LowEndLobster Head to Head: ESP LTD BB-1005 vs. Lakland Skyline 55-02 Custom

[@MrWalboy1]

The lakland 55-02 comes set up with the preamp set up at it’s lowest output. There is a really small trim pot on the circuit board which can radically increase the output of the bass. There is also a selector for midrange frequency selection. Adjusting these completely changes the tonal and volume control interaction making the bass VERY flexible.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks for the comment! I found out about the trim pot and mid control switches afterwards and edited the video description shortly after releasing this. It's funny, this was my second 55-02 (the first being about 15 years ago when they had barts and had a similar mid control). IMO, I still think it's silly to have several little switches in the control cavity for mid frequency control when many basses around the same price range have a front facing switch, push pull (like the ESP), or stacked mid control w/ variable freq sweep. I understand why they did it (modeled their preamp after the Bartolini preamp that was previously in those basses), but they released the pickups and preamps around 2006 or 2007, and it's 2020 and nothing's changed. So I definitely still stick to my verdict here (and it's just my opinion). The Lakland does offer more mid frequency control within the control cavity, but I have to dock points for the hassle it is to open the control cavity and play with multiple switches to adjust mid frequency. The ESP has fewer options (400hz and 800hz) I believe, but the options provided are good ones and work well.

[@haraldkienzl9256]

the volume adjustment pot feature only applies to the Bartolini equipped models (the older ones)

[@richardselby1711]

@@LowEndLobster I agree. All of the onboard controls would probably cost more, so they went with Dip Switches. Just my guess. One other mention is the 55-02 is PKECKED.

[@aadelamotte6724]

I really love the skit type things you put before you start the reviews, always puts a smile on my face

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! Your reply puts a smile on mine :)

[@joezavier3964]

instablaster.

[@heydov7]

Thanks Lobster. I love your videos and I have the same Bunny Brunel and it is every bit as amazing as you have shown. Keep up the good work sir!

[@calvincurry8496]

The Lakland is more Versatile with the coil tap outside and the midrange selector on the inside. Excellent recording Bass!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Calvin! I had no idea bout the internal dip switches when I recorded this (and I had a 55-02 back in 2005). That being said, it's 2020 and tons of other instruments give you the mid sweep on the exterior of the bass... Gotta knock it for that. I love my Laklands and love their innovation during Dan's ownership. However, since Dan sold Lakland back in 2011, I feel like they're just pumping out what seems comfortable and not really innovating anymore. That new model they have is just 55-01 with some skewed body dimensions. Thinking back to when we had the original hollow body designed by Mike Tobias, the darkstar pickup implementation, the decade, etc.. I was always wowed by the Lakland designs of the past.

[@christophervolpini9325]

Very balanced review. Lakland does have a mid freq selector via a dip switch in the control cavity. It’s a pain compared to a simple knob selector, but it’s there.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks! Yup! Found this out afterwards lol. And to think that this is my second 55-02 lol.

[@Peter-Alexander]

Hi! I was impressed with your vocal qualities Lobster, that was a great intro and fun to watch. Even in your singing you put humor! As for the guitars, I guess I have a weak for Lakland....

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Peter! This was a fun early video. It's funny to look back and see how different things are now

[@Peter-Alexander]

The video is also very well done I think...and with multiple audio tracks....lot of work

[@rayhewitt6875]

The Lakland all day IMHO:) Thanks Lobster!!

[@TheIrishOx]

I owned both as well but in the 4 string models. All I can say that they're both awesome instruments. They excel at what I called close enough tones meaning they get you in the ball park of classic bass tones. When I did musicals these were the instruments I would use or my Ibanez rdgr900 because you had no time to switch or space for instruments so you needed one instrument to be a jack of all trades. Hopefully I am making sense. Thanks again for the awesome video and keep up the amazing work as always.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks for the comment! You absolutely make sense and your description of "close enough tones" hits the nail on the head. They're definitely both "jack of all trades, master of none" but are great all rounders. On a musical note, I got my start with musicals in high school! Did Les Mis, Tommy, Little Shop of Horrors, and the Urinetown in college. Kind of fizzled on the "professional" gigs after that. Which ones have you played in?

