Lakland skyline 44-60 vs Sadowsky MetroExpress????

[billiam5billion]

I’m about to make up my mind and I would like first hand experience from people I trust in this community.

I prefer something closer to the neck profile of a traditional Fender J, but I want the sound to stray further from the Fender default, if that makes sense.

 

[Johnny Alien]

The Lakland probably does the traditional Fender feel better but the Sadowsky probably does the "different tone" thing better. Its a tough call. The Sadowsky is more affordable new and probably generally lighter if that means anything to you.

 

[davidak]

In this case, I would choose Skyline. MetroExpress are meant to be chinese ones - I have seen many with electronic issues etc - nice Skyline (preferably from 00' years, Korean made) just feels like better build, more solid instrument, to me.

 

[BassAgent]

I owned a MetroExpress and recently bought a Skyline for a friend. The Skyline is a better Fender-a-like, the Sadowsky is more modern. They're both terrific basses for the money but if you're looking for a Fender-ish feel with a bit more stability in playability, go for the Lakland.

 

[Winton]

Lakland has a similar neck feel of a Fender. If you want to stray away from the traditional sound, get a Lakland and add an active preamp. I personally think the build quality is noticeably better than the Sadowsky ME.

The Sadowsky ME’s neck is pretty fat, too, so that may be something to consider. Since you’re getting a 4 string, I don’t think balance or weight will be an issue for either.

 

[Gizmot]

I have a Sadowsky and after playing it for well over a year, I’m convinced I made the right choice. I agree that the Lakland feels more like a Fender, but the Sadowsky has good workmanship and materials plus its sound quality puts in in an entirely different league. The lows are solid, the mids smooth and the highs clean, plus it has a magical intelligibility that never gets lost in the mix. My Sadowsky made our band sound much better.

 

[fnp5150]

Have to watch the weight on the Skyline's, I don't remember ever seeing one (on Sweetwater) that wasn't pretty heavy.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I’m about to make up my mind and I would like first hand experience from people I trust in this community.

I prefer something closer to the neck profile of a traditional Fender J, but I want the sound to stray further from the Fender default, if that makes sense.

I've had one of each. I sold the Lakland.

 

[EricOnTheBass]

There's one big thing to consider: Sadowsky MetroExpress models have 70s pickup spacing... the Will Lee is the only one that doesn't to my knowledge. The Lakland has traditional 60s spacing. I like both, but there is a difference in tone. 70s spacing usually is a little more midrange-heavy and 'brighter' with less bass by default. YMMV.

I’m pretty sure the ME uses 60’s pickup spacing.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I am a Sadowsky fan, but I think the 44-60 is really well made. If you want the Sadowsky tone, buy the 44-60 and a Sadowsky outboard preamp.

 

[JazznFunk]

I’m pretty sure the ME uses 60’s pickup spacing.

I might have been thinking of a different variation/offshoot in the ME line. I do remember the product description for the Will Lee specifically stating that it has an 'extra fret and neck pickup in the 60s position', which led me to believe that the other MetroExpress's (including the fretless I own) were 70s spaced or somewhere in between. Or maybe I need more coffee. Deleted my original post to avoid confusion.

 

[billiam5billion]

The Lakland probably does the traditional Fender feel better but the Sadowsky probably does the "different tone" thing better. Its a tough call. The Sadowsky is more affordable new and probably generally lighter if that means anything to you.

Actually it does. I’m 43 and my back is a major consideration so that’s big points for the Sadowsky. Thanks!

 

[pbass2]

The Sadowsky preamp with even just a little bass boost really does do the magical Sadowsky thing in a mix, it's kind of uncanny how it sits just right, so even, clear. But I personally wouldn't want a Sadowsky bass w/o the VTC (the ME's don't have it stock, correct?). Easy to add it though.
Alternatively as Dr. Cheese says, using the outboard Pre on any passive bass "Sadowsky-izes" it pretty much. When I'm not gonna use my Sadowsky bass, I will use my outboard pre on my Lakland Glaub, G&L JB-5, etc when I want a little of that special sauce.

 

[EricOnTheBass]

I run sound for my band, and I’ve been able to set up the mixer EQ on my bass channel to get pretty close to the Sadowsky preamp. Bass boost on 40Hz, treble 4kHz, and adjust the width on each so that it leaves a notch at around 300Hz. With that I can dial in some Sadowsky-esque goodness on what ever bass I’m using. It only takes a little bit too, +3dB makes a big difference.

 

[Major Seven]

I owned a MetroExpress and recently bought a Skyline for a friend. The Skyline is a better Fender-a-like, the Sadowsky is more modern. They're both terrific basses for the money but if you're looking for a Fender-ish feel with a bit more stability in playability, go for the Lakland.

Usefully succinct comparison.

 

[DWBass]

Lakland all day, every day.

 

[BassAgent]

Have to watch the weight on the Skyline's, I don't remember ever seeing one (on Sweetwater) that wasn't pretty heavy.

That is true, the. Skylines aren't the lightest basses (neither are older USA Lakies btw).

I’m pretty sure the ME uses 60’s pickup spacing.

They do. If it didn't, I wouldn't have bought one.

Usefully succinct comparison.

Thanks! I've owned about 30 different Jazzes in my life so I'd like to think I know a thing or two about them

 

[aero58]

… it has a magical intelligibility….

Just curious: what does that mean?

 

[Ignatius]

The 44-60 is the best bass I have ever owned. I just listened to some demos from my old band when I played the 44-60. Incredible sound.

Unfortunately it is very heavy so I do not gig with it any longer.

 

[JazznFunk]

That is true, the. Skylines aren't the lightest basses (neither are older USA Lakies btw).

Depends on the era for sure. I think the availability and type of wood has affected the overall weight of the Skylines over the past couple of decades. 2 of my mid-2000s Korean Skylines are 2 of the lightest basses I own.... my 44-02 Deluxe is just a hair over 8lbs, and my 55-01 is just under 9lbs. I have other Korean Skylines which do tip the scales above 9lbs though. My MetroExpress fretless is about the same weight as my 44-02 deluxe.... maybe a hair lighter. But it is not a swamp ash body like all of my Laklands are.