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Lakland USA and Skyline

#22
Funkzfly said:
Actually makes you wonder why you'd still go for a U.S at all if you wanted the Lakland sound...?
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I never really could understand paying the extra money for a USA Lakland. The Skyline Laklands I've played and owned have been incredible, and I can't find anything wrong with them to improve on.

The Skylines (from what I've heard) sound exactly the same, and only lack certain customizable options, such as blocks+binding and more finishes to choose from.

The biggest difference I see is the US models having Quarter-sawn maple necks as opposed to the Skylines having Flat-sawn. Other than that, the most important components (hardware, electronics, pro setup) are extremely similar if not exactly the same. Even when I have money, I doubt I'd buy a USA Lakland.
 
#24
ElBajista said:
I never really could understand paying the extra money for a USA Lakland. The Skyline Laklands I've played and owned have been incredible, and I can't find anything wrong with them to improve on.

The Skylines (from what I've heard) sound exactly the same, and only lack certain customizable options, such as blocks+binding and more finishes to choose from.

The biggest difference I see is the US models having Quarter-sawn maple necks as opposed to the Skylines having Flat-sawn. Other than that, the most important components (hardware, electronics, pro setup) are extremely similar if not exactly the same. Even when I have money, I doubt I'd buy a USA Lakland.
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Yeh, exactly, I completely agree.

Theexploitbass said:
Exactly, Like my Spector i could've spent twice as much and bought the USA model. Yeah there was a slight difference but not £1000 worth.

I'd only buy the more expensive model if money wasn't an issue
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Even then, I still wouldn't see the point in getting something slightly more expensive but still very similar unless I knew the quality and sound had been somehow improved, but yeh, I agree.
 
#27
JAUQO III-X,

Great post and good information. I have entertained the idea of Skyline vs. USA Lakland but couldn't justify the price difference. I have had the same experience with NYC Sadowsky vs. Sadowsky Japan. I've always opted for the top of the line, but I need to see, hear, and feel the quality to justify paying such a difference just to flaunt made in USA.
I love America but it cost me daily, can you spell TAXES!

JAUQO III-X should be getting the Wilkins in a couple of weeks.
 
#28
JAUQO III-X said:
Out of curiosity has anyone actually done a side by side(more than 20-30 minutes)comparison of the USA/Skyline series in regards to sound and quality difference?
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I've owned one USA Lakland, a 4-94 Deluxe and I still have 2 Skylines, a HB and a Glaub with a Darkstar PU. I love my Skylines but what the extra $$$ spent on a USA model gets you are nicer woods and alot of hands on detail work. Both lines are great options at their pricepoints IMO.

Jeff
 
#30
JAUQO III-X said:
:) I know, have you seen it ?
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Yes, it is awesome, Pat's shop is only 8 miles away, and its hard not to find a reason to go that way stop by and say hello. Pat will always take time to talk with you, but I know I'm keeping him from his work so I refrain. Howeve.r no pictures yet. That's a thought I could say "Pat I just stoped by to take some pictures".
 
#32
To me, it also comes down to QUANTITY.

For the price of a USA Joe Osborn, I can get a Skyline JO, along with a Glaub, and maybe even a used hollowbody.

For some people, that extra bit of quality is worth the money, but for me, the Skylines are too good of a bargain to pass up.

My next bass will in all likelihood either be a Valenti or the new 5-string Skyline Bob Glaub HOPEFULLY due out in 2007, with a Dark Star pickup. :D
 
#33
JAUQO III-X said:
Out of curiosity has anyone actually done a side by side(more than 20-30 minutes)comparison of the USA/Skyline series in regards to sound and quality difference?
Click to expand...
A few years ago I played two Bob Glaubs side-by-side, one a Skyline and the other a US. I played the Skyline first and was very impressed with the rich, warm, punchy tone, P-bass growl, and playability. It felt better than most Fenders I'd played (though there's always the rare one that floors me).

I then played the US model. The US bass felt as good as those rare Fenders I referred to in the last paragraph...it felt more "broken in" and a little more "smooth".

Tonally, they were virtually identical, but there was a subtle improvement with the US over the Skyline.

Today, I own a Skyline DJ5 and love it. I think it's a tremendous bass, and for the money, it's a steal. I'd love to get my hands on a US DJ5, but to my knowledge, those are very rare, and probably cost about 3 times more. Can I afford it? Yes. Would I do it? Doubtfully...
 
#34
I've played both Skyline and American Laklands. I
could tell the difference in a few notes. Its like the
difference between my 1964 Jazz bass and my 2005
Jazz bass. Its just better, a more solid feel. The neck
feels oiled, smooth, and aged. Some people like three
dollar wine, other people can taste the difference.
Nothing wrong with either. They both get the job done.
 
#36
toddtodd said:
As an owner of a Skyline Glaub I can not imagine what could possibly be better about a USA Glaub.
This bass is worth atleast 2x what i paid for it.

-todd
Click to expand...

I've had a skyline DJ5 and briefly had a USA Glaub. In terms of construction, the USA bass was several cuts above. The fretwork was acceptable on the skyline, and mindblowing on the USA. The carving of the USA's neck was more intricate, very beautiful, and the neck felt amazing. It had a real luxury feel. The USA bass was very light, in fact I think the one I had was too light. The USA had an expertly cut bone nut, the skyline's was a roughly executed piece of plastic, and there was bare wood exposed on the headstock behind it.

But none of those things matter much at all when you are under the bright lights, and there is no venue you could not rock on a skyline.

The thing to remember with any fender style bass is that dead spots can happen on any of them, even the most beautifuly made ones, and that the manufacturers can't afford to declassify a USA made bass because it has dead spots. So try before you buy is the best approach there. The USA Glaub I ordered over the 'net had a weak E and a 3 note dead spot, so despite thinking it looked and felt amazing, I had to return it. I was heartbroken, but ended up buying an older Fender '62 Reissue with no dead spots, strong tone all across the neck, and a build quality somewhere in between the two levels of Lakland.

The only alternative to "try before you buy" is buying from a trusted source who will actually play the bass and give you an honest and guarenteed report on the presence of dead spots. Unless you don't use your G string, then you probably don't care.
 

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