Lakland Owners Group #69

[Peepaleep]

Hey Lakland gurus, what is or was the deal with the Lakland Skyline Hollowbody? I am intrigued. When were they made? Why are they no longer made? How do they sound? It looks like most people put flatwounds on them. Are the ChiSonic pickups hum bucking or do they make noise like a single coil pickup? Were these popular or more of a niche product? There is one for sale on Reverb for $1000. Seems like a good price but I have no idea.
Lakland Skyline Hollowbody Sunburst | Reverb

Mine was made in Indonesia. It has ChiSonics on it and they are very quiet, though not silent. $1,000 is a fair price for both parties, and if you tend to like HB's it's definitely worth getting. It's strung with flats (I love flats on just about everything) and sounds great when unplugged. I've never owned the USA build, but I can't imagine it being much better than the Indo I have.

 

[Naigewron]

Contact Lakland. I just ordered a pickguard from them for my 44-02. $50 with shipping.

Same for my 55-02

 

[FoghornLeghorn]

Oh okay, I'll play. This Skyline is a far better bass than my Fender USA Jazz that was triple the price….plays better AND sounds better.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Oh okay, I'll play. This Skyline is a far better bass than my Fender USA Jazz that was triple the price….plays better AND sounds better.

View attachment 4997478

Nice DJ!!

 

[Stranger Danger]

I've had 3 hobo's over the years. In fact, my first Lakland was a cherry hobo. The second one I had was a US, white with Darkstars. I had to sell it when my truck hand grenaded itself and needed an engine rebuild. I recently bought a near-replica bass - only it's a skyline. I can't tell a difference.
View attachment 4997106

That's a Skyline? I don't think I've seen a white one with Dark Stars. Really nice

 

[spufman]

The original Hollowbody is a fantastic design, surprisingly comfortable in any position. I bought mine in December, and now it's the bass I always want to pick up. Plays, sounds and feels so good. Mine's a US with Darkstars, but I think any of them would be sweet.

 

[deepestend]

The original Hollowbody is a fantastic design, surprisingly comfortable in any position. I bought mine in December, and now it's the bass I always want to pick up. Plays, sounds and feels so good. Mine's a US with Darkstars, but I think any of them would be sweet.

I have one and love it. The nut width is inbetween a J and a P and is very comfortable. I have the skyline and after a little bit of work it feels great. You can't go wrong with them. I didn't like the chisonics when I had them. A little noisy and blah sounding. I eventually put in an audere preamp and some tv jones blade pickups. I never liked the bridge aesthetics either and switched it out for a hipshot vintage.

 

[FoghornLeghorn]

Nice DJ!!

Thanks! It not my color of choice, but I've gotten used to it. The pickups are those Hanson's they make and install in Chicago. I rather like them. Maybe after restringing with pressurewounds I'll be a bit more critical and nitpick them. Maybe not. As it sits right now I'd put it up against any USA Fender Jazz with rotosounds as it does that thing superbly. But that's not what I'm after. It is a hoot to go between say, Red Barchetta (Rush), and then some Ralphe Armstrong era Jean-Luc Ponty with a few knob (and finger attack) adjustments. But I'm seeking more than the DR Roundwounds can deliver (and less of what they DO) the sounds are there in the bass, just need to right strings to bring them out. Will try the GHS pressurewounds, and maybe LaBellas after that if I'm not 100% sold on the pressurewounds. Then there's the issue with only front loading the LaBellas…

deepestend- did you have to redrill mounting holes for the hipshot bridge? The Lakland bridge is well-engineered, but that oval baseplate I'd rather not have. (Which seems to be everyone's aesthetic complaint)

All in all, the Skyline series is, imo a terrifyingly EXCELLENT bass. I'm wanting to add a fretless P bass to the studio…

 

[deepestend]

Thanks! It not my color of choice, but I've gotten used to it. The pickups are those Hanson's they make and install in Chicago. I rather like them. Maybe after restringing with pressurewounds I'll be a bit more critical and nitpick them. Maybe not. As it sits right now I'd put it up against any USA Fender Jazz with rotosounds as it does that thing superbly. But that's not what I'm after. It is a hoot to go between say, Red Barchetta (Rush), and then some Ralphe Armstrong era Jean-Luc Ponty with a few knob (and finger attack) adjustments. But I'm seeking more than the DR Roundwounds can deliver (and less of what they DO) the sounds are there in the bass, just need to right strings to bring them out. Will try the GHS pressurewounds, and maybe LaBellas after that if I'm not 100% sold on the pressurewounds. Then there's the issue with only front loading the LaBellas…

deepestend- did you have to redrill mounting holes for the hipshot bridge? The Lakland bridge is well-engineered, but that oval baseplate I'd rather not have. (Which seems to be everyone's aesthetic complaint)

All in all, the Skyline series is, imo a terrifyingly EXCELLENT bass. I'm wanting to add a fretless P bass to the studio…

