Well sort of. TBH, the PDNs are only slightly more than standard production model EBMM. Couple hundred bucks in my case. No where near difference between stock Fender and CS.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Skyline 44-02 vs Stingray
- Thread starter Mark_70
- Start date
Well everything is subjective, I would place the EBMMs somewhere in between Skylines' and US Laklands". I'll just say it, if my 55-02 was set up and final inspected at the Chicago shop,it must have been 4:30 in the afternoon on a Friday if you catch my drift! Jim
Yes I am aware of that. I brought it up because it is still a separate line that is priced higher with different options and greater care. The OP is comparing the standard line and options, not a premium line such as PDN or BFR.
Or maybe you just need it to be setup again.
Sorry, bad fret work finishing, slivers of plastic around the nut, places on the back of the neck where the poly gloss was not even and even had small "dimples" that you can fell under your thumb have nothing to do with "setup". This one flew under the radar at the Chicago shop. Having said that , a 55-94 I played a couple of times was one of the best basses I've ever played, the neck especially, felt nothing like my 55-02, and my SR5 has none of those issues. Jim Edit: And it's not like I'm some fanboy for EBMM basses in general as I'm planning to sell both the SR5 and 55-02 as I don't play either one very much after getting my Fbass BN5. Just calling it as I seez it. Jim
Just curious Jim, if it was a lemon why didn't you send it back? That wasn't the case with my Skyline... It was flawless. I was really impressed and this was after already having a 55-94 in my possession. I would agree that the neck texture between the US Lakie and Skyline are very different.
That being said, i don't think it is fair using a lemon as a comparison. EBMM has lemons too and i wouldn't use it as any indication of quality compared with what they usually produce.
That being said, i don't think it is fair using a lemon as a comparison. EBMM has lemons too and i wouldn't use it as any indication of quality compared with what they usually produce.
Yes - I was looking at the Skyline series 44-02 and the US made Ernie Ball MusicMan; both very similar in price.
Regards
Mark
Can you cite a source to support that statement? I would be surprised if EBMM would state that PDN instruments are built or setup with greater care than their regular instruments. I thought PDN just meant a limited release color, only available through certain dealers.
I should have but after all my complaints about the construction it does have a great sound, one of the best B strings I've played due to the 35" scale and for the first couple of months tried to ignore its flaws. Look, I don't want to come across as bashing Skylines, they are after all a cheaper version of the US models and I wouldn't expect them to have the same quality as a $3500.00 bass. But priced at $1500.00 I think there are better basses out there,built in the US. Peace out, Jim
Perhaps i should have been more clear about what i meant by 'greater care'. There was no mention of greater care in build or setup. I just meant in the finish and i admit it is an assumption(consumer expectation) based on it being limited release, fewer produced so more scrutiny and greater care that the finish along with the rest of the bells & whistles(roasted necks, etc.) turning out right.
I don't think it is unreasonable to assume that since that is what the extra bucks are for.
No worries i can see where you are coming from. Reminds me of the time i got so put off by Fender because i tried an MIA Jazz bass in a store. It sounded the way it should but the setup wasn't great and it looked like the bridge was misaligned....
That's cool. If you still own the bass, I strongly suggest reaching out to Lakland about the issues. Their customer service is outstanding.
Have you had an opportunity to play a Lakland? Do you have one? If yes, give it a go. In the case you like it more then you could be saving some money.
But to be honest what you have been describing in my head sounds like a HH Musicman. Stingray or Sterling is quite subjective.
From my personal experience and my personl needs, I think the most ideal bass would be a HH Sterling. The stingray is nice, but the body and the neck on the sterling make a lot more attractive to me.
Don't get me wrong I liked the Lakland a lot and I thought it was a lot more reasonably priced, but it sounded a bit too polite for my taste, my favourite pickup combination was the 50-50 with the outer coil of the humbucker selected, essentially a j-bass configuration. Moreover, really limited color options (Superficial, I know). On the other hand the neck was great, the body was very managable and balanced well. And at that price point nothing came even close.
Ok something came, but I will not throw a third option at you...
But to be honest what you have been describing in my head sounds like a HH Musicman. Stingray or Sterling is quite subjective.
From my personal experience and my personl needs, I think the most ideal bass would be a HH Sterling. The stingray is nice, but the body and the neck on the sterling make a lot more attractive to me.
Don't get me wrong I liked the Lakland a lot and I thought it was a lot more reasonably priced, but it sounded a bit too polite for my taste, my favourite pickup combination was the 50-50 with the outer coil of the humbucker selected, essentially a j-bass configuration. Moreover, really limited color options (Superficial, I know). On the other hand the neck was great, the body was very managable and balanced well. And at that price point nothing came even close.
Ok something came, but I will not throw a third option at you...
Yea the pickup position difference does have alot to play in that. I find the Skyline -02 excels at P, 60s and 70s J tones. The aggressive MM tone isn't it's strong suit although not completely terrible. Just a bit lacking. Get an MM for the MM tone and the 2 pickup variants for more tonal options.
With a 4-string it's a no brainer. With a 5er, string spacing may be an issue. It was for me since i prefer 19mm .
Again, I would be surprised if EBMM would state that they give more scrutiny or greater care to the PDN instruments than the other instruments they make. I would bet that they go through the exact same production process as their other instruments, just with whatever different finish/options they are getting.
And if there is an extra charge (beyond the normal price for a comparable finish, neck wood, or whatever makes the PDN instrument unique), I'd guess the reason for it is "because they can." Some people will happily pay more for something just because it has an air of exclusivity about it. We all know that, and EBMM knows it, too.
But, of course, I could be totally wrong.
Ok lets assume it's all the same process. Do you feel those 'unique' appointments have a psychological affect on perception of higher quality since some of the PDNs are pretty stunning?
Perhaps a more fair comparison would be a Skyline with similar appointments(although highly unlikely to ever happen).
Gotta admit those figured roasted necks are pretty nice and one of the selling points on Stingray Classics.... although the gloss finish wasn't really for me.
And the fact that I do still own the bass does say something, because a 55-94 is one of the few basses I truly would love to own,but I already have a $3000.00 bass,Fbass,that I love and the 55-02 was a comprise from the get go. Already spoke to Dan about it a couple of years ago. To the OP, if you are still thinking about a 44-02, just make sure you try it out first, I am sure that there are many gems out there, and when a Lakie does resonant with you, you will be keeping it for a long, long time. Jim
As I can see, those peaople here are discussing this topic without even trying Lakland. Unbeleavable.
Zombie Thread Alert!
This thread died four years ago. I suspect the OP made his decision long ago.
