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How does a Lakland stand up to a Fender?

#41
My $.02.

I used to own a Lakland USA JO and it was the nicest and best-built Jazz I ever owned. My current favorite Jazz is my (upgraded) Fender Hwy One and the ONLY Jazzes I would consider swapping it for would be my old USA JO or some other high-end Jazz.

Would I like to have my JO back? Sure. Is it worth twice what I payed for my Hwy One (it's a very good Hwy One)? No.

OK, Lakland fans, you can start throwing rocks now.
 
#42
ok, I'm sorry for being a wise-ass.

I've owned both and would just say try both, they both make a great bass. I like Dan and John and the guys at Lakland alot, truly great guys, so if all thing were equal I would buy a Lakland.... that said I'm picking up a used Jazz plus on Friday because it's a great deal
 
#43
A great Fender is better than the best Lakland I've played (one of the first 50 4-94s and one of the first US JOs)
Statistically, it would have to be so - just so many Fenders.
On the other hand, a great Fender costs a lot more than a Lakland.
BUT the average Lakland is better than an average Fender.
 
#44
From what I've played, I prefer their J types and P types to fender. That said, I wanted to like the skyline 44-01 and 44-02, but didn't much care for the tones. But that's why there are different basses out there.
 
#45
I owned a Skyline DJ 4 String, and it was a great instrument. I also owned an American Vintage 75 Jazz Bass RI. From those two I liked more the 75 RI! Because of how it played and sound! I think I would take
an MIA Deluxe or Reissue over a Lakland Skyline, just as a personal preference.
 
#46
I owned a USA JO and it was an exceptional bass. I have owned quite a few Fenders and the 62 RI series work best for me on many levels. They are not of the same quality of the USA JO in my opinion but they just feel comfortable to me. I own a Fender Custom Shop Nocaster 6 string and I think it is at least of the same quality as the USA Laklands. So with that info I'm guessing the Custom Shop is probably the counterpart of the USA Laklands. To me the MusicMan Stingray/Sterling seem comparable to the Vintage Series Fenders. My opinion. Stay calm.
 
#48
Laklands vary in price range. I found a 55-01 deluxe for $550 used, but barely used. I know you can get a new 55-02 for around $1500 or a Skyline JO for about $1100-$1300. Then you have the USA made basses which are hard to find under $2500. Again, if you look in the TB classifieds or ebay or even Craigslist you can get them in good condition and much cheaper.
 
#49
capnsandwich said:
Laklands vary in price range. I found a 55-01 deluxe for $550 used, but barely used. I know you can get a new 55-02 for around $1500 or a Skyline JO for about $1100-$1300. Then you have the USA made basses which are hard to find under $2500. Again, if you look in the TB classifieds or ebay or even Craigslist you can get them in good condition and much cheaper.
Click to expand...

Wow, they cost a lot more than Fender MIA. If anything, I would get the Bob Glaub one.
 
#50
John Deacon said:
Wow, they cost a lot more than Fender MIA. If anything, I would get the Bob Glaub one.
Click to expand...

Actually, the street price on a Skyline JO is $1049 (at theperfectbass.com), and the Glaub is $979. That's pretty much in line with an MIA Jazz and an MIA P. The DJ and the Dunn cost more, but that's due to the blocks and binding.
 
#51
I played Fenders exclusively for 15+ years, one of my best buddies and an incredible bass player started telling me how great these Lakland basses were, i spent over 5 years, feeling like yeah yeah yeah you play your Lakland and i will stick with my fenders. well, i bought a Lakland, and i have never turned back. I personally feel they surpase Fender in ever aspect mentionable i know own Three Laklands and i will own more. I still have a Jazz, and a Pbass but they get little to almost no playing time what so-ever.
 
#52
I'm just glad somewhere other than California is producing fantastic American Basses as well - I know, NYC & Nashville make some pretty good basses too, but Cali dominates.

However, Lakland seems to be breaking or has broken through the "boutique ceiling" into the mainstream.

btw, Fender is simply a monster and i love it
 
#53
Bass to bass it's a crap shoot. I've had two Skylines and each needed a luthiers attention to get them into playing condition for me. In each case the neck was out of alignment. 2 outta 2... you would think that vaunted Chicago setup would catch something as basic as that... these were a 44-02 and a BG FWIW.

