Lakland 55-02 or MM Stingray HH?

[cwdaniel]

Looking for comments from hands on experience with either, good or bad.

I'm narrowing down a choice for a new main 5-string bass. I'm torn between a Lakland Skyline 55-02 and a Music Man Stingray with double humbuckers. Both seem to be very high in quality and playability. Tone selection is great.

Lakland Pros: lighter, cheaper, similar to one I'm replacing.
Lakland cons: No hard case included, limited local selection.

Pros: American made, hard case included.
Music Man cons: Heavier, limited local selection.

Who has the best online deals in the west end of the US for these?

[jzucker]

I've owned both. The musicman basses tend to be a little neck heavy. Particularly the 5'ers. The Lakland skyline basses have cheap electronics IMO. The Musicman has the classic MM tone. The Lakland does not get that tone. Also, the lakland is 35" scale which I personally don't care for. I will also say that the lakland skylands vary in quality. I've had a couple and the necks were very rubbery.

Have you looked at www.talkbass.com ? You could probably find a used 5'er that's inexpensive and will fit your needs.

[smallequestrian]

As per the above post, I agree with most of what Jzucker says, but I have still never played a Neck heavy MM5, and I have played a lot of them...

Also, it is possible to find a lighter weight SR5, I have played a few that were around 9 pounds, it just takes some time and patience to find one.

One other pro for the MM's is that the finish options are much wider (and IMO cooler) than the Skylines.

[jzucker]

Almost all music man basses are neck heavy. Neck heavy is defined by the inability of the body to balance itself at a 45 degree angle with a strap and hung by it's center point. Depending on what kind of strap you use and your build and where you play your bass it may or may not be an issue but it's definitely there and I've owned 4 music mans and they were all neck heavy and I've played literally dozens. There are some out there that use very heavy ash bodies and those balance better but I don't like heavy instruments.

[cwdaniel]

I've owned both. The musicman basses tend to be a little neck heavy. Particularly the 5'ers. The Lakland skyline basses have cheap electronics IMO. The Musicman has the classic MM tone. The Lakland does not get that tone. Also, the lakland is 35" scale which I personally don't care for. I will also say that the lakland skylands vary in quality. I've had a couple and the necks were very rubbery.

Have you looked at www.talkbass.com (http://www.talkbass.com) ? You could probably find a used 5'er that's inexpensive and will fit your needs.

What is your issue with the electronics? Frankly I wouldn't know good from bad until it doesn't work right.

I've been under the impression that the 35" scale is better for the low B on a 5 to be tighter. You don't agree?

Can you elaborate on the rubbery neck observation?

I guess bad apples can happen in any brand. So far all of the Lakland Skylines I've had my hands on were impressive. Better than my MIA Jazz V deluxe. Even if your not a Fender fan, the one I have is a keeper.


I stop in at talkbass.com from time to time, activebass.com even more. I've got no problem picking up a good used one, but I'm a little leery about doing it sight unseen.

[jzucker]

What is your issue with the electronics? Frankly I wouldn't know good from bad until it doesn't work right.

They just don't sound very good IMO.

I've been under the impression that the 35" scale is better for the low B on a 5 to be tighter. You don't agree?

Folklore IMO. I even tried a dingwall with a 37" low b and my Sadowsky's 34" scale low B smoked it. The string itself is under a little more tension at the longer scale so in that respect it's marginally tighter but it's effect on the tone is highly exaggerated and it adversely effects the tone of the higher strings IMO.

Can you elaborate on the rubbery neck observation?


Just a lot of neck movement. Soft wood, not stable under different humidities.

I guess bad apples can happen in any brand. So far all of the Lakland Skylines I've had my hands on were impressive. Better than my MIA Jazz V deluxe. Even if your not a Fender fan, the one I have is a keeper.

Not impressed with american fenders so I'm not surprised. That says more about fender IMO.


I stop in at talkbass.com from time to time, activebass.com even more. I've got no problem picking up a good used one, but I'm a little leery about doing it sight unseen.

I've done it many times. Just buy at the fair market value and if you don't like it, sell it. There's a used Bossa 5 string bass on talkbass that probably smokes the skyline and the musicman for about $1100. I was considering offering him $1000. YOu might take a look at it...

[cwdaniel]

Thanks for the clarification, I'll take it under advisement. You're obviously a more accomplished player than I. With a mindset for a different style of music and what you look for in an instrument. I'm an average player doing the live classic rock band thing in my spare time. I can appreciate the incredible tones some guys strive to achieve. Unfortunately my resources don't allow for too much indulgence for experimenting. I looked at that Bossa bass. Looks nice, I'm not familiar with that brand though.

My two candidates came down to: Do I like what I hear? Playability and perceived quality.

I like the selection switch on the MM/HH, great range of instant tone changes. In reality I only heard a couple of positions that suit me. The weight issue is a concern for long gigs. They are obviously well put together and sound great

The Lakland is similar to my Jazz in feel, and I like the MM/J pickup arrangement.

