Lakland vs Fender...

[Eric Huber]

Love my Lakland soon to be Lakland's come on Wednesday. The problem you have is the same as I. Never heard of Lakland until I grabbed a used one at a local shop. I kept going back to play it again and again. Never played anything as smooth on the frets as this guy. 44-64 is it's way now. I have played a ton of everything else and these guys have it for me by a mile. Mine is Indo and I have no complaints. Tonally its an awesome piece.

 

[bradtv]

The time has come for a new instrument and I’m finding myself extremely torn between two directions. In an effort to keep this concise, I’m essentially looking for the best ‘Precision Bass’ for around $1000.
I’ve got my eye on a couple of the more recent series of Fender Precision basses, but I’ve also heard fantastic things about Lakland basses. There are a few listings online of the Lakland 44-64 model and it looks to be right up my alley. The only issue is the fact that I have never touched a Lakland bass. I don’t want to make a big online order only to be disappointed and regretful in the end. If I could choose, I would like an American made instrument but with my budget I recognize that might not be possible.
I’m wondering if anyone has any first-hand experience with Fender Precision vs Lakland 44-64, or any similar Lakland models. Thanks in advance!

At the end of the day, you must go and play. Every instrument can have slight variations. I’d save your money and pick up a player series, plek, swap the pups and tone controls. This is the direction I took with my J Bass, and am super jazzed with the results. Black Friday is coming too, you may be able to save some more money.

 

[socialleper]

Too thick front to back or too wide?
I've found the neck on my 55-01 (exactly the same as the 55-02) to be very thin front to back. Plenty wide though to accommodate the 19mm string spacing, exactly what I like about it.
Great basses

I'm not knocking them, I just couldn't play it as smoothly as I would have liked. I would never use 19mm spacing, that would be lunacy in my mind. I think it was a combination of the nut width and board to heel fatness that didn't work for me.

 

[filler83]

Good topic. I am kind of in same boat. I have owned oke Indonesian Lakland skyline p, several MIA fender standards and specials.

I liked all the fenders better than the Lakland. But not sure if it was sound or what. The Lakland had nice fit and finish although I didn’t like the completely bare wood neck.

I’ve been looking again too. Thinking about a used fender MIA or maybe the MIM roadworn P? Would also jump at a used G&L LB-100

 

[jd-ns]

To me, Lakland is the king of 5's. Fender has the 4 thing locked down.

 

[FRoss6788]

I'm not knocking them, I just couldn't play it as smoothly as I would have liked. I would never use 19mm spacing, that would be lunacy in my mind. I think it was a combination of the nut width and board to heel fatness that didn't work for me.

I didn't think you were knocking them, just curious what you meant as my experience is different. I am much less comfortable on a fiver with less the 18mm and prefer 19mm.
Different strokes

 

[groooooove]

if your looking for the most well made instrument in a given price range, i would say avoiding fender is a decent rule of thumb.

get the lakland, they're fantastic.

 

[Blad51]

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

I have an American P bass, a Skyline 44-64, and a Skyline 44-64 Custom (PJ)

All 3 are great basses. The P bass is currently my #1. But I changed the pickup to a Fralin Stock Wind.

The cool thing I like about the Laklands is that I don't feel the urge to modify them at all. They sounded great right from the store. The necks are very comfortable. And they are plek'd.

Both of my Skylines were made in Indonesia and they are not too heavy. Very comfortable to play standing or seated.

Though my Laklands seem to get that "boutique" attention from other players. If that is important to you. (I could care less.)

 

[TopoChico]

If you are fine with the limited color choices, as suggested earlier, G&L Standard LB-100 will get you a great quality Pbass under a grand. American made as you indicated was your preference. Mine is flawless. Reach out to Greg at Rocket Music.

 

[DWBass]

55-02 basses are. I had one. But I don't think they make a 5 string 44-64. I also think their 5 string jazz basses are 34" scale.
The neck on the 55-02 was too thick so i sold it.

I owned 2 55-02's, a JO5/55-60 and still own a 55-01. All the 5 strings are 35" scale unless you get a custom instrument. The 55-60 is 35". The Daryl Jones 5 is 35". I think you're right about the P/PJ bass model. No 5 string Skyline. There is a 5 string USA model though. Pricey!

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[DrThumpenstein]

My Indonesian Lakland 44-60 J plays like a dream. Great Jazz tones, I haven't weighed it but it's not heavy at all. Fit and finish takes no back seat to my CIJ Fender Aerodyne. Both are sweet axes by reputable companies. I'd buy Lakland again with no hesitation.

 

[FRoss6788]

...as an aside on the topic of Lakland 5's being 35" scale, the bridge placement alleviates the difference quite a bit (read "pulls the nut closer to you"). The most comfortable 35" I've ever played.
Sorry for the derail, as you were...

 

[Blueinred]

This should never replace getting one in your hands, feeling and hearing it first hand, but Lakland's website lets you hear their basses in a variety of musical styles with both flats and rounds. Just go to their site, click on "basses", click on 4 or 5 string, chose the model/style you want to check out, and the click on "hear". Viola!

P.S. Headphones recommended.

 

[JSandbloom]

I’ve never had an issue with an Indo Skyline. I’ve owned many of them.

 

[JSandbloom]

They say vote with your wallet. Well...... For me Laklands are superior to Fender. Especially the 5 strings. To me the quality of the skyline basses far exceed us fenders in every way.

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It’s time to step it up to USA laklands.

 

[rylie]

Call it luck... found a Bluesman Vintage Deville (Precision) bass at local GC used. Playing bass since 1975 and this bass is IT! By far, Bluesman Vintage is making/delivering improved Fender designs.

 

[GregC]

I've owned a couple of Indo Skylines and had no issues (just moved up to US Lakies in both cases); I'd put them up there with the Korean Skylines, which are really fine instruments. I prefer both to US Fenders, not that there's anything wrong with the latter.

Neck width is a determinant for some people. Skyline 44-64s typically come with 1.75" necks, while Fender Ps are often 1.625". BUT Lakland also has the 44-64 Custom PJ in several finishes, and that comes with a 1.5" neck. There's another choice as well: the Skyline 44-51, which has the blonde finish and pickguard of an early '50s Fender and a standard split P pickup, and a 1.625" neck.

If you're cool with sunburst, there's a 44-64 on Sweetwater's site for $1095 right now (weight: 8 lbs. 13 oz.). (Call Sweetwater, though, they often discount stuff and sometimes price-match.) You'd need a case or gig bag, but that's a lot cheaper than a Fender American Professional. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...andard-3-tone-sunburst-with-maple-fingerboard

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Both brand/models will have gems and lemons. Impossible to make an accurate suggestion without trying the particular bass(es) in question, IMHO.

To confuse you a little more; Yamaha BB's are also very good P basses.

 

[Michael Bauer]

Fender Vintera '50s Precision Bass Maple - Dakota Red Demo
Seymour Duncan Antiquity P Bass Pickup - Bridge | GearNuts
I've played the vintera P bass at my local GC, it was great! If you put the Duncans in with some LaBella flats, the tone will be immaculate.

+1 to this! One of my Ps is a small batch '50s Classic (Now Vintera) with a Duncan Antiquity 1 and La Bella DTB flats. I have some really great and expensive Ps, but this is the bass I frequently choose for gigs. There are other great options, but this is a seriously good one.

You just can't go wrong with a 2012-16 American Standard, either. That Custom Shop pickup used in Standards during those years sounds great!

Either one of these suggestions would fit your budget and would be stage-worthy.

 

[RolandMHall]

It’s time to step it up to USA laklands.

Nope. I like my skylines.