Lakland Skyline 55-02 Deluxe Revisited - A True Jack of All Trades Bass - LowEndLobster Fresh Look
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2023
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Lakland 55-02 Custom Review (2020): • LowEndLobster Review: ...
Lakland 55-02 Deluxe Review (2022): • Lakland Skyline 55-02 ...
Hey Everyone! Today we're revisiting a spectacular instrument, the Lakland Skyline 55-02 Deluxe. This is one of the most flexible basses out there and the design is extremely player centric. We reviewed this not too long ago, but the 3 way toggle was broken. For today's video we're going to take another look at this spectacular Lakland and see how close we can get to some of the classic bass tones. Let's do this!
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with SIT Foundation Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at sitstrings.com/
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I have one of these as a fretless. It's an option you never see listed, but they do offer it. The bass gets shipped from the factory in indonesia as a fretted model, then the neck gets swapped in the Lakland factory in Chicago. They're amazing as a fretless: the MM pickup gives you a real 80s pop sound (think Pino Palladino, Tony Levin); the P pickup with the treble rolled off gives real old-school thump. Brilliant to have both extremes in one instrument!
Love my 55-02. Great review and showcase 👍
Thanks for the original review and follow-up review. Super job!
I bought my 55-02 deluxe cherryburst/rosewood with Bartolini pickups 10-12 years ago. It is my go-to bass. Excellent sound, sets well in the mix, and super easy to play. I love the neck profile, and I’ve never played a more solid, responsive B string.
I love that bass, definitely on my wish list!
I'm very impressed.Good demo.
Nice review and a great bass. I do personally believe the bridge half of the mm pickup is more similar to 60's spacing, whereas the neck half of the mm pickup is closer to the neck than either a 60's or 70's jazz bass bridge pickup, creating a slightly different and more original sound. But anyway, I'm glad that this is my main bass and it is definitely super versatile.
I think you're right on the placement. Thank you and great comment!
That's a mix of Jazz bass bridge pickup and MM pickup placement position, I guess. With my measurments your're right that the 'bridge coil' is around 60's J position (not exaclty but much close)
I was surprised how close to a P-bass the neck pickup sounded! It could definitely pull that off in a live setting.
It wasn’t quite as close to the Stingray for me, although it was definitely similar.
The Jazz bass comparisons were also close, both 60’s and 70’s style - to my ears, the Lakland had more “girth” to the tone… which certainly isn’t a bad thing!
Overall, that’s a stunning bass.
I love that bass. Hope to make it my next purchase !
Hey Lobster, another great revisit on a great bass. You made me feel bad about selling my 5502, at least 15 years it was my main bass. I took it on countless gigs and recorded 90% of are first CD with it. I’m going to have to pick up another one, I really miss that bass. Thanks for reopening my eyes. PEACE!
Nice review! Those 55-02's are excellent basses!
Thank you!
5502 has been my go-to for nearly 20 years and I don't even see that changing now matter how many basses I own. Great review!
Hello Lobster! I loved your Lakland 55-02 review and your Rickenbacker 4003S/5 review too. I have a Lakland 44-02 in that same cherryburst finish. You are spot on that it is a beautiful jack-of-all-trades bass. Most likely my favorite of all my basses. I recently had a black sparkle finish 55-02 for a few weeks with every intention of keeping it until I played at church a couple times and found it to be wicked heavy at around 12 lbs. My 44-02 is about 3 lbs. lighter. I’m not sure why that is, but if the 55-02 would weighed 9 lbs. as you stated yours is, I would have kept it. I’m 74 years old, but not a wimpy senior citizen by any means as I’m still out playing around 60 gigs a year including some national touring with a band from the 60’s. When I returned the Lakland I swapped it out for a 4003S/5W which weighs in at around 9 lbs. if not a hair less. It too is a great bass, but I gotta say that I favor the Lakland but don’t love the additional weight. I’d love to track down one like yours. Btw, you can usually purchase a new one direct from Lakland’s B-stock for the same amount as some of the used ones out there. I love your videos; keep up the good work!
My 55-02 hasn't been touched in months. This video inspired me to give it some attention. Just finished setting it up with some new strings. I don't want to put it down now. I forgot how fun this bass is. Mine has an ebony fretboard. Some day I'd like to hear a side by side comparison with the maple fretboard. Thanks again Lobster!
