ok, thanks for the assist, brother Marcel
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I may be remembering incorrectly but didn't Lakland test the water on the DJ4 with the Skyline series, even having Darryl Jones himself playing the Skyline at first and then offering a US version later? Other than that I just wanted to comment on that finish. The black had a subtle sparkle to it that was really nice. I had a DJ5 in that color and always liked how it looked on stage.
It is possible. Come to think of it, while the DJ is one of the most popular Skyline models, my guess is that no more than 100 were produced in the US.
That makes sense...
But if that is dark dark blue...it would have to be a refin.
No skyline DJs in that color....
Yeah, I thought that was the sparkle black finish they used to offer but I didn't catch the dark blue in the description. After looking again, it just might be dark blue.
Yeah, if it is dark blue, then mystery solved. A special refinished Skyline for Darryl makes sense.
I think the DJs all had a matching headstock regardless of color. That was one of the unique features on that bass. That being said, Lakland probably would have made Darryl a Skyline DJ4 in any color/configuration he wanted. But I'm only speculating. Either case it's still a neat color.
All this talk about the DJ… does it use 70s pickup spacing instead of the standard 60s used on the 44-60? A dealer local to me has a new USA one in stock. They refer to it as a 44-75 and the serial begins with “DJ”. I didn’t know about it when I bought my 44-60 from them, but would have liked to take it for a whirl beforehand. I’m a 60s spacing guy though. I do really like the VVT setup though better than the concentric pots the 44-60 gets. I may ultimately swap my 920D VVT control plate onto my 44-60.
60s spacing for the pickups on the DJ-4
Man, kinda makes me wish I knew about it at the time. I mean, I have zero buyer’s remorse for the 44-60, but for the extra fret, better access to the upper frets, and standard VVT controls, it might have been worth the extra $100. It’s advertised as a volume, blend, tone, but I don’t think that’s correct info. It’s also advertised to have a 7.25” radius, which I also think might be a mistake. It does come with the older style Lākland case, which is definitely nicer and higher quality than the current case offering.
From what I’ve heard, the US DJ-4 do have the 7.25” radius. I’ve never heard of a 44-75. Could be a custom build then in that case the spacing may be 70s
What’s the difference, other than price and where it’s made, between the skyline DJ and the US DJ?
From what I can see in your pics the string sits in the nut just fine. I had a similar issue with the G string being easy to pop out on my 44-64 that was solved with a new string retainer. The one they use sits so high it barely presses on the string. I ordered a new one from StewMac and it solved the problem.
I did the same. I replaced the string tree for a shorter one and it’s an improvement.
Lakland emailed me back today and said they will mail me a new tree with a shorter pole. I stared to hacksaw the old one but I can wait 
There was a brief period, maybe 10 years ago, when Lakland stopped making the DJ. I remember the rumor at the time was that Lakland and Darryl were not renewing the agreement. Apparently Darryl was trying a deal with Fender or someone else. During this short period, no new Skyline DJs were being ordered and they created a variation of the US DJ called 44-75. Very few were made. They still got DJ serial numbers (probably using the same necks). The body shape is slightly different, probably to avoid infringing design rights. But I can't say if the pickup spacing is 70's spacing (hence the name), I've never seen one in person. Soon they resumed the relationship with Darryl and did away with the 44-75.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Notice the upper horn difference.
I've done this on some skylines too... 44-64 and 44-51 IIRC, due to the stock one being too tall. I didn't have a string popping out issue. But, being a small-time builder, I notice little things and have to fix them.
There was a brief period, maybe 10 years ago, when Lakland stopped making the DJ. I remember the rumor at the time was that Lakland and Darryl were not renewing the agreement. Apparently Darryl was trying a deal with Fender or someone else. During this short period, no new Skyline DJs were being ordered and they created a variation of the US DJ called 44-75. Very few were made. They still got DJ serial numbers (probably using the same necks). The body shape is slightly different, probably to avoid infringing design rights. But I can't say if the pickup spacing is 70's spacing (hence the name), I've never seen one in person. Soon they resumed the relationship with Darryl and did away with the 44-75.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Notice the upper horn difference.
That’s the one. I live pretty close to them. I got my 44-60 from them. They don’t have this one on display. The body shape makes it very difficult to tell what the pickup spacing is. On a standard jazz style body, it isn’t too difficult.
