Lakland Skyline values?

[hover]

It seems like there's now a "lesser tier" line in the Skylines, if Sweetwater is any indicator...my meaning that if a "typical" skyline is in the 1200 to 1400 dollar range, I'm seeing some that are new in the high 800's to mid 900's dependent on color or spalt-veneer top. Otherwise, what is the difference here? Anyone have any insight on this?

 

[bloobass]

Nice to see the Skyline love here. I bought my 55-02 used in 2009, it's a 2005 model with the Barts. I paid under a grand for it. I had the chance to play a USA around the same time I played my Skyline, and couldn't for the life of me find any difference to justify the much larger price tag. I've had quasi debates with several people on here that insist the USA's are far superior...I think it's really just their wallets talking, so I just walk away.

 

[Jhass]

Man, I dig that.

Thanks. I bought it kind of on impulse, and then was concerned that the slab body style would be uncomfortable. But it turns out that since I don't rest my arm on the bass, i don't need an arm contour, and my preferred strap height is low enough that the lack of a tummy cut is not an issue either.

 

[socialleper]

Thanks for the insight. Good info. I'm dying to try out a Lakland. I'm sort of searching for the last Jazz V (whatever brand that happens to be) that I'll ever buy. Lakland's "jazz" v basses seem to have a great reputation. The 35" scale seems to set them apart from the Fender. I'm really only used to Fender basses: 34" 20 (?) frets. Seems Laklands are all 35" and 22 frets. How big of a change is that?

It also seems Lakland's have a narrower nut too.

Since I already had a different 35" scale bass, it wasn't that hard of a transition for me. The neck and body feel "big" compared to my other five string, but I don't have any problems switching between the 4 and 5, both of which I use in a set. I have more trouble with the string spacing when I make the transition than I do the scale.
The 5 string neck is thicker than a Ibanez or Pedulla, but thinner than something like a Warwick. I haven't messed with Fender 5 string basses too much, so I don't know about the feel of their necks. I prefer the feel of the 4 string Skylines over either a Fender P or jazz.
Like I said, the 55-02 will do a very close imitation of a jazz, but the electronics lack a little of the zip. Just keep that in mind.
Of course trying one before buying it is preferable, but they aren't the most common brand in the world. Sam Ash used to carry them, but they don't any more.

Not to pump my own band or anything, but if you want to hear what it sounds like in a live setting, watch this.


And this is what it sounds like recorded:

 

[dinoadventures]

I recently purchased a used 5502 from Guitar Center for $599 so there are deals to be found. Mine is an '06 Korean model with the Hanson pickups and was modded with an Aguilar OPB3 preamp.

By any chance does it look like this? If so, it's the one I had. Nordstrand pickups, though.

 

[Eilif]

It seems like there's now a "lesser tier" line in the Skylines, if Sweetwater is any indicator...my meaning that if a "typical" skyline is in the 1200 to 1400 dollar range, I'm seeing some that are new in the high 800's to mid 900's dependent on color or spalt-veneer top. Otherwise, what is the difference here? Anyone have any insight on this?

The lesser tier has always been the 55-01 and if I recall it actually preceeds the rest of the Skyline line. It was originally the prototype that Cort came back when Lakland first asked them to build a bass. The story goes that they were disappointed that it wasn't the mm/j setup they had requested, but NAMM was coming up and so it became their lower-end model. It is essentially the same as a 55-01 except that instead of the Hanson MM/J and pre of the 55-02, it has the imported Bartolini MK1 pickups and pre. The MK1 is a setup that has been frequently used on midrange Cort and Ibanez instruments. Many folks report that the preamp is the weak spot, but many folks like it.

Anywho, the 55-01 Standard is between 8 and 9 hundred and the 55-01 Deluxe has a fancy top and goes for $900-1k. You can also get a basic Skyline 44-64 (the P-bass clone formerly called the Bob Glaub) for just over $1k new.

As an aside, there is also a lower priced "Classic" USA line. It's just P and J models in a very limited variety of finishes (LPB and sunburst and Maple or Rosewood). The up side is that it's over 1k less than their $3k+ custom USA models coming it at just over $2k.

I found the MK1 setup to be satisfactory until I heard the passive chi-sonics. my 55-01 is presently in the shop having a passive wiring harness and two chi-sonics installed.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

I have two - a USA 55-94 and a Skyline 55-64. Although they sit differently because of the body shape, the necks feel almost identical.

FWIW, IOW, YMMV and all the other TLA's and FLA's - I MUCH prefer the Lakland basses to ANY Fender I have played. I have had two Fender's (USA) and a Squier and the USA basses were equivalent to the Squier or worse!

