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Lakland Vs Fender

#22
SoonerMatt said:
If you had been asking this question during the S1 days I'd say the Lakland, but since then Fender has really upped their quality across the board (even with Squier) and it's now a tough decision. If you can, get your hands on a DJ and play that first; it's the only way to make a proper comparison.
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I love my 2006 S1 J-bass. Personally, I'd go for an MIA Fender, and I'd go used. Like he said, the more recent Fenders have a reputation for great quality control -- or, at least, being much better than in the 90s. You can always find great deals here on near-mint Fender J-basses for around $700 - $800, which is a bargain IMO.

: )
 
#23
If price wasn't such a big deal, especially these days, I wouldn't hesitate to grab a MIA '75 RI. It's a bass I've GAS'd for a long time. But considering the price difference, I may not be quite as picky. I've played a few Lakland's, though not the DJ model, and they were all very nice, playability and otherwise, so I'd have to agree, you win either way.
 
#29
i have owned both, and the dj IMHO was better in alot of catagories, it felt better ergonomically, had better fret work, better hardware, and the lakland pickups have a great growl. in fact it is the reason i now am a lakland fanatic.it was my first lakland and one of my favorites. i dont think you can get a better jazz style bass for the money.
 
#30
I have a 2008 Fender FSR MIA Jazz with the S1 switch. This is one of the best sounding, most comfortable basses I have ever laid my hands on, and I've been at this longer than a lot of folks on this board have been breathing.

I think that the S1 switch should be standard on ALL Jazz basses. It just opens up an entirely new world of tone in an already great passive setup. Fender has upped their quality, and I don't think that you will be disappointed.

I haven't had the chance to take the DJ for a test drive yet, so I can't really comment there.
 
#32
mattygbass said:
i have owned both, and the dj IMHO was better in alot of catagories, it felt better ergonomically, had better fret work, better hardware, and the lakland pickups have a great growl. in fact it is the reason i now am a lakland fanatic.it was my first lakland and one of my favorites. i dont think you can get a better jazz style bass for the money.
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I'm leaning towards the Lakland. I have been gassing for natural with block inlays for a long time. I finally have the money. I'm just having a hard time comprehending the $2,300 price tag of the Fender.

So in your opinion the Lakland has a more growly tone.
 
#34
I've played that Fender model on a number of occasions and while it's a very nice instrument, I much prefer my DJ. That sticky, glossy finished neck on the Fender is an absolute deal killer for me. Yeah, people will probably jump on here and say "but you can just buy some steel wool and ditch the neck finish and then apply..." but that's definitely not something I'd want to do to a new bass.

The DJ has killer snarl to it. Even moreso with the J-Retro preamp if active is your thing. You could get the DJ with the J-Retro and still come in hundreds under the Fender. My DJ with the J-Retro slays.
 
#35
I have no doubt that the Fender is a great high quality bass, but for the price you will pay new you could by 2 Lakland skyline DJs. You get a better bang for your buck in a skyline IMO. If we are talking used, then the decision would be much more difficult for me.

I have not tried the DJ, but if its anything like the 55-02 I used to have, you are sure to get a quality bass. And the satin smooth Lakland necks are some of the best necks around. Better than the glossy neck you would get in the Fender imo.
 
#36
Billygoat666 said:
I've played that Fender model on a number of occasions and while it's a very nice instrument, I much prefer my DJ. That sticky, glossy finished neck on the Fender is an absolute deal killer for me. Yeah, people will probably jump on here and say "but you can just buy some steel wool and ditch the neck finish and then apply..." but that's definitely not something I'd want to do to a new bass.
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I own all kinds of Fenders with gloss finishes on the necks and NEVER had any kind of problem with them felling sticky! I have perspired all over my basses in the hot sun and can't for the life of me say the neck was sticky! I have played on very humid days where my hands felt sticky but nothing a can of finger ease could not handle.
 
#37
I'm not sure what "finger ease" is but imo, you shouldn't have to apply any product to your hands or bass neck to play under any circumstances. That said, if you like the glossy necks, have a ball. I find the Lakland necks much faster due to their satin finish.
 
#40
Perhaps I missed something here, but you're comparing the price of an overseas produced bass to an MIA...... Arguably the non MIA stuff is nearly as good (and in some cases, maybe even better)..... with that being the case, and price being the issue, why not compare the Skyline DJ to the MIM 70's Jazz from Fender? I've played both, and their both killer axes. If you search around, you can find an '08 Fender with last years tag still hanging on it. There is one in my local shop (but I forget how much exactly).

LJazz
 

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