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Lakland vs Sadowsky

#21
tombowlus said:
The Lakland Skylines are pretty much the basses to beat in their price range
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What makes the Skylines the basses to beat in their price range, versus US Peavey Cirruses (which are, I think, in the same price range)?

Obviously, you can't directly compare the pickups - but they both seem to have very good-sounding electronics.

So, how does the quality of construction, playability, etc. compare?
 
#22
StuartV said:
What makes the Skylines the basses to beat in their price range, versus US Peavey Cirruses (which are, I think, in the same price range)?

Obviously, you can't directly compare the pickups - but they both seem to have very good-sounding electronics.

So, how does the quality of construction, playability, etc. compare?
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IME/IMHO, that is an apples to oranges comparison. The Peavey Cirrus is a great bass, for sure, but they don't sound like a Fender.

I perhaps should have said that the Lakland Skylines are one of the market leaders in the category of "Fender-inspired" basses in their price range.

Tom.
 
#24
As most have said, it's mainly preference. Both makers are at the top of their craft.
I owned a Metro MV4 for 6 years before trading it towards my U.S. Lakland JO. I love my JO, but will own another Sadowsky someday. If you like the active J sound, go Sadowsky, if you like passive, go Lakland.
 
#25
rayzak said:
If you like the active J sound, go Sadowsky, if you like passive, go Lakland.
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+1

I've never played a Sadowsky, so I don't really know what I'm talking about, but I do own a Lakland Darryl Jones Skyline. I have heard that Lakland make more 'traditional' or 'vintage' sounding instruments (due to them making their own passive pickups, and based on the personal preferences of Dan Lakin and Hugh McFarland) whereas Sadowsky are a much more 'bright' and 'modern' sounding bass. So really, it depends what you're playing and what you prefer. I should add that IMO, the differences we're talking about are minute - no model from either of these manufacturers is going to sound 'bad'.
I've also heard that Laklands, because they have a physically thicker finish and are tough as old boots, make better live basses, but that the added versatility of the Sadowsky onboard preamp makes it a better studio bass. This is pure conjecture you understand - not having had the chance to A/B them personally, I'm quoting a half-remembered comment from someone else.

Hope this helps a little bit,
SoundSupport
 
#26
I never got to play a sadowsky and just had my first experience with a lakland DJ last week.
It played great and the fit was great too. I wish I can get an opportunity to play a sadowsky to compare it with.
are sadowsky basses that great? I just cant throw down 2000-3000 for a bass I never tried and to find out that it plays just like all the fenders I played.
 
#27
I use my Sadowskys out in clubland every day, and find their preamp's extra flexibility, fidelity and clarity very useful in that context.

Lakland make many basses with preamps as well.
 
#28
seungkoo said:
I never got to play a sadowsky and just had my first experience with a lakland DJ last week.
It played great and the fit was great too. I wish I can get an opportunity to play a sadowsky to compare it with.
are sadowsky basses that great? I just cant throw down 2000-3000 for a bass I never tried and to find out that it plays just like all the fenders I played.
Click to expand...

I've never played a US Sadowsky, but I've played 2 Metros.

My friend has a very nice 5-string Metro and it sounds pretty good.

I own a Lakland Skyline Joe Osborne 5-string with a JRetro preamp. I've played them both back-to-back. I wouldn't trade with him, even if he gave me money. :D
 
#29
I've owned both, 5 Laklands (4 USA, 1 Skyline) and 2 Sadowsky's (1 metro and 1 NYC). All great basses and I still kick myself for selling my USA Lakland Hollowbody. I've sold all of them but just acquired the NYC Sadowsky. I really like nitro finishes and Lakland doesn't offer that as far as I know. You can get that in the NYC Sadowskys. I just feel like I have a condom on my bass when it is a thick poly finish. My NYC Sadowsky is an Ultra Vintage model and I really love it. I can't wait to put single coils in it.

Several years ago I was on tour with an Artist and I was using a sunburts skyline Joe Osborn Lakland and we were passing through Austin. I picked up a sunburst Metro Sadowsky and played it on the gig. The artist had no idea that I picked up a new bass and they looked alike outside of the headstock. He turned to me on the second song and said "Dude, your bass sounds so F*&king good!" That is a pretty good blind test endorsment for Sadowsky. I would love to own a thin finish Lakland since I mainly a passive guy and mostly use the Sadowsky with the preamp off. I might not hold on to the Sadowsky, but I'm going to wait to see how it sounds with single coils. I have a bunch of Fender Custom Shop basses that I love and get most of my playing time.
 
#30
I've owned both: an early Lakland Skyline DJ5 w/J-retro, as well as a Sadowsky Metro UV70 w/SCs, which I at one point owned at the same time (several years ago) while I chose between them.

I picked the Sadowsky because I liked the sound of the preamp much better. In passive mode, the sound of the two single-coil basses was very Fender-like, and too close to call. But I vastly preferred the sound of the Sadowsky with the preamp engaged. I also thought it seemed slightly better in terms of construction, though my DJ5 was quite good in that respect as well.

