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Lakland Owners Group #69

Alright. A friend of mine just bought a JO from July 2007 (I guess, the serial starts with 0707) so that probably already has the Lakland pickups. Very good bass, tough. My USA JOs are better of course, but this is amazing value.
Its super easy to find out. The Fralins have cloth covered wired and the Lakland ones do not. So if you pull the control cavity and look at the pickup wires you will know.
 
Currently I can't stop drooling all over this AJ I stumbled upon while perusing past posts of this group. Hard to say which one is more stunning this one or JoeyKun's quilted red one.
Image 1.jpeg
 
Alright. A friend of mine just bought a JO from July 2007 (I guess, the serial starts with 0707) so that probably already has the Lakland pickups. Very good bass, tough. My USA JOs are better of course, but this is amazing value.
The first 2 digits are 2007 the next 2 are just part of the serial number... Not the month. Regardless... Yes skyline JOs are great instruments!
 
The first 2 digits are 2007 the next 2 are just part of the serial number... Not the month. Regardless... Yes skyline JOs are great instruments!
I always thought it was YYMMDDxxx for the Skylines.

I never saw digits on the MM position that were out of the 01-12 range and in the DD position out of the 01-31 range.
 
I always thought it was YYMMDDxxx for the Skylines.

I never saw digits on the MM position that were out of the 01-12 range and in the DD position out of the 01-31 range.
Ok
I stand do l corrected..

At least that is when the neck was made.

No saying when it was attached to the body. :-)
 
I recently got a 55-02 black custom. Nice bass.
While not my first Lakland - it is my first Lakland 5 string.

I seem to be having a difficult time getting it set up to my liking.

The action is low (a little below 4/64 at the 17th fret) and the neck is almost straight.
The bridge saddle screws are all the way down on the B and G strings, and almost all the way down on the rest.

Even though the action is low, there is little if any buzzing (a few frets up high buzz slightly if I dig in-possible high frets) - The action still feels high and somewhat difficult to play all over the neck. It's strung trough the body. with D'Addario EXL-170-5SL.

I've had a Yamaha TRB6-JP2 that was a 35" scale, and high feeling action wasn't an issue there.

Any help would be appreciated!
 
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How did I never know this about the Skyline serial numbers?? I actually thought you guys were wrong but my Skyline serial is 0301 and I know that both the body and neck are dated to Jan of 2003 so it tracks. I learned something new.
We are NEVER WRONG!

JK.....

We had The direct line to Dan and a direct line to JP now.

We know things. :-)
 
"Even though the action is low, there is little if any buzzing...." Says it all

These are great instruments.

And it still feels high? Really?

Maybe you need Carl Pedigo to set it up for you.

His set up is remarkable!
Thanks.

Yes the action still feels high. All the numbers say it should be right and play well, but something is still off.

I’ve talked to Carl recently and wasn’t impressed. I know he’s supposed to be good, but he seemed gruff and not all that interested in fixing the bass. Maybe I got him on a bad day.

I do have someone in mind to take it to.

Since I do my own setups, I haven’t needed any sort of repair work done in 25 years!

I’ll just have to bring it in for an evaluation. Maybe I just missed something.
 
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Sorry.

Carl can be gruff at times. That's his personality. Don't let that turn you off. He has a really good heart.

If you get it as good side you'll be a friend of his for life and do anything for you.

He knows what he's doing and can fix whatever the issue is.

If the action feels high, are you sure it is not the strings?

I have had some issues with very high tension strings that have caused issues with playing my basses.

Sometimes, it is just changing the strings that changes the entire playability of the instrument.

If you were saying all the numbers fit and it is very low action then I would suspect that maybe the strings are the issue. Just my opinion which doesn't matter much but it is what it is.

I would hate to have you stop playing laklands because of that.

They really are a great basses... And when you get in Carl's good side he will build you some of the best basses you've ever played.

I know he's built some of the best basses I've ever played.

If you would like to communicate further, please private message me. Thank you have a great day.

Doug
 
Sorry.

Carl can be gruff at times. That's his personality. Don't let that turn you off. He has a really good heart.

If you get it as good side you'll be a friend of his for life and do anything for you.

He knows what he's doing and can fix whatever the issue is.

If the action feels high, are you sure it is not the strings?

I have had some issues with very high tension strings that have caused issues with playing my basses.

Sometimes, it is just changing the strings that changes the entire playability of the instrument.

If you were saying all the numbers fit and it is very low action then I would suspect that maybe the strings are the issue. Just my opinion which doesn't matter much but it is what it is.

I would hate to have you stop playing laklands because of that.

They really are a great basses... And when you get in Carl's good side he will build you some of the best basses you've ever played.

I know he's built some of the best basses I've ever played.

If you would like to communicate further, please private message me. Thank you have a great day.

Doug
Thanks. I’ll think about giving Carl another shot. I’m tired of dealing with people with that attitude.

I’d have to ship the bass to him.

Strings were factory issue when I got it used, and put the fresh set of D’Addario on it shortly thereafter. Same thing with both sets.

I’ve had a bunch of Laklands models over the years beginning when the company started. USA and skyline. They all had their quirks, but this is the first time I’ve run across this issue.

Anyway, I may take you up on your PM offer.