Thanks for the insight on the Lakland neck wood. It's a shot neck on another guitar that's causing me to pick out a new one

[smallequestrian]

Almost all music man basses are neck heavy. Neck heavy is defined by the inability of the body to balance itself at a 45 degree angle with a strap and hung by it's center point. Depending on what kind of strap you use and your build and where you play your bass it may or may not be an issue but it's definitely there and I've owned 4 music mans and they were all neck heavy and I've played literally dozens. There are some out there that use very heavy ash bodies and those balance better but I don't like heavy instruments.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree then. My idea of neck diving is the same as yours, and I have just never experienced what you have. I happen to have 9.5 lb bongo fiver right now and it balances about as good as my Skjold which has superior ergonomics.

*shrug*

[jzucker]

I guess we will have to agree to disagree then. My idea of neck diving is the same as yours, and I have just never experienced what you have. I happen to have 9.5 lb bongo fiver right now and it balances about as good as my Skjold which has superior ergonomics.

*shrug*

My skjold was neck heavy too.

If your bongo is 9.5lbs, that would be why it doesn't neck dive. That's pretty heavy for poplar or basswood. Usually ash is heavier but my last MM was about 8.5lbs (4 string and neck dove)

[smallequestrian]

My skjold was neck heavy too.

If your bongo is 9.5lbs, that would be why it doesn't neck dive. That's pretty heavy for poplar or basswood. Usually ash is heavier but my last MM was about 8.5lbs (4 string and neck dove)

Its not heavy, as far as Bongo Fives go, its about the lightest one I hav played (owned three, strapped on about 20 overall). Most have been between 10 and 11 in my experience. I don't know why it is, but even though the Bongos are basswood, they seem to be about equivalent in weight to the Stingrays and SR5's (Although I think the body volume of the Bongo is possibly bigger so maybe thats it).

[cwdaniel]

I'm leaning toward the MM SR HH. One of my local Guitar Centers has one I like. It's a curiosity though. It has adjustable pole pickups, whereas all others I've seen don't.

Can anyone shed light on this?

[Bassomatic]

The Lakland skyline basses have cheap electronics IMO.

Are you sure? Mine's got Lindy Fralins. Perhaps you're referring to the wiring?

As to the OP,m the 55-02s are sonically very very flexible. You *can* dial in a quite convinvcing 'Ray tone, as well. Also much easier to play than most MMs, imo (and I've owned a bunch of 'em).

[ScottB]

:Devil

Moo Hoo Hoo.....

I contaminated my new bass player with my viral G.A.S.

Dr. E-vil

[cwdaniel]

:Devil

Moo Hoo Hoo.....

I contaminated my new bass player with my viral G.A.S.

Dr. E-vil

Apparently I've sold my soul to a demon? :worried

Nah, I've had the GAS for quite some time. Not as nearly as acute as your case though. I've got more of an epileptic form of the GAS. It comes in fits and bursts. I can be content until something triggers it, like a neck on a $350 backup bass going south. Then I'm relentless until the gear issue is solved.

Never should have bought that damn Korean Jackson bass. But, at the time it was all I could afford (or get away with). I was counting on the name, hoping it would be something close to my 21 year old Charvel 4-string. Not even close.

So now the deed is done, here's the new addition. I think the J bass will become second fiddle now. This thing is awesome.

http://zot-art.com/photogallery/mmsrhhsmall.jpg

Oh, and my remembering the adjustable poles on the pickups must have been a G&L I had my hands on during whirlwind selection cycle. G&L is nice too, but too many switches and knobs for me.

[rolltide]

The quote about Lakland electronics being cheap is completely untrue. Skyline 44-02 and 55-02 basses use the same electronics as U.S. Laklands. Bartolini built them specifically for Lakland before Lakland took over production themselves with their new LH3 system, which is extremely versatile. They aren't cheap electronics at all.

I've owned six Laklands and they've all had amazing necks and build quality. All of their basses are assembled in the U.S. and you can email the company if there are any issues and they will bend over backwards to make things right.

[Buck Hummer]

You definitely made the right decision, Stingray for sure!

[ScottB]

Apparently I've sold my soul to a demon? :worried

Nah, I've had the GAS for quite some time. Not as nearly as acute as your case though. I've got more of an epileptic form of the GAS. It comes in fits and bursts. I can be content until something triggers it, like a neck on a $350 backup bass going south. Then I'm relentless until the gear issue is solved.

Never should have bought that damn Korean Jackson bass. But, at the time it was all I could afford (or get away with). I was counting on the name, hoping it would be something close to my 21 year old Charvel 4-string. Not even close.

So now the deed is done, here's the new addition. I think the J bass will become second fiddle now. This thing is awesome.

http://zot-art.com/photogallery/mmsrhhsmall.jpg

Oh, and my remembering the adjustable poles on the pickups must have been a G&L I had my hands on during whirlwind selection cycle. G&L is nice too, but too many switches and knobs for me.

So, I'll be getting a first hand look Saturday, I suppose...

[cwdaniel]

So, I'll be getting a first hand look Saturday, I suppose...

For sure! I can't wait to hear it through a loud amp.