Lakland Owners Group #69

[MaxSpinrun]

Update. Finally got my John East UniPre 5 knob installed and for the most part dialed in where I want it with pre shape selected instead of flat response. This pre combined with the Barts, oh yeah! The LH3 system is VERY good, but this system is closer to what I am looking for and a sound that I HAD in my original 4-94 # 19, which I don’t have anymore!

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

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.

I purchased my Skyline DJ-4 from Midlothian. They always seem to carry a nice selection of Laklands. Ask them to measure the pickup distance on that bass and a DJ-4 to compare. Maybe they will do that for you. As for the DJ-75, hmm, not a fan of that upper horn. It makes the bass look stubby.

 

[Z-Bass]

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 forgot about that! Can't remember if it was Fender or if he was possibly trying to get production back into Albey Balgochian's hands. But I agree with others that the upper horn looks strange on that temporary version. Either case, glad it stayed with Lakland. My DJ4 has 70s pickup spacing but I think it started its life as a special run for a music store. All of the DJ models that I've seen or played typically have the 60's spacing.

 

[ejschultz]

I purchased my Skyline DJ-4 from Midlothian. They always seem to carry a nice selection of Laklands. Ask them to measure the pickup distance on that bass and a DJ-4 to compare. Maybe they will do that for you. As for the DJ-75, hmm, not a fan of that upper horn. It makes the bass look stubby.

If I can get out of the office today at a decent time, I’m going to stop there on the way home and take a look at it. It’s not on their wall so I’m assuming he’s got it in back somewhere. From my understanding, Midlothian deals a lot with Lākland and is one of the few dealers that actually keeps a small inventory of their USA models. I think that’s awesome because it gives people the opportunity to actually play one before ordering or buying. I’m so afraid of dead spots after a few dud basses that I won’t order anything anymore.

 

[ejschultz]

Update…

I got out of the office at a decent time and hit up Midlothian Music on my way home. I spoke with the owner there about the 44-75 and it isn’t on site. They have it in their climate controlled warehouse with their vintage collection. I can give it a whirl but I need to give him a day’s notice so he can get it into the shop. They don’t advertise it openly like they do with their other Lāklands. He is kind of hanging onto it. I did get the low down on the model though. Pickup spacing appears to be 60s. The model was originally built as a 2-off bass for a bass player in a fairly popular band (not a current Lākland artist). I guess when they were touring, Leo drove out to hand deliver the 2 basses and the artist pulled out of the purchase. On his way back to their shop, he stopped by Midlothian to chat with the owner (they’re apparently buddies) and told him what had happened. Leo informed him they had a total of 8 of these basses. The owner of Midlothian bought all 8 of them and currently knows where all 8 reside. 7 of them were sold off and one remains in his possession but is for sale. These are older and the finishes (paint) was still outsourced. I guess all 8 of them were finished differently. The model quickly appeared and disappeared from the Lākland site because they decided to not have it be a production model. So if Midlothian’s story holds true, the 44-75 is an incredibly rare beast. If anyone in the Chicago area wants to try it out, call up Midlothian a day in advance before driving out there. They do have quite the collection of new USA Lāklands on the wall (about 8 of them), but this one is off site. I also have zero affiliation with Midlothian, but they’re a good business if anyone was wondering.

 

[Z-Bass]

Update…

I got out of the office at a decent time and hit up Midlothian Music on my way home. I spoke with the owner there about the 44-75 and it isn’t on site. If anyone in the Chicago area wants to try it out, call up Midlothian a day in advance before driving out there. They do have quite the collection of new USA Lāklands on the wall (about 8 of them), but this one is off site. I also have zero affiliation with Midlothian, but they’re a good business if anyone was wondering.

Very cool! Thanks for checking that out and for getting the back story. I checked out Midlothian's website and they do have an awesome collection of basses in general but also a good variety of Laklands. One of the better music stores near me is a Lakland dealer but they usually just get the same models and colors.....like all the time. I talked to them expanding a bit and try to get a few different models or colors but they don't seem to have a problem selling their stock so who am I to ask.

 

[Bass Ape]

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 don’t mind the top horn. Shape is actually pretty nice.

I need to take a couple
Vacation days to go hit up some of the Chicago music shops and do some oooh shopping. Never again will I buy a bass unplayed.

 

[Bass Ape]

Wow, why do you think there is such a discrepancy here in weight?

 

[warptheory]

Wow, why do you think there is such a discrepancy here in weight? View attachment 5160015

Gotta be the Metallic paint.

