Lakland v Sadowsky

[68Goldfish]

Question:

That NYC Sadowsky you have there, is the Lakland J sound setting at least somewhat similar to the Sadowsky? I find my skyline’s J tone doesn’t resemble my moderns tone at all, but the modern is more tuned like a Smith/MTD than a J bass.

Eh, to my ears, while they both sound like jazz basses, the Sadowsky is significantly brighter and more in your face than the much smoother Lakland. Could have something to do with the Bartolini's which are known for being warm and mellow (my understanding anyway). They are both killer for sure I just like the more mellow sound and broken in feel of the almost thirty year Lakland.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Many of the Chinese models are just fine without the VTC. But some are very thin and bright, and without the VTC it’s impossible to warm them up. My first modern did not have one and it was just fine. That instrument was plenty warm without it. But the combination of the body wood with the roasted maple neck has a tendency to create a brighter in instrument versus the Japan units, which used alder and Ash, and necks that weren’t heat treated. Roasted necks are inherently brighter than non roasted. Thus increasing the need for a VTC on those models.

It's interesting, yesterday I noticed that on my E string near the nut, in the 1/2 position, an area that seems a little dead if I turn the EQ off. I found that without EQ at about 2 out of 10 that area just sounded tinny. Turning above 2 on the EQ, still OK I had too much tone for my bedroom, but at 2 it sounded normal. I have never noticed a dead spot on any of my other basses before. Wouldn't exactly call this spot dead, but it's dim.

As I said before on this board, I don't care for the tone of the bass without the EQ on. It seems lacking. With the EQ it's great.

 

[jjk2007]

Fun responses for sure in here! I have a Sadowsky MX I bought new from Sweetwater about 1.5 years ago and also a Lakland 55-02 Deluxe new from them as well about 6 months ago. I played a few gigs on MX and it was good but I bought the VTC preamp and that took that bass to the next level. It’s a long story that got me to the Lakland and where we’re at now but after handful of gigs with it the honeymoon phase is over and that one is on the chopping block. There are things I do like about it but the Sadowsky just works better for me in the gigging situations I’m in. Low B on the Lakland is better but the Sadowsky is close enough. Just something about the Sadowsky and the way it slots in the mix that has edged the Lakland out.

 

[pb9717]

Exactly. The VTC pre is a markedly superior upgrade. The Sadowsky preamp is the secret sauce. I’ve installed them in many instruments. They make everything sound better. But they work especially well with the Sadowsky pick ups. The modern pick ups or the noiseless single coils. It’s just perfectly slots in a mix. That’s been his Calling card for decades. Funny thing is, you can listen to a Lakeland on its own, and you might think it sounds better. But once you are in a live music situation, the Sadowski just kills it every time. The J or the modern. Just fantastic. I mean, just recently in a rehearsal my lead singer asked me what is that bass? There are areas of the country that have no idea what a Sadowsky is. But little by little I’m teaching them.

And again, not to be redundant, but if you like your Chinese Metro express, you will love a metro line, metro, or Japan Metro express. It’s just that little bit better.

I mean, there’s a Japan Metro express four string in the classifieds now for 1700 bucks, that I actually owned. It’s an absolute steal basically a few hundred bucks more than a Chinese one with a VTC upgrade.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Exactly. The VTC pre is a markedly superior upgrade. The Sadowsky preamp is the secret sauce. I’ve installed them in many instruments. They make everything sound better. But they work especially well with the Sadowsky pick ups. The modern pick ups or the noiseless single coils. It’s just perfectly slots in a mix. That’s been his Calling card for decades. Funny thing is, you can listen to a Lakeland on its own, and you might think it sounds better. But once you are in a live music situation, the Sadowski just kills it every time. The J or the modern. Just fantastic. I mean, just recently in a rehearsal my lead singer asked me what is that bass? There are areas of the country that have no idea what a Sadowsky is. But little by little I’m teaching them.

And again, not to be redundant, but if you like your Chinese Metro express, you will love a metro line, metro, or Japan Metro express. It’s just that little bit better.

