Lakland Owners Group #60

[Mrfstop]

My classic Ray is heavier, but I can't feel a difference when it comes to frets... they appear to be the same size wire or at least close. Neck dimensions seem the same also.

The EBMM " Classic" stingray has the thinner fret wire ....old school.
The more modern style Ray has more of a jumbo fret. Not as thin as the "Classic" model.

So that is prob why it does not feel different.

The neck profile on my US Scheff, 44-04 and 44-94 are for sure thinner than my Rays.

 

[basspraiser]

On a completely different note...does anyone actually own a USA AJ 4 or 5? I'd love to see photos (especially if it's something other than the red or charcoal) and hear some sound clips (I've seen the poorly done review on You Tube by Premier and the Bass Club video). Thanks.

I have one picture of an amber deluxe AJ5 somewhere..only US one I ever saw....looked hot...i did not want to play it....did not want to be "too tempted".

I'd like that, too. I'm going to be choosing between a Skyline fretless 55-02 and a fretless AJ5. I have a 55-02, so I know its capabilities. I'd like to hear the differences before I get too far along. I only see two colors on the Lakland website for Skyline AJ5's, but I'm not worried too much about that.

You can get a US in any color/combo you want....and you can have the Skylines refin'd.....a fretless would be GREAT!

I'm finally in! US BG with a 1.5" nut!

oooo la la!!! sweetness righ there...congrats!

I don't like that the Skylines use the MK-1 preamp for the AJ. I've never liked those. I wish they'd use the US electronics.

they did that to keep the costs down....you are pertty much getting the pre-amp for nothing....the price difference is minimal between a Sky 44-60 and a SKY AJ-44

 

[basspraiser]

Thanks!

I'm still a couple short.
I need a good six string and another Fender '50 Classic that I'm going to "black out" ala Kinetic Shadow...

maybe it should be called "Kinetic black"?

 

[chuck3]

I'm here.....

hi Tat! I've joined you on the Lak side ...

 

[boristhespider9]

they did that to keep the costs down....you are pertty much getting the pre-amp for nothing....the price difference is minimal between a Sky 44-60 and a SKY AJ-44

Maybe so, but the point is to create an active version and that should be done right. That MK-1 is lame IMO. I'd pay more for the US innards like the other Skylines.

 

[basspraiser]

I like the MKI, but I wouldn't have put it in a J type bass for a J type sound. I'll stand corrected on its appropriateness in that application, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

I see that the US models offer fretless necks, but not Skyline. That may narrow my decision down for me. I really like my 55-02, so that's a no-brainer. A fretless JO5 is certainly a possibility, but waiting on February availability (or so I was last told).

All of it is pure research until my basses and gear finish selling and I can stop window shopping and make something happen. But it's great to talk about and investigate!

as for a fretless AJ....you can always ask...or email [email protected] to see if they have any Sky fretless necks that can be put on before you get the bass....they usually have a few spare necks around the shop.

Any of you loggers know why Lakland is backed up on Skylines, particularly 55-02's? It seems everyone is sold out of them everywhere, and that it's going to be February or March before they start going out.

Skylines are made and shipped in batches....I am sure the holiday slowed up the ports a bit....once in a while there is shortrage...makes getting them all the more fun....are you looking for a new 55-02???? nice!

This just in, another black bass for Black Bart... soon to get the "treatment."

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I cannot wait to see what "treatment" this one gets...it is already 99% there from what I can see...

No problem, there is a plan and one more to go... but thank you for your concern.

not concerned....really...you are very careful with your plans....almost "too careful".....

 

[Mrfstop]

Love that pickguard Mr.Matt! Personally, I don't think the holowbodies look right without them

I like pickguards on the HB's with barts and chis...
I do not think I would want one on my HB with darkstars.
The darkstars are pretty big and for sure command all attn visually on the bass.
I think a pg would take away from how cool the darkstars look by themselves.
IF one would even fit on it with those pups installed?

 

[basspraiser]

Hey man, not your fault, the long multiple threads make it impossible to get the info we want when we need it. That's why in the new LOG site we are cooking an FAQ section for things like these.

yup....in beta stages...gunna be sweet!!! thanks Marcel!

also - thanks to our band of secret testers.....

