With all this said about the Skylines I can only imagine what the USA ones are like!!
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Considering a Lakland...
- Thread starter dannylectro
- Start date
I owned a bottom-of-the-Lakland-line 5501 for some time and really liked it. Their necks are without a doubt amazing, even on the import models. The only reason I sold it, in fact, was because I have been in the process of moving from 5-ers to 4-bangers and it was part of funding a new 4-banger. I was really impressed with it overall.
My suggestion would be to find a used Skyline like the USA models you're considering and try it out. If you like it, then decide if you want to spring for the extra $$ for a brand new USA model. Whether you like it or not, you can sell the Skyline for what you paid for it (or close to it) and you won't have lost anything. You might also find you like the Skyline so much you'd rather put the extra $$ towards something else.
Tom
My suggestion would be to find a used Skyline like the USA models you're considering and try it out. If you like it, then decide if you want to spring for the extra $$ for a brand new USA model. Whether you like it or not, you can sell the Skyline for what you paid for it (or close to it) and you won't have lost anything. You might also find you like the Skyline so much you'd rather put the extra $$ towards something else.
Tom
I have a USA 55-94 and a Skyline 55-64 - the necks on both are amazing. If you are going for a once-in-a-lifetime bass and know EXACTLY what you want, I would recommend getting a USA. If you are not sure, I would buy what you want used and decide. If you buy used you will lose little to no money and could recycle the money into the USA.
I have to admit, the Lakland basses are not my #1 (sorry, guys!) - that is a Ken Lawrence Associate 5 and is at a whole different price point.
Dan
I have to admit, the Lakland basses are not my #1 (sorry, guys!) - that is a Ken Lawrence Associate 5 and is at a whole different price point.
Dan
Can't speak for the Lakland jazz basses, but my regular gigging bass is a Glaub (44-64) and it's just velvet and smooth and near perfect.
I love pj's. Swiss Army knife if you gig regularly. Lakland makes a great instrument. Best of luck w your decision
I have 2 Laklands - and they are both really amazing. The attention to detail, the finish and the sound are wonderful. Not to mention that the customer service is the best.
The P with J neck is the best of both worlds. I'd grab one.
The P with J neck is the best of both worlds. I'd grab one.
The OP is where I can see myself in like 15-20 yrs. Once the kids are out of the house and we can downsize. Ironically, I too have a '73 P that I will never part with.
My thought is that since you already have your perfect P bass, go for a Jazz. Personally, having played a few Skyline Laklands, I think I'd go vintage Fender or Custom Shop over Lakland. Maybe the USA models are different, but I didn't much like the neck radius of the Skyline's I've tried, too flat. I much prefer a rounder vintage radius neck. But that's just me... Otherwise, Lakland's are amazing basses.
My thought is that since you already have your perfect P bass, go for a Jazz. Personally, having played a few Skyline Laklands, I think I'd go vintage Fender or Custom Shop over Lakland. Maybe the USA models are different, but I didn't much like the neck radius of the Skyline's I've tried, too flat. I much prefer a rounder vintage radius neck. But that's just me... Otherwise, Lakland's are amazing basses.
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Had a 55-02, wonderful playing bass but the tone ultimately didn't do it for me. However the quality was great and Lakland's customer service is outstanding.
So if I'm following correctly, you'd keep the 73P, but not the Fender Jazz. You like both sounds, and are considering a Lakland P or J. I think I would prioritize getting a good J, and Lakland seems to know how to make one of those... But to make things a little more complicated for you, I will recommend a Daryl Jones model. I used to have one (a Skyline), with Aero singlecoils, and was really fat sounding. Not quite in the P territory, but very muscular, probably my favorite jazz bass so far. Very versatile, and it worked really well with rounds (which I often find thin sounding on more traditional jazz basses).
In the end, I guess a lot may be in the pickups anyway, and you can swap those later (maybe add some series wiring options). If you end up going with a P, have you tried a Glaub yet? It's quite comfy even at 1.75 inch nut width. I love mine, a Skyline with Fralins. Personally, I wouldn't bother with a PJ, I'd rather get a jazz bass then...
In the end, I guess a lot may be in the pickups anyway, and you can swap those later (maybe add some series wiring options). If you end up going with a P, have you tried a Glaub yet? It's quite comfy even at 1.75 inch nut width. I love mine, a Skyline with Fralins. Personally, I wouldn't bother with a PJ, I'd rather get a jazz bass then...
You may also want to consider a 44-94. Its the most flexible design you can think of, giving you a P sound from the quiet neck position single coil, you can split the MM pickup for two different jazz tones, or roll it to the bridge for a MM sound. I love my Skyline 55-02 and 44-02 because of this.
You have a similar quiver to me--P, J, Jerry Jones 'horn, JC, etc
Have you thought of looking for a used USA Glaub? I have a pretty early one, that I got used for a great deal--saved quite a lot--I was also preparing to order a new one at the time. Anyhow, it is a FANTASTIC P, the best I've ever owned--the fit, finish, feel, etc. I agree with sikamikanico---the 1.75" nut width might seem wide but something about these necks are just so playable. They're really pretty thin front-to-back. I dunno how it compares to your '63 AVRI neck, but I have smallish hands and I can fly on this thing. Of course, if you find one with a J neck that's great, but the standard necks are quite comfy! Either way, new or used, you can't go wrong with a USA Lakland P.
Have you thought of looking for a used USA Glaub? I have a pretty early one, that I got used for a great deal--saved quite a lot--I was also preparing to order a new one at the time. Anyhow, it is a FANTASTIC P, the best I've ever owned--the fit, finish, feel, etc. I agree with sikamikanico---the 1.75" nut width might seem wide but something about these necks are just so playable. They're really pretty thin front-to-back. I dunno how it compares to your '63 AVRI neck, but I have smallish hands and I can fly on this thing. Of course, if you find one with a J neck that's great, but the standard necks are quite comfy! Either way, new or used, you can't go wrong with a USA Lakland P.
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I have a 2003 Korean Darryl Jones, and I have to say it's among the best playing and sounding basses I've ever had my hands on. Having said that, I'm a P guy, and nothing replaces a good Precision...
I've had 3,all skylines a 44-64 and a decade.Those 2 got sold off when I went short scale.They both played and sounded great.I just recently bought a hollowbody 30 that is small light and sound really good.I liked the decade so much I did a 1 p.u. 30" knock off of it.The skylines a great for not a lot of money I bought all my lakland used!A couple pics won't hurt.Should'nt be hard to find a nice used one.
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I own 7 skylines, 2 yamaha'a (80's)
3 us peaveys, several parts basses (jazz style)
Laklands are the real deal---I'm sure there Are many other fine bass companies--Bottom line it's hard to find a bad lakland. Very consistent quality.
3 us peaveys, several parts basses (jazz style)
Laklands are the real deal---I'm sure there Are many other fine bass companies--Bottom line it's hard to find a bad lakland. Very consistent quality.
