Ed Reynolds Lakland 4 94

[Billleivers]

Just wanted to introduce my bass in case there’s any interest!

I bought it 14 years ago after searching for a USA made Lakland in the UK - unsuccessfully! I was on the verge of importing a new 4 94 from the USA when this popped up on eBay from a collector in Chicago. It’s a one off 4 94 made by Ed Reynolds from parts supplied by Dan Lakin. Ed was luthier consultant to the fledgling Lakland operation. It has a chambered body, pre-CBS Jazz pickup in neck position, Seymour Duncan MM in bridge position, nitro paint finish (lots of dings!) and fabulous neck. 
It’s been my go-to bass since I bought it and I love it, though very few bass players I meet in the UK seem to know much about USA Laklands, let alone a one-off like this! 

[HeadlessBassist]

I've never had a Lakland, but that is a lovely piece of Lakland/Dan Lakin history. How long have you had it? 

[LukeFRC]

lovely! I've a 5 94 that is amazing ... but I always forget how amazing till I play it! 
1998 model I think- the original Bart pickups and a John East UniPre   

[Mrbigstuff]

27 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

I've never had a Lakland, but that is a lovely piece of Lakland/Dan Lakin history. How long have you had it? 

Says he bought it 14 years ago.

 

For the OP. If you’re thinking about selling put it in the classifieds for the price you expect. 

[Billleivers]

Thanks guys. Sorry, my post might have been misleading - I’m not thinking of selling. I think this bass will go to my grave with me! I’d also have no clue what it’s worth. 

[Mokl]

14 hours ago, LukeFRC said:

lovely! I've a 5 94 that is amazing ... but I always forget how amazing till I play it! 
1998 model I think- the original Bart pickups and a John East UniPre   

 

 

 

Out of interest, how do you find the East with the Barts? Presumably Bart pre originally?

Apologies for the derail. Your bass looks awesome, OP.

Edited 20 hours ago by Mokl

[LukeFRC]

3 hours ago, Mokl said:

 

 

Out of interest, how do you find the East with the Barts? Presumably Bart pre originally?

Apologies for the derail. Your bass looks awesome, OP.

it's lovely. mine is a "classic" variant with alder body and a bit darker sounding than the usual ash/maple ones - and the low output dark pickups  the sound has such a middy thing going on that Bart preamp basically had such a mid knob that acted almost as a volume! 
The East pre is amazing - really really high fidelity and you can set it inside to react like you want - on my one I borrowed a pre-EB stingray and tried to match the preamp on that as much as I could with the bass and treble controls. So much so I didn't buy the stingray. 

 

With the preamp and pickups now it's in the situation where the bass doesn't get much play time at home - then I take it out and in the Mix it just works so so so well!

 

[Mokl]

Thanks Luke, your experience sounds similar to mine with the Barts+ Bart pre - mid control just seems to add huge gain ,(not so much when I switch it to 800Hz TBF) I do get some decent tones out of it but am tempted to try the East, especially as she of the pots are on the way out (it's 20yrs old). It'll mean drilling out the holes to 10mm though (and it's a nice bass, Zon Sonus), so just building up the courage!