Need help!

[jackn1202]

Unfortunately, Sweetwater doesn’t offer Sire.

Friggin' Sweetwater. Then I'd go for whatever you can buy with cash. Go play all these basses if you can! The Lakland will be harder to find (I've only ever seen one Lakie, 'tis a Skyline 5501 that the bass player at my church plays), but the others are literally everywhere.

 

[Sean150]

I’d suggest the player. It’s what I ended up with when I was looking for a p bass tone for blues (to upgrade from my Squier VM Jazz). I ended up with a Jaguar because I liked the smaller neck (same small hands issue) and the added tone options from the jazz pickup; but I also played the jazz and was equally impressed. Additionally I was fretless shopping a few weeks ago and played an American Professional jazz and found that the build quality was lower than the players (downtown store floor model so not necessarily Fenders issue). I am definitely of the play it first if you can opinion but thought I’d add my $0.02.

Also I have never played the Lakland (or even seen one) so I can’t comment on that one.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

I was considering the MIM GL. What are the major differences between the MIM GL and the American? Don’t think I can justify a $700 price increase.

If pickups are a concern, Tom Brantley sells exact replicas of the Jazz pickups he makes for Geddy. They’re surprisingly cheap and sound great, I have a set in my ‘90s American Standard Jazz.

 

[ZBirdV8]

Alright guys/gals... you are probably sick and tired of my recent posts regarding the purchase of a new bass. I have considered Squiers, Fenders and Laklands. I am going to order from Sweetwater on their 48 month interest-free finance offer (ends 12-31-18). The one thing I DO know for sure is that I want a Jazz-style bass. I started off ready to get a Squier VMJ and then ventured into more "pricey" basses... trying to justify that 10-15 dollars more a month (interest free) would be well worth getting a higher-end bass. if you were me, which one of these would you choose? I mainly play classic rock and blues...

Squier VM
Fender Player Series
Fender 60s Jazz
Lakland DJ4

THANK YOU!!!

I just saw that you are in Ohio. Dunno how far you are or how bad you want this stuff, but Might give Motorcity Guitars and Huber-Breeze a call. They have A LOT of stuff, and I trust them both.

 

[bassbully]

Why? Craftsmanship? Parts? I hear the necks on the Laklands are the big selling point. I love that they use Hipshot tuners and their bridges seem to be a uniquely practical and solid approach. What model Lakland do you own?

All of the above. Yes the necks are what sold me the feel and shape are a dream. I play all Five string Laklands Skylines 55-01 and 55-02. I have played a four string Skyline recently and it rocked. The skylines are setup and assembled overseas then sent back to Chicago for setup and final inspection. You get a pleked neck that is graphite rod lined neck. My Skylines have never needed truss rod adjustments using flats or rounds. To me they are the finest basses in their price range.
I owned allot of basses and am a Fender fan boy but the Laklands sold me and hopefully one day I will own a USA Lakland.
For the money get the Lakland the quality, fit , finish and parts make it an awesome bass.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

All of the above. Yes the necks are what sold me the feel and shape are a dream. I play all Five string Laklands Skylines 55-01 and 55-02. I have played a four string Skyline recently and it rocked. The skylines are setup and assembled overseas then sent back to Chicago for setup and final inspection. You get a pleked neck that is graphite rod reenforced. To me they are the finest basses in their price range.
I owned allotof basses and am a Fender fan boy but the Laklands sold me and hopefully one day will own a USA Lakland. For the money get the Lakland the quality,fit ,finish and parts make it an awesome bass.

Thanks so much for your response and input. I’m just wondering if the DJ4 has a neck similar to a Fender J. I have real small hands and short fingers, so this is more relative to me than many other bass players. Thanks again.

 

[bassbully]

Thanks so much for your response and input. I’m just wondering if the DJ4 has a neck similar to a Fender J. I have real small hands and short fingers, so this is more relative to me than many other bass players. Thanks again.

Hey another Ohio guy! Well I also have small hands and short fingers too and I play their five strings with 35” scale with no issues at all. The four Skyline I played felt great. You won’t find them in shops unless you luck into one. I have seen two in shops in 20years and I bought one of them.

 

[wildman2]

You are not that far from Sweetwater 2hrs or less of a drive for you,go there and play as many as you can..They had a lakland up on the wall when I went there and a whole bunch of other ones..

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Hey another Ohio guy! Well I also have small hands and short fingers too and I play their five strings with 35” scale with no issues at all. The four Skyline I played felt great. You won’t find them in shops unless you luck into one. I have seen two in shops in 20years and I bought one of them.

Wow! I’m waiting to hear back from the sales rep at Seeetwater about the neck comparison to a Fender J. After what you stated, I may just pull the trigger anyway! Thanks again for the direction/insight.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Lakland!!!

 

[Slater]

I’m just wondering if the DJ4 has a neck similar to a Fender J.

The DJ4 has a 10” fretboard radius, and I believe has the smallest neck among the basses on your list.

 

[Two-Spirit]

Fender 60s jazz or the players but just so you know the Mexico version of the Geddy Lee Jazz is 900 and comes with American Vintage pickups and a nice high mass bridge

 

[Spidey2112]

Can’t do the thick C neck on the American GL. I’ve got small hands and short fingers.

I'm in the same boat... never noticed it being 'thicker' than any of my others... I'm thinking you would be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Spidey2112]

Hey another Ohio guy! Well I also have small hands and short fingers too and I play their five strings with 35” scale with no issues at all. The four Skyline I played felt great. You won’t find them in shops unless you luck into one. I have seen two in shops in 20years and I bought one of them.

Go Bucks!

 

[Chrisk-K]

The price difference between the Lakland DJ4 and the Fender American Pro J is minimal. Why not buy a true Jazz Bass?

 

[jd56hawk]

How many of them have you tried?

 

[Billybassbeater]

Maybe I’m not good enough to play that bass. Lol. The “I’m not worthy” phrase has been haunting me.

Just get better. Everybody is worthy.

 

[baileyboy]

USA Geddy Lee Jazz. The only Jazz I would have.

As much as I'd love to own a 60s Jazz, for the money the Geddy USA Jazz is a phenomenal bass.

 

[interp]

Fender 60s Jazz. Even better, Fender Road Worn Jazz, used for around 750.

 

[JLY]

No question for me.....Lakland