Lakland Skyline DJ4 or an ESP Vintage 4

[Ali Hazem Farouk]

Hello talkbass, it's my first proper bass to buy and I am stuck between these 2 models.
The lakland skyline Darryl Jones and the ESP Vintage 4. I've been searching online for hours for a proper review of the ESP (now called E-II) but I couldn't find anything but people saying that the relic finish isn't that that beautiful, no big deal to me though.

I have been playing an Ibanez SR300 within the past 2 years with its extremely thin neck, that's why I prefer the Lakland's jazz neck. On the other hand I prefer the ESP's p/j pickups combination than the j/j.

I want to know how the ESP's neck feels and how it plays. What do you think about the build quality and the craftsmanship of both? Which one would you choose over the other, and why?

I may able also to get a Fender American if I want, but I already prefer these 2 over the fender, what do you think?
Thank you.

 

[Ali Hazem Farouk]

No one has a single comment?

 

[lomo]

Lakland, by a mile, IMHO.

 

[mmbongo]

Lakland. Even destroys an American Fender in every way possible.

 

[SteveHeissner]

Lakland, no doubt about it. I don't own one yet, but will some day.

 

[Dragan]

"Lakland destroys Fender"... sure.

To OP, if you prefer PJ configuration, then go for ESP. BUT - Lakland is a helluva nice bass ( it does not destroy Fender) and personally,I never liked PJ as it usually ends like P bass only. The PJ configuration has some kind of disbalance in sound and volume plus J pick up (usually) produce hum in such cases.

 

[pedroims]

I have never owned a ESP but I can highly recommend Lakland, you may want to check a Bob Glaub PJ.

 

[Crusher47]

Another vote for Lakland

 

[Ali Hazem Farouk]

Okay so everyone is saying Lakland. But what if I told you that the skylines are 800$ more expensive than the ESP where I live. Cause no one is an official lakland reseller here, so I am going to be paying a lot for the Lakland, or even the Fender Am, still worth it?

 

[mmbongo]

Are you looking at a real ESP or an LTD?

 

[Ali Hazem Farouk]

Are you looking at a real ESP or an LTD?

A real japanese ESP

 

[lomo]

I would still prefer the Lakland.....the neck profiles are the best ever IMHE, but that's a matter of taste. I believe the quality of a real ESP will be essentially the same as the non-USA Lakie

 

[Billyzoom]

I've owned four or five Laklands and currently have a ESP vintage 4.

The ESP feels and plays like a P...same feeling neck, relatively wide nut, etc. But the neck is fast and comfortable, and the tones are VERY versatile. I expected that I wouldn't use the J pickup much, and it's fantastic, especially combined with the P.

I'm about to put my ESP in the classifieds, but only because I like a narrower nut and found a P/J with that sort of nut. Other than that, I'd definitely keep it. I will also say this...I've owned several MIM and American P basses, and the neck on this one feels better than any other 1.75" neck that I've owned. Tones are great, good weight, versatile. Japanese construction, which I like.

I'd say your main considerations are the pickup layout you want and the bang for the buck. I love Lakland, but certainly wouldn't pass up a ESP V4. The ESP is a better bang for the buck to me as well if purchased used.

Hope that helps. Drop me a message if you have more questions about the ESP. Seems like not many people here have played them.

 

[Billyzoom]

Forgot your question about build quality. I'd say they're comparable. Quality parts, good fit and attention to detail.

I'd highly recommend you buy used. I've bought most of my basses here, and if you get a good deal you can try a bass for a while and, if it doesn't suit you, you can turn it over with little or no loss. I like to think of that as a "rental" fee. Ha. If you buy new, you'll take a good hit if you decide to sell.

Laklands tend to hold their value better than most, but if you buy used that's irrelevant. And it isn't necessarily a reflection of quality. Carvins, for example, are good products but I would NEVER buy one new. They simply don't tend to hold their value as well as many other quality brands. If you buy one used, different story.

 

[mmbongo]

A real japanese ESP

Tough call then, but only because you will have to pay $800 more for the Lakland. I'd choose the Lakland every time with all things being equal...but man $800 extra is a lot.

 

[Ali Hazem Farouk]

Wow thank you Billizoom for the info, that's really helpful. Definitely will drop you a message if I need to.

Yeah it's a tough call. I am looking to find a good deal here on a used ESP. If I find one, I'll go for it.

 

[Ali Hazem Farouk]

But that's because almost no one in my country owns a Lakland with p pickups, sadly.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I love my Vintage 4s . I have a black , sunburst and candy apple red. The blonde is my next bass .

If you don 't want a distressed finish , the new E -II s aren 't .

On the used market these are an amazing value.

I love my Fenders but my ESPs are getting the most play time .