stingrayPete1977 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Of course! Still my weapon of choice although the Lakland 55-02 or the 55-94 could sway me at some point, Stingray with an extra pickup and more versatile preamp/controls and a more stable neck, whats not to like? I kind of like the slightly flappier B of a 34 inch Stingray in its own way though hhmmm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tappel Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 (edited) [size=4][font=Arial]I feel overall quality has slipped somewhat since Dan Lakin sold the company - particularly in the pickups. I have an Indonesian made 44-64 Custom (previously known as the Duck Dunn model). The build quality was quite good, and it’s a beautiful looking bass, however I hated the NeoPunch pickup. It was disappointing to me to buy an Indonesian made instrument for $1200 USD (the approximate cost of a US Fender) only to have to swap out the pickup.[/font] [font=Arial]Tom[/font][/size] Edited October 5, 2014 by tappel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 I think the ones I have liked had Barts in, what do the new "lakland pickups" in the 55-94 and 55-14 actually have inside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 I swear by Laklands, love them to bits and never had a bad one. Having owned plenty of Joe Osbourn's, I'm now fixed on Bob Glaubs, especially if they have a Jazz Neck & extra Jazz pick up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Funnily enough I caught a bit of a band in my local music pub on Sat night. The bass player's rig must have cost quite a bit. Some sort of lakland (don't know the model but it was a jazz lookalike 5 string with a colour matched headstock) played through a big Aguilar amp/preamp with something else stacked on top of that, cab was an ampeg 4x10. Yet I didn't really sit up and think 'that sounds immense', it sounded no different to me in bnd context than any number of other bass/rigs combinations I've seen in the same venue over the last 6 years. I couldn't knock the guy, he could obviously afford it and if it made him happy then that's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Ive tried loads of basses, they all sound pretty good after about £250 to me, but on the other hand you dont know how nicely it played or stayed in tune or never had truss rod adjustments etc do you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 I would expect a Lakland to be a better bass than a Fender but I'd still be more likely to buy the Fender. The Lakland bridge is ugly, I don't like the knobs they use either, and I don't like blingy features like quilted tops and pearly pickguards. And they're too expensive. To be honest I also think Fender basses are over-priced so I wouldn't buy one of those either, or if I did I'd be looking at the used market, but at least they're not usually as ugly as all the Laklands I see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikanHannille Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 I have both Fender and Lakland, and I'm in the Lakland camp. Yes it doesn't sound much different in a band context but it was the neck that won it for me. Most comfortable neck I've played on and to think it won me over a US MTD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammers Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1412462919' post='2569164'] If I could find a fancy blue topped 55-94 for £2500 it would already be on one of my hooks! Where should I be looking? Ive seen 10 year old used ones go for around £2500. [/quote] It's shame you're not a lefty! [url="http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Lakland_55_94_USA.html"]http://bassdirect.co..._55_94_USA.html[/url] I've been looking into Laklands as this 1 has had my eye for a while, so this topic is quite useful... hopefully Santa will be generous this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 [quote name='Sammers' timestamp='1412670501' post='2570813'] ...hopefully Santa will be generous this year [/quote] Santa, of course! I must make a list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) The bass player in the band who played before us on Saturday had a Lakland Decade which sounded immense, although the all-valve Orange rig he was playing it through probably had quite a bit to do with that! I really like the look of both the Decade and the Hollowbody but since they don't appear to make a 5-string version of either I can't see myself buying one. And to add my 2p worth to the other discussion... How can Fender make a bad P or J bass these days? These basses were designed to be made consistently, to a lowish price point by workers who weren't skilled musical instrument makers back in the 50s when manufacturing techniques were far more primitive compared with what is possible today. And considering that the designs have barely changed over the last 50 years they should have no problem making every single one perfect by now especially since they have manufacturing processes that are far more accurate and efficient than those from the 40s and 50s. So why aren't they still not all great? Edited October 7, 2014 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1412678286' post='2570912'] I really like the look of both the Decade and the Hollowbody but since they don't appear to make a 5-string version of either I can't see myself buying one. [/quote] The Decade is my favourite too. Five string versions do exist, but I'd imagine are pretty scarce: https://www.musicartestore.com/en/lakland_decade_basso_elettrico_made_in_usa-0094490.php#.VDPE0t2kqrU Edit: I really wish I hadn't searched that out, as it's given me bass GAS for the first time in ages!! Edited October 7, 2014 by Roland Rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 The 5-string Decade doesn't appear to be one of the current models... However while looking on the Lakland site, I did spot [url=http://www.lakland.com/decade6.htm]The Decade 6[/url]. 30" scale 6-string bass with 3 P90 style pickups. Good thing it doesn't have a vibrato or my credit card might be taking a hit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I had a Skyyline 55-02 once and didn't think much of it. Beautiful finish, but dull (sounding, playing) neck, polite (boring) preamp. Meh. I'd love to try a Lakland P as good as my '71 Fender P....now that I'd buy . I would really fancy a Skyline Decade 30", but I emailed Lakland and there's no plans Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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