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NBD Lakland Skyline 44-02
- Thread starter SMonroeB
- Start date
It balances very well. It has the lightweight Hipshot tuners. It is just over 9 lbs. I have some basses that are ridiculous to play while standing up with a strap so this is great. I would imagine the USA Laklands are a good bit lighter because they use Alder mostly.
Last edited:
There is a new Lakland price list for 2025, effective last week.
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
Crazy. I paid about $1,100 in 2007 for my 44-02 Deluxe. My 44 and 55-01's were in the realm of $700-800 out the door in 2006/2007. It makes me wonder how Sadowsky/Warwick is putting out the MetroExpress options just a tick over the $1k price point.
I do wonder. They have great features. I think the Sadowsky is probably a good value, though I recall they had some QC issues based on a video review that I saw. Who really knows? I'm 100% sure that will be sorted out. Sadowsky has roasted maple fretboards which seems like a cool thing to me. The difference between the two in price could be that this bass is PLEK'd, Laklands have USA pickups and a 3-band EQ vs 2, Hipshot tuners (Sadowsky looks exactly the same so...?) and you can get PJ in a Sadowsky but this Lakland does P, J front and back, and MM in the bridge and a Hybrid sound. The bridge has the option of through-body. Does any of that make a difference in what comes out of the amp? Probably not! I like this bass because it nails the front/rear or rear J sound and mostly because it does the P sound right on the money. So essentially the Metro may be darn close. I would love to try one. I respect him so much. I would have been happy with a great Fender P bass either from MX or the USA. Honestly, I have a $200 Pbass that sounds like a vintage P so unless GAS hits me...
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
Oh yeah, it wasn't a comparison directly because they are totally different instruments in execution. I have a fretless MetroExpress and a Korean made 44-02. They are of equal quality in terms of construction IMO, and the Sadowsky does come with the same preamp as US models, with differences in pickups for sure. All of my mid-2000s Korean Skylines are fantastic instruments. My question was more about how, in the current environment, there is such a different price in 2 reputable brands' overseas models. A curiosity rather than a specific statement of features vs price and how Sadowsky/Warwick are able to do it.I do wonder. They have great features. I think the Sadowsky is probably a good value, though I recall they had some QC issues based on a video review that I saw. Who really knows? I'm 100% sure that will be sorted out. Sadowsky has roasted maple fretboards which seems like a cool thing to me. The difference between the two in price could be that this bass is PLEK'd, Laklands have USA pickups and a 3-band EQ vs 2, Hipshot tuners (Sadowsky looks exactly the same so...?) and you can get PJ in a Sadowsky but this Lakland does P, J front and back, and MM in the bridge and a Hybrid sound. The bridge has the option of through-body. Does any of that make a difference in what comes out of the amp? Probably not! I like this bass because it nails the front/rear or rear J sound and mostly because it does the P sound right on the money. So essentially the Metro may be darn close. I would love to try one. I respect him so much. I would have been happy with a great Fender P bass either from MX or the USA. Honestly, I have a $200 Pbass that sounds like a vintage P so unless GAS hits me...
