Lakland Owners Group #69

[Jamvan]

I don't know if this will help but it gave me a good reason to get them out side by side and do a visual comparison:

The Classic and the Skylines share the import Hipshot Lic. tuners as you can see here whereas the 55-94 is the US version.

This is more evident from the front side as the US versions use a narrower shaft than the barrel shafts on the lic. version. The tuners, again, are the same on the Skyline and the US Classic so I've only taken a picture of the Classic in comparison to the US 55-94.

I can not identify any visual differences between the bridges. I'd heard that the imports are supposedly inferior but short of dismantling my basses and measuring for weight and size, there is nothing visually apparent. Even the saddles appear to be similar.

The backs of the basses show the most finishing distinction between the different models. The Skyline uses black pot metal(?) hardware to attach the neck whereas both the Classic and 55-94 use chrome. The battery box on the skyline is a Fishman box whereas the Classic and the 55-94 use a sturdier box. and the electronics cavity covers are attached via round headed Phillips screws screwed directly into the wood whereas the 55-94 uses flush mounted Phillips flat head machine screws that screw into inserts in the body. (Pay no mind to the dodgy looking cavity cover on the Classic as I still have the plastic on it and it's gotten bubbled up in a couple areas.) From what I can tell, the string ferrules are the same as well. At least no visual discernable difference.

Taking the covers off reveals a world of difference in the electronics cavity. Between organization, shielding, and overall craftsmanship, the quality does not compare at all. (Note the inserts in the 55-94 cavity for the cover screws.)

Now, from a general playing standpoint for me with these three examples, the 55-94 is the most enjoyable to play. Just a pleasure to have in my hands. I like the US Classics overall tone the best (likely Alder vs Ash but I won't go down that rabbit hole) and the Skyline is the lightest of them all coming in at 7lbs 14oz.

Again, not sure if this helps but it gives a good visual overview of the three different models.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

That pretty much covers it @Jamvan. Nice description with pics. I was under the impression that on USA bridge the saddles are stainless whereas Skylines are not. On my 44-02 l switched out my Lic ultralights for USA ultralights.

 

[Johnny Alien]

Yeah, those pictures clearly show the difference in screws and ferrules I was talking about. I am not sure if the saddles are different on the recent bridges I know they were visibly different back in the day. That said I am sure there are still import bridges but I don't see how they could be inferior. For all I know they use them on ALL of their basses these days. Hipshot doesn't make bad stuff regardless of where they manufacture it. (That said I do wish the channels for the screws on the bridge plate were longer and available for every screw not just the outside ones....thats a Hipshot thing not a Lakland thing)

 

[Jamvan]

That pretty much covers it @Jamvan. Nice description with pics. I was under the impression that on USA bridge the saddles are stainless whereas Skylines are not. On my 44-02 l switched out my Lic ultralights for USA ultralights.

That could very well be but if they are stainless, they are brushed stainless as visually, the saddles have the same finish on all models. I even took a closer look at my late 90's 55-94 as another comparison and it also has a similar brushed finish like the Skylines.

As an aside, the chrome plated bridges are really hard to photograph as their mirror-like finish just shows reflections and, depending on the angle, can appear to look very different.

 

[Bass Ape]

Amazing breakdown. Thank you.

Looks like I'll need to do the ole' copper lining of the cavities thing on my skyline.

 

[nervous]

Amazing breakdown. Thank you.

Looks like I'll need to do the ole' copper lining of the cavities thing on my skyline.

Not necessarily. I have owned many Skylines, the majority as DJ5 and have A) never done this and B) never had an issue passive or active.

 

[Jamvan]

I’ll add that the models used above are:

2006 Lakland US 55-94 Deluxe (right)
2019 Lakland US 55-14 Classic (middle)
2017 Lakland Skyline 55-02 Deluxe (left)

 

[Jugghaid]

Thanks for all that info @Jamvan

 

[Johnny Alien]

I no longer have comparison images but I checked what I have said in the past (when I had both - I only have USA Laklands at the moment) and I noted that the saddles on Skylines were satin and they were shiny on the USA bridge. It looks like maybe that is no longer the case.

