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Lakland USA and Skyline

#61
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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The big things are options and weight. The US models are supposed to be lighter, and you can get more colors on the USA models. In the past, you could get different pickups on the US ones, not sure about the skylines, although now that they are doing their own, I'm not sure if this will continue to be an option.
 
#67
Lakland seem to have made their more expensive and less expensive versions without compromising on the cheaper one.

Unlike other builders, their Skylines leave nothing standing out that is poor. Lakland seem to have the building it cheaper but keep the QC up well under control.

I'm about to buy one and after playing both can't see tangible justification in the US built given I'm happy with the standard options.

I think overall buying a Lakland of any model is a safe bet.
 
#68
It's all in the necks. I have a 55-02 and played 55-94's. The 94's have necks every bit as good as my F Bass, the 02's not so much. To me they still have a little "cheaper" feel to them, fretwork, finish, but they are also half the price.You get what you pay for. The bodies are no different in sound or quality, I have a natural finish with beautiful grain.
 
#69
Dr. Cheese said:
Has it ever occured to you that Skylines are good basses, but you just don't like them? Nobody likes everything.:cool:
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+1. I had a 55-94 Deluxe and a Skyline DJ5. The 55-94 didn't make the cut, but I still use the DJ5 every night. And I don't feel that I've given up anything in terms of tone, feel, appearance, weight, or quality. It seems that the overwhelming consensus is that the Skylines tend to be amazing basses that just happen to be an amazing value.
 
#71
Thanks for the link. I've owned 3 Skylines, 2 of the 3 were flawless and the JO4 I own now is quickly becoming my #1 bass.

The only reason I'd even consider a US model is because of the weight. I've played some US 5 string basses at the local Lakland dealer that were just barely over 8 lbs. and balanced perfectly. Now if I were gigging 3 hours a night 5 or more days a week I think I could justify the cost for the weight alone but at 2 or 3 gigs a week I just can't justify that much money for weight alone.
 
#72
I would go for the US made if I had a fancy piece of wood that I wanted for the top and could send it to Chicago. Apparently, this is possible. Of course, it's not possible with the skylines. I find that quilt maple is pretty ho-hum, so I would *definitely* like the option of handing over the top I wanted installed. Granted, that would definitely add to the already high price of the US-made axe

I like the freedom of options you get with a US-built Lakland, but other than that, I have never cared much about the whole hand-carved vs CNC-ed argument because I just don't feel that it adds to detracts enough from an instrument to be an issue -- Wish basses notwithstanding, that is ;)

Nor do I like the oiled neck on the 55-94. I'd take a satin finish over that any day. I'd probably go the other way if Skylines had a glossy finish on the necks, though. Man, I hate that glossy sh!te...

For sound quality or anything else that an audience member would notice, I would say that the Skyline series is beyond adequate. For a truly boutique experience, wherein I could select a top and neck options (And I would *not* spend what a US Lakland or Sadowsky costs without that), I would spend the extra dough. Okay, and the weight issue. It seems that ever since I went post 25, weight has actually started to *matter*...

But I would be cognizant of the fact that I was doing it for my own private enjoyment. After all, no one else would really care... except for you guys, I mean :D
 
#75
For those of you with G.A.S for a Lakland Shoreline series, forget it. I recieved this email from a rep of ESP guitars. It was kind of him to write back. I have tried several other Japanese manufacturers and not recieved a response. I realize it could have been due to language issues. In this instance it took me quite a while to fill out the web form. There were required boxes that I didn't have a clue what they wanted. I found this really great Japanese translator here:
Invalid Link Removed

Hello David,
Thanks for your e-mail to our web section.
Unfortunately, Shoreline Series are the products only for Jpanese Market. We are not allowed to sell them out side of Japan. Also, we are not offering lefty models yet.
We apologize for any inconvenience.

Best regards,
Makoto Suzuki

ESP Co., Ltd.
2-10-11 Takada, Toshima-ku,
Tokyo 171-0033 Japan
Phone:+81-3-3982-1036
web:Invalid Link Removed
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#79
JAUQO III-X said:
Sorry to break it to you but only the US basses are available left handed.
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Thanks Jauqo, I already was disabused of any notion to the contrary quite a while ago. :bawl: I was hoping that maybe the Shoreline being made in Japan may have been different. Being left handed is apparently a cool thing in Japan and I have been told there are many more lefty bassist there. Lefties are always looking.:ninja:

I think I am going to go with Dan's suggestion and flip a Lakland Skyline Hollowbody in three tone burst. I am going to have Dan do the work and haven't discussed if I buy from him directly or through a dealer.

Thanks for the input, always appreciated.
 

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