Lakland vs Fender...

[dfoehr]

Both companies can make a great bass. Like always, it comes down to the individual bass.

 

[Mike Marshall]

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!

I would look for a used bass. I own a 66 P bass a custom shop Jazz and a Dusty Hill. I once played a mexican road worn P bass and really liked it. If you look and play them You may find an inexpensive model you really like regardless of where it was made.

 

[pbass2]

I have a fairly early USA Lakland Glaub, from 2004. I got it used (somewhere along the line I was told that it had belonged to Conrad Lozano from Los Lobos originally). It is a pleasure to simply hold the thing--the fit and finish is sooooo good. Not heavy at all. As for the sound? I experimented with several different pickups in mine over the years, and ended up back with the stock wound Lindy Fralins, that to me at least, sound like a vintage P should. Records so good it's ridiculous. A keeper bass if there ever was one. If you can find an older USA one, man, they're hard to beat.

 

[InnerBass]

There was a time when I would have always voted for the Lakland Skylines but I have found that since the move to Indonesia I find the Skyline series rather generic and heavy. The price is close to a TON of great Fender stuff. If you want to spend time looking for a Korean Skyline prior to 2005 then you will have a bass that kills pretty much anything Fender puts out in that price range but if you are looking new go Fender.

Spot On

 

[InnerBass]

I have a fairly early USA Lakland Glaub, from 2004. I got it used (somewhere along the line I was told that it had belonged to Conrad Lozano from Los Lobos originally). It is a pleasure to simply hold the thing--the fit and finish is sooooo good. Not heavy at all. As for the sound? I experimented with several different pickups in mine over the years, and ended up back with the stock wound Lindy Fralins, that to me at least, sound like a vintage P should. Records so good it's ridiculous. A keeper bass if there ever was one. If you can find an older USA one, man, they're hard to beat.

I put a Klein in my early USA Glaub - P Bass Heaven

 

[pbass2]

You will either love or hate the Lakland neck. Try if you can.

My 2004 USA Glaub has the 1.75" neck. That's the only thing I wish was different on mine as I have smaller hands--I wish it had the jazz width neck they also offered at the time. But it's not a deal-breaker. It's an amazing playing (and looking) maple neck. It might be a tad wide, but it's thin front to back--it's just a different feel. It screams quality when you pick the thing up!

 

[Nedmundo]

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.

Yes, IMO the G&L Fullerton Standard LB-100 is the way to go, and NEW they're around a grand:

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Rocket Music - GLFullertonStandardLB100VintageWhite

The neck is a lot like a Fender American Pro, thanks to the same nut width and fretboard radius, but the Plek-leveled frets allow lower action IME. Tone-wise, they're about the same, though the G&L's pickup might be just a little bit hotter. I think the quality is comparable, and I've played them back-to-back a couple of times.

I've owned a few MIA Fenders, and have played several Lakland Skyline P and J types. In general, I think the U.S. Fenders have a slightly more premium feel, maybe due to the nicely rolled fretboard edges. But the Laklands are very well-built, use great pickups, and have Plek-leveled frets just like USA G&Ls, and thus have excellent playability. In fact, I still regret passing up a Skyline Duck Dunn about ten years ago, which had just about the best-playing neck of any P-bass I've ever tried. (Except my G&L USA SB-2, of course. )

All three are great, and you won't go wrong with one that feels good to you, but a new USA G&L for about a grand is darned near impossible to beat.