Hey Lobster. Another great, thoughtful video. I really enjoy the tone comparisons. The F bass was certainly cleaner and thinner. The Lakland had a bit more "girth" in the tone dept. It's a bummer on the weak passive pickups though. But nonetheless, a really versatile and usable bass for sure. Until we groove again ✌️😎👍🦞🦀🥕🎸
I got a great deal on a 55-02 B stock last year. No blemishes but they replaced the neck so they didn’t sell it as new. I’m very happy with it!
I love theses basses so much! I’m on my 2nd one probably one of my favorite basses the 35”scale and the string through just smacks!! I need a 3rd lol I want that roasted maple neck lol
Love these basses!
Cool review! I like Lakelands. I had a 4 string USA model years ago but it was too pretty for me! Ahaha! Though the tones are pretty accurate it does seem to lack the dynamics of the original style basses. All three of them. I am sure this could be compensated with EQ settings. But for one bass it is really impressive the tones you can get. It is funny I have almost as many basses as you do of many different kinds, but I always seem to gravitate to P style basses in the end. Keep up the good work!
Definitely a wish list bass. In there with a Warwick thumb and sandberg bass and marleaux consat
Great review. I have one & I am now inspired to pick it up again. I am using a Fender jazz deluxe 4 string as my “go to” bass but I will now look again at the 5502 to see if the additional weight is worth it. Thanks
Practically, a 5-string active version of my FGN with Seymour Duncan J & MM pickups! Love this Lakland. The configuration its practically the same and the tone is really nasal sometimes (I've immediately recognized both tones, especially the neck pickup), but the active EQ is a bless in the sense that you can try to reach to StingRay tone in some way, even if the spacing is really different.
Long Live the low frequencies' Lobster!
🦞
You can't go wrong with that tone!
Ever tried a traben, when you mentioned that Lakland wanted a distinctive bridge it reminded me of Traben and their gimmick of the bigger bridge, I dont think the brand exists anymore, but I was reminded of them.
Put more Baas in the "Stingray" mode and you're there.
The skyline is nice but… holy hell! That fbass!!!
$4000 more than the Lakland , $6000 bass
I brought mine a few years ago and love it. Differently Lakeland has their own tone which I wanted to bring out a bit more. So a swap the pre for a Tone Monster and a big difference
Man I really want a 4-string version of this now. Got all my favorite tones in there and then some
same, i have been sleeping on laklands for quite a while now. time to save up for one hah!
I love Lakeland basses.
Thanks for this Lobster - today I learnt that there's a passive switch on the 55-02 - I've had mine for ages and never even realised!
*learned*
@@longdongbongchong Nope - I'm the UK so 'learnt' is the correct useage.
It's kind of weak and lackluster in passive, however if a battery dies, you can just pull the volume pot and it'll work without a battery so that's kind of cool
You don’t really see Lakland Basses in Western Australia but that Bass sounds awesome. It can also do an authentic Stingray sound. Apart from a Kiloton and a handful of Basses many cannot. This Bass comes closest it seems.
Hey lobster great vid. Thanks. How does it compare to say an L2000, another bass renowned for versatility?
Lakland is one example of a brand that delivers high quality basses at reasonable price points. My Skyline 55-01 is great, it was less than that gold foil disaster, and came plekk’d too.
Hey There Lob! Great review! Just purchased a 44-02 and I would really love to find some new knobs. Where did you get those?
I owned one of these for a long time. Great bass, but didn’t care for the stock electronics. Swapped out the pickups with nordstrands.
What was the result w the Nords?
Nice looking bass. Not far off from your Valenti. I’m sure you would still take your Valenti over this? Can’t wait to get one.
I think it's Sadowsky that makes a 60s/70s J pickup and the magnets are much, much closer. The stingray pickup's bridge coil is in the 60s position, and the neck coil is closer to a Ric. Defo not 60s/70s. But regardless, great value for an instrument in this day and age, especially compared to Jamie Lewis's $1,600 Ibanez from yesterday
Nice
Good job 🙂☕️👍🎼🎼
Hello my favorite bass reviewer ( sorry my bad english) When do you test Sire V10 dx. 5 str ?
