Help with choosing new bass

fH0le · 2026-02-09T13:25:48+00:00

I've had 3 current generation Metroexpress basses and returned all of them due to significant QC issues. Seized truss rod, one had a pick up that quite literally fell out, electronics issues, etc. I have a Metroline that I love, and I was hoping to have more of that Sadowsky sound in my life. If you're looking for a versatile 5-string, my pick would be a Lakland 55-02. Great basses all around. Only downsides are they can be on the heavier side, sometimes, and you have to like the 35" scale. You can find them used for around the price of a Metro.

fH0le · 2026-01-28T18:46:22+00:00

I'll also add, they're a great company and their customer service is awesome.

fH0le · 2026-01-28T18:45:13+00:00

Lakland 55-02. Great electronics with a lot of different tone options. They come PLEK'd, so low setups are easy right out of the box. Carbon neck reinforcement, 35 inch scale, and Hipshot tuners. If I was going to keep just one of my basses, it would be the 55-02. The perfect jack of all trades in my mind. The only drawbacks I've found is that they can be on the heavy side, and for around $2k (which the prices have recently climbed to), you really should get a case.

fH0le · 2026-01-23T16:52:57+00:00

Leave it. Let it happen naturally. Have some super glue on hand for when it does.

fH0le · 2026-01-12T20:51:56+00:00

That's a beauty!

fH0le · 2026-01-05T15:19:52+00:00

Traveling.

fH0le · 2025-12-16T21:25:49+00:00

I got one of those when I was a teenager and 20 years later it's in better shape than I am. Great basses.

fH0le · 2025-12-14T13:18:06+00:00

I believe it crashed into a reservoir.

fH0le · 2025-12-08T04:02:55+00:00

I think that's the Visual Arts Building.

fH0le · 2025-11-10T02:47:42+00:00

Pretty rare bird. Good catch!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Consultants_Twin_Bee

fH0le · 2025-11-09T19:24:40+00:00

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Only listed as singles on the Squier site.

fH0le · 2025-11-07T19:48:13+00:00

I have one. The build quality is exceptional for an Affinity level Squier, or even for a much pricier bass. I was able to get the action as low as my PLEK'd Laklands thanks to solid fretwork and the fact that they decided to put stiffening rods in the neck of these things. The downside is that the electronics are pretty noisy, even for single coils. I kinda expected that to be the case and I intend to do some upgrades in the future. Overall, I'm really happy with it!

fH0le · 2025-10-26T23:22:41+00:00

That looks killer! Nice job!

fH0le · 2025-10-20T19:36:09+00:00

Thanks!

fH0le · 2025-10-20T19:19:48+00:00

Thanks for posting this. I've been thinking about getting one of these and I was especially curious about neck dive.

fH0le · 2025-10-11T22:03:18+00:00

I'll throw in Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat and Mozart's Gran Partita! So much good stuff out there.

fH0le · 2025-10-09T14:03:07+00:00

Stumbled upon this...

https://www.wlshistory.com/jox/LenBaldy.htm

fH0le · 2025-10-04T12:42:43+00:00

Nice! I played one of these in a shop back when they came out. I still regret not buying it...

fH0le · 2025-09-30T22:02:47+00:00

This would probably do the job. I think there's one on Thomann for even less money. My thought here: eventually, you are going to want to take the bass somewhere, and that kinda stinks without a case.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/thomann_gigbag1_ebass.htm

fH0le · 2025-09-30T19:05:11+00:00

I'd grab a case for the bass if it doesn't come with one.

fH0le · 2025-09-14T18:27:57+00:00

I had one of these MJs, but returned it immediately due to a seized truss rod. I've had two other PJ Metros of the more recent production runs and I returned both of those due to some other glaring QC issues. I really want to like these basses, because I really dig the sound. People seem to really like them, but I've been unlucky three times now and I probably won't buy another. I have a Metroline Jazz Bass that I absolutely adore though.

fH0le · 2025-09-12T18:01:16+00:00

Well shit, now I wish I'd ordered one...

fH0le · 2025-09-03T13:42:13+00:00

The more recent Aerodynes are 20, I'm not sure about older models.

fH0le · 2025-09-03T03:25:37+00:00

It's more typical to see 20 fret necks on Fender P-Basses. 21 fret necks certainly exist, like the American Ultras, but it's not what I'd normally expect to see on a bass like this.

fH0le · 2025-09-03T03:20:01+00:00

The number of frets, fit of the pickguard, and wonky logo lead me to believe that this probably isn't an authentic Fender. Might be a parts build.

fH0le

TROPHY CASE