I didn't have to redrill completely. The Lakland bridge was 3 hole and my hipshot vintage is a 5 hole. I just used 3 for a while--which was fine--and then ultimately drilled for the other two. For a while, I put a Hipshot Type A bridge on it. I love this bridge, but it was not appropriate for the instrument. It is too long and big and didn't match the curve of the top. I put the Vintage back on and it fit perfectly. I'm not sure that there is any practical difference between this bridge and the Lakland one, but aesthetically I like it a lot more.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Thanks! It not my color of choice, but I've gotten used to it. The pickups are those Hanson's they make and install in Chicago. I rather like them. Maybe after restringing with pressurewounds I'll be a bit more critical and nitpick them. Maybe not. As it sits right now I'd put it up against any USA Fender Jazz with rotosounds as it does that thing superbly. But that's not what I'm after. It is a hoot to go between say, Red Barchetta (Rush), and then some Ralphe Armstrong era Jean-Luc Ponty with a few knob (and finger attack) adjustments. But I'm seeking more than the DR Roundwounds can deliver (and less of what they DO) the sounds are there in the bass, just need to right strings to bring them out. Will try the GHS pressurewounds, and maybe LaBellas after that if I'm not 100% sold on the pressurewounds. Then there's the issue with only front loading the LaBellas…

deepestend- did you have to redrill mounting holes for the hipshot bridge? The Lakland bridge is well-engineered, but that oval baseplate I'd rather not have. (Which seems to be everyone's aesthetic complaint)

All in all, the Skyline series is, imo a terrifyingly EXCELLENT bass. I'm wanting to add a fretless P bass to the studio…

Don't swap the bridge just yet. Give it some time and it will grow on you. I hated the oval bridge, when I was first shopping for a 19mm 35" scale 5 string, many years ago, and stumbled onto a 55-94 on eBay. After taking a risk and purchasing a brand I had no experience with, I immediately fell in love with everything… playability, fret size, beautiful woods, neck feel, etc etc. After the love at first touch experience, the bridge became attractive to me. Now, it's just another beautiful part of some of the best basses on the planet, and makes them stand out from across the venue.

 

[FoghornLeghorn]

Don't swap the bridge just yet. Give it some time and it will grow on you. I hated the oval bridge, when I was first shopping for a 19mm 35" scale 5 string, many years ago, and stumbled onto a 55-94 on eBay. After taking a risk and purchasing a brand I had no experience with, I immediately fell in love with everything… playability, fret size, beautiful woods, neck feel, etc etc. After the love at first touch experience, the bridge became attractive to me. Now, it's just another beautiful part of some of the best basses on the planet, and makes them stand out from across the venue.

Great advice, and I will likely do just that. It's so well-made, solid, etc. A quality bridge unit. Cheers!

 

[macribas]

The Lakland bridge is well-engineered, but that oval baseplate I'd rather not have. (Which seems to be everyone's aesthetic complaint)

Interesting... it's the first time I hear someone saying they don't like the Lakland bridge, and 2 maybe 3 times on the same day. I think it is awesome and, while the word is overused today, "iconic" as it gets.

 

[Si-bob]

Is that shoreline gold?

Also, I'll see your PJ and raise you a Carlo PP.View attachment 4996562

Yes, Shoreline gold, it really sparkles in the light haha

And I love your Carlo, makes me want a PP as well!

Si

 

[JEDI BASS]

Yes, Shoreline gold, it really sparkles in the light haha

View attachment 4998677

And I love your Carlo, makes me want a PP as well!

Si

Love the color! And, get a PP! You won't regret it.

 

[seebee]

As a new Lakland owner I'm still getting used to the 3 and 2 headstock from playing 4 and 1 for so many years.
I love the 3and 2 design.

After tuning the G and then go to tune D I instinctively reach for first top tuner. I'll pluck D and turn the A.

 

[FoghornLeghorn]

Interesting... it's the first time I hear someone saying they don't like the Lakland bridge, and 2 maybe 3 times on the same day. I think it is awesome and, while the word is overused today, "iconic" as it gets.

it's certainly not a deal-breaker or I wouldn't have bought it. It's certainly immediately identifiable, and very well could be iconic. I've had the thing over a year. So I've managed to 'deal with it' so far, ya know? I'm going to end up leaving it alone unless somewhere down the line, a truly better bridge merits consideration.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

Interesting... it's the first time I hear someone saying they don't like the Lakland bridge, and 2 maybe 3 times on the same day. I think it is awesome and, while the word is overused today, "iconic" as it gets.

I agree with this. I Know it has some haters, but I love it! And it's instantly recognizable and just different enough to have a cool factor.

 

[deepestend]

I agree with this. I Know it has some haters, but I love it! And it's instantly recognizable and just different enough to have a cool factor.

I just never loved it and had this other bridge hanging around. One day, in the midst of upgrading my hobo, I just wanted to give it a try...

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Me personally, love the bridge design. Instantly recognizable. Love it from day one.

 

[spufman]

I've always loved the look of the oval bridge. Even better, the ergonomics of it are the best I've found for my muting style - my hand really settles in.