Lakland USA and Skyline

[Bryan_G]

I have a 55-94 and a fretless 55-02. I purchased the 55-94 used first, and then a recently picked up the 55-02. I didn't really know what to expect when getting the 55-02. It is a really nice bass and I beleive it to be a very good deal, but it just doesn't feel as good as my 55-94. I can't compare fretwork because the skyline is fretless, but the necks aren't the same. They are close, but my 55-94 plays like no other.

It was a weird feeling of disapointment and satifaction at the same time when I first played the skyline. It kind of disapointed me it wasn't the same as my 55-94, but at the same time it was reassuring to know that I didn't waste any money on the 55-94. After a good set up I really like playing the skyline, but it still doesn't feel the same to me.

They both look great though. I'm sure a few people would even think that the skyline looks better, heck maybe even plays better. I know the previous owner had the action almost 1/4" off of the board. I don't know how much difference you could tell between the two playing like that, other than the obvious neck finish differences. I think you would really have to play them both to see how much of a difference there is, and what that means to you.


Bryan

 

[BartmanPDX]

No release date for the Glaub 5 (much less the Skyline Glaub 5) has been set. Saying it's due out in 2007 isn't necessarily accurate.

I stand corrected, Dale. Perhaps I should have said "hopefully" due out in 2007.

Pickles is right, though. Dan would sell a heck of a lot of 5-string Skyline Glaubs. Not that he's having much trouble selling Skylines, or DJs at least . . .

 

[SBassman]

I'm late to it, but - interesting original post.
Sounds like the Skylines are good buys.

 

[JohnThomasson]

I have a 55-94 and a fretless 55-02. I purchased the 55-94 used first, and then a recently picked up the 55-02. I didn't really know what to expect when getting the 55-02. It is a really nice bass and I beleive it to be a very good deal, but it just doesn't feel as good as my 55-94. I can't compare fretwork because the skyline is fretless, but the necks aren't the same. They are close, but my 55-94 plays like no other.

It was a weird feeling of disapointment and satifaction at the same time when I first played the skyline. It kind of disapointed me it wasn't the same as my 55-94, but at the same time it was reassuring to know that I didn't waste any money on the 55-94. After a good set up I really like playing the skyline, but it still doesn't feel the same to me.

They both look great though. I'm sure a few people would even think that the skyline looks better, heck maybe even plays better. I know the previous owner had the action almost 1/4" off of the board. I don't know how much difference you could tell between the two playing like that, other than the obvious neck finish differences. I think you would really have to play them both to see how much of a difference there is, and what that means to you.

Bryan

I totally agree. I went back and forth between a 55-94 and several 55-02s and they sounded pretty much the same. The 55-94 felt a lot better to me and it wasn't just the set up. It was more than the sum of its parts and it just felt more complete. I wanted to go the skyline route since I'm cheap but I ended up paying more for the 55-94 and I have no regrets at all. Well except now I wish it was a 44-94, but that's another story.

 

[Kenny Allyn]

Lakland basses are real popular around here, and lots of my friends play them, but I never really could see it for me ... I think it had alot to do with the fact that I'm lucky enough own several good Fenders plus I'm old skool ... anyway I was looking for fretless and came upon a Skyline Osborn fretless ... OK now I get it , I've yet to play a Fender fretless that is as good this.

 

[GM60466]

I've been talking with them already about making me a custom double neck like they made Roger Waters.

gm

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Here are the Lakland Shoreline series.

For those who may be interested.

The Lakland Shoreline series are made by ESP(to Lakland specs)and only sold in Japan.

http://www.espguitars.co.jp/lakland/shoreline/index.html

 

[Toneonbass]

FYI: I heard that the skylines are going up in price by like 200$ or so. In the begining of '07

 

[Mound of Sound]

Here are the Lakland Shoreline series.

For those who may be interested.

The Lakland Shoreline series are made by ESP(to Lakland specs)and only sold in Japan.

http://www.espguitars.co.jp/lakland/shoreline/index.html

Awesome. Some please check out the SL Darryl Jones. Look under his picture and read all of the people Darryl has played for. You'll "crap" yourself laughing....

http://www.espguitars.co.jp/lakland/shoreline/index.html

Classic.

And by the way, Bob Glaub played a stint with a band called "Blues Springsteen". Anyone got any tunes from them....love them Japanese....

 

[ElBajista]

I've been talking with them already about making me a custom double neck like they made Roger Waters.

gm

Do you have a photo of this?