 

[dukeorock]

I like pickguards on the HB's with barts and chis...
I do not think I would want one on my HB with darkstars.
The darkstars are pretty big and for sure command all attn visually on the bass.
I think a pg would take away from how cool the darkstars look by themselves.
IF one would even fit on it with those pups installed?

You know, that's a great point! Those Darkstars take up a fair amount of real estate. With the smaller pickups, especially, form my point of view, having that one f hole on one side needs balance on the other side. I like mine, but Mr. Matts pickguard shape is even cooler

 

[basspraiser]

Thanks! I actually just sold the last of my Rays last month. After 30+ EBMMs over the years, I've discovered that passive sound is what I really like. I tried a Skyline 44-64 Custom and fell in love with it. The natural progression was to seek out a US model and boy did I really luck out last weekend!

congrats and welcome!!!

There were D'addarios on every Skyline I've received for a while now, which is cool. Decent strings at a good price, so I don't blame Lakland for using them at all. The Lakland strings are okay also, but I typically prefer Hi-beams on all my Lakland basses except for the P variants where I like nickels or Chromes.

the Korean Skylines came with (what Carl called) "Crappy Strings" (well he used a different word fro them...but you get the idea)....teh FIRST thing they did at the shop was to grab a set of wire snippers...but Indo started putting D'addarios on them....Lakland always has the adage "if it ain't broke don't fix it"...so Skylines come with D'addarios now....great strings (and a LOG sponsor I might add!)

I have a gorgeous 44-01 that I just picked up for myself and would like to know if I can take those knobs off and put jazz bass knobs on instead? Thanks

yup...

After several basses I'm back home at Lakland...

welcome back!!!

And it's good to be home. I guess sometimes you have to leave to know what you've been missing. Home for good now

noyce!!!! good to see the avatar has not changed....brings back warm childhood memories....

Just received a Skyline 44-01 with upgraded pups and preamp. Got it from a fellow TBer for an unbeatable price.

I'm simply floored by the playability of this neck. I have been dealing with arthritis in my hands for over a decade so have been seeking lower and lower action. The only bass that allows me to get the action as low as I like it is my Modulus Q5. Well that was until today - I was able to adjust the Skyline just as low.

I'm VERY impressed.

I hear that the difference between these necks and the US made counterparts is that there's no graphite reinforcement in the Korean ones? I imagine this means I'll have to check the truss rod more often?

congrats!!! Lakie necks are some of teh BESt in da world!!!

necks should be fine unless you go through some really quick temperature changes often...

I like active and passive but hate having to carry around two basses. I really like my new lakland with passive tone control for the bypass (and the chi-sonics really give the passive a good volume level) - I really can't tell which tone I like the best but can always switch between the two with a click of the switch.

nice to have variety!!! passive tone controls are GREAT! I have one on my 55-07....(had Carl wire it so it works in passive AND active modes...gives a little "boost")...

 

[Mrfstop]

You know, that's a great point! Those Darkstars take up a fair amount of real estate. With the smaller pickups, especially, form my point of view, having that one f hole on one side needs balance on the other side. I like mine, but Mr. Matts pickguard shape is even cooler

I agree about the balance with the smaller pups on that big HB surface.

 

[basspraiser]

My new skyline DJ acquisition is complete! View attachment 309106View attachment 309107

Originally white pg and black pup covers. The pg is officially matte black. It came with an unexpected white layer, but it looks great. Very pleased.

Further note: the strap and string thread matches quite nicely

LOOKS great man!!! loving it!

Oooh, very nice! I think the b/w/b guard pulls it together more than matte black would.

I agree....

ugh the new talkbass app has an ugly pixelated icon on my iPhone and stretched loading screen..
do you guys use tapatalk?
maybe i should just wait 'til they update the current talkbass app..

I kinda liked the older app better but Vbulletin no longer supports mobile apps....so I guesss we are stuck with tapatalk....I stuill am getting used to it.

one of teh thngs I HATE is that the "search" searhces the WHOLE site NOT juust the forum you are in.....makes it tough to segemnt what you want to look at (i.e. forums vs for sale adds etc)

OK, I'm in - the 35" P Lak arrived as the result of my trading my Fender Jazz. Here are some pics. I know there are LOG members who know this bass, which was a LOG build.

Very nice bass - gonna put flats on it and raise the action a little, though, and see where I go from there.

congrats! I am sure you will like it....great looking bass....make sure to let us know what you think...

