I received my custom 54-JJ (34" scale , chambered/7.8 lbs, trans orange over swamp ash, Chi-sonics) in the middle of C19 pandemonium (over a year ago), and it became my #1. I just ordered another similar build and John told me swamp ash has become extremely difficult to find....the ash that's around is mostly the heavier/classic variety....they are looking into alternatives for lighter bodies. He also said that black hardware was possible but could conceivably cause a delay due to supply issues. It sounds like preamps are also not flowing optimally but my order was passive, so hopefully my wait won't be too long.
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Does anyone know if the regular jazz models use standard Jazz bass plates, screw patterns and hole spacing? I know the DJ is curved but say a Skyline 44-60/55-60 would that take a drop in Audere, East, Sadowsky, etc? It looks like the East J-Retro is offered as an option.
I have my first jam session with my Lakland Skyline DJ-4 coming up on Saturday. I am excited to hear what it sounds like in a band setting. I've been playing it at home for the past few months and I know that's not the same. Will be playing mostly classic rock and blues songs and I am curious to hear what kind of sounds I can get from it.
And I just listed if anyone is looking for an excellent version of this one.
For Sale - 2019 Lakland 55-02 Deluxe, Transparent Purple
For Sale - 2019 Lakland 55-02 Deluxe, Transparent Purple
Glad you were able to have your #1 done before Swamp Ash became difficult to source. “The Times They are a Changing”
Just dropping this in here since I couldn't find this thread in June when I bought it. At least I think I didn't.. i can't find myself using the search function within this thread. To the guy above me selling his.. 9lbs? Nothing that light when I was shopping for one. Mine was listed at 10lbs 3oz. Think you got lucky. But mine wasn't the lightest weight available.. it was all about that top wood.
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I did back when I received it, but you won’t have to ask me twice
Clementine: 7.8 lbs chambered swamp ash, 34” scale, VVT
I did back when I received it, but you won’t have to ask me twice
Clementine: 7.8 lbs chambered swamp ash, 34” scale, VVT
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Thank you for reposting!!!
That is beautiful! Also thanks for reposting. I never tire of seeing Lakies!I did back when I received it, but you won’t have to ask me twice
Clementine: 7.8 lbs chambered swamp ash, 34” scale, VVT
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How do the sides look? Curious if you can see the seam from the chambering…I did back when I received it, but you won’t have to ask me twice
Clementine: 7.8 lbs chambered swamp ash, 34” scale, VVT
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The seam is barely apparent if you get up close enough to lick it
I did back when I received it, but you won’t have to ask me twice
Clementine: 7.8 lbs chambered swamp ash, 34” scale, VVT
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It’s very nice, the Chi Sonics really look great on the Clementine finish. I truly wish that Lakland had the foresight to offer
34” scale 55-94 as a standard option as well as chambering years ago. Just a wish I’ve always had.
Yeah, but I don’t think they can “shorten” a pre existing 35” scale neck. Last time I checked a new neck was over $1,500.00 It would be nice to have a chambered body though. Do you suppose they could chamber my existing 55-94 from 2000?
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I guess it could be done (almost anything can, for a price), but the juice certainly wouldn't be worth the squeeze. Also, changing a neck from 35 to 34" scale without moving the pickups isn't that great an idea because it moves the pickups out of their optimal positions. It "works" and will sound OK but is not ideal.
You can’t convert a fretted neck from 35 to 34” scale. You can’t convert any fretted neck to a different scale length, unless you rip the fretboard off and replace it with another piece of wood.
That's understood, sorry if that was unclear in my post. Once an instrument is built, it's a "living entity".
So the saga of the 55-AJ continues. I sent an email to Brian at Lakland, but if anyone here can advise I’d appreciate it.
When it (re)arrived a few weeks ago the string retainer on the B side had popped out I presume during shipping. It had super heavy D’Addario strings that barely fit under the retainer, likely the initial cause of the issue. I had removed them and replaced with a regular set of D’Addario XL170sl. I filled the holes with toothpicks, re-screwed the holes, and used the height measurement from my 55-02 (1/8”) as reference. The B string was pressed onto the board so I raised it a smidge higher. Now a few weeks later the screw popped out again possibly because the screw isn’t long enough to keep it higher.
Interesting observation is that compared to my 55-02, the placement of the retainer on the AJ is 1/8” closer to the nut. However looking at pics of 55-60 and AJs it seems correctly placed at the edge of the board. So naturally it forces a sharper break angle using the same height as my 02.
What’s the proper fix here? Redo it and keep the sharper break angle? Set higher and use wood glue? Longer screws? Or should I just take it to have my luthier shop fill and sand the holes and move the retainer back 1/8” to 1/4”?
Thanks… Kevin
When it (re)arrived a few weeks ago the string retainer on the B side had popped out I presume during shipping. It had super heavy D’Addario strings that barely fit under the retainer, likely the initial cause of the issue. I had removed them and replaced with a regular set of D’Addario XL170sl. I filled the holes with toothpicks, re-screwed the holes, and used the height measurement from my 55-02 (1/8”) as reference. The B string was pressed onto the board so I raised it a smidge higher. Now a few weeks later the screw popped out again possibly because the screw isn’t long enough to keep it higher.
Interesting observation is that compared to my 55-02, the placement of the retainer on the AJ is 1/8” closer to the nut. However looking at pics of 55-60 and AJs it seems correctly placed at the edge of the board. So naturally it forces a sharper break angle using the same height as my 02.
What’s the proper fix here? Redo it and keep the sharper break angle? Set higher and use wood glue? Longer screws? Or should I just take it to have my luthier shop fill and sand the holes and move the retainer back 1/8” to 1/4”?
Thanks… Kevin
