• 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.

Lakland Advice

Lakland Skyline

  • Lakland Skylines are GREAT!

    Votes: 99 78.6%

  • Lakland Skylines SUCK!

    Votes: 3 2.4%

  • Lakland Skylines are eh, OK but don't come close to US Laklands.

    Votes: 24 19.0%
  • Total voters
    126
#21
I've played them both and have decided to buy a 5502. The US models have more beautiful woods in the neck and body. The fit and finish is a bit better but not so much better as to effect playability or sound. When you buy the US model you will have the satisfaction of owning an instrument that was built by hand by Americans with the highest degree of materials and workmanship possible. I guess what I am saying is that the US model is like a fine Swiss watch with all the parts polished to perfection. The import is like a good Aisian watch with the parts machine made but to a high degree of precision. The US is like a ROLEX and the import is like a SEIKO.

JMHO
 
#22
jb63,

I bought the same exact bass that you did (sunburst 55-01 w/maple board) and have been very impressed. I have also played various 55-94's and Skyline 55-02's... I have to agree with many others when they say the U.S. models "feel" better. But the 55-02 sounds pretty much the same as the 55-94 IMO. I love my 55-01, but I would like to put a U.S. preamp in it with a push/pull mid (a Bartolini 5.2 or something similar) for getting a quick scooped mid for the occasional slap. I think a U.S. preamp would yield a warmer overall sound & might be a little quieter, especially on the treble side of things.

Also, I would like to explore cavity shielding options as mentioned earlier in this thread... I'm sure that the shielding paint does an ok job, but wouldn't copper tape be a better option? :confused:
 
#23
I love my 55-01, but I would like to put a U.S. preamp in it with a push/pull mid (a Bartolini 5.2 or something similar) for getting a quick scooped mid for the occasional slap. I think a U.S. preamp would yield a warmer overall sound & might be a little quieter, especially on the treble side of things.
Click to expand...

For those of you who haven't bought, a used 55-94 could be in reach if you plan on making some upgrades. The 55-02 may be the better option.
 
#25
Originally posted by rickbass



Proper shielding isn't a luxury - it's basic good construction practice.
Click to expand...

My 55-01 doesn't seem to have shielding in the cavity (it does have tape on the cover), but you know what? Whether recording at home (in front of my noise inducing monitor) or playing in clubs surrounded by neon lights, there is absolutely NO noise, period. I've been playing it in a variety of clubs and bars since April when I bought it, and have NEVER had ANY noise. So why would I be worried about shielding?
 
#26
RF noise is not because from monitor or other, what happened is when you play near radio station or there is some strong signal , you could hear radio broadcast in your bass amp.

It happened to me a couple of times with different basses. Last Sunday I heard songs:( during gigging with my Pedulla MVP, yesterday I sold the bass.;)
It never happened with my Sadowsky or US Lakland.

I believe your bass need a good shielding !!
The best shielding I found is from my Sadowskies, so quiet.
 
#27
Originally posted by j.s.basuki
RF noise is not because from monitor or other, what happened is when you play near radio station or there is some strong signal , you could hear radio broadcast in your bass amp.

It happened to me a couple of times with different basses. Last Sunday I heard songs:( during gigging with my Pedulla MVP, yesterday I sold the bass.;)
It never happened with my Sadowsky or US Lakland.

I believe your bass need a good shielding !!
The best shielding I found is from my Sadowskies, so quiet.
Click to expand...

I've played right on the harbor, next to a Coast Guard station, and near radio station transmitters, a place with lots of RF, and never had any noise with my 55-01.
 
#30
Regarding people selling their Korean Laklands -- that's not a reliable indicator of quality. If there's anything I've learned on Internet forums, it's that musicians are a fickle lot. They'll exchange perfectly good instruments more often than their underwear.

I A/B US and Korean Laklands pretty extensively. The only consistently recurring difference I noted were:

The Korean models were generally heavier. Woods vary so some basses were closer in weight than others, but by and large the Koreans weighed more.

The US models had prettier maple for the necks, and generally more figured maple tops. The ash used in the Korean models typically had more natural blemishes (in the wood, not the finish) than the US models.

The US models had better finish detailing. I could usually find some sanding marks left on the Koreans if I really scoured them, particular on the tight curves of the headstock.

The Korean-made Hipshot tuners were different from the US versions in that they had larger posts.

I didn't open up any US control cavities, but my Korean Lakland has a pretty messy wiring job. I assume the US models are nice and neat.

Frankly, I did not notice much in the way of differences in "feel" other than weight. Tone-wise I would be hard pressed to distinguish between them blindfolded.