I was going to trade my USA fender jazz for that P 5 but you beat me to it! Gorgeous bass

sorry man....sometimes you gotta pull the trigger when the GAS burns first.... I am sure you are happy with your current purchase though!

Here's a not so good pic of it Greg.

JAUQO III-X - dudde...that iso ONE KILLER BASS!!!! I love that one with a passion....(BTW - you can hear this bass on the most recent LOG CD!)

I just bought a Lakland Skyline 44-02.
After playing it for two days all I can say is WOW!
I had no idea how great these instruments are.
Now I get it.
What a sweet piece of gear.
I am really quite thrilled.

we hear that alot around these parts....congrats and welcome!

That's pretty sweet Jauqo... How do you select or blend between the different pu's?

the controls are JUST like a 55/44-94.....

 

[basspraiser]

congrats!!!! nice to see you like it....

so...the Fender and EBMM are going to be on the block soon???? maybe to fund more Lak-i-ness????

some of you have been following this bass, others may not care. But I've got it now, and put it through its paces at practice today with my main band, which is an eclectic one covering everything from folk rock to R&B to mainstream rock to Irish music. After 20 minutes of practice I switched from the Fender P below to the Lak, and never went back.

of course, that Fender is not a fiver, so the Lak is also replacing this EBMM Stingray HH 5:

the Lak did great, seems like a keeper.

 

[basspraiser]

Well this is killing me. I am so upside down over the neck on my DJ5, that I have started pining for a 5P of some type. Being a meth head would be cheaper on the pocket book.

LOL!!!! lakies are JUST as adicting....maybe more... welcome to our Lakie-asylum!

DOH! Forgot to say "Thanks" to Markus for some advice/info/opinions. Just paid for a Skyline Hollowbody with Chi's! Should be here at the end of the week or beginning of next week!

I've wanted to try one of these out for years!

Woo-hoo!! (I'm NOT going to get too excited.....I'm NOT going to get too excited.....I'm NOT going to get too excited.....)

wahoo..congrats!!!! here , let ME get excited FOR you:

 

[basspraiser]

Maybe so, but the point is to create an active version and that should be done right. That MK-1 is lame IMO. I'd pay more for the US innards like the other Skylines.

point well made....

 

[Eublet]

What does a refinish cost? Never even considered it before.

 

[Black Bart]

Jeanie's? Ouch. I won't get it to it here, but I swore them off a couple years ago. Is that the only game in town?

Cool! Glad to hear there's another maker of pickguards for our Laklands. Roger has a reputation for having an attitude.

You can also contact Leo at Lakland, they've made several for me.

I also use http://www.terrapinguitars.com - he does some awesome custom work as well. You may have to provide the original or an accurate tracing for the Lakland stuff, but the pickguards he did on my "other" basis were excellent in terms of fit and finish - better than Rogers IMHO.

Thanks!

I'm still a couple short.
I need a good six string and another Fender '50 Classic that I'm going to "black out" ala Kinetic Shadow...

Another one converted to the "dark side."

maybe it should be called "Kinetic black"?

"Kinetic Black" - hmmm, I think I like that

I cannot wait to see what "treatment" this one gets...it is already 99% there from what I can see...

Hmmm... I dunno, might do Kinetic Black

The beauty is in the details my friend - a black body does not 99% make

 

[Black Bart]

I actually spent about three hours working on the 44-64 today, not that it was in bad shape, but I like to perform a little restoration and clean up on previously owned gear. Polished the frets, oiled the board, cleaned up the bridge and buffed/polished out some light scratches. Truth be told, it's hard to tell that it was used now

 

[basspraiser]

I actually spent about three hours working on the 44-64 today, not that it was in bad shape, but I like to perform a little restoration and clean up on previously owned gear. Polished the frets, oiled the board, cleaned up the bridge and buffed/polished out some light scratches. Truth be told, it's hard to tell that it was used now

NICE! 3 hours and not played at all during that time...

or...was that just ....ah...foreplay?

 

[Black Bart]

NICE! 3 hours and not played at all during that time...

or...was that just ....ah...foreplay?

I had to do a full set up after doing all the work (another half hour) and then played for a good couple of hours afterwards. Mostly doing my impression of John Doe, and other punk icons. Just really loving the P sound from this beast. Still not going to touch the pickups and passive setup.