They have listened to you and upgrade the V10 !
The sound when they plsy it on u-tube is outstanding so I am so curios when you play that bass ! 😀
Do you ever plan on doing a review on the Sire Marcus Miller p8?
Thanks for the demo of this! Lakland seems to be like PRS or Taylor: consistently great.
I did notice some clipping/compression on the Lakland. Especially when you went to the bridge pickup. Does the Ampeg have adjustable gain or an active/passive switch?
He talks about that here: ua-cam.com/video/qXm-5hJpnU0/v-deo.html
I have a 2003 Lakland 4-94 and a 55-94. I have many high end basses, but still my go to. Sweet neck and always smooth, however mine ( the 4-94) has the Bart Pups and pre. What are those knobs? I have the original black rubber on both.
Which knobs are those?! I hate the stock rubbery ones on mine and you sure did find some nice looking replacements!
Mine is my main gig bass, cuz it looks great and it’s got a fairly malleable tone, although Ive got more favored basses at home. Ive never been in love with the tone of the pups/electronics, but the bass FEELS and plays fantastic. I sorta wish the pups/pre had a little more “ass” on them- stock they are a bit bland and polite.
Nice work! As far as a Jack Of All Trades - G&L L2500 vs the 55-02? Who wins?
Great video idea
Thank you for all the great content, Lobster! Did I hear you say you were able to lower the gain of the preamp? Or did you just lower the gain of your amp or DI? I couldn’t find a trimpot on the PCB, only the mid frequency selector. It is a bit hot but I love the bass otherwise! Only thing I learned after purchasing is that my hands do prefer a lower fingerboard radius (more curve.) Cheers!!
It should be on the preamp, it's a tiny round spot for a very small screwdriver, shown on this schematic if you make it large enough to see it, they call it "input gain" www.lakland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/LH-3-Wiring-Diagram-4-07.pdf
@@fearnoevil65 Thank you for that info!
Grazie per il video! Qual è il peso?
There's a certain airy- ness the Fenders have that the Lak dosent have, but we're just used to hearing Fenders. I have 2 55-02s, and I'm not complaining.
A bit off topic but looking at that headstock I wish EBMM did their 5-string headstocks in the same style. Three pegs up top and two below, instead of the four up top and one below. The Lakland way just looks so much neater and more balanced.
Hey i just got this bass and i would also like to switch the knobs. Any advice for how to figure out which ones to buy?
Hey Lobster Great Review man! What MID frequency do you have your PC board selected to for this demo? 600 HZ? (default) I would really like to know which frequency you demo the bass in..I love 275HZ for the MM pick-up but prefer the 600HZ selection for soloing the Neck pick-up. I wish I could select between 275 and 600 on the fly.....
There's a few Lakland basses that have a front switch for it. I have a 44OS that has this feature, really love it. Don't know how common it is in their line up though.
Are the ferrules on this bass angled? Looks like it. I suppose this will give the low B a bit more tension in theory, right?
I've been trying to pair down my collection so I don't have 5 basses and giant pedal collection. I think my pedal board and amp situation are good, however I'd like to trade my Fender American Elite P for something that is equally versatile but 5 string. My Stringray 5HH can't do a P bass tone as well as I would like. This Lakland on the other hand sounds amazing and may be the next move.
The Lakland is really a stellar instrument. So much thought went into the design and execution, plus these are PLEK'd from the factory too! (forgot to mention that)
this lakland or FGN JMJ Dark evolution, which are the better choice in your opinion?
How does it compare to your Ibanez ATK which has a similar pickup layout? I own an ATK805 and to my ears the 55-02 sounds very similar.
Where did you get the knobs from , brand or link to get . Thank you
Hey lobster,
Why haven’t you covered the 55-01?
I want one bass that can sound like a Stingray or Jazz or Precision. I want 5 strings. I want 19mm string spacing. And I don't want to spend a ton of money. Any suggestions? This 55-02 would be great except it's too expensive for me. I don't need active (I have a passive OLP that sounds very close to a Stingray).
Hey man. I’m trying to decide between 2 basses. This one and a Warwick rockbass corvette. Both 5 string. If you had to choose?
