LAKLAND USA VS SKYLINE?

[Japow]

No Sir - I'm across the pond in London...

 

[OnederTone]

No Sir - I'm across the pond in London...

The Shoreline Series is manufactured to Lakland USA specs by ESP, and is available for sale exclusively in Japan. It's not a quality/cost issue like Fender CIJ/MIJ they are just built in Japan for the Japanese market. To my knowledge they never come to the US for setup or anything, and are 80% the price of a USA model before import taxes. So the reason I asked where you were located was to understand why you'd want to pay almost the price of a a US model for a bass that isn't a US Lākland.

From what I understand, they are great instruments if you can find one, but I'd look at a Skyline or 44-14/55-14 if you are trying to save money.

 

[Smit_Dogg]

So the reason I asked where you were located was to understand why you'd want to pay almost the price of a a US model for a bass that isn't a US Lākland.

If the Shoreline follows suit as to Fenders MIJ's , then I'd always go Japanese built over american. I've found the MIJ's to be consistently superior instruments.

 

[5stringthumpin]

Personally, I always try to buy USA made products. My main instruments right now are my 2 laklands and my Cirrus bass. However both of my Laklands are skylines as I can't afford the US instruments. I have a Lakland 55-AJ, which is a jazz body style with an Ash back a flame maple top. This instrument has Bartolini electronics vs. the Lakland stuff. It's actually one of the best instruments I've played...well balanced, punchy and full. I know the Bartolini stuff takes a beating but I have no reason to replace it.

My other is a beautiful quilt maple tobacco burst 55-02. Aside from kind of wishing it had a maple fretboard instead of rosewood, I have no interest in selling this bass or replacing it with a US made Lakland. The woods are the same...Ash body, quilt maple top, graphite reinforced quartersawn maple neck. The electronics are the same. The bridge is the same. The nut I believe is Delran vs. the bone nut. Honestly if I wanted to replace that I could. But this bass is outrageous. A beautiful balanced tone that I can modify to my heart's content using the 3 band and coil tap. I would want to play this bass next to a 3900 dollar USA lakland set the same, on the same amp, and see what the differences are because I honestly don't think it would be a difference worth 2400 dollars.

That being said, I ALWAYS try to buy domestic as long as the quality is there. I'm a big believer in Made in the USA and keeping people in this country employed. More and more companies are giving overseas workers employment over americans for the purpose of saving money/cheaper labor, and this is plainly shown in two basses, the 55-02 and the 55-94, which are essentially the same instrument. In my opinion, when buying the 55-94, you're making the choice because there are more finish options and it's a US made instrument. Either way, they are both fantastic instruments.

 

[bmc]

A very close friend of many years designs basses and guitars they are made in China and it's a well known brand you would all know if I told you who. He has been laughing at me for years when I buy these basses that cost 1.5k-2k or more because he tells me how much the stuff really costs and he says if people really knew how cheap it was to make they would feel differently about how much they are paying for many instruments.

It may cost Lakland 2-3 hundred tops to make a Skyline maybe 4-6 for a US model then they add their overhead and profit and the dealers add their cut so we pay 1250 for a 2-3 hundred dollar bass.

Why U.S. Laklands cost 3k is beyond me, they are still production basses with a little better wood quality. Fodera or Smith which are made mostly by hand cost more for a good reason.

Personally I say buy what you like if it makes you happy and it's in your budget. It feels great to play a bass that looks amazing has nice wood and all the bells ans whistles.

How much does shipping cost from Korea to the states?
How much does shipping within the USA cost?
How much does shipping to Canada, Mexica, Brazil, UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, China and Japan cost, to name a small number of countries?
How much does advertising cost in US magazines, Canadian magazines, UK, France, Germany, etc cost?
How much does the US operation cost? (salaries, electricity, taxes, buildings, legal fees, etc)
How much do trade shows cost, including booth space, airfares and hotels?

There are very good reasons for getting gear made in China. Any opportunity to get your costs down have to be pursued. Manufacturing is just one piece in the equation, as you recognized in your mention of overhead.

Retail price is often influenced by percieved value and market conditions. If a retail price of $3,000 seems acceptable, people will spend the money.

 

[herrdruhl]

No, get the best instrument you can afford. Period. If I'm buying a towel rack, it can be made in China.

 

[perkjos]

I have a 55-60 skyline and lllllllllllllluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv it.

 

[mpdd]

i don't really need a usa lakland p at this time, the responsive tuners, smooth truss rod, even pickup, and plek'd frets make my skyline a dream to play

 

[Berger912]

I love my 55-02

 

[xk49w]

I have a 55-02 and a 44-64 and these old bones are completely satisfied.

 

[Lou Weckler]

skyline has a flat sawn neck US has quarter sawn

 

[Michael777]

Any thoughts on the New Aged Finishes?