[@TheIrishOx]

@@LowEndLobster oh boy a bunch of small productions by community arts programs and independent co. like legally blonde, wicked, rocky horror, AIDA(Elton and Rice), Grease, Les Mis, Guys and Dolls, Annie, Oklahoma, Hair, etc. It's been a while since I've done any gigging so I can't recall haha. Gigging is no place for an old fogey like me haha

[@LowEndLobster]

@@TheIrishOx That's awesome! Thanks for sharing, fogey :P. Les Mis was my first time picking up the bass. I had wanted to play bass, but my guitar playing dad got me a guitar instead.... so I told my band director in school (freshman in highscool) that I wanted to play bass for the musical but had no experience. That's how I got my start in 2002. Where did you get your start?

[@TheIrishOx]

@@LowEndLobster I got my start on electric bass when I was in middle school because I thought the bass looked cool or least the ones I saw at the time. I got started on double bass my senior year in hs/freshman college and apparently finding a bassist who would show up and play was a rarity in my area. That's how I got most of my gigs haha. That's why I always tell people that half the battle when it comes to getting gigs is actually showing up and being ready. Most people will want you if they know you'll be there.

[@LowEndLobster]

@@TheIrishOx That's awesome! I picked the bass for the same reason. Saw someone on TV playing a big guitar and it drew me in. Thanks again for sharing man, it's really great to hear the bass stories of others :)

[@TheBeardofDOOM]

Pure gold man! Pure gold.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks man!

[@robstacy]

The Lakland for me on looks and sound 👍

[@sdbracht]

Very well done vid !! 👍👍

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks!

[@rmccain99]

The Lakland does have a mid freq dip switch in the control cavity.

[@LowEndLobster]

Yep! Didn't know at the time of filming, was a lot less thorough back then. Will be doing a revisit of one of these at some point.... with mods!

[@mariosandoval7541]

Great review, the Lakland does it for me, sounds more balanced. The ESP sounds like it has hyped highs.

[@BlindPilot1711]

Oh man, love the intro 😂👌🏽🤩

[@basswars7060]

I'm a big fan of Lakland basses, but my favourites are the Stingray and Precision. They have real personality and are just cooler. Also, they are much more responsive to player input and really capture the player's personality too. All that being said, I think the Lakand has a more laid back vibe to it and I love the block inlays and maple neck.

[@marcinszadyn5026]

Agree with that🤘

[@craighudson4382]

I agree with your outcome, but I also prefer the look of the ESP over the Lakland as well. That battery cover sucks though. I find the Lakland tone good, but the ESP has more "breath" in it. Lakland closer resembles the P Bass to my ears. Good shoot out man!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks for the comment! It was a tough choice. Yeah on the recording the Lakland did sound more like the P, but IMO still sounded a bit muddier. I definitely preferred the clarity of the ESP. I bet with some fiddling of the EQ, the bunny could get closer to that sound (everything was centered but the pan). Thanks for watching :)

[@daltonbell2907]

The lakland does have midrange frequency selection. It's inside the electronics compartment and you can switch 4 different frequencies. Check it out yourself

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks for the heads up. Yup! Already edited the description. It's funny, this is my second 55-02 and I still had no idea. I'm glad it's there, but the implementation makes me a bit frustrated when other basses in the same price range have IMO more user friendly solutions.

[@daltonbell2907]

Great job with the reviews by the way. I really do find it very helpful. Keep them videos coming.😃

[@LowEndLobster]

@@daltonbell2907 Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying them :).