D7
 
#31
Also, I would like to explore cavity shielding options as mentioned earlier in this thread... I'm sure that the shielding paint does an ok job, but wouldn't copper tape be a better option?


I have a 55-02 deluxe and it has copper tape,
 
#32
Shielding paint is just as good as copper foil, and its easier to do correctly because you don't have to solder the seams.

I agree that its just good basic construction, especially since spraying a good coat of shielding is very easy during the construction process before all the electronics have been added. But I do think that people probably get a little too worked up about it. I've heard very quiet basses that have no shielding whatsoever and I've seen guitars that simply aren't grounded properly that no amount of shielding will fix.

D7
 
#33
I've got a Skyline Joe Osborn and I'm very happy with it. I used to own a 74 Fender Jazz, which was a great bass but it weighed a ton. To me, the Skyline JO nails the tone of my old jazz without the extra weight. The fretwork and finish on my Skyline was perfect. I got one of the Dudepit JOs in sherwood green with matching headstock, and the finish is gorgeous. I don't doubt that the US JO is a step up, but I'm not enough of a player to tell the difference.
 
#34
Skylines are awesome. They use the same pickups and preamps as those made in America. The quality is great IMO; obviously not as good as the American series since its not handmade. But still, the quality is awesome. I was talking to a dealer at a store in NYC and he said that he feels that the Lakland skyline basses are made just as good as the MIA Fenders. I don't know if I agree becuase I've never owned either bass, but hey thats a pretty good comment.
 
#35
You were wrong if Lakland US are hand made !
They are made by CNC machine just like the Korean.
Only the fit, finish , fretting and electronic are by hand. So does the Korean, but they are cheaper because their cost is lower. Check with Dan !
I heard that the Bart and preamp are made in Korea too ?
Labour cost in USA is too high for this low tech production items, it is better to shift them to Asian country.
I imported basses and guitar to Australia from Korean factory in Indonesia. The top quality ones c ost me USD 60 a piece, with minimum quantity 0f 1000 pcs per shipment.;) . Well the produce over 40,000 pcs a month !:D
 
#36
Originally posted by j.s.basuki
You were wrong if Lakland US are hand made !
They are made by CNC machine just like the Korean.
Only the fit, finish , fretting and electronic are by hand. D
Click to expand...
They're both "parts" basses as you mentioned. Obviously the 55-94 will have nicer woods etc., but they're still parts that are assembled and nothing is hand done. After playing both 55-01 and 55-02 again this weekend, IMO the 55-02 is the better of the two Korean basses. Knowing that, a new 55-02 deluxe will run you about $1100-1200. I would spend a few hundred more and go with a used
55-94. I don't care what anyone says, the 55-94's are still nicers basses, and if you can get into a better model for a few hundred more, I would do it and not think twice about it. If that amount of money is too much($1500), go with the 55-01 deluxe for about $850. At that price, the 55-01 is very tough to beat even if the electonics are a little flawed. It's still an awsome bass.
 
#39
I currently own 2 Skylines - a 55-02 Deluxe and a JO-5 fretless. I just sold a 55-02 Deluxe fretless on eBay (to Malthumb).

I think the Skylines are fabulous basses, especially for the money. Are they as good as the USA models? Probably not, but they're darn close for significantly less money.

Over the years (I'm almost 50 - YIKES!), I've owned Fender, Guild, Ibanez, Rickenbacker, Alembic, Ken Smith, Sadowsky, Pedulla, Rob Allen, etc. Most recently, due to changes in economic conditions, I sold a Sadowsky Vintage 5 and a Rob Allen fretless 5 to get a pair of 55-02 Deluxes - and what I got for the Sadowsky was more than enough to pay for both 55-02s. The Skylines definitely do the job for me.

Are they heavier than USA models? I think a bit, but they are still comfortable and well balanced (and I have neck and shoulder problems - I sold my last Alembic for this reason).

As far as shielding, I don't know because I haven't looked. I've never gotten any hum from the 55-02, even when 18" away from my multitrack recorder. On the JO-5, there is some hum when that close, but this is due the single-coil pickups (turning away removes the hum). In any practical situation, I haven't had a hum problem with either bass.

As far as used Skylines, I agree with the comment that bass players commonly sell good stuff to get other stuff (GAS attacks!). I sold my absolutely wonderful 55-02 Deluxe fretless only because I wanted a JO-5 fretless more (and it's BLUE!).

If money was no object, I'd probably have USA models custom made to my liking, color, matching headstocks, etc. But that would be a luxury. But the Skylines get the job done.

Dan
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back