Dan

 

[jim nolte]

Since I already had a different 35" scale bass, it wasn't that hard of a transition for me. The neck and body feel "big" compared to my other five string, but I don't have any problems switching between the 4 and 5, both of which I use in a set. I have more trouble with the string spacing when I make the transition than I do the scale.
The 5 string neck is thicker than a Ibanez or Pedulla, but thinner than something like a Warwick. I haven't messed with Fender 5 string basses too much, so I don't know about the feel of their necks. I prefer the feel of the 4 string Skylines over either a Fender P or jazz.
Like I said, the 55-02 will do a very close imitation of a jazz, but the electronics lack a little of the zip. Just keep that in mind.
Of course trying one before buying it is preferable, but they aren't the most common brand in the world. Sam Ash used to carry them, but they don't any more.

Not to pump my own band or anything, but if you want to hear what it sounds like in a live setting, watch this.


And this is what it sounds like recorded:

And I would add the 55-02 neck is also thinner than a Sire V7 5 string. I sold a 02 to get the Sire which is now gone and I wish I had just kept the 02. The absolute best 55-02 I've ever played was one of the first ones that were released with the small tuners and it was an amazing bass, perfect neck on that one, I've always kicked myself for not buying it. I haven't played any of the Indo ones, mine was Korean w/Barts. Jim

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I have a DJ5, made in Indonesia, great quality, superb feeling , amazing tone and fantastic B string. I paid $ 1,200 for it brand new, way less than a brand new Fender V MIA.

My DJ5 was $1,285 after taxes, probably $300 cheaper than a comparable Fender.

 

[hover]

Eilif, thanks for this info, I truly appreciate the time you took for that!
I had presumed it was moreso the electronics than a step down in wood quality , etc, but this confirms it. Thanks!

There's a black / maple demo right now at Sweetwater "new", but slightly scuffed for 780 bucks, which I think is a good deal and it's a looker...hmmm.....

 

[Eilif]

Eilif, thanks for this info, I truly appreciate the time you took for that!
I had presumed it was moreso the electronics than a step down in wood quality , etc, but this confirms it. Thanks!

There's a black / maple demo right now at Sweetwater "new", but slightly scuffed for 780 bucks, which I think is a good deal and it's a looker...hmmm.....

You're welcome.
$780 seems like a good deal, but you can find them significantly cheaper used if it's a bargain you're going for. Of course Sweetwater has great service, they weigh the bass and if the particular bass is the one I'm seeing there, some of the grain on the fingerboard is quite striking!

If a black 55-01 is what you're wanting I can't imagine you'd be disappointed with it.

 

[MRlowend]

I have 4 Skylines currently. I wouldn't have them if they weren't fantastic basses. Playability is top notch and the necks are some of the best I've played.

Love that burst! Overall, very nice collection.

 

[mark beem]

Love that burst! Overall, very nice collection.

Thanks!

 

[Bassa Nova]

I have a Indonesian Skyline 44-51. Aside from some humidity-related fret sprout when it was new (had that easily taken care of), it has been great. It sounds powerful and punchy (Lakland US-made electronics), the neck is stable, it has PLEK'd frets, it seems never to go out of tune, and it looks great IMO. I brought it to a well-respected Boston-area luthier (who is also a professional bass player) with a set-up question, and he had nice things to say about the build quality.

Nice. That looks sweet. Mind sharing who that luthier is. I am from Boston.

 

[PortlandBass77]

I personally would never pay that much for an import....

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I personally would never pay that much for an import....

Then don't.

 

[Jhass]

Nice. That looks sweet. Mind sharing who that luthier is. I am from Boston.

Sure: Mouradian Guitars. Winchester, MA. Jimmy (father) and John (son) run it together. Jimmy also happens to be the bass player for Ronnie Earl. He (Jimmy) may be the happiest man on earth . . .

 

[Lowness]

I had a Skyline / nicely made though hideously boring and light weight

They sell second hand for very little in my experience.

 

[DWBass]

I have owned several 55-01's and 55-02's, a JO5 and a 44-60 Custom Limited. I still have a 55-01 that I bought from a TB'r almost 10 years ago. Great bass. Amazing necks. I wish I never traded away my JO5. Best bass I ever owned.

 

[socialleper]

And I would add the 55-02 neck is also thinner than a Sire V7 5 string. I sold a 02 to get the Sire which is now gone and I wish I had just kept the 02. The absolute best 55-02 I've ever played was one of the first ones that were released with the small tuners and it was an amazing bass, perfect neck on that one, I've always kicked myself for not buying it. I haven't played any of the Indo ones, mine was Korean w/Barts. Jim

Good to know.
I have a minor interest in a 4 string Sire V7. I have a hankering for a jazz, with no specific application in mind, and I know what one way to get a good quality one cheap. It would be cool to keep it in the Lakland family, but their jazz and P basses are a little expensive for something I only have a passing interest in.