If money had been an important concern, I would have probably stuck with the DJ5. But I could afford the UV70 and definitely preferred it, so I sold the DJ5 instead.

Now I have two NYC Sadowskys (WL and PJ) and couldn't be happier.
 
#33
I've owned both of these basses and hands down I preferred and kept the Sadowsky. In fact that Sadowsky has left such an imprint on me that Roger is the first guy I ever think of when I want a new bass and currently that new bass I'm saving for is the Will Lee.

Here's some sound clips that I have and you can hear for yourself. I wish I had more of the Sadowsky but these were just some sample clips to show the tone of both instruments. The other day I stumbled across some recordings I did for one of my student's jazz bands, I had used the Sadowsky and the tone still knocks me out.

I would put the Sadowsky Metros on par with the USA Lakland and not the Skylines. I've never owned a Skyline but I've played and A/B'ed quite a few of them with my Lakland and my Sadowsky.

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I know I got more clips of the Sadowsky in my iTunes somewhere but this is what I got available online.

I got some other clips on the icompositions page; Nordy, Clover; I think my Eshenbaugh and a Fender Jazz. For my tastes, preferences, etc. etc. etc. - Sadowsky is it.
 
#34
countrybassist said:
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never know what I'm talking about!!
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A little honesty goes a long way round here ;)

I just thought I'd add my 2 cents worth. I know Laklands and I did a fair bit of research when investing in such a pricey (for a student) instrument.

The thought occurs to me that Laklands are also more readily avaliable than Sadowskys - that may be a factor when buying too!

Cheers, SoundSupport
 
#36
mstott25 said:
I would put the Sadowsky Metros on par with the USA Lakland and not the Skylines. I've never owned a Skyline but I've played and A/B'ed quite a few of them with my Lakland and my Sadowsky.

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I know I got more clips of the Sadowsky in my iTunes somewhere but this is what I got available online.

I got some other clips on the icompositions page; Nordy, Clover; I think my Eshenbaugh and a Fender Jazz. For my tastes, preferences, etc. etc. etc. - Sadowsky is it.
Click to expand...

Both basses sound really good. But man, that Sadowsky...
Yeah, I know, they've probably not been recorded in the same conditions but you can definitely hear their respective character.

What did you use to record the first Salowsky clip?
 
#37
rayzak said:
If you like the active J sound, go Sadowsky, if you like passive, go Lakland.
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+1 / Nutshell

I love old Fenders and passive Laklands. I owned a beautiful Sadowsky Metro for a few months but was ALWAYS wanting it to be less bright - even with the VTC installed and in use!

To me, active basses sound like they're on a perfect, beautiful island by themselves - apart from everyone else in the band! A passive Fender or Lakand just seems to gel better - on sessions and on stage.

You know - IMHO.
 
#38
I have two of each. It's hard to compare them because they have distinctly different tonal characteristics. Ultimately, it gets down to personal preference. My Sadowsky 5-24s have a growly, aggressive edge to them, particularly the koa/mahogany. The alder body is a little warmer. My 55-94 favors the low mids, and has to be EQ'd pretty heavily to get that jazz-style bark. Of course, a good part of the difference lies in the pickups and electronics. The 55-94 is all Bartolini ... the 5-24 is Roger's proprietary stuff.

Now, my JO5 has East J-Retro electronics with Fralin pickups (I think), and it is more versatile than any bass (including Sadowsky) with 2-band EQ. It has three-band EQ with a semi-parametric mid control that I really like.
 
#40
I've had 4 Laklands and currently have ONLY Laklands; yet have Sadowskys to try. Visually, the Sadowsky style doesn't appeal to me (as stupid as it sounds! but it is me who's gonna have one in my hands, so that counts) - but I'd like to hear a few basses.


To some of the comments above (I chose not to quote deliberately):

- While Lakland makes basses from bodies, necks, hardware and (to some extent) electronics manufactured by other companies, Sadowsky - guess what - does the same mean corporate thing. Anyway, I think it is wiser to compare their sound and quality of make. Captain Obvious, at your service! ;-)

- Lakland Skyline and Sadowsky Metro are both made by contractors. This could be "period", if not for the negative connotation of the term. But, both are made very very good (according to yous guys). I've had japanese Lakland Shorelines - and they are damn good! although I did question how legitimate it was to have the Lakland logo on the headstock, but that's another question.

- Sadowsky has nitro finishes, a nice vintage touch. Lakland will get you any finish you lould like (on US basses). Also, I believe a few guys here on TB actually wished that Lakland finished their basses with the help of the guy who actually finished Sadowskys - and they got what they asked for. BTL, both have great finish work.

- I haven't had the chance to communicate to Roger. I hear every now and then that he's da man. However, I've had chances to communicate to Dan and guys at Lakland - and I have recommended Lakland to friends and acquaintances ever since.

- I adore the pickups & preamp setup of the 94 series. That said, I favor Lakland in passive mode lately - "also", not "instead". In fact, I wish my other 94 was active as well (and it's not). I did consider getting a Sadowsky pre stomp box to accompany it, but now that you can get a Lakland LH-3 pre stomp box, I'm after that one.
 

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