Yet More Advice Please - Lakland vs G&L

[Sibob]

4 hours ago, Terry M. said:

How would you define tonal aggressiveness? I ask because I used to have an L2000 and it was the most aggressive sounding bass I ever owned to date. I hear the Lakland LH3 system as anything but aggressive funnily enough. 

 

I mean, it’s just a combination of loudness, EQ and setup no? Boosted mids and highs, a healthy ‘clank’ to your setup and attack/play style, then just let your amp do the loudness if you need more.

The LH-3 is much less polite than the previous Bartolini setup they used. I actually prefer the Barts, but for ‘aggressive’, the LH-3 stuff is great. 

 

In any case, either bass will be awesome, I’m just saying don’t sleep on the 55-02, extremely versatile, quad-coil bridge pickup etc.

 

Si

Edited April 16 by Sibob

[Misdee]

On 14/04/2025 at 17:58, AJC08 said:

I'm highly considering the following.

 

Either a Lakland DJ5

Or a G&L L2000/2500.

 

Anyone had or used both?

 

Versatility is absolutely essential to me. I do tend to prefer a more agressive sort of bass tone to be honest with thunderous low end but good top end sizzle. Think Justin Chancellor style tone.

 

I'd also be interested if anyone is selling either. Particularly the G&L's as these are becoming rare as rocking horse doo doo over here as I don't think anyone is selling them for some reason.

 

Many thanks as always!

 

Aj

 

 

Neither a DJ or L2K will sound like Justin Chancellor's Wal, if that's what you are after, but they are both great-sounding basses in their own right.

 

The DJ is essentially a passive Jazz Bass, so expect a slightly more modern rendition of that tone, depending on the pickups installed. The stock Lakland/Hansen pickups are great, kind of a combination of vintage-sounding Fralins and the more modern-sounding  Aero pickups the older DJs came with.

 

The L2K is a unique-sounding instrument. It's got a slight scoop in the mids, but nothing like as pronounced as a Stingray. In my opinion it's a much better bass than a Music Man, but that's a separate discussion. I've read a lot of folks on forums ask if it will substitute for a Wal, and I suspect the reason might be that the G&L has a reputation for powerful output, and the pickups look a bit reminiscent of those on a Wal.   However, that is the only similarity. If you're looking for classic Wal tones from a G&L you are going to be disappointed. The good news is an L2K is a wickedly good bass in its own right, with a big sound that is very suited to any kind of modern rock music I can think of. Just be careful what neck profile you are opting for. Mine had a vintage P Bass style shape and was too wide at the nut for my modest mitts. They come with various neck profiles, so make sure you know what your preference is.

 

An MM-J Lakland with the LH-3 is another terrific bass, but in my experience it's a bit more polished and refined a sound than a G&L L2K. I've never adjusted the dip switches on mine however, so that might help a bit. It's a great all-round bass, but it lacks the unique personality of a bass like a G&L L2K 

 

Justin Chancellor famously uses a Wal and has given that brand a lot of publicity due to Tool's popularity , but if it's any consolation to you or any other would,-be imitators, I've never thought he had a particularly Wal-like tone on any recordings I've heard. You could get a good rendition of that sound with a whole host of modern basses. Geddy Lee on Power Windows could only be a Wal, same with Alan Spenner on those Roxy Music albums from the late'70s/early 80's.  To my ears Justin Chancellor has a more generic tone that would be relatively easy to emulate.

Edited April 16 by Misdee