I mean, there’s a Japan Metro express four string in the classifieds now for 1700 bucks, that I actually owned. It’s an absolute steal basically a few hundred bucks more than a Chinese one with a VTC upgrade.

Sorry, but as the Tower said to "Maverick" in "Top Gun," the pattern is full. No room left in the closet for another bass.

 

[burk48237]

As someone who has owned a couple of Laklands, (both Korean Skylines, A Daryl Jones 4 and Joe Osborn 4) I was impressed by their quality especially for the Dollar. I've also played several USA Laklands. First, I believe the quality of the Indonesian Skylines took a big nose dive from the Korean Skylines which felt to me to be superior to the American Fenders at the time. I've met Dan Lakin, sipped some Tequllas with him in Michael Tobias's hotel room at a NAMM show several years ago. I think he is certainly about quality, and he spent a lot of time with Leo Fender, has some great stories. As far as their basses I have never gotten with the USA Laklands with Barts, they were always a bit on the heavy side and seemed to be a bit dark sounding to me, I never heard one or played one that moved me, although the workmanship was excellent. OTOH, The four string DJ was a killer bass, the 5 had a baseball bat neck. And I've played a few GREAT Joe Basses including a Lake Placid Blue Four USA, that to this day was the best production Passive J bass I ever played. And I've played some serious 60's Fenders.

As far as "giving credit to Leo" as one poster pontificated about, I've never seen anything but props to Leo from both Roger Sadowsky and Dan Lakin. As far as for me. I've become a Sadowsky guy. Have three right now, and I've owned a few others including one of the MIC P/J 5 Warwicks which was a great playing and sounding bass (but I couldn't get with the neck contour or weight of the five I had). I currently own and MIG 4 string that sounds great, plays like a dream. My only complaint about the German bass is the Satin finish, I actually think the Chinese ones look better. I agree 100% on the comment that the MIJ Sadowskys are some of the best basses ever made. I had one of the first Metros #3 or 5 NAMM demo, and it like the three others I've owned and sold were excellent basses. I currently have an MIJ Will Lee 5 and a NYC 5 as my #1s and I have a tough time choosing between the two. One other point, Rogers Basses are consistent, I've never played a dud (except some of the real early MICs built during the covid years) and I don't hesitate to by used. I've never had one show up at my door and said, nope, THEY JUST WORK! in the picture MIG RV4, NYC RV5, and WL MV5 MIJ

 

[Pet Sounds]

As someone who has owned a couple of Laklands, (both Korean Skylines, A Daryl Jones 4 and Joe Osborn 4) I was impressed by their quality especially for the Dollar. I've also played several USA Laklands. First, I believe the quality of the Indonesian Skylines took a big nose dive from the Korean Skylines which felt to me to be superior to the American Fenders at the time. I've met Dan Lakin, sipped some Tequllas with him in Michael Tobias's hotel room at a NAMM show several years ago. I think he is certainly about quality, and he spent a lot of time with Leo Fender, has some great stories. As far as their basses I have never gotten with the USA Laklands with Barts, they were always a bit on the heavy side and seemed to be a bit dark sounding to me, I never heard one or played one that moved me, although the workmanship was excellent. OTOH, The four string DJ was a killer bass, the 5 had a baseball bat neck. And I've played a few GREAT Joe Basses including a Lake Placid Blue Four USA, that to this day was the best production Passive J bass I ever played. And I've played some serious 60's Fenders.

As far as "giving credit to Leo" as one poster pontificated about, I've never seen anything but props to Leo from both Roger Sadowsky and Dan Lakin. As far as for me. I've become a Sadowsky guy. Have three right now, and I've owned a few others including one of the MIC P/J 5 Warwicks which was a great playing and sounding bass (but I couldn't get with the neck contour or weight of the five I had). I currently own and MIG 4 string that sounds great, plays like a dream. My only complaint about the German bass is the Satin finish, I actually think the Chinese ones look better. I agree 100% on the comment that the MIJ Sadowskys are some of the best basses ever made. I had one of the first Metros #3 or 5 NAMM demo, and it like the three others I've owned and sold were excellent basses. I currently have an MIJ Will Lee 5 and a NYC 5 as my #1s and I have a tough time choosing between the two. One other point, Rogers Basses are consistent, I've never played a dud (except some of the real early MICs built during the covid years) and I don't hesitate to by used. I've never had one show up at my door and said, nope, THEY JUST WORK! in the picture MIG RV4, NYC RV5, and WL MV5 MIJView attachment 7475436View attachment 7475436