[@oil_can]

Hi Lobster! Near the beginning of the video you hint that although the Lakland is a 35” scale and the ESP is 34”, you noticed no appreciable difference is the tension of the B strings. Is that correct? I’m very interested in the BB-1005 but concerned about the B string being too floppy / buzzy. Thx!

[@theseventhsword874]

Holy Moses i was not expecting that intro 🤣

[@rmccain99]

The Lakland has a thicker headstock to reduce flex at the headstock.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Richard!

[@peekaboo4390]

The clarity of the ESP is not doing it to me and I would certainly dial that amount of presence out. The lakland has a much nicer tone for my ears and it looks way way better. What are the strings on each bass is the ESP perhaps a thiner gauge?

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Dai! This was an oooooooooooooooooold video ahahahaha. I have some 55-02 content coming with the new roasted maple/matte cherryburst model. Would love to get another one of those ESPs again too (the fretless especially!)

[@peekaboo4390]

@@LowEndLobster Ah sorry my bass loving crustacean, I have been watching heaps of your YT content and not paying attention to it's age. Keep up the good work, I love basses and lobsters.... greetings from lobster country, Nova Scotia.

[@kevmac1230]

I'm not familiar with The Lakeland except for a good rep.I own an LTD fretless and it is a lot of bass for the money.I do agree with your outcome.Good job!

[@DanielPerez-vt5ez]

I will most likely buy a white Lakland 55-02. Looking for a maple fretboard bass and really like it with the white inlays.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Daniel! It's a tough choice between em. I will definitely be revisiting at least the Lakland this year.

[@rmccain99]

Turn around has very good sound quality. What is you signal chain, inclueding that mike.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Richard! Mic is an Audio Technica AT2020 going into my Focusrite Scarlett 4i4, bass is going into my Orange Crush 50 BXT (just like the reviews) and the line out of the amp is going into my focusrite as well. I'm glad you liked the song!

[@Idontlikethisever]

Nice singing lobster..awesome

[@LowEndLobster]

XD Thank you! This was a very early video and I had a lot of fun doing this

[@pbass2go]

Great video. Thank you. Its a big help for me as I consider a new 5'er. My only comments and a question: Would it make more sense to compare both basses to a 5 string MM bass? Might the mass of the MM5 make a difference in tone? As for the solo'd Jazz PU comparison, wouldn't you want to compare it to the front PU of a Jazz bass instead of a P? Lastly, are you able to play the Lakland as a Jazz with the coil selector switched and the blend in the middle? How would that sound compared to a Jazz5? Thank you again. Love the videos

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Rick! Great question. The 5 String MM Stingray (non special) is actually more of a 5 string sterling electronically. I believe they rocked a ceramic pickup for a while and have the 3 way selector for series/parallel/single coil. That being said... I don't own a 5 string EBMM besides my Bongo BFR hahaha. I really should get a Stingray 5 ;P

[@calvincurry8496]

Hey Lobster. God Bless you in 2021. My main two Basses are a Modified 2008 MTD Kingston Z 5( Nostrand Pups, Babiez Bridge, 3. Band EQ, 2 position Mid selector and 2 3 -way coil taps, and Metallic Green Color( There is a 2011 Namm. Show Video with Jerry Henderson jamming with Andrew Gouche with this Bass) Got it for a Good Price😊 and my other main Bass is A 2013 Lakland 5502. Natural Finish. Gonna have Johhny Lee Long do A Pup change (Agrullar Pups) That Opens the sound up a Bit very shortly. Both Basses with the aged wood and Guitar Genius Mick Donner ( Tampa Guitar Repair)set ups, Play Like BUTTA And are Beast Bass. Hope to see you review a MTD Kingston Bass or two this year. Hey heres a Head to Head suggestion 😳 MTD Super 5 VS a Sire M 7 Very popular Basses around 1100 dollars. Anywho I enjoy your Playing and your Reviews. Again. God 🙏Bless you in 2021 Be Safe✊

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Calvin! I appreciate the thoughtful comment! I definitely will be checking out some Kingston stuff at some point this year. I've had my eyes on the Super 5's and just waiting for the right moment ;).