 

[FearNoEvil65]

Wow, why do you think there is such a discrepancy here in weight? View attachment 5160015

Probably swamp ash bodies, and weight really varies from tree to tree, batch to batch. Of course, most wood is like that. I'd certainly go for the 8.4lber, but maybe I like the other color better LOL

 

[ejschultz]

Wow, why do you think there is such a discrepancy here in weight? View attachment 5160015

That red one is abnormally light and the blue is on the heavy end. From what I’ve seen, Skylines generally run on the heavier side. I played both. They actually play really well. I almost bought the red one before buying my USA one from them.

 

[Bass Ape]

My DJ 4 skyline is a featherweight compared to my Aria. 11 lbs would put it in Rik territory. The older I get, the more I like lighter instruments.

I wonder how the density of the wood affects the tone?

 

[basspraiser]

I don’t mind the top horn. Shape is actually pretty nice.

I need to take a couple
Vacation days to go hit up some of the Chicago music shops and do some oooh shopping. Never again will I buy a bass unplayed.

Hit up some shops and make sure you go to Lakland

Nothing fancy but very cool. And everyone who works there is extremely friendly

 

[basspraiser]

Wow, why do you think there is such a discrepancy here in weight? View attachment 5160015

Great question. I will have to admit ever since the production of the skyline has moved Indonesia The weight variation has increased dramatically

 

[basspraiser]

Gotta be the Metallic paint.

Well ..

There you go

 

[PeeeBass]

I don’t mind the top horn. Shape is actually pretty nice.

I need to take a couple
Vacation days to go hit up some of the Chicago music shops and do some oooh shopping. Never again will I buy a bass unplayed.

Chicago Music Exchange is great. The whole downstairs is full of basses.
I don't know if Bass Club Chicago has regular hours.
And as Basspraiser said, go to Lakland

 

[JEDI BASS]

My DJ 4 skyline is a featherweight compared to my Aria. 11 lbs would put it in Rik territory. The older I get, the more I like lighter instruments.

I wonder how the density of the wood affects the tone?

My Ricks have never been 11 pounds... maybe 9.5 max. My current one (a 2012 4003) doesn't weigh enough for me to even think to weigh it. I do have a heavily mod'd 11 pound 44-51, an 11 pound 1984 Ibanez Musician, and a Stingray that is around 10.5 IIRC.

As for the weight/density affecting tone- if all other parts were the same, I'd expect a quicker snap to the notes from a heavier instrument. All other tone talk can lead to going down a rabbit hole of opinions and speculation, and sometimes flat out misinformation... like the whole heavy bridge and sustain bull stuff that always makes me laugh.

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Chicago Music Exchange is great. The whole downstairs is full of basses.
I don't know if Bass Club Chicago has regular hours.
And as Basspraiser said, go to Lakland

Bass Club Chicago doesn’t have a storefront at the moment, he’s online only (although I think he will meet at Fort Knox studios if you’re local and want to check something out).

As far as Chicago Music Exchange, the Bass-ment ain’t half of what it used to be, they have synths and keyboards down there now too, so the bass area is probably 1/2-1/3 the size it once was.

 

[Bass Ape]

My Ricks have never been 11 pounds... maybe 9.5 max. My current one (a 2012 4003) doesn't weigh enough for me to even think to weigh it. I do have a heavily mod'd 11 pound 44-51, an 11 pound 1984 Ibanez Musician, and a Stingray that is around 10.5 IIRC.

As for the weight/density affecting tone- if all other parts were the same, I'd expect a quicker snap to the notes from a heavier instrument. All other tone talk can lead to going down a rabbit hole of opinions and speculation, and sometimes flat out misinformation... like the whole heavy bridge and sustain bull stuff that always makes me laugh.

I had a 76’ 4001 jetglo that was literally a tank. The heaviest bass I’ve ever owned. Of course I never weighed it and I haven’t played another Rik since I sold it.

 

[ejschultz]

I need to take a couple
Vacation days to go hit up some of the Chicago music shops and do some oooh shopping. Never again will I buy a bass unplayed.

I’d say CME and Midlothian are worth hitting for sure. I know there are a bunch of smaller shops in the city, especially on the north side. My brother lives up north and likes CME a lot. They’re not a Lākland dealer though they do have a very large selection. If you’re up for a drive, Sweetwater in Fort Wayne is a really cool store to visit. I haven’t made it out there since they remodeled their showroom.