First off, those are bee-utiful basses!
Secondly, your comment on the decline in quality of Skylines rings true to me. I gigged for 10 years straight with an early, Korean Skyline Duck and it was so good, I used my '95 AmStd P as a backup. I eventually sold the Duck (and the '95). In more recent years, I've played Indonesian Skylines and thought they felt cheap compared to my old Duck.
Does anyone else think Skyline quality has taken a hit?

 

[jjk2007]

Exactly. The VTC pre is a markedly superior upgrade. The Sadowsky preamp is the secret sauce. I’ve installed them in many instruments. They make everything sound better. But they work especially well with the Sadowsky pick ups. The modern pick ups or the noiseless single coils. It’s just perfectly slots in a mix. That’s been his Calling card for decades. Funny thing is, you can listen to a Lakeland on its own, and you might think it sounds better. But once you are in a live music situation, the Sadowski just kills it every time. The J or the modern. Just fantastic. I mean, just recently in a rehearsal my lead singer asked me what is that bass? There are areas of the country that have no idea what a Sadowsky is. But little by little I’m teaching them.

And again, not to be redundant, but if you like your Chinese Metro express, you will love a metro line, metro, or Japan Metro express. It’s just that little bit better.

I mean, there’s a Japan Metro express four string in the classifieds now for 1700 bucks, that I actually owned. It’s an absolute steal basically a few hundred bucks more than a Chinese one with a VTC upgrade.

It's been a few years but I have had my hands on a couple of Metro Line basses and they were great. My MX will do the job for me though....it really is a nice playing bass and pulls off all I need it to.

 

[Pacman]

Does anyone else think Skyline quality has taken a hit?

On the contrary, I think the quality is better than a lot of American basses these days. I own and play Fenders, Roscoes, MusicMans, and the 55-02 I picked up last year is absolutely as good as any of them.

 

[Pet Sounds]

On the contrary, I think the quality is better than a lot of American basses these days. I own and play Fenders, Roscoes, MusicMans, and the 55-02 I picked up last year is absolutely as good as any of them.

Glad to hear that. I was referring to a quality drop from the original Korean Skylines to the current crop, though. It's high praise if they're as good as Music Man basses!

 

[pb9717]

Glad to hear that. I was referring to a quality drop from the original Korean Skylines to the current crop, though. It's high praise if they're as good as Music Man basses!

I think the Indonesian Skylines are top notch. I simply prefer the Bart Electrics and find the first Gen Korean skylines to be as quality as the US models. the ESP made Shorelines are great too. But they came with Duncans.

I have never had a lakland on my bench for anything other than a set up. They are truly bulletproof. The only other thing I've seen is folks swapping in J East pre's and exposed pole pickups alnico V's, to get a more biting sound for the Stingray tone, and enjoy a always on passive tone control to emulate a Jazz bass tone control in dual single coil mode. Which is a very nice mod.

 

[scubaduba]

Definitely Sadowsky for me. I've had many of each and the Sadowsky works in a mix so much better to my ears.

 

[Type-55]

When I think of jazz basses I always think of the passive tone that is so perfect and unique.
I had a Sadowsky USA model and it played nice I always thought the tone of the preamp
Had a very dominate, almost overpowering effect on the tone. To me it did not have the classic, growl tone
Of a passive jazz bass that to me is the standard.
I also had a 2006 Skyline JO that came stock with SC Fralins.
That bass to me sounded that a jazz bass is know for and played as well as the Sadowsky in terms of build quality.
I paid $650.00 for it. I never should have sold that bass. Lot’s of good stuff out there.