[@CatalystOfFire]

I'd take that LTD for rock tones all day although I definitely like the Lakland.

[@tomtsilionis350]

Thanks for the great comparison of both excellent basses. Question...does the Lakland have an asymmetric neck profile like the ESP has? (I am not sure that this was mentioned in this video, but it was in your 1st video for the ESP). I play the Carvin version of Bunny's bass (BB-75) and I can say for certain that the asymmetric neck shape is a significant plus to have on a wide 5 string neck.

[@gregorycox2044]

I wish you had dug into comparing the B strings of these two basses. How tight are they, how clear, how wobbly or clanky? C'mon these are 5-string instruments you're comparing! Basically you compared a couple of 4-strings, but what about that 5th deep wonderful string???

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! This was a really early video. I have a more in depth Lakland 55-02 video coming and we dig into the B string... but I think a 'rematch' is due for this pair. I have a different 55-02 now that I dig a lot, and now I need to score another BB-1005. I appreciate the feedback!

[@luiza177music]

I think I preferred the Lakland in every category. But honestly, in the looks department, I don't like either of them... I'm considering either a Lakland 55-02 or a Stingray 5 HH as my new (sole) workhorse bass.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you!.... I'm biased with which way I think you should go.... Stingray ;P (I'm on a HUGE ray kick right now)

[@TheBeardofDOOM]

The ESP is my pick.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks for the input! What factors made you come to that decision?

[@TheBeardofDOOM]

@@LowEndLobster for me, it is primarily it's bright tone. I'm a metalhead and I am hearing a lot of potential there for a nice distortion and clank while maintaining that clarity.

[@kennthy]

Hey lobster, new subscriber here. Just passing by to tell you that I really like your channel. Keep it up! PS: Any plans to review that Jack Casady that I see in every one of your videos? That's a bass that doesn't get much love lately. :) Cheers!

[@LowEndLobster]

Hey Kennthy! Thanks for subscribing. I appreciate the words of encouragement very much :). It's funny that you mention that, I think I was going to do that one next, or sometime next week. I picked her up the other day and played a little bit and it is such a great instrument. I bought that one new back in 2012-2013 when they had the Silverburst limited finish. She sat in the case for a while, but now she's getting the attention she deserves :). Have a hipshot bridge on there (I hate the three point bridge with a passion). Take care and stay safe!

[@kennthy]

LowEndLobster That's awesome. Yes, I do agree about the bridge, it's a weird one, nevertheless it's still a very unique instrument. I'll stay tuned. :)

[@richardselby1711]

Which one holds its value better.

[@rmccain99]

I would take the Lakland and mod it.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Richard!

[@Dinozzo1995]

Personally think the Lakland sounds better, it has a more round, smooth and natural sound whereas the ESP to me sounds a bit harsh and unnatural. It does have more character but it sounds like its overly equed even when its flat.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks! Great comment. I'm hoping to revisit both of these basses at some point and have a second go at this comparo. This was a very early vid, was still getting my bearings and still figure out what I was doing hahaha.

[@Dinozzo1995]

@@LowEndLobster Dude you responded instantly to my comment haha, that was fast.

[@dirkidentification]

comment to my taste........ the clarity on the esp sounds overdone to me too............so in matter of taste......no winner. (and, by the way, getting tired of killer this and killer that.... so sad...., thanks for not getting into that sh*t Lobster.....and I think a lot of ATK owners will nod to that)

[@LowEndLobster]

@@dirkidentification Thanks! Yeah I quickly saw the flaws in the whole hard scoring thing after doing this video and never did it again. I think I only did a couple videos in this style before dropping it completely.

[@griiseknoen]

And he KEEPS GOING!!! To the end of the god damn song!!! 🤣🤣

[@molonlabe1033]

Nothing made me not want to watch this video more than the singing .