 

[GreyBeard]

As to the origonal post, they do not sound any different at all. The 5502 is basically a machine made version of a 5594. The materials used are really very similar too. The only big difference in construction is a 1/4 sawn neck on the US model and a flat sawn on the Skyline. 1/4 sawn lumber is more expensive, but I don't think it's cost could possibly justify the difference in price between the 2 basses. The big difference is the amount of hand work done on each bass. The 02 is done mostly by machine and the 94 is done by hand and done by hand costs a bunch more. (are hand fretted necks done one at a time really any better than machine fretted necks done 30 at a time?) The factory that makes the 02's probably makes 10 or 15 other brands of instruments which get the same impersonal attention. The 94 on the otherhand is mostly hand made from start to finish and that is what is what you are paying for. Is it worth it? If you are looking for 3 times better tone or build quality because of the price, then you are wasting your money and time. After you hit a certain price point, pouring more money into an instrument will give you diminishing returns. If however, you have the money and want to spend it on an instrument you plan on keeping for a long time then I see nothing wrong with spending it on the 94. If you are only looking for the look, feel, and sound then get the 02 and put the rest into your rig.

 

[karrot-x]

One of the more noteable differences I found was the weight issue. The Skylines weigh a good 2-3+ pounds more. The neck on the US was prettier and felt flatter. I bought a 55-02. If anyone wants to give me a 55-94; I'll gladly take it .

 

[OldogNewTrick]

@ Mound of Sound
... hilarious

Does that mean Lakland has now a Japanese manufactured range ??? Or are they just Skylines sold there ?

 

[bassment zombie]

I briefly owned a US Glaub (bought used), and can compare it to a Skyline Glaub. The US Glaub was amazing for many reasons already stated. The oiled neck (which is of course different from the satin finished Skyline necks) and fretwork were the best I've ever experienced. However, it was in fact heavier than the Skyline Glaub I have a good amount of experience with. (~8 pounds vs. over 9 pounds). The US was a phenomenal instrument with an amazing amount of detail, but it wasn't worth the price differential to me. The neck was the greatest asset and difference of the US versus the Skyline Glaub.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Does that mean Lakland has now a Japanese manufactured range ??? Or are they just Skylines sold there ?

It's called the Shoreline series and their made by ESP and sold exclusively in Japan.The Skyline series is not sold at all in Japan.

Invalid Link Removed

The difference between the Skyline series and the Shoreline series is where there made at.

 

[Deep]

I think you can have some personal touches done on Skylines if you wanted to. Like having them change the satin finish on the neck to an oil finish. Or having a bone nut instead of plastic. Just little things to customize it.
I love the oil finish on my 55-94.....it's feels great, but I've never thought an oil finish really offers the protection from humidity changes like poly or satin poly. I find myself tweaking the truss-rod more than I'd like. But the oil feels so damn good.

 

[cassanova]

As to the origonal post, they do not sound any different at all. The 5502 is basically a machine made version of a 5594. The materials used are really very similar too. The only big difference in construction is a 1/4 sawn neck on the US model and a flat sawn on the Skyline. 1/4 sawn lumber is more expensive, but I don't think it's cost could possibly justify the difference in price between the 2 basses. The big difference is the amount of hand work done on each bass. The 02 is done mostly by machine and the 94 is done by hand and done by hand costs a bunch more. (are hand fretted necks done one at a time really any better than machine fretted necks done 30 at a time?) The factory that makes the 02's probably makes 10 or 15 other brands of instruments which get the same impersonal attention. The 94 on the otherhand is mostly hand made from start to finish and that is what is what you are paying for. Is it worth it? If you are looking for 3 times better tone or build quality because of the price, then you are wasting your money and time. After you hit a certain price point, pouring more money into an instrument will give you diminishing returns. If however, you have the money and want to spend it on an instrument you plan on keeping for a long time then I see nothing wrong with spending it on the 94. If you are only looking for the look, feel, and sound then get the 02 and put the rest into your rig.

Well stated.

Ive posted asking about the differences between the 02's and 94 series. Ive played both in my quest for a new bass and didnt notice a single tonal variation between the 2 models.

I'll give Lakland much props for that too. They're one of the only manufacturers that I know of that offer a "budget" line that sounds like their top of the line series.

 

[jokerjkny]

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

+1

i'm on the fence about getting either a metro or NYC, and i just cant shake how awesomely killer my NYC's have been.

 

[BluesyCat]

Sorry, reviving this thread...

I have a USA JO 4. I am interested in the Hollowbody with Dark Stars but would there really be a difference in the tone/feel of a skyline vs. the USA? Anybody have this configuration? Nobody around my neck of the woods carries Lakland so I cannot actually play before I buy.

 

[Rope]

It's called the Shoreline series and their made by ESP and sold exclusively in Japan.The Skyline series is not sold at all in Japan.

Invalid Link Removed

The difference between the Skyline series and the Shoreline series is where there made at.

I don't believe there is a market for much of anything Korean in Japan. There is, however, a huge bass market. I'm surprised these don't have some sort of cult following.