• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Skyline lovin'

birminghambass

birminghambass

Sep 18, 2002
7,091
8,705
Birmingham, AL
#1
I recently purchased a Lakland Skyline 44-01. I bought with the intention of selling it. Not for a profit, I just wanted to try one out for a while. I've always wanted a 44-02 and there are no Lakland dealers within 2.5 hours of Birmingham so I figured I would buy a 44-01 used (since they are much less expensive than 44-02s) and judge the quality of the Skyline series based on this bass. Well to put it mildly, I am blown away! For starters, the fit/finish on this bass is superb. The ash looks great thru the perfect sunburst finish. The neck has a nice, fast feel with NO DEAD SPOTS anywhere. The Korean pickups and electronics sound great, the tuners feel solid. Nothing on this bass feels budget to me, except the price. Is this standard fare for all Skylines? Or did I just get lucky?
 
#3
Out of the 5 or 6 Skylines I've owned only 1 did not impress me. The rest have been excellent. Only reason I've been through that many is b/c I was searching for the lightest JO4 possible. I currently own a JO4 (8.25 lbs.) and a hollowbody I just recently picked up here on TB. Both are amazing for the price! My Fenders haven't seen a gig in a looong time.
 
#5
5501.
5502.
Howllowbody.
Joe Osborn 5.

All very nice. They say the US made ones are enough better to be worth the price. I've not held one for fear of that proving true;)

Seriously though, every Lakland I've played has been aces.
 
#6
ditto on my DPLE II--very well done--now I'm GAS'n for the Duck Dunn Skyline w/ a black p/g-- mmmm!
 

Attachments

  • duckdunn.jpg
    duckdunn.jpg
    33.6 KB · Views: 123
#8
I've played 4 over past few days, 2 DJ4s, a Bob Glaub and a Duck Dunn. I was in the market for a new 08 Fender Jazz but decided to give the Lakland DJ4 a go and absolutely loved it. I then played the DD and was blown away because I wasn't looking for a P bass and loved that too. I've been playing on a Bob today and that was amazing too!

So, I have been very impressed with all 4 Skylines I've played. I think I'm going to go back and buy the DJ4 with rosewood board. I have been really tempted to buy the DD but I was originally after a Jazz so I'll get that first! I hope I'll be able to keep the DD GAS under wraps for a while!
 
#10
Skyline Hollowbody, burst finish, Bartolini pickups
Skyline “Duck Dunn” Special Edition, sunburst/maple, gold anodized pickguard (the first edition)
Skyline “Jerry Scheff”, shoreline gold/rosewood
Skyline “Bob Glaub” sunburst/rosewood w/skinny neck and Darkstar pickup

Every one has been excellent. Fit, finish, performance, everything. The Skyline line is not your typical "budget" line.
 
#13
I'm thrilled with my shoreline gold/rosewood Skyline Jerry Scheff. The fit and finish are outstanding, and it just feels like a quality instrument when you pick it up. I also recently played a friend's 55-01 and was similarly impressed. The B-string felt and sounded very solid and focused.
If I had cash to play with, I'd be going for a Skyline JO, Glaub and Hollowbody without a second thought.
 
#14
Another very happy Skyline owner here. I've had a CAR DJ4 for nine months, and it kills! And I recently bought a Glaub with a Dark Star that may supplant the Fender in my AV as my #1.

Also, I've tried out a good number of Skylines at local stores and the factory itself. Fine, quality basses, and they're very consistent, IME.
 
#19
Just bought a Skyline 44-02 a month ago - tried out Fender, Musicman (Stingray HS, HH, Bongo), Sadowsky, Spector etc and fell in love with the Lakland (hadn't heard of one before). Neck feels great, and the flexibility in the tones is outstanding.

Haven't been able to put it down since - mine was airfreighted direct from the US to the retailer in Australia, and was beautiful out of the box. Added a hipshot xtender and had it set up by a very experienced luthier - he commented on how well it was built.

Seems like quality on the skylines is built in by the manufacturing process, and the finishing in the US.

Enjoy!
 
#20
Jazzenfunk,


Only the XX-01 series have MK-1 Barts.

New US and Skyline XX-02, JO, DJ, Glaub, and Dunn basses have Lakland pickups.

The Hollowbody has Barts or DarkStars and the Scheff has Kent Armstrong pickups.

Chi-Sonics will also be an option within the next few months.

Bob
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back