Lakland Owners Group #60

[MarkusBass]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

The easiest and most cost-effective solution is to buy another USA version.

Well duh

[CElton]

Originally Posted by Eublet

Have any of you guys noticed that the Skyline quality has degraded over time? It seems the more of these basses that I pickup in stores the more I notice issues, such as very rough pickup routes, poorly fitting neck/pocket assembly, and the worst of all is that the necks are not properly aligned such that the strings gravitate toward one edge of the fretboard near the heel (the treble side typically it seems). The last issue mentioned I'm seeing on a 55-02 that is otherwise perfect, but the strings drift by about 2mm at the 22nd fret, putting them right on the edge of the fretboard such that they roll right off if you aren't careful. This just isn't acceptable for a bass with a MAP of over $1400.

I've noticed this too. The other issue I've seen is most noticeable on the 5 sting J basses. The strings don't align with the bridge pup poles on the D and G strings. It starts slightly off with the A and gets progressively worse.

[MarkusBass]

Hmm...I've seen a couple photos of this, but never ran into any with this problem.

[BigBeatNut]

Originally Posted by CElton

I've noticed this too. The other issue I've seen is most noticeable on the 5 sting J basses. The strings don't align with the bridge pup poles on the D and G strings. It starts slightly off with the A and gets progressively worse.

I bought a fiver with this problem. Bought it privately then noticed it. Was quite annoyed with myself but figured it wouldn't be too hard to fix ... surprisingly the local luthier was pretty sure I shouldn't do anything. Main issue for me was the aesthetics, but also I'm prone to pull the G string off the edge. Because the luthier was so persuasive I said I'd live with it for a bit, but I'm fast coming to the conclusion it IS wrong (aesthetically and practically) and needs to be fixed. His proposal was to move the bridge and probably recut the nut too; the G string is close to the edge all along so moving the bridge (about 3-4mm was my estimate) wouldn't be enough.

The D string (this is a 55-02) is misaligned WRT just about any reference point you could mention, the fingerboard dots, the truss rod slot, centreline of the pickups (judging by the screws).

EDIT: serial starts 1004, presumably meaning April 2010, FWIW.

[danclaro]

Originally Posted by Billy K

steel wool then brown paper bag.The paper bag works great for me just enough ruffness to polish.

Thanks for the tips, guys. I'd love to buy another US model, in fact I have my eye on one at Bass Central. But while I save up, and it will be a while at the rate I'm going, the Skyline is a nice bass to fill that p-bass need.

What grade steel wool? 000?

[Eublet]

Originally Posted by CElton

I've noticed this too. The other issue I've seen is most noticeable on the 5 sting J basses. The strings don't align with the bridge pup poles on the D and G strings. It starts slightly off with the A and gets progressively worse.

I've always thought this had more to do with Lakland's 19 mm spacing, but they use pickups that are sized for standard Fender 18 mm spacing on fivers.

[CElton]

Originally Posted by Eublet

I've always thought this had more to do with Lakland's 19 mm spacing, but they use pickups that are sized for standard Fender 18 mm spacing on fivers.

Looks like it. Maybe just needs a set of Nordstrands.

[Eublet]

Originally Posted by CElton

Looks like it. Maybe just needs a set of Nordstrands.

Only if aesthetics bother you. The slight pole offset is negligible on the tone.

[ShowLow]

Hate to say it, but it seems to me as a follower of the Classifieds that used bass prices keep heading down just as shipping fees are going up. Couple of Skyline JOs have gone for ridiculous prices. Where does this end? Or is it just my fertile imagination? Opinions?

[JEDI BASS]

I'm assuming that it's because people are holding onto their money, so prices are dropping. I know I've put a hault on all purchases for my 2 hobbies. And I had been placing orders almost weekly for my RC offroad racing... now I'm considering selling out and minimizing music gear too.

<4 years 'til "change".... gotta improve when we're at rock bottom, right?

[RumbleBeeAL]

This is the time to be buying, not selling. That is unless you are planning to "swap dollars" or don't mind losing a few dollars in efforts to liquidate and consider any loss as "rent".

[GregC]

Originally Posted by ShowLow

Hate to say it, but it seems to me as a follower of the Classifieds that used bass prices keep heading down just as shipping fees are going up. Couple of Skyline JOs have gone for ridiculous prices. Where does this end? Or is it just my fertile imagination? Opinions?

It's been my impression that used prices have kind of stabillized over the last year or two, and even risen a bit in some cases--I'm thinking particularly of US Laklands, which were going for crazy low prices a few years ago.

Also, I would not expect prices to go back up to where they were in 07-08, as I think that was a bubble related to folks being levered up financially. The market remains flooded in part, IMO, because people got used to flipping gear when prices were rising and never really broke the habit. Just my 2 cents.

[Lichtaffen]

Originally Posted by RumbleBeeAL

This is the time to be buying, not selling. That is unless you are planning to "swap dollars" or don't mind losing a few dollars in efforts to liquidate and consider any loss as "rent".

A very wise viewpoint indeed.

[Eublet]

Hey, guys. Another question here. I may be wrong, but I thought I recalled that Lakland was up to Rev C on the LH3 preamps. Is that right? The last two 55-02's I've seen had Rev A preamps in them, but they were made in 2012.

[Gab124]

Originally Posted by Eublet

Hey, guys. Another question here. I may be wrong, but I thought I recalled that Lakland was up to Rev C on the LH3 preamps. Is that right? The last two 55-02's I've seen had Rev A preamps in them, but they were made in 2012.

How does one know? I bought a 2008 5502 but a few months ago replaced the LH3 preamp because a previous owner had butchered it.

[RumbleBeeAL]

The revision level should be printed on the printed circuit board (PCB) - look for the white silkscreening

[JEDI BASS]

Originally Posted by RumbleBeeAL

This is the time to be buying, not selling. That is unless you are planning to "swap dollars" or don't mind losing a few dollars in efforts to liquidate and consider any loss as "rent".

Originally Posted by Lichtaffen

A very wise viewpoint indeed.

I would sell my RC stuff locally, I'd lose money but that's the nature of RC.

I would probably sell a US Lakland on the auction site and open it to overseas buyers.... if I wanted to break even or make some $$. But, selling a US Lakland is the last thing I'd wanna do! I've got other gear that could go before I'd do that .

[Mr Matt]

Originally Posted by Eublet

Hey, guys. Another question here. I may be wrong, but I thought I recalled that Lakland was up to Rev C on the LH3 preamps. Is that right? The last two 55-02's I've seen had Rev A preamps in them, but they were made in 2012.

They're up to D & perhaps beyond by now. This is a US Lakland I had a couple years back.

[Mrfstop]

Originally Posted by GregC

and never really broke the habit.

Habit?

[GregC]

Originally Posted by Mrfstop

Habit?