patrikmarky Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Thinking about a lakland spalted maple fiver ..with bart pups...any one got an opinion... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobVbass Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Lakland are fantastic basses, great value and excellent quality, skylines and US both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I`m yet to read an opinion that doesn`t sing their praises, has to be worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikanHannille Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Excellent basses. I only got mine last month. I'd say I found my one stop bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) [quote name='patrikmarky' timestamp='1391801534' post='2361562'] Thinking about a lakland spalted maple fiver ..with bart pups...any one got an opinion... [/quote] If you mean the special edition 55-01, whilst I wouldn't discourage you from that choice, the 55-02 with the same Lakland/Hanson pickups and LH1 preamp as is on the USA-made basses is a far superior model ( in my opinion) for not much more money. I haven't seen a Skyline 55-02 in spalted maple, but they do a Deluxe version with a quilt or flame maple top that looks lovely to me. Edited February 7, 2014 by Dingus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I have been fortunate enough to own two Lakland Skyline basses in recent history. They were both exceptional factory produced instruments.... The 5 string models are the most comfortable 35" scale basses I have played to date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroybasslines Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I'd be happy to add to the Lakland love on here so far: they're fantastic instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJE Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I am in the minority, I am not keen on Lakland. They are solid basses but with the exception of a Duck Dunn model, I have only ever been underwhelmed by Lakland Skyline's. They are well built, but for what they go for new I would buy something else personally. My best friend uses a 5502 Deluxe with USA Bart electronics for a lot of high profile recording jobs and has constantly struggled to get a decent tone out of it and now bypasses the electronics for recording. I leant him my old £260 Squier CV precision and he instantly found it easier to play and got a better sound out of it for recording. Its all preference though, we all have different ideas of the perfect tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bass Man Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I would recommend you go for it, you'll not regret it one bit. Exceptional build quality and tone - my 55-02 is absolutely superb :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I adore my Bob Glaub skyline. If you're looking at one of their actives my recommendation would be the MM/J one, does everything the soapbar one does but also does more. Also the skylines are incredible value. I've never played a US one but I can't see how it can be much better. My skyline feels better put together than most things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroydiamond Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Used to have a 55-01 and it was just OK. The U.S. Joe Osbourne I had a play on recently was superb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 [quote name='patrikmarky' timestamp='1391801534' post='2361562'] Thinking about a lakland spalted maple fiver ..with bart pups...any one got an opinion... [/quote] If I was you I'd have a search for the Basschat threads where Laklands have been criticised strongly for the quality control of neck/pickup/bridge alignment and I would probably want to play before I bought. Also, I wouldn't myself go for spalted maple or five strings or bart pickups. However, my Lakland Decade is spot on excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storky Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I nearly got the exact bass you're thinking of. In the end I got the non spalted version. I really like it. It is my first 5 string, really well built, very nice, broad neck with decent string spacing. A tight, well defined sound. The only quibble would be the frets seem quite tall and narrow which I am less keen on. Overall though a very good instrument for the money. Almost forgot; it's a 35" scale so make shire your ok with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Lakland basses are great sounding instruments. I've owned and played my 55-94 for 10 years. There is a spalted 55-01 for sale on Talkbass right now, coupled with a very nice 55-02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Great bass company, woeful UK distribution, Yet you email them about getting some stockists in the UK and they just don't seem bothered. Sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrikmarky Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 And here she is,now have to decide which one goes...with my rule of "one in one out".. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Nice, get in there! I have the same 'one in, one out' rule and sadly said goodbye to my 55-02 yesterday. Every Lakland I have played has been pure class, both US and Skyline; enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 I bought my 55 01 as back up for my Stingray. The Stingray now rarely gets an outing. For the money I think you'd struggle to find a better made/sounding bass. Love mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 [quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1391838931' post='2361863'] ....you email them about getting some stockists in the UK and they just don't seem bothered.... [/quote] Why do you need to email them? The UK dealers are listed on the Lakland website. I've emailed them a couple of times and got prompt replies. The first time Dan Lakin answered my questions personally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 [quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1391838931' post='2361863'] Great bass company, woeful UK distribution, Yet you email them about getting some stockists in the UK and they just don't seem bothered. Sad. [/quote] [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1391856896' post='2361990'] Why do you need to email them? The UK dealers are listed on the Lakland website. I've emailed them a couple of times and got prompt replies. The first time Dan Lakin answered my questions personally. [/quote] I've had nothing but prompt and helpful dealings with Lakland - with Dan Lakin when he was still there and with John Pirruccello and others since Dan left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1391846680' post='2361893'] Nice, get in there! I have the same 'one in, one out' rule and sadly said goodbye to my 55-02 yesterday. Every Lakland I have played has been pure class, both US and Skyline; enjoy. [/quote] I have a 55-02 that has finally made me "get" 5-strings. Lovely lovely neck. I am not fully taken with the sound, but it may be because it's neither Jazz nor Stingray... although that's not the bass' problem but my own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 [quote name='NJE' timestamp='1391807854' post='2361658'] I am in the minority, I am not keen on Lakland. They are solid basses but with the exception of a Duck Dunn model, I have only ever been underwhelmed by Lakland Skyline's. They are well built, but for what they go for new I would buy something else personally. My best friend uses a 5502 Deluxe with USA Bart electronics for a lot of high profile recording jobs and has constantly struggled to get a decent tone out of it and now bypasses the electronics for recording. I leant him my old £260 Squier CV precision and he instantly found it easier to play and got a better sound out of it for recording. Its all preference though, we all have different ideas of the perfect tone. [/quote] Ay, I've been underwhelmed. Nice designs just not my thing for the price bracket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizznit Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) My 55-02 (see my avatar) is the most versatile bass in my collection. It's an early model (#24 in fact!) with Bart's and preamp. I use the bass almost exclusively for my recording jobs. It sounds awesome no matter which style of music I use it for. It plays beautifully...I can play it for hours with very little strain. Every bit as enjoyable as the American made instruments for almost half the price. The only criticism about my bass is that the preamp lacks a bit is headroom compared to my other basses. It's not a huge issue in the studio, but if I am using it live and I have to switch basses you can notice the drop. Edited February 8, 2014 by shizznit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizznit Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 [quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1391854540' post='2361964'] I bought my 55 01 as back up for my Stingray. The Stingray now rarely gets an outing. For the money I think you'd struggle to find a better made/sounding bass. Love mine! [/quote] That's how I ended up with mine. I too bought my Lakland as a backup to my MM Stingray 5, but became my #1 within weeks. I haven't owned another MM Stingray since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1391856896' post='2361990'] Why do you need to email them? The UK dealers are listed on the Lakland website. there is only I've emailed them a couple of times and got prompt replies. The first time Dan Lakin answered my questions personally. [/quote] I can only find The Gallery and Guitar Guitar. Stocks are low, most things by order. That to me is not good distribution, The last twice I have mailed them responses have been relatively quick admittedly. The responses were both sadly negative though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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