[@LowEndLobster]

And I neeeeeed you mooooore than eeeevahhhh

[@haraldkienzl9256]

I had one 4402 (the newer one with Lakland PUs and preamp) and one 5502 with the Bartolini PUs/electronics. Both were nice instruments but they had no special character like a Musicman. The one trick pony does not work...in the end I sold both :-)

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you Harald! Great comment :) what did you end up with?

[@haraldkienzl9256]

@@LowEndLobster now I have one of theses Classic Sabres and a Suhr Jazzbass with Sadowsky preamp and Aguilar noiseless single coils installed ;-). These cover almost every style...

[@LowEndLobster]

Awesome!

[@Score1more]

Lakland necks are awesome

[@MauriSky2437]

Surely they are great. The price difference is hardly justified. However, the consumers have affirmed that we are willing to spend at Lakland's price points.

[@rmccain99]

I wish I had never sold my 55-01

[@LowEndLobster]

The one that got away!

[@odracirnitram7895]

Eastwood eb-1 review?....😊

[@LowEndLobster]

I actually had one but it arrived with a broken neck :(. Waiting for Eastwood to send me the replacement. It's going to happen eventually haha

[@vince8081]

The Lakeland sounds a lot better to me, and the looks wins too.

[@MegaBassfunk]

Your vocals are more twisted than your claws

[@LowEndLobster]

LMAOOOO! Thanks :). No shame here

[@LowEndLobster]

Apparently they were good enough for a copyright claim (won't impact the video) ahahahaha. I'm going to start moonlighting as a Bonnie Tyler imposter... Time to quit my day job :P

[@PushSueAside]

You are a weird dude! Keep it up. Thank you.

[@LowEndLobster]

Haha thanks! I do what I can

[@Patbanger]

Lakland has a mid freq selector!

[@LowEndLobster]

YUP this is an EARLY video. I've done newer ones that are much more in depth

[@MegaBassfunk]

If I wasn’t so poor right now I’d send you my bass for a video review.

[@LowEndLobster]

What are you rockin?

[@MegaBassfunk]

I actually purchased a lower end LTD five string for combat gigging and was very pleased with its quality I did install a complete EMG electronics package but surprisingly, the improvement was not as drastic as I had expected.

[@LowEndLobster]

I too have been pleasantly surprised by their quality. I have 3 currently (plus 2 of their sub brands). The BB-1005, RB-1004 (Rocco Prestia sig), and the GB-4 (the slap monster), plus an Edwards HEJ-100 and a Grassroots Beetle bass thing

[@trevorblair5552]

Love the esp, it has lot’s presence. Lakland seems limited in tone. 👍🏾

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Trevor! You hit the nail right on the head :)

[@LowEndLobster]

@Rigorous Bass Depends on the mix and the player! I don't know what it is, but every 44/55-02 I've played just seems to be missing something. I don't find that in any other lakland model. I LOVE my Scheff, sounds miles better than the 55-02 IMO.

[@rmccain99]

The 55-01 sounds better than both of them and for less money.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Richard! I really dig many of the modded 55-01s I've seen

[@drewrushlow1820]

The esp sounds harsh and artificial

[@LowEndLobster]

Eh, I disagree :)

[@Willardboogurb]

I agree does sound artificial

[@haraldkienzl9256]

artificial? an electric bass with electronic preamp ALWAYS sounds "artificial" ;-) - what would "natural" be - reg. to an electric bass?

[@drewrushlow1820]

@@haraldkienzl9256 it sounds plastic-y, something artificial. A woody bass would be on the opposite end of the spectrum.

[@edwigewinans9031]

Play the B STRING sometimes!!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

I thought it was just a bouncy metal thumb rest ;P. I definitely plan on revisiting these basses in more detail and more focus on the B's :)

[@DaveOnBass]

Lakland looks WAY cooler (IMO)...