 

[Jamvan]

I no longer have comparison images but I checked what I have said in the past (when I had both - I only have USA Laklands at the moment) and I noted that the saddles on Skylines were satin and they were shiny on the USA bridge. It looks like maybe that is no longer the case.

I thought this too but my eyesight must be getting bad as I can’t see it. I even pulled in my older 1998 55-94 and there is not much of a visual distinction if any.

Again, maybe an eyesight thing or maybe they’re all just super dirty and/or pitted (Note: they ARE dirty). I’ll let someone with access to official info clarify as these eyes aren’t seeing a substantive distinction.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

I thought this too but my eyesight must be getting bad as I can’t see it. I even pulled in my older 1998 55-94 and there is not much of a visual distinction if any.

View attachment 5195834

Again, maybe an eyesight thing or maybe they’re all just super dirty and/or pitted (Note: they ARE dirty). I’ll let someone with access to official info clarify as these eyes aren’t seeing a substantive distinction.

There is a difference. The USA doesn't have the polished saddles. Here is my 2015 USA 44-94 and 2007 Skyline 44-02

 

[Jamvan]

There is a difference. The USA doesn't have the polished saddles. Here is my 2015 USA 44-94 and 2007 Skyline 44-02
View attachment 5195835

Could this be a 4-string/5 string variation I wonder? Maybe the 5-strings use the same bridge and the 4-strings use a different bridge between Skyline/US?

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

Could this be a 4-string/5 string variation I wonder? Maybe the 5-strings use the same bridge and the 4-strings use a different bridge between Skyline/US?

I was thinking that too before I posted. Those with fivers would know.

 

[nervous]

Could this be a 4-string/5 string variation I wonder? Maybe the 5-strings use the same bridge and the 4-strings use a different bridge between Skyline/US?

I kep thinking that with economies of scale and all that they would be the same bridge. The Skyline bridge is a quality part that woudl not be out of place on the USA models.

 

[Jamvan]

I kep thinking that with economies of scale and all that they would be the same bridge. The Skyline bridge is a quality part that woudl not be out of place on the USA models.

Yeah. Lakland is fairly vague on their website. Simply stating:

"Lakland 44 and 55 instruments feature a solid chromed bridge plate with all stainless steel parts (saddle, screws, springs) to prevent rust and corrosion throughout the life of the instrument."

But as you can clearly see in @Thom Fioriglio photo, his 4-string saddles are different bwtween the Sklyline and US models whereas in my photo, the 5-string saddles appear to be the same across the board.

Could simply come down to what they had available on the date of manufacture.

 

[Johnny Alien]

It also might just be a year thing. Maybe it changed at some point? I never owned a 5 string. But the photos above of the Skyline 4 string is exactly how I remembered it. Pretty obviously different.

 

[Johnny Alien]

This is a Korean 5 string that appears to have the satin saddles.

 

[gotfunk21]

I have a US Lakland 44-60 in pieces for a project I was planning, but considering putting on hold. It's an oly white body, tort guard, rosewood neck, fralin pups, and a sadowsky preamp. I'll likely begin listing parts for sale in the coming days, but posting here first in case anyone is interested in all or some.

 

[ejschultz]

I have a US Lakland 44-60 in pieces for a project I was planning, but considering putting on hold. It's an oly white body, tort guard, rosewood neck, fralin pups, and a sadowsky preamp. I'll likely begin listing parts for sale in the coming days, but posting here first in case anyone is interested in all or some.

Man, I just got my Fralin pups in today… too bad you didn’t post a couple days earlier about possibly selling some.

 

[JEDI BASS]

For the record- My 2020 Skyline 44-51 has satin saddles.