How old is this one? It seems to be Pat Wilkins' work. Lakland's own Sonic Blue is a lot more pale.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
It is Pat’s work. I ordered this directly from Dan. SS Decade #5.
Ah, that makes sense. Beautiful!
Sweetwater is usually pretty accurate with their photography, this IS "reliced" but I don't think they age the clearcoat or anything...
Lakland USA Classic 44-14 Bass Guitar - Sonic Blue | Sweetwater
Only at Sweetwater! ✅ 55-Point Inspection and ✅ Easy Payments for your Lakland USA Classic 44-14 Bass Guitar Sonic Blue!
www.sweetwater.com
Sonic blue does seem to vary a lot in color- I have an NYC Sadowsky- which I believe is a Pat Wilkins finish- and it is much closer to Saltymonkey's decade (tort guard and rosewood board too- great choices
).
Last edited:
The blue in Saltymonkey’s bass is the best looking blue, the others are too pale, IMHO.
I would not go as far as saying the best looking blue as there are so many other shades I like.
But that blue you're talking about isn't Sonic Blue, it's more like a Daphne Blue, maybe even darker.
See attachment for comparison.
Attachments
Curious as to why some of the 44-60's you see have stacked knobs and some have the VVT config. I know Lakland models can be confusing at times so I'm wondering if it's just an option or if there's any rhyme or reason to it.
I don’t know how the Shoreline series does it. I’ve seen them with both VTVT and VVT. I believe all Skylines are VVT, all US Classics are VVT, and US Series are VTVT. I asked if they’d do a US Series as VVT instead of VTVT and was told no so I don’t think they stray from this. I converted my US Series to VTT with linear volume pots.
just my opinion, is that the primary reason that the US Lakland JO / 44-60 included stacked pots was a nod back to earlier Fender jazzes that featured this design. Some players prefer it, some prefer the more conventional master tone pot. So when Shorelines were developed for the Japanese market, they kind of continued the US Lakland preference for stacked pots.
At least that's how I understand it, and I could be way off.
For me, I like the convenience of a tone pot on each pickup. That's just me.
At least that's how I understand it, and I could be way off.
For me, I like the convenience of a tone pot on each pickup. That's just me.
The stacked knob configuration was modeled after Joe Osborne's 1960 (?) jazz bass that had stacked controls. Once Lakland dropped the Joe Osborne naming convention and shifted the jazz bass model to the 44/55-60 designation and the Skyline's ramped up production, that's when we started to see more of the 3 knob control plates. At least I think this is correct. I think Lakland offers either the 3 knob or 2 stacked knob configurations when ordering direct from them.
I can actually confirm this - I just ordered a US 44-64 PJ with stacked knobs 
I never had that combination, but like the idea of having a tone control per PU.
I never had that combination, but like the idea of having a tone control per PU.
I’ve seen a few stack knob Shoreline’s 44-60’s and of course you can special order one from Lakland U.S. but they’re definitely an upscale bass with all the bells and whistles, quarter sawn neck, bone nut, Hipshot USA gears, stacked knobs. Two 44-60 used Shoreline’s.
Last edited:
I asked and was told I could not order a US Series 44-60 with VVT a couple years ago by Steve P. He said they only do those with VTVT or with LH3 preamps.
yes, I happen to have a stacked knob Shoreline for sale right now in classifieds. It's just like the second one (TSB) of those two.
I have questions…
reverb.com
Lakland Joe Osborn # 01 Signature Skyline Bass Shoreline Gold w/ OHSC & Frank Hammond Pickups - Jeff Beck Carved His Name On Back!!! | Reverb
This Lakland Skyline Joe Osborn Signature #01 is up for grabs here that later had Frank Hammond custom pick ups installed at Laklands facility in Illinois. Owned by Greg Rzab of John Mayhall & The Blues Breakers, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Page w/ The Black Crowes and on and on. Then Greg was touring...
reverb.com
Ok, since you guys are so good at answering my questions here’s another one. Would you say that, tonally speaking, a US 44-60 and a 44 duel J are basically the same other than the vtvt on one and the vvt on the other? Both being passive with (I’m assuming) the same pickups in the same place. That basically the difference is mostly the traditional jazz body shape verses the 44-94 body shape.
Yes, different ergonomics, but given the same components and woods, virtually the same sound.
Since you're asking about the 4 string versions, it's not only the body shape, but the necks are different. The 44-60 has 20 frets and the 44 dual J has 22.
Just picked this up in the classifieds. My favourite vintage. 2004 Korean Standard 44-02 with the maple board. 8lbs 1.6oz light. Love series 1 Bart electrics too. Got that tiny neck, and skinny frets that make it demand to be played lightly and quickly. Too many notes. I had a John East UNI5 lying around, and installed it but it was wonky. So returned the Lakland pre, and now its foil shielded. This bass will be gigging ALOT in the next 4 months. Black screws i the guard and “bedazzled” the fingerboard a bit. What the heck , had the dots lyin’ around.
Last edited:
