Not diggin’ the DJ4

[3bc]

Yeah... I guess that’s a more accurate description. Just seemed that way to me when my $199 bass plays better than a $1,700 one.

Some people bond with certain basses better than others. But if the action is “unacceptably high” on a lakland you either got a lemon or it’s not set up right. Lakland, even skyline with the plek is famous for low string action, more so than almost any brand.

I am a recent lakland convert and I will say I had to “force” myself to like it. I immediately loved the sounds I was able to get out of the instrument but it didn’t suit me in terms of playability. My main player was a German $$ and the two couldn’t be more different in terms of playing. Warwick has a big fat neck, tight string spacing, 24 frets taughter strings, etc. lakland has a very slim neck, wider string spacing, 22 frets. Everything was a struggle for a few weeks. Got used to it, picked up the $$ and it felt completely foreign. It took a month or so but I eventually got to the point where I could do everything on the lakland I could previously do on the Warwick. Very glad I stuck with it, I was confident I’d adapt and appreciate it and I did

 

[Spidey2112]

I thought Sweetwater was supposed to do this before it left the store ?

Yeah... The 55 point checklist. Not sure if that checklist is adhered to, or not, depending on turnaround order times... see my NBD, Ibanez SR805 (last November/December). I will say my Sweetwater rep bent over backwards helping me, so they are still tops on my list...

... but man, don't hang that inspection tag on there, saying you did something, when I know you didn't.

 

[jnewmark]

Yeah... The 55 point checklist. Not sure if that checklist is adhered to, or not, depending on turnaround order times... see my NBD, Ibanez SR805 (last November/December). I will say my Sweetwater rep bent over backwards helping me, so they are still tops on my list...

... but man, don't hang that inspection tag on there, saying you did something, when I know you didn't.

I'd like to see a video of that.

 

[Spidey2112]

... play them with a strap, into your amp, on a box, with a fox.

I can sing the whole PJ Masks theme, and am currently working on learning the Paw Patrol intro... shouldn't be a problem, as I've heard it over, and over and over again.

 

[Spidey2112]

I'd like to see a video of that.

Me, too... however, it's classified... . You'd have better luck finding aliens artifacts at the Dayton Air Force Museum.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Return it and tell Sweetwater, “I guess the 55 point inspection is nothing but a marketing gimmick.”

 

[gregmon79]

I can relate. I play my Squier P and VMJ at home all the time. I have modded them quite a bit mind you. But they both play and sound better than almost any other bass I pick up at a store. But then you have to remember those basses aren't set up most times, and they are foreign to what my hands and ears are accustomed to. There are basses that just "feel right" in your hands though. I won't ever knock a bass because I "think" it sucks. This stuff is all so relative to the player. That's cool though, I dig that. I picked up a newer Fender Elite PJ last year in a store and I was like "WOOOWWWW...I NEED this bass...." I really like that bass. And that was off the wall at a GC.

There are some higher end models I've played that I felt just didn't cause me to splooge over them. But that doesn't mean they aren't worth it or the effort for someone else. Same goes for every piece of gear. I've played a couple $30 pedals that sounded better than some $200+ pedals. It's relative. All of it. Doesn't make any other piece of gear suck or better than the next IMO. Although I will say some prices certain things fetch are outrageous at times. But then the market usually sorts that. And that's a whole other thread...

 

[Maxdusty]

Yep, the action seems high but from I'm getting from you, even when adjusted it's still not going to be the right bass for you. Sure Lakeland basses are highly regarded, but ultimately our opinions are not going to be playing the bass for you, only one opinion really matters - yours. I'm pretty much in the same place in regards to Lakeland basses, I can easily see why people like them, but the ones I've tried just don't do it for me - they're great basses and the reputation is well deserved, but the shoe doesn't fit my foot so to speak. Try as many basses as you can, sounds like you're on the right path, something with a P-pickup, not a jazz so that helps narrow down your choices. I primarily play a jazz bass but lately have been on a P Bass kick, I already had a Fender P Bass but recently picked up an inexpensive US Peavey Fury, a P bass clone and have to say the neck and the feel of the Peavey are more along the lines of what I'm looking for - best $100 I've spent in a long time. However, in my opinion, a US Fender P Bass still sounds way better than a stock Fury. So why not merge the two right? Recently, I was able to get classic vibe pickup and electronics slated for an upgrade project and on a lark, installed them in the Fury (easy swap but keeping the original in a safe spot),I have to say the sound is closer to what I'm looking for (not that there's anything wrong with how it sounded stock mind you, but now it really sounds like a P bass), add that to the feel and neck of the Fury, and it's becoming more of my ideal P Bass. I'm probably going to go a step further and replace the pickups with higher quality ones.
My point in bringing this up is find a bass that feels right in your hands, electronics and pickups can always be upgraded, if that Squier PJ feels great to you, maybe just upgrade the electronics.

 

[songwriter21]

PLENTY of nice/nicer basses for $1700 today! Don't lose faith, my friend.

 

[backin82]

Yeah... I guess that’s a more accurate description. Just seemed that way to me when my $199 bass plays better than a $1,700 one.

Don't feel bad. I didn't get along with my DJ5. There was nothing wrong with it; there just wasn't anything right about it ... for me.

As to the playability, there exists the possibility that it's just a bad bass. Even with the tightest of quality control sometimes a stinker sneaks through.

Sorry to hear that you guys have had bad experiences with your DJs.

For the record, I purchased a DJ5 a couple years ago and it instantly became my "one". I'm actually selling my only other 5-string bass, because it has sat in my closet, untouched for that entire time. The DJ5 action, fit/finish, weight, look, sound, etc......is all perfect (for me). Obviously, you guys have had different experiences.

Also for the record, I purchased mine from a store called Guitar Guitar out of England. They actually had two in stock and were kind enough to weigh each of them and send detailed photos of each so I could decide which exact serial # I wanted. It came from their Glasgow store, I believe. It arrived in perfect, ready to play condition. The only thing I've done to it is replaced the clear pickguard for a white pearl one (see my profile pic).

Also......$1,700? My DJ5 was like $1,400 even with shipping and customs fees.

 

[FishDub]

Just got this bass a month ago. Not diggin’ it. Just doesn’t feel comfortable to me and I have tried setting this bass up the last few days and the action is unacceptably high... if I try to lower the sadlles (after adjusting the trussrod, I’m getting some buzz). Hopefully, it’s not too late to return it to Sweetwater. It’s been a little under 30 days since it was shipped. Going to actually play some Fender basses while I’m there (I live about 90 minutes from Sweetwater). Lakland builds a nice bass, but maybe I wasn’t meant for a nice bass. I enjoy playing my Squier PJ more than the Lakland. I feel really stupid purchasing this bass and finding out that it’s nothing special.

Any suggestions on what Fender’s to look at? I think I want to stick with a P bass body. i just don’t like the way the J bass pickups are positioned for my right hand playing style. Really frustrated with this situation.

Thanks for any input.

Forget lugging it to a tech..return it..

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Just seemed that way to me when my $199 bass plays better than a $1,700 one.

Sometimes things are over-rated, simply because everyone is revering the name on the headstock.
I'm not falling for that anymore. There was a guy on here razzing me about playing a Ibanez Premium & then I saw his rig later on. It was tough not to comment.

 

[GregC]

Yeah... I guess that’s a more accurate description. Just seemed that way to me when my $199 bass plays better than a $1,700 one.

$1700? The DJ4 is listed at $1324 on Sweetwater's site, and hopefully you got some kind of discount off the street price.

 

[JRA]

I feel really stupid purchasing this bass and finding out that it’s nothing special.

if this is the first time you've felt that way = you're living a charmed life!

more experience choosing the right instrument for yourself reduces the chances of feeling "stupid" but it doesn't eliminate the possibility altogether. every time we make an instrument choice/purchase --- even when we play them in the store, first --- we take a chance = our preferences 'evolve'.

(IME! )

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Yep, the action seems high but from I'm getting from you, even when adjusted it's still not going to be the right bass for you. Sure Lakeland basses are highly regarded, but ultimately our opinions are not going to be playing the bass for you, only one opinion really matters - yours. I'm pretty much in the same place in regards to Lakeland basses, I can easily see why people like them, but the ones I've tried just don't do it for me - they're great basses and the reputation is well deserved, but the shoe doesn't fit my foot so to speak. Try as many basses as you can, sounds like you're on the right path, something with a P-pickup, not a jazz so that helps narrow down your choices. I primarily play a jazz bass but lately have been on a P Bass kick, I already had a Fender P Bass but recently picked up an inexpensive US Peavey Fury, a P bass clone and have to say the neck and the feel of the Peavey are more along the lines of what I'm looking for - best $100 I've spent in a long time. However, in my opinion, a US Fender P Bass still sounds way better than a stock Fury. So why not merge the two right? Recently, I was able to get classic vibe pickup and electronics slated for an upgrade project and on a lark, installed them in the Fury (easy swap but keeping the original in a safe spot),I have to say the sound is closer to what I'm looking for (not that there's anything wrong with how it sounded stock mind you, but now it really sounds like a P bass), add that to the feel and neck of the Fury, and it's becoming more of my ideal P Bass. I'm probably going to go a step further and replace the pickups with higher quality ones.
My point in bringing this up is find a bass that feels right in your hands, electronics and pickups can always be upgraded, if that Squier PJ feels great to you, maybe just upgrade the electronics.

I appreciate your response. It makes a lot of sense. I'm not real handy with stuff so I would probably be taking a bass that needed some mods to my guitar tech. He's the one that dropped the SD Quarter Pounds in my Squier and also did the setup - he did a fine job! Hopefully it's not too late to return the bass to Sweetwater... It's been roughly 30 days and their website stated that that is pretty much the limit on what they consider a reasonable amount of time for a return. Sweetwater is a 90 minute drive from where I live. I planned on going this Saturday but there is a possibility for a snow storm in the area... great! I e-mailed the guy at Sweetwater last night concerning the return. Haven't heard back yet this morning. If I don't hear back from him by this afternoon, I will be giving him a call. Thanks again for your response.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

if this is the first time you've felt that way = you're living a charmed life!

more experience choosing the right instrument for yourself reduces the chances of feeling "stupid" but it doesn't eliminate the possibility altogether. every time we make an instrument choice/purchase --- even when we play them in the store, first --- we take a chance = our preferences 'evolve'.

(IME! )

That is for sure. I'll take this as a "learning" experience.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Sometimes things are over-rated, simply because everyone is revering the name on the headstock.
I'm not falling for that anymore. There was a guy on here razzing me about playing a Ibanez Premium & then I saw his rig later on. It was tough not to comment.

That is certainly true... even more so nowadays when companies are producing darn good instruments at price-points that aren't outrageous. I've experienced that (first hand) with my Squier. Love that bass!

 

[Kipp Harrington]

$1700? The DJ4 is listed at $1324 on Sweetwater's site, and hopefully you got some kind of discount off the street price.

Yes... I payed $1,324. However, the "list" price (or should I say the MSRP) is actually $1,765.

Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones Signature - Lake Placid Blue, Rosewood

 

[Killed_by_Death]

If you click the "+Quote" button on each post you wish to respond you, later you can insert all those quotes into one post.

 

[CryingBass]

I have bought a lot of basses from Sweetwater and never returned one yet.

But never bank on that 55 point inspection is going to get you a bass setup perfectly for you.
At least they ship them well-packaged and IME free of functional defects.

Don’t buy out the store while you’re there!