I really wish this bass had a passive tone control.......
Sorry man I prefer the classic Lakland knobs. Looks weird to me but you do you!
Stingray has a little bit more compression and mids seem to be cut but default.
I am thinking it is between this and big chonk….maybe the golden shower fender.
I don't know where to ask so I'll try here. I have a yamaha bb435 5 strings with the b string gauge .140 and e string gauge .107 (d'addario nickel wounds balanced tension + d'addario nickel 140 b sting)
The bass sounds so dead after only 1-2 months. My other bass sounds great even after a lot of time (g&l l2000) but the yamaha has no definition whatsoever. I'm starting to regret this choice cause I don't know how to address this problem 😭
too hot or i just heard a distorted sound frome the Lakland? Great Bass BTW
Too hot, it's a VERY hot bass with the preamp gain.
I don't find my 55-02's output too hot, noting that other than a very slight bass boost I rarely boost the EQ. I do usually set the volume at around 85%, but 100% sounds fine with my amp - I only default to a slightly lower volume on the bass so that if I need to get louder I can do so without adjusting my amp.
Every time I hear the words “35 inch scale”, my heart sinks, as it’s a bass I know I’ll likely never own.
Why you can't really tell the difference I play both 34,35 can't really tell the difference
I didn't think I'd ever buy a 35" bass until I tried a 55-02. I definitely can tell the difference compared to 34", but the Lakland 35" neck is really comfortable and I felt at home on it immediately..
Truth! I'm using my 55-02 and 55-64 for three gigs in July. Great workhorses
@McNathan321 wow I can't tell the difference sometimes I play my v7 sometimes 55-02 the only problem I have is going from 4 strings to 5 strings have to remember which bass I'm playing lol
@LowEndLobster using my 55-02 today maybe sire tomorrow 🤔
This or Sire P8?
Nice looking bass. I had a 55-01 which was a very well made instrument but I sold it because I couldn’t get down with the string spacing. Have since picked up a Yamaha TRBX605 and it feels like just as much bass at nearly half the cost. Would love to see your take on the TRBX line
I think it’s a very nice and versatile instrument overall, but it’s imitation of the P, J and Ray is well, an imitation, but close enough to decide to carry one bass instead of four!
that supposed 70s jazz bass sound sounds to me way closer to a 60s jazz bass, I reckon they should've put the pickup even closer to the bridge, but that might compromise the Musicman sound
Yeah I agree, it sounds and looks more like a 60's jazz bass with the bridge coil. A true 70's spaced option would be nice butt he MM sound would become too thin.
@@Dinozzo1995 I'd simply go for it and give up on the MM sound, for that I'd prefer a real MM.
I personally would only use two tones on a bass like this. 60s Jazz bridge only and 70s Jazz both pickups
Where is the gain control?
Here is 1 bass that has not gotten hardly any reviews.
The Ibanez Talman TMB2000 Prestige.
I have my eyes on one currently heheh
@@LowEndLobster same! There was just a nos one on eBay for like 799 but I need to move other gear to snatch it up. I think since the mm cutlass basses went through the roof the tmb200 might be the next big one that's been overlooked!
What does this bass have that other instruments made in Indonesia don't, that makes it cost as much as many companies' US-made instruments? This one's quite sophisticated but the same is true of all the Lākland Skylines; a Skyline Jazz is dearer than an American Performer or a G&L US Jazz.
These instruments are setup and PLEK'd in house in Chicago and feature the USA electronics. This is essentially a 55-94 with body and neck made overseas. That is something that sets these apart from other basses at the price point both overseas and domestic
The skylines are pro level instruments so the price represents an excellent deal.
CRAFTED IN INDONESIA BUT YOU CANT FIND ANY DEALER IN INDONESIA SELL THE SKYLINE BASS :D
$832? Sign me up!
$1832 LOL, I flubbed but put a big correction on the screen. If ONLY these were 800 bucks hahaaha
Crazy. A Skyline blows away an F bass..
Great bass BUT not satisfied with the Stingray tone. Stingray eat world.
There's some distortion frequently when you play the Lakland. Every other instrument sounds better because of this. Please look into this, maybe the preamp was clicking