Old Horse Murphy Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 I've seen a lot of reviews about Lakland 5 strings mostly (DJ's) but would like to know how these compare to Sandbergs or even Lakland Joe Osborns. There's even a few G&L L2500's that look the business too. I've always been quite samey in my taste of basses (Fender or Musicman) and I'd like to see what else is out there. I must admit, I'm not particularly looking to invest in one right this moment (having just had to spend £600 on new brakes for my car and a service imminent too !!), but in the near future I'd certainly look at maybe getting one as a contrast to my Stingray 5 string. Any opinions would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumble Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 I have a Lakland JO5 and love it. Having recently tried several Sandbergs, I know that they aren't really for me. Some of them look very nice and their construction looked pretty good, but I got the feeling that the electrics just didn't get the best out of them. Sure they have a reasonably good low end, but the highs didn't seem to sing. They were almost half-way-house between vintage and modern tones. There was nothing about them to tempt me away from the JO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 + 1 The JO5 is my favorite beast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 When i went looking for a 5 string i tried a Sandbeg California Something or other in the Bass Centre. It played well and i loved the look of it. While i was getting it adjusted befor ei paid for it i happened to try a 55-01 and fell in love with that. I couldn't decide what one to go for until i saw the awful quality of the neck on the Sandberg. there were gaps under some of the higher frets. This was a bass that was going for £900 (and that was discounted as it had been on the wall a while and the neck had twisted slightly). Ive not seen such a poor neck even on £100 basses. I did like the tone of it though but not for £900. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garbev Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 I've been using a 55-01 with an East U-Retro Dlx for a while. Playability and feel of the Lakland is second to none, and with the east preamp the palette of tones is amazing. IMO better than the USA made 55-94 I've used for recording. Lakland (modified) all the way. Gary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 [quote name='garbev' post='67945' date='Oct 1 2007, 12:16 AM']I've been using a 55-01 with an East U-Retro Dlx for a while. Playability and feel of the Lakland is second to none, and with the east preamp the palette of tones is amazing. IMO better than the USA made 55-94 I've used for recording. Lakland (modified) all the way. Gary.[/quote] Yeah, my 55-01 has a NTMB in it and it sounds a bit better than the basic preamp but its the playability that i love. The necks are second to none in my limited experience. Saying that im going back to 4 string now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosfandango Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 My Sandberg California PM5 Customer sounds a bit like a Stingy but has the added sound of a pbass pup (plus of course a quite unique sound with both pickups engaged 50/50). Another alternative is the Sadnberg Bullet in J/J config - fantastic bass that would give more fender jazz type of sounds and complement the MM really well. Another bass to consider would be a Warweick Streamer Stage 1 or II.....great basses that would broaden your "tonal palette" The JO5 sounds very vintage 60's fender (unless you put a pre amp in it) and sounds really great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 [quote name='carlosfandango' post='67990' date='Oct 1 2007, 09:00 AM']My Sandberg California PM5 Customer sounds a bit like a Stingy but has the added sound of a pbass pup (plus of course a quite unique sound with both pickups engaged 50/50).[/quote] Ah yes, thats the one i tried. It looked really good in the Black/grey sunburst and the MM style pup. Very Mad Max sort of thing. Wish i had got that but like i said the neck was rubbish. Im sure it was a one off though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosfandango Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 (edited) [quote name='dave_bass5' post='67993' date='Oct 1 2007, 09:07 AM']Ah yes, thats the one i tried. It looked really good in the Black/grey sunburst and the MM style pup. Very Mad Max sort of thing. Wish i had got that but like i said the neck was rubbish. Im sure it was a one off though.[/quote] hmmm....both my Sandbergs are impleacble in terms of build quality but they are a couple of years old now (one is a customer shop). I heard that Sandberg has trippled their production capacity due to the high demand so maybe they have had some quality problems lately? that would be a shame becaus the basses are really great Edited October 1, 2007 by carlosfandango Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 [quote name='carlosfandango' post='68002' date='Oct 1 2007, 09:34 AM']hmmm....both my Sandbergs are impleacble in terms of build quality but they are a couple of years old now (one is a customer shop). I heard that Sandberg has trippled their production capacity due to the high demand so maybe they have had some quality problems lately? that would be a shame becaus the basses are really great[/quote] I agree. im not knocking Sandberg really, just relaying my one and only experience with them. In fact all the cheaper Sandberg's looked perfect in the shop but this was the only 5 string they had and i really did want it but not for £900 with that neck. probably a one off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosfandango Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 [quote name='dave_bass5' post='68006' date='Oct 1 2007, 09:41 AM']I agree. im not knocking Sandberg really, just relaying my one and only experience with them. In fact all the cheaper Sandberg's looked perfect in the shop but this was the only 5 string they had and i really did want it but not for £900 with that neck. probably a one off.[/quote] Ican't belive the shop still had for display! they aren't exactly doing them self a favour.....why are there so many morons in the music retail business???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beneath It All Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 [quote name='Old Horse Murphy' post='66549' date='Sep 27 2007, 06:20 PM']I've seen a lot of reviews about Lakland 5 strings mostly (DJ's) but would like to know how these compare to Sandbergs or even Lakland Joe Osborns. There's even a few G&L L2500's that look the business too. I've always been quite samey in my taste of basses (Fender or Musicman) and I'd like to see what else is out there. I must admit, I'm not particularly looking to invest in one right this moment (having just had to spend £600 on new brakes for my car and a service imminent too !!), but in the near future I'd certainly look at maybe getting one as a contrast to my Stingray 5 string. Any opinions would be appreciated.[/quote]...............Does that mean you're no longer interested in my Jazz 5 ?!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted October 4, 2007 Author Share Posted October 4, 2007 [quote name='hipbass' post='69555' date='Oct 4 2007, 04:27 PM']...............Does that mean you're no longer interested in my Jazz 5 ?!!![/quote] I never heard anything back after my last email to you.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 My 55-02 is faultless. I've had a Stingray 5 and an Ibanez Sr1005 which were both very nice but not a patch on the Lakland. Killer Bee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beneath It All Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 [quote name='Old Horse Murphy' post='69557' date='Oct 4 2007, 04:28 PM']I never heard anything back after my last email to you.... [/quote] *****************************PM'd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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