Lakland Owners Group #69

[Gougedeye]

same pickups (if your '94 has Lakland/Hansons), and probably same LH-3 preamp. If your '94 has Barts or other variant, then there's that difference.
differences will be in fit/finish, a semi gloss neck versus the wax/oil neck of the US, not sure about graphite in the neck for the 5-string Skyline (I seem to remember 5 string Skylines have the graphite rods, 4-strings do not).
But playability should be much the same, and I would recommend a 55-02 as a backup to any US 55-94.

Mine is a 1997. It came with the Bartolini Preamp and Pickup combination. I switched the pups several years ago to a Nordy MM and Seymour Duncan Basslines J for a more aggressive sound. The Barts, to my ears, were to well behaved.

What about the profile of the neck? The 55-94's neck is a perfect combination of flat radius and wideness. Very comfortable. What do the Hanson Pre and pups sound like? How do they compare with what I have?

 

[Texan]

The Hanson pre and pups have more mids and the lows are not as extended as the Barts, but thats not to say that the Hanson pre and pups sound bad. They sound very nice, but not as scooped as the Barts. The mods seems to add a bit of air to the set up.

The neck profile between the 55-94 and 55-02 are the same. The difference is the finish. I did the Lakland treatment on the neck on my 55-02 and its very similar to the US models now.

The neck treatment is so effective, i do it to all of my basses.

 

[Double E]

What about the profile of the neck? The 55-94's neck is a perfect combination of flat radius and wideness. Very comfortable.

I am pretty sure the neck dimension specs for the 55-02 are the same as the 55-94. The differences are the 55-02 is flat-sawn maple with a satin poly finish as opposed to the 55-94's quarter-sawn and oil finish. There are a few finish treatment guides floating around to make your imported Lakland neck to feel more like a USA but I find the factory finish to be quite playable.

 

[jjk2007]

My first run-in with Lakland was back when they first came out. I was at the Hollywood Mesa/Boogie store sometime in the mid 90's and one of the guys behind the counter told me to check out these new basses that they had just got in. I was very impressed. He gave me the rundown on them but being a 20 year old who had just moved to So Cal meant no budget for a Lakland. It would've been nice to buy one of the original ones.

 

[overbybr]

Hey gang, I've got two Lakland's up right now...a 44-JJ US - waaaay under list, and a Carl Pedigo PJ, also waaaay under list. Hit me up!!

 

[Texan]

I'm selling 2 of my Laklands, 2003 55-02D and a 2008 Duck Dunn, and a set ChiSonic drop ins for a 55-01 as well as a Jazz bass from another company. Considering using the funds for a US Lakland...

 

[Gougedeye]

I am pretty sure the neck dimension specs for the 55-02 are the same as the 55-94. The differences are the 55-02 is flat-sawn maple with a satin poly finish as opposed to the 55-94's quarter-sawn and oil finish. There are a few finish treatment guides floating around to make your imported Lakland neck to feel more like a USA but I find the factory finish to be quite playable.

There is something about the import necks. I have a 55-01, 55-60, and 55-64...they just feel sticky and, I don't know, fatter. I was hoping the 55-02 would be more like the 55-94. The neck on my 55-94 is just so...perfect! Oh well, maybe another 55-94 instead!

 

[Texan]

Try doing the neck treatment, makes a huge difference.

 

[Gougedeye]

Try doing the neck treatment, makes a huge difference.

What is the neck treatment?

 

[Holdsg]

There are several steps, but basically it entails sanding down the semigloss finish on the back of the Skyline neck to bare wood and then building back up an oil/wax finish similar to that on the US basses

It's not difficult, if I can do it, and I've done it on several Skylines and a few other makes as well.

 

[overbybr]

What is the neck treatment?

Link Removed

 

[Gougedeye]

Lakland Skyline Neck Treatment

Thanks for the information!

 

[jjk2007]

Are the Skyline basses PLEK'd?? I'm still a few weeks away from getting my DJ 5 and was just curious. Thanks.

 

[Texan]

Yes, all Laklands have been Plek'd since 2008. At least i think 2008...if it's new, it's Plek'd

 

[basspraiser]

Guys:

New comer/previously owned.

2004 55-94 with Barts.

Sold it several years ago...stupid..stupid...stupid!

Luckily Adam Scovanner took great care of her....took a looooong time to talk him out of her again!

I am so happy!

The Barts are a bit brighter than I remember them....maybe it's the relatively new Nickel strings.

More on: Link Removed

 

[fenjazz]

Are the Skyline basses PLEK'd?? I'm still a few weeks away from getting my DJ 5 and was just curious. Thanks.

I just got a NOS DJ4 this week from Amazon. The plek job on these is excellent and I was able to slam the action insanely low without buzz. You won't be disappointed.

 

[basspraiser]

I just got a NOS DJ4 this week from Amazon. The plek job on these is excellent and I was able to slam the action insanely low without buzz. You won't be disappointed.

Awesome

 

[Gougedeye]

So...this just happened.

 

[basspraiser]

"Just happened" kudos... That is gorgeous.. Congrats

 

[Gougedeye]

"Just happened" kudos... That is gorgeous.. Congrats

Thank you! It is wonderous! Beautiful top. Burled and flamed walnut over ash. Its light and plays like butter! USA Lakland necks are divine. All those basses I was going to do the neck treatment to are now for sale, FYI.