luthier and gone over with a fine tooth comb (or file as it were) The finishes were always perfect, and the consistency from one bass to the next was remarkable.
I guess to sum it up: Laklands feel like a bass you've had for decades and have upgraded/customized to where it's perfect... the very first time you open the case.
They've since expanded to very specific models, but the original 44-94 (and the 5 string 55-94) were really taking the best of what Leo Fender had done with Fender, Music Man and G&L and putting them into one bass. In fact the prototype shown at NAMM that first year had a head stock that was so Fender-inspired they got a visit from the nice folks at Fender
You can read more about their history [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]...
But since you said your coworker's is "just like a P" I'm going to guess you're talking about one of their models that's *NOT* a *-94 style...
Sometime I guess 10 years ago they made a custom bass for Joe Osborn- a Passive stack-pot Jazz... and it was awesome. That soon became a production model and then they began making signature models for other guys... Bob Glaub, Duck Dunn, Daryl Jones... they were all Fender inspired but they had... finesse... that's the only way I can describe it...
The fretwork on a Lakland is a BIG part of it... every Lakland I've ever touched (Custom, US off the shelf, and Skyline) have all had fret-jobs that felt like they'd been taken to a luthier and gone over with a fine tooth comb (or file as it were) The finishes were always perfect, and the consistency from one bass to the next was remarkable.
I guess to sum it up: Laklands feel like a bass you've had for decades and have upgraded/customized to where it's perfect... the very first time you open the case.
I couldn't help it....On the topic, however, I do really want to try a Lakland, but all I've got in my area is crummy ol' guitar center, which isn't that crummy at all, but doesn't have laklands. Do samash stores usually have them? The nearest one to me is in New Haven, and it's a bit of a drive to make just to try a bass, but maybe I could purchase something while I'm there. I like Laklands...maybe not the headstock, but I think the bridge is pretty cool.
When I took my first Lakland (a 55-94) out of its case, I discovered that the neck plays itself. That's great for people with limited talent, like me. I bought this one in 1996. I still have it and gig it.
I guess I might as well put my Joe Osborn 5 up, too. It's been at least a week.
I guess I might as well put my Joe Osborn 5 up, too. It's been at least a week.
Yeah sorry about the harsh responses from some here.
Check out Sweetwater.com. They just started carrying Lakland basses and I've been talking to my sales guy there about getting one soon. They're very good instruments, top of the line gear.
disclamer- ive just been made redundant and ive just had to sell my Sei jazz bass...
why oh frickin why is it, that when people who arent that well informed, ask a normal Q about a bass, do they get idiots taking the piss, and look down there nose at them????
answer the guys question without your stupid rude comments...:scowl:
im ashamed to call you fellow bassplayers!!
i hate the frickin search engine police!.
why oh frickin why is it, that when people who arent that well informed, ask a normal Q about a bass, do they get idiots taking the piss, and look down there nose at them????
answer the guys question without your stupid rude comments...:scowl:
im ashamed to call you fellow bassplayers!!
i hate the frickin search engine police!.
To be honest, I can see why you got responses you did. To most people it would just seem like a "Stupid Question". People (me included) often forget that there is no such thing as a "Stupid Question".
Realistically Lakland (and many other similar companies) produced "Fenders on Steroids". They take the basic, working principals, of a Fender Jazz, some times a P, that have been proven to work time and time again over the past half century, and they improve them with better workmanship, quality materials, advanced electronics and pre-amps, and many other nice touches.
I personally prefer Fenders due to their workhorse appeal. But i'd probably have a Lakland as well if I could afford it
Realistically Lakland (and many other similar companies) produced "Fenders on Steroids". They take the basic, working principals, of a Fender Jazz, some times a P, that have been proven to work time and time again over the past half century, and they improve them with better workmanship, quality materials, advanced electronics and pre-amps, and many other nice touches.
I personally prefer Fenders due to their workhorse appeal. But i'd probably have a Lakland as well if I could afford it
i really cant see why he got the responses he did...oh yeah i can...little kids on Talkbass that dont get out much
JazznFunk, a man who can man up. Seriously, I like that. I'm not the OP but respekt for that anyways.
Your first post sounded, to me at least, more like a consideration anyways neh.
Stay safe anyone, Jens
Your first post sounded, to me at least, more like a consideration anyways neh.
Stay safe anyone, Jens
Hey now, what about my post #23? Informative, honest and just a *touch* of magic...
Does someone here know the proper pronunciation for Lakland? Is it "lack-land" or "lake-land". I assume the first one?
The second. There's a macron over the first 'A' that most of us don't know how to type.
EDIT: Lākland. Okay, one learns something new everyday...
