Which one? Lakland or fender

[petch]

I've owned numerous Fenders and Laklands. Love 'em both, but I vote Lakland. Consistent, GREAT neck on the 44-64's, and despite what some may say, the oval bridge is distinctive, sets the Lakland brand apart, and does what it is supposed to do. The Korean > Indonesian bit doesn't fly with me; I've owned both versions of the "Duck" bass, and I prefer the Indonesian - it is lighter and I prefer the pickup voicing. IMO, YMMV, etc.

 

[JaredBT]

Uh, well.... that Fender there's a couple tricks, uh.... if you were to send it to me I could check it out and see um.... you know, just look at it.

 

[HiEnd Basses]

Fender, because all my Basses are Fender Precisions! It's too late for me!!!!

 

[GBassNorth]

Get rid of the oval bridge and I might consider Lakland. Yes, I know it's shallow, but the oval bridge reminds me of a sink drain.

This!
I'm m sorry and don't mean to offend any Lakland players but I just can't get past the butt ugly bridge on the Lakland bass. The oval shape works well on a couple of their basses but not on the P bass body. Likewise, the last thing I'd put on a Stingray body is a Fender style bent plate bridge. My eyes just expect to see certain things on certain basses and an oversized oval shaped bridge on a Fender shaped body doesn't cut it. I say go with the Fender!

 

[Arrow]

Fender! (If it's a good one...)
Had a Lakland and tried some; great quality but I didn't like the necks and found the sound lacking character that I find in (a few) Fenders.

 

[chris_b]

If the question is what was DD playing in the Blues Brothers show, then it was a Fender. The question I'd ask is, what would DD be playing today in a Blues Brothers show?

He would probably be playing his Lakland, because, 40 years later, he wouldn't care what he was playing in 1978. Most top players aren't stuck in time-warps. That's probably why the likes of long time Fender players, Duck Dunn, David Hood and George Porter Jr switched to playing Laklands.

 

[chris_b]

Don't worry about the bass, have to got the period correct Ray-Bans and the suit and hat?

Sorry to say this but they are more important to the show than what bass you're playing.

 

[mcnach]

I have a chance to get one of theses basses . Both same price. I just picked up a gig doing a Blues brothers revue show. Anyone have input on theses?

I have owned a Classic 50 fiesta red Precision for a couple of years now. It was THE bass that made me appreciate Precisions. Over the years I've played several and owned a few but they always got sold. But the Classic 50 was just right. They have pretty wide fingerboards and the whole neck just fitted nicely in my hand. I was ready to replace the pickup but I find no need, it sounds great stock. I just replaced the pickguard as I didn't like the cold feel of the metal one.
The Lakland is nice, but the neck is *very* different. Personally I would go for the Fender Classic 50 purely because I don't like the Lakland neck, but even if they were similar I think the Classic 50 is a great Precision and would get that one. The RW series is even nicer: if you find a used one, get that. The extra $$$ are well worth it. There is something special about the RW.

 

[mcnach]

Don't worry about the bass, have to got the period correct Ray-Bans and the suit and hat?

Sorry to say this but they are more important to the show than what bass you're playing.

Are you telling a brother that they don't need to buy a new bass? REALLY?

This is a support group: whenever we want to buy something new but deep inside we know we don't need it and want external reassurances, we come here. Play nice. (joke)

 

[stringthrough]

The lighter of the two.

 

[Dragan]

both

 

[Mattrill]

I'm a huge Fender guy but that Lakeland wins it for me here... Damn that is nice.

 

[40Hz]

Get rid of the oval bridge and I might consider Lakland. Yes, I know it's shallow, but the oval bridge reminds me of a sink drain.

Glad somebody else thinks so too. I know it's Lakeland's "look" and all that. But IMO that oval bridge is just gauche looking and completely ruins the appearance of their otherwise fine basses.

-----

As far as picking between the two goes I'd hand it to the Fender visually. But I never cared for block inlays, so take that for what it's worth.

As far as sound goes, I'd have to hear them. But based on my own experiences, Lakeland edges out Fender on average, because with Fender the tone is all over the place, so you really need to try them out first before you buy one. The Lakelands are far more consistent. Can't say I ever played a Lakeland that I didn't like the sound of. Wish I could say the same for Fender.

But they really need to do something about the look of that bridge…

 

[Rickter]

I have a chance to get one of theses basses . Both same price. I just picked up a gig doing a Blues brothers revue show. Anyone have input on theses?

For what it's worth, I was in the same predicament not too long ago. Was deciding between a Lakland Skyline P5, an American Fender P5 and a Yamaha BB1025. The way things worked out I ended up going with the Fender American P5 and absolutely do not regret it. I couldn't find a Lakland in the local stores to try out prior to purchase which was one of the deciding factors. After buying the Fender, as luck would have it, the exact Lakland I had been considering showed up as a used item in a local store, so I gave it a try. It was nice, but I still liked my American Fender P5 much better. Good thing. All of that said, I'm a Fender guy for the most part, and would heartily recommend the Fender reissue.

 

[tribbledaniel]

Don't forget the Labella 1954 Jamerson strings to get that true "Duck" tone!!!

 

[pudgychef]

If it was a Korean Skyline I would lean lakland but IMO the MIM 50's Precision is a better bass than the current Indo Skylines.

Agree 100%

 

[pudgychef]

I would definitely do Lakland Skyline over a MIM Fender. Actaully I would do the Lakland Skyline over a USA Fender.
Some people (like Jimmy) don't like the oval bridge, but I think that the oval bridge sounds pretty much the same as a rectangular bridge and I never really look at the bridge while I am playing anyway, so the shape of a bridge doesn't bother me in the least.

Maybe circa the original MIKs...the MIIs are not at the same standard of build, quality or consitiency IMHO...

I would put the current MIM Classic 50s PS up there with the best CIJ Fenders...very well built....very consistent...
IMHO (again) the old wives tale of Fender inconsistency is a remenant from decades past...play the 2008+ MIAs...killer and consistent..the '06 onward MIM Classic Series...killer...

Heck the squier CVs were shockingly consistent and excellent...


Loved the MIK Skyline BG I had...the MIIs ...good...but not amazing and equivalent to MII Ibanez etc IMHO....

 

[pudgychef]

Also...the block inlays look is so over done these days(see Warwick)....it was unique and killer on some of the original 70s RIs..these days it is so common it is becoming tacky... like covering hardwood floors with shag carpet....IMHO of course....

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Hate red, but Lakland all the way

 

[I am Soma]

have to play each but visually the fender by far.