After repair, both the skylines were nice, playable basses - that didn't stick. I am not abrt fan - so that explains the 44-02. The BG was a transient 'for profit' deal thatI cashed in. It was a nice bass in a stable of nice basses. On the other hand my MIJ J isn't going anywhere ... I'll probably try another Lakland - but I'll go in with both eyes open and evaluate the instrument on it's own ... as I would with a Fender, Ric, Reverend, etc ...

This discussion is sort of meaningless unless you also consider the distribution channels and the quantities of basses made by each company IMO... Laklnad goes through primarily small dealers with a relatively small number of instruments. Fender sells tonnage through GC, MF, etc ... it's kind of an Apples and Oranges comparision without some other qualifiers IMO...
 
#54
John Deacon said:
Wow, I can't believe how popular this thread is! I EXTREMELY appreciate all the input you guys are giving me. Do Laklands cost more? I wish I had the ability to try one out, but all my local music stores don't carry them.
Click to expand...

capnsandwich said:
Laklands vary in price range. I found a 55-01 deluxe for $550 used, but barely used. I know you can get a new 55-02 for around $1500 or a Skyline JO for about $1100-$1300. Then you have the USA made basses which are hard to find under $2500. Again, if you look in the TB classifieds or ebay or even Craigslist you can get them in good condition and much cheaper.
Click to expand...


There is a real nice Lakland 55-94 in the classifieds for a killer price. Follow the link below.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=395113

(I am not involved in this sale - nor do I have any connection to the seller)
 
#56
I'm partial to Fender Jazz necks. That said, just about any Fender, Lakland, Musicman, Sadowsky, Warwick, you-name-it bass will get the job done. Ultimately, in a live concert setting playing through the house system, 99.99 % of the population wouldn't be able to distinguish between an SX and a Fodera in my humble opinion. Once that sound guy gets ahold of the signal... :hiding:
 
#57
lamarjones said:
a dude told me once..

there two types of fenders. One I would kill anyone for, and the rest of them.
Click to expand...


That is pretty much true for _____ brand basses in my experience. I've played really hi end basses that left me flat and mid range basses that blew me away ... and vice versa of course. Brand to brand comparisons are far too general to be of any real value - other than to spur discussion on an otherwise slow day ...
 
#58
JAUQO III-X said:
Very low :)
Click to expand...


WAY WAY WAY LOW, as......
..................................low....
................................................as you... ugh.
.................................................................. can go...

........:bassist: there,

hear that ?


Thats the B string on a Lakland jazz bass. Sorry, but melts the 34" Fender away.


Nolo contendre my friend.

And its not my ego talkin' ...selling off a 73 Jazz 'burst, maple board with blocks, in around '78-'79, to buy a brand new Peavey T40, which sonically blew the Fender away... it's comparing current quality over comparble prices.

and they're similar. I cannot speak of the USA " Made In Chicago's".. I havent yet had the priveledge, but in Dan's import line the Skyline's , of which I owned two, the quality is as good as a USA Fender, imho.

And here's a trick I use to eval funds:. Who own it? How are they motivated. Are they "see-ers" or " followers", "doers" or "fakers".

Now in the intangible world of investments, those intangibles are real, to me. Very real.

In the "tangible" world of instruments, I would argue they are also real. a piece of wood with some wire and ceramics. Yet, in the "intangible" world of Mother Music, I would RATHER play an instrument where the creators/crafters of it were motivated, where it wasnt just a job. Dan, Brian, John, all the crew at Lakland is truly into it. I can feel it when I call them, I can feel it when I have an issue ( only ionce), and can feel it in the instrument I play.

I owned a Valenti because of that. It didnt let me down.

But I had to go back to that Lakland neck, ahhhh the 5 string neck is to die for!

But Fender kicked it all off. And I show resepct to the Mutha of all basses. Wont 'dis Fender.

But that was in the 1950's/60's. Some folks have clearly taken that core design and improved upon it greatly. Even Leo did ! :)

Peace. Out.
 
#59
Maybe I just got a good one, but my Fender MIA P is a killer bass, IMO. Sounds good. And I love the neck. It feels great and is very stable so far. On the day I bought it, I gave the truss rod about 1/4 turn, just to take out a hair of relief. I don't think the neck has moved since, and the bass plays like a dream.

I'd have to play a Lakland to see what all the hoopla is about. But I doubt it would have a better neck. I just don't think my P's neck could be improved upon that much and if so, it would be splitting hairs.

Maybe Lakland would have nicer body wood, I don't know. But I do know I got my P for $729 brand new. Yes, that was a deep discount price, and it makes me like it all the more.

JMO
 

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