Fender Road Worn Jazz VS Lakland Skyline JO (44-60)

Musicman20 · #1 07-03-2010, 11:36 AM

All in the title! Can anyone advice?

They are both made in different places....they are both Jazz basses, they both look great.

WHICH is the nicest 60s vibe Jazz?

The RW seemed lighter when I tested it, and the Lakland had more of a modern sheen to it.

I can get the RW a fair bit cheaper than the Lakland...but both would be new instruments.

Please help

Musicman20 · #2 07-05-2010, 09:01 AM

PLEASE HELLLLLLP!

lowdownwalt · #3 07-05-2010, 09:12 AM

IMO...

The Fender if your looking for the Fender J growl!

tdizzle · #4 07-05-2010, 09:18 AM

This is one of those "you will have to decide for yourself" type situations, but first look at the facts. The Lakland has a much flatter (10" radius) fret board, graphite strips, and looks brand new. The Fender has the vintage 7.25" radius and looks artificially beat up. They both sound great, but Dare I say the Lakland has a more modern sound?

I own a Lakland DJ4 and many Fender Jazz Basses, and although the Lakland is a really nice bass, I have discovered that I am a Fender man, plain and simple. They just feel right to me.

Only you can decide.

tdizzle · #5 07-05-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowdownwalt

IMO...

The Fender if your looking for the Fender J growl!

Yes. My Lakland is strong on the "Honk", but my Fenders all have that unique growl.

Dub56 · #6 07-05-2010, 10:04 AM

Having played both of these, and TONS of other fenders and quite a few Laklands..

Get the Lakland! I've found the build quality superior, the tone superior (I haven't found my JO5 honky at ALL, it's very versatile and has a great growl), the playability FAR superior.

Don't get me wrong, I like Fenders. I've owned a few and still own one right now. But if I had the choice to get a MIM Fender (I don't care if it's relic'd or not) or a Lakland, I wouldn't have to think very hard about it.

That's just my personal opinion, go out and try them for yourself until one really speaks to you.

Ric5 · #7 07-05-2010, 10:07 AM

A B both basses and see which YOU like better.

bamabass · #8 07-05-2010, 10:13 AM

It depends on what your looking for. I find the build quality of the laklands to be superior to the fenders...YMMV....I had a JO but mine had the fralins in it. I think the lakland pickups are bit more modern than the fralins. You will have to pick for yourself. It took me a lot of fenders to find one that I liked. It only took one lakland. Every JO I pick up feels like the other and I cannot say that about fender.

tdizzle · #9 07-05-2010, 10:28 AM

All very good points and observations here. May I suggest the Highway One Jazz Bass. They are very consistent in high build quality, they sound great, and the price is right. They have the graphite strips and no ugly route beneath the pickguard. I love mine. I thought the DJ would blow it away, but the scenario turned out quite differently. Oranges and apples, really. The Highwy Ones are a little heavier than the RW, though. Mine is right at 9 pounds.

pickles · #10 07-05-2010, 10:33 AM

Right now is a great time to be J-bass shopping. I'd honestly just go hit the shops and try them in person, then buy the one that feels right. The 2008-on american fenders are great, the skylines are great, many of the japanese fenders just plain kill, and the roadworns are getting good reviews. Or have Dan Atkinson build you one!

Musicman20 · #11 07-05-2010, 01:48 PM

I tried both...and both in that store were roughly the same price. Location of build cannot come into it...so the whole 'oh its a MIM' Jazz means nothing, as the Lakland is Korean...

Which brings me to the other point...Ive tried to buy 3 Laklands in the past and they ALL had to go back due to poor QC...but ive not given up on them.

I agree Fender has ups and downs, but Ive heard everyone with a RW Jazz thinks they are like a really cool almost custom shop standard 60s vibe Jazz.

Id like both, but I need to just stick to one and get it right...

The Laklands are ALL 2008 and I doubt any of them have been Plek'd. Bit annoying that they are 2 years old.

Anyone else?

#12 07-12-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman20

Location of build cannot come into it...so the whole 'oh its a MIM' Jazz means nothing, as the Lakland is Korean...

I believe the "location" point was that the US made Fenders have a better quality to start with than the models MIM, MIJ, CIJ, MIK, MIC, etc. That would be IME/IMO as well.

Although as an American, I'd be helping fellow Americans keep a job these days if I too, buy American!

Musicman20 · #13 07-12-2010, 03:37 PM

I gave up on the JO as I couldnt find one I was happy with QC wise.