Author Topic: Alembic's bridge system - priceless! (Read 470 times)

David Houck · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2004, 08:03:25 AM »

Just curious, does your Lakland have Barts? If so, I would suggest that the Lakland is a very nice bass as it is. I can see gutting a Fender; but gutting a Lakland is a little more extreme. If your taking suggestions, since your other stated option is to pick up a used Alembic, I'll stick my neck out and recommend you go with that.

David Houck · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2004, 08:11:57 AM »

(Message edited by davehouck on February 23, 2004)

811952 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2004, 10:28:24 AM »

Paul TBO,
I love playing fretless, but traded that one for a power amp. I tried the 6- and 7- string route, but got tired of doing the math.. Let's see... up 5 strings, 9th fret.. should be an... Oops! that wasn't it! Now I know that 5 is my limit. If you want entertainment, listen to me play when I switch back and forth between a 5- and a 4- string. It's comical, in the depressing geez I suck sort of way... ;-)

Dave,
The Lakland has Barts, but they're the import mk1's. The bass is a Skyline 55-01, not an American one (although the pickups seem to be the only difference). It is probably the nicest bolt-on bass I've ever played. I thought I could live with it, since I do really use the low b string quite a bit, but it just isn't nearly as responsive as the Alembic. When I play the Lakland hard (as I'm prone to do) it sounds like I'm playing it hard. When I play the Alembic hard, it simply gets louder. Ultimately, I think I need to finagle (is that a word?) a 5-string Alembic. I guess it's time to start watching E-bay and doing my homework so I'll be an informed buyer when the time comes...
I love this club!
John

David Houck · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2004, 11:17:44 AM »

I have to admit I have not been keeping up with the overall bass world. It was my assumption that Laklands were high end hand made ultimate Fenders along the lines of Sadowsky. However after looking at the Lakland web site, reading your last post, and then looking around on the web, I realize that my assumption is in error. As you pointed out, the Lakland Skyline basses are not made in the Chicago shop. According to the Lakland site, the Skylines are made oversees. Further searching on the web found reference to the Skylines being made in Korea, and as you also pointed out, on the lower priced models apparently even the Barts are made in Korea. The reviews I read about them were good. But I stand corrected, my opinion about gutting a Lakland was based on insufficient knowledge.

malthumb · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2004, 01:23:10 PM »

Dave,

Lakland USA models use Bartolini electronics and pickups. The Lakland Skyline models are made in Korea. There are several Skyline products, including the 55-01 and the 55-02. They each have a base and Deluxe model. The 55-02 Deluxe has the same electronics and pickups as the USA made basses, so they are a very respectable instrument. I had a fretless 55-02 Deluxe for a while and really enjoyed it. In my opinion, they're better than most Fenders. I've never experienced a Sadowsky, but based on what I've heard of them, the Skylines are not in that league. Then there's Alembic. As you might expect, no comparison.

811952 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 23, 2004, 01:51:24 PM »

James,
You're right. There is no comparison. My 55-01 is a deluxe model. I got mine from a local dealer (Z's music in Charleston, IL) for around $750.00 new. Physically, the bass is sweet. And the guts sound great as long as I don't beat on the thing. I got similar results playing a 55-94 (USA) model, so I don't think it's a quality issue so much as a limitation of every non-Alembic bass I've ever played (I've never played a Sadowsky through an amp where I could here it well, so I can't speak to that). It is by far the nicest Korean bass I've ever played, not that I'm an expert on Korean basses.. Anyway, it's probably too nice to cut up, too cheap to put Alembic guts into and will never equal an Alembic, so I guess we all know where this is headed. Oh, and the strings go through the bridge and/or body, so it would take for-e-ver to restring, should I keep it that long... ;-) Of course, it would be a great instrument for the kids...
Thanks guys... John

David Houck · « **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2004, 02:57:52 PM »

Thanks James and John. Today I know more about Laklands than I did yesterday!