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Please Help - Fender or Lakland

R

RocknRolla

Dec 4, 2008
16
0
#1
Hey guys I'm new to the forums and need some help with buying a new bass. I'm looking into a jazz bass. I'm wondering if i should get a Mexican Fender(and mod it), American Fender, Lakland Joe Osborn(Skyline), Or a Lakland Darryl Jones(Skyline).

I've never played any Laklands before but here great things about them. I have a Mexican Precision right now and love it but always here that Americans are way better. I've played American Fenders at Guitar Center before but there always set-up crappy so i don't really know how good they can be.

Also what do you guys think about buying used. I'm always scared that when the bass comes it might be worse than how the seller portrayed it.

Thank You :)
 
#4
Were I a n00b bassist right now, I'd get either a Skyline or, for a bit less money, a G&L tribute... or a used USA J bass that you could then mod (or not).

But don't forget: a bad amp will make a good bass sound bad in a heartbeat. Make sure you have a decent rig.
 
#6
Johnny Alien said:
There are a ton of Skylines on these boards lately being sold for way lower than they should be. Use the bad economy in your favor and pick up one of those.
Click to expand...

I 100% agree....I bought most of my Laklands site unseen and have NEVER had a problem with any of them and have loved each and every one!

I am not going to "bash" Fender but I CAN tell you that it is nice to be able to pick up the phone or send an e-mail to the guy who designed and manufactured you bass to get advice or to help IF you every have an issue!

I have both a Skyline JO5 and a Skyline DJ5 and love them for different reasons....

I would say a DJ with a J-retro would give you the ultimate variability though a passive DJ is nice and growly on its own....

If you bought either a JO or DJ , I doubt you would find a need to mod it!

if you have any Lakland specific questions, PM or e-mail me or check out the Lakland Owners' Group (LOG) thread here on TB or Link Removed

peace and good luck!

Doug
 
#11
If you're looking for cheap stuff with quality... I might be inclined to say G&L. I was blown away by their basses, once I actually found a store that carried them. If money's less of an object, you aren't likely to grow out of a Lakland, playing wise... Even a Skyline.
 
#12
I'll preface this by saying this board is SLIGHTLY biased toward a particular brand. I don't need to mention it as its been mentioned in this thread a few times already. So you may not get completely unbiased opinions.

That being said... I'm personally not a big fan of the new Lakland single coil pickups. Something got lost in translation when they made the switch. I owned a DJ for all of 2 weeks as it weighed 10000 lbs . Again the pickups/ tone really lacked for me when it came to a jazz. The smaller body was nice but see point one.

I have not played an Osborne but that's on my short list the next time the opportunity presents itself.

I have played one of the newer American Jazz basses and really dug it. I believe it had the "noiseless' Pickups as they advertise. It felt like it had a really nice vibe. I played it sitting so can't comment on the weight. Again I remember thinking... I can get into this bass.

So my final point. If the opportunity presents itself...TRY to testdrive. It does look like Lakland is relocating (or already have) their "skyline" factory so who knows what will transpire. I have seen where they will be using the plek on these basses so the fretwork should be really nice. I have also read that they are working on the weight issue. I believe these will be in circulation in early 2009.

There are smaller stores(support if you can) that carry Lakland but I know for sure Sam Ash carries em.

Yes you can go the used route but I've experienced mixed results . Have your expectations on the lower side even if its mentioned as new.
 
#13
I tested a few Jazzes last week.
A 2008 Fender, a Darryl Jones and a Sandberg JJ-4.
Testing these basses alongside each other showed to me that the Fender really wasn't the best bass.
To me it was on third place.
Espacially the Sandberg just blew away the Fender.
If you dig that old-school jazz bass sound, you're settled with the Sandberg.
Not only the sound was better, also the finish was a whole lotta better.
Here in Europe the basic Sandberg model costs 200 euro's less than a Fender jazz.
And fot that price you can choose your colour, fretboard(maple/rosewood), pickguard and pick-up configuration(jazz/jazz or jazz/musicman).
Plus a bunch of extra's are available.
For like 1500 euro's you can have a completely modified jazz bass to your likings.
Trie that with Fender Custom Shop!
 

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