Fender Jazz vs. Lakland Jazz

Would you mean a Skyline series Lakland Joe Osborne or the USA JO?

 

I would personally go with the Lakland, if only because I've heard much better things about their quality control and customer service than I have about Fender.

I'm a big Lakland fan, though, and I'm planning on buying myself a JO5 soon, so I'm probably biased.

 

hey try them both out and get what you honeslty like better.. i have a a USA 75' re issue jazz bass, and to me... the tone and clarity is amazing. but you may like the lakland better. try a few jazz basses out though...

 

OK, I am a fan of both. It's easier to find a very good quality Lakland Skyline. Try'em all and pick the one ya like. I prefer the American Fender jazz just because of the feel and tone. Although, if you are considering a new Fender consider changing out the original pups to achieve a more vintage tone like the JO.
How about the Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones model?

 

Hmm, dare I say early 80's Guild pilot $300-400 , G&L JB or an early L2000 $600-700.

 

The JO comes with Fralin pups, IMO a JO with an aftermarket J-retro preamp would be a nice (if not the best) choice, and yeah youll get better price value on a skyline than in a MIA standar fender.

 

One difference would be the neck radius.

The Fender R.I.s have a 7.25" neck radius. I think the Lakland Skylines are all 10", but you can custom order a USA Lakland with a 7.25 radius.

Standard USA Fender basses have a 9.5" radius, I believe.

Neck radius probably doesn't make a lot of difference to some people, but I sure love the feel of my Fender Sting RI's neck.

 

I like the feel of the American Fender better, simply because it's very glossy feeling. The Skylines I've played tend to have a smoother, more modern feeling neck. Both are great choiuces though. I haven't played the Joe Osborn, but the Darryl Jones sig was a great bass when I played it.

 

I really don't think you can go wrong with either bass. I had a Skyline JO 4 and loved it.... but, beware because it was probably the heaviest bass i've ever owned, which is the only reason that I no longer have it. Seems to be the only real complaint I hear about the Lakland.

 

Do not own either but have tried out each model plenty of times. I found the Lakland Skyline JO just seemed to play better, the neck seemed to fit just right for me, more playable. Plus the Fralin pickups sounded bigger and more full to my ears.

 

You know you want the Skyline. Go for it!

 

Without a doubt...Lakland.

 

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