Thank you. I did see something about possibly removing the silk and allowing slack to avoid a twisting issue.
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.
Thank you. I did see something about possibly removing the silk and allowing slack to avoid a twisting issue.
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,796
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
that's actually a Skyline 4460 Custom
Cool. I thought the body looked DJ-ish in shape. Either way, it’s pretty.
As a follow up, I was able to string the bass without any issues. That is, the B string (and all the other strings) fit the nut and fit through the body (which is what I wanted, I did not try through the bridge) without any alteration. I did not need to remove any of the blue silk.
Hey Joey thanks for the help and the positive vibes. I went ahead and initiated a return and refund. Just couldn't spend anymore time on it. I guess whatever line in Indonesia these 2022 55-02's came off of may have similar issues. It's a shame they both played great and sounded great minus the shielding/ground hum issues.
Thanks again. Keep rocking.
D
Sorry to see you decided to return the bass. I can understand though. I think if there is a local luthier things can be sorted easily and the bass would be a very nice player. Please let us know what you end up buying. I appreciate first hand info with comparisons to the Skyline series.
Since this is a LOG thread I think we should not be fanboys and speak the truth even when it hurts.
Hope you end up finding the perfect bass for you.
My 44-02 bought new, right away had static when playing through an amp, if I wiggled the cord plugged in the output jack, it would stop. Soldered one wire better on the jack and that was good. Then the front Pup started to cut in and out, then stopped working. Inside a wire from the front Pup had pulled off of the blend knob. I soldered it back and there was one other loose wire at the volume knob, so I soldered that better also.
Since it's been perfect.
I have a 44-01 also and happily it's been good without issues.
The wiring inside is a lot, I'm only used to Precision basses which are very simple inside with the wiring. The blend pot and volume on the 44-02, wow lots of tiny connections. The blend pot is 2 layers of trouble LOL. Anything more, I'd take it to a good luthier. But I do love these basses !!
Since it's been perfect.
I have a 44-01 also and happily it's been good without issues.
The wiring inside is a lot, I'm only used to Precision basses which are very simple inside with the wiring. The blend pot and volume on the 44-02, wow lots of tiny connections. The blend pot is 2 layers of trouble LOL. Anything more, I'd take it to a good luthier. But I do love these basses !!
Thanks for the reply AR. I appreciate the help and good vibes.
Yes I have a luthier here in my area that Ive been using since I was 18 years old. Over 40 years.
He PJ'd a 1978 Fender P Bass I had back then. He's done a lot of work for me.
I've been playing Sadowky's for almost 20 years.They've been my main gig and touring basses. I was looking for something different just to change things up a bit (I'll play anything if it sounds good to me) which is why I looked at a Lakland. For years I've wanted to try a Lakland.With video reviews etc I got a good idea of the sound etc and decided to try one.
As I posted previously it's an amazing playing and sounding bass. I. Just in good conscience couldn't put any more money(strings)or time into it. If it was an upgrade situation then maybe so but out the box the hum/grounding/sheilding issue etc was not good.
There were a few smallish issues with the second one like the coil switch turned around. I could've fixed that myself. One of the screw holes for the control cover was stripped in the wood. I could have fixed that also with the old tooth pick trick or a bit of wood putty. The control cover didn't have the midrange selection layout on it. Again no problem I got the full one off the net weeks ago.
The back of the volume pot would touch the foil on the control cavity cover. This is what was causing clicks and pops on the second bass. So say if I had the bass on my lap adjusting a bridge saddle or something and moved the bass into playing position as the control cover brushed my thigh. Snap Crackle Pop. Clicks and pops were also happening moving the J pup.
The body and finish were pristine the tuners were excellent nice and tight like that quality feel. The neck felt really good as I mentioned before.
I've always known Lakland to offer great instruments based on their reputation. I still think they do. They sound great to me. Every company has some duds here and there and that's not to say the Skyline 55-02 is a dud bass. Just the two that I got.
D
A new pickguard came today. Tortoise Shell. Now I am torn on which to use, tort, mint white or naked
Naked is nice. But I vote for the mint white it you’re inclined for an addition…Nice contrast and brings an extra something to the look. Imo the tortoise on natural here isn’t so good. Ymmv.
Weird how personal tastes work... I'd never choose that white over the other two options. In fact, I don't like plain white pickguards at all. For me it needs to be at least pearloid white.