[@LowEndLobster]

Yep, I agree. I love the looks of the Bunny, but the design of the Lakland just fits together so well. No wonder they've gone pretty much unchanged for almost 20 years (over 20 for the US models).

[@buckrogers5429]

Sting Ray sounds best :)))

[@LowEndLobster]

Funny enough, that was my first stingray. I still have it, but now I have many more. Stingrays are my favorite :)

[@NicholasANappiNick]

Don’t you mean claw to claw

[@basshoh]

Love the Lakeland sound better!!!!...call me CAAARRRAAAZZZZY !!!!BUT the Lakeland sounded more full with A LOT Tighter and a little deeper low end!!!!...the ESP sounded very tinny ....IF that's a word....hahahaha....so in my book specially looks it's the Lakeland hands down!!!!...just don't like the LONG upper horn on the ESP at all!!!!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

You crazy ;P

[@basshoh]

I did pick up the Lakland 55-01 with the Aggie big splits and MIKE POPE Flex 4 preamp for under 1000.00!!!!....GO TEAM!!!....Now to get that chrome hardware changed over to black!!!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

@@basshoh NICE! If you want to DIY, engine enamel works really well. You'll see in the Mint-o-ray video that's coming up :)

[@johnnytsunami9205]

I want that shirt

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks! 'Twas a gift from a good friend.

[@MegaBassfunk]

Haven’t even watched yet but I know I prefer the Lakland Those basses are great beyond their price point

[@LowEndLobster]

They are! It was really tough to choose between them. They both have their strengths and shortcomings, and even then the shortcomings are so small. These are both such flexible instruments that can really do so much.

[@halcyo]

I'll have you know, I "liked" this video because I'm a fan of your channel, NOT because I agree with you on this particular head to head! ;) haha

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! This was a VERY early video hahahaha, was still trying to find my format and groove. I should do a revisit on this at some point :) (I don't have either of these basses anymore but shouldn't be too hard to find other example)

[@Bass.Player]

A 34" scale is a 34" scale, it will never have the string tension of a 35" scale and I have never seen a tight "B" string on a 34" scale unless it was running flats or a "B" string the size of a cable. The string height has to be greater on a 34" scale, the strings are going to oscillate more... You simply can't add a lower note string on a bass designed for a 34" scale and expect it to perform well, I don't care what type of headstock it has

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks for the comment, Bass Player! I've found that scale length isn't really the only factor in string tension. I do believe that angled head stocks and string-thru-body construction can play a factor, as well as how the neck is attached. That being said, most comments regarding string tension, including my own, aren't really able to be validated in any meaningful scientific way with the equipment at my disposal. It would be really interesting to see someone with the proper equipment to measure string tension investigate this further!

[@Bass.Player]

@@LowEndLobster Regardless of how the string is captured it's still confined to 34", this cannot be circumvented and the strings actions will always be the same. You simply can't add a string to a design optimized for a four string and expect it to work correctly. this has nothing to do with the way the string sounds, however most everyone can hear the difference. "See the explanation of tension at www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf Tension = U * (2 * L * F)squared / 386.4 where L is scale length in inches Therefore tension is proportional to L squared. So from 34" to 35" the tension is multiplied by (35/34)squared = 1.0597. An increase of 5.97 percent."

[@benbond3433]

Ever play a Warwick or Ken Smith? PHENOMENAL B-strings on a 34" scale platform.

[@Bass.Player]

@@benbond3433 Owned several Warwick's including a thumb, it was never a sound issue it was play-ability...

[@jojo-ks3kj]

Mexican p bass wins

[@LowEndLobster]

Only for sounding like a P-bass IMO, outside of that, this is a really great J that is a bit out of the ordinary.

[@joshuamcmichael4121]

Lakland..duhh

[@MisterStabby]

Didn’t know crustians could sing pretty well too

[@jamesreynolds4487]

Boooo ESP is trash I’ll take the Lakeland any day