D
I like naked natural on basses without a control plate. I vote tortoise though as it blends in with the PUPs and figured fingerboard more fluently to me.
A smoked clear may look nice. If I went tortoise I prefer black binding instead of white unless there is other white on the bass to coordinate with.
A smoked clear may look nice. If I went tortoise I prefer black binding instead of white unless there is other white on the bass to coordinate with.
Many issues mentioned here are a good part of the reason I grew discouraged with Lakland Skylines. Too many small errors and inaccuracies. I know that you get what you pay for, but buying a new bass should not involve an entire weekend and a big spend at Stew-Mac to bring up to snuff. Especially when you can get better offerings for less money from other manufacturers.
This was almost always the case with Skyline models, and I dealt with the issues and/or sold them off. I’ve tried to own a Lakland USA 44-64 model on two occasions - they got returned within a day. Not worth 3-4k for what you get, and with the inherent build flaws I observed.
I’m not even super-picky or over-demanding. I have Sadowskys and Dingwalls that I’ve owned for a quarter-century. Perfection doesn’t exist, but you really should get something for the amount of money you invest in these instruments.
Not trying to beat up on Lakland. My mom grew up in Chicago. I love that town, and would like to play a bass built there. The 55-02 and 55-94 are design triumphs, but not triumphs in execution, IME. I really want them to work for me, but they just haven’t been up to the task for me. I’ll always reinvestigate if I hear reports that they really turned things around.
This was almost always the case with Skyline models, and I dealt with the issues and/or sold them off. I’ve tried to own a Lakland USA 44-64 model on two occasions - they got returned within a day. Not worth 3-4k for what you get, and with the inherent build flaws I observed.
I’m not even super-picky or over-demanding. I have Sadowskys and Dingwalls that I’ve owned for a quarter-century. Perfection doesn’t exist, but you really should get something for the amount of money you invest in these instruments.
Not trying to beat up on Lakland. My mom grew up in Chicago. I love that town, and would like to play a bass built there. The 55-02 and 55-94 are design triumphs, but not triumphs in execution, IME. I really want them to work for me, but they just haven’t been up to the task for me. I’ll always reinvestigate if I hear reports that they really turned things around.
Last edited:
D
I hate responding, but I feel if I don't, I am endorsing what I read.
I have a story I am trying not to get into too much. My 44-94 really pissed me off and I am still trying to get on with it. I had so many issues with Skylines I got my USA at a steep discount. Didn't pay 4k but I am still trying to get over what I got. It is not a second either. I have build pics and ok'd the parts before paint and assembly.
It had a bad sounding A string and a buzz that bloomed with a sustained note. It was sent in for repair.
It was setup so bad Carl thought it came for a distributor. I still had to fix it myself after it was returned to me. At least they sent me a new bridge instead of shipping the bass back again. The case wouldn't take another trip in the mail.
My Lakland now plays as advertised and I like it when I am playing it. Hate it when I am not.
Last edited:
The bass looks really good all 3 versions IMO, that's a nice looking bass. I was following it on reverb for a while but couldn't afford it. My pick is the tort guard, I've always liked that color. Color and looks are very subjective, you can't go wrong. Have a great day !
ptidwell
Commercial User
I am of the belief that this is somewhat subjective, I have no idea how many Lakland basses have been sold down through the years so, the number of very happy owners versus those that have issues with the product line. Personally, I've only had 3 Laklands, a 55-02 that I got from a dealer that was flawless but just too heavy so it's gone. My 55-94 is flawless and I found a second 55-02 that weighs 9.1 lbs. Again that's my experience, although a couple of post over the last couple of days, like seebee's post he had two faulty 55-02s. For me, I love Lakland whereas seebee may stick with Sadowski and never try Lakland again. It's "Subjective!"
If the second 55-02 I had would have just had the minor issue of stripped control cover screw hole and the incorrect orientation of the coil switch I would have been cool with that. But the shielding ground hum issue was too much. Because other than that the bass felt great. But like I told my friend that I’m on a gig with right now. It’s an electric bass. If the electronics are faulty what do you have? A solid body acoustic? That electronic side of things is basic. Pay the folks in Indo more money to shield it right and bump the price up to 2K or $2100. I would buy it at that price. The time of driving to my luthier in gas and paying him would have roughly been the same.
