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Skyline 4401 vs Kingston Artist?

#2
the 44-01 (I had a 55-01 but same principle) had a fairly generic sound. It was good at everything, but not great at anything in particular. If you are going for a specialized sound and are happy with the Kingston, I'd go with that, but the 44-01 is not going to be a bad choice as an overall bass. I loved mine, I just needed somethignal ittle different. Very good all around workhorse bass.
 
#3
I went to Guitar Pro, and I can honestly say, it will be my last experience there. I was looking to purchase the Artist and when ringed up, I asked them if they had any new, boxed models in the back. The employee helping me said there were non in stock and only the floor model was available. I asked him if I can get a discount, because there were scratches and what not on the floor model and the employee said no. How these guys can stay in business is beyond me.

Anyways, I saved about $100 and purchased a Skyline 44-01 online in the natural finish with maple fretboard. I play in a funk band and a metal band, so I guess tonal variety is a plus. I just hope that the Bartolinis, maple fingerboard and ash body will achieve that slap tone I am looking for. Can anyone with this specific finish, tell me how it compares to the finish of the maple burst? I am kind of hoping the natural finish has more contour along the grain but either way I am fine with it.
 
#4
You got the 4 string maple board version of my 55-01. Very simple and pretty finish I thought. Elegant without being cheap simple. The Maple burst didn't impress me as much as the burst finishes on more expensive Laklands, so I stuck to the natural and had no regrets. You will dig it I am sure. Mine sounded decent for slap, but I suck at that particular technique and I think the maple would have been a better fretboard wood for it, so you should be in good shape.
 
#6
Hmmm. Well there is a chance of it from just about any big time mass producer. The necks I highly doubt it very common, but bad pots, bad wiring, a stripped screwhead or some such are no more or less common than any other brand I wouldn't think. It appears to me that some of these boutique level builders that have the "budget" lines all insist on keeping them as good as they can, but never as good as the US thing. NYC Fodera, MEtro Sadowsky, Skyline Lakland, MTD Kingston, as long as these big time names are being stuck on these instruments they are going to be as good as they can be for the price for fear of damaging the name and getting people to wonder why they would drop 5000+ on the real deal some day.

That being said they are intentionally not as good as the US versions. But someone on here put it very well. A Skyline is all you will ever need, as US Lakland is all you could ever desire. Maybe a little hyperbole, but it represents the idea.
 
#7
Good enough for me! Yeah I just have a general build paranoia, my last bass, a Traben Chaos Core 5 was sort of a mess when I bought it last year. Obviously, Traben isn't exactly the most premium name around however I think it moreso had to do with the fact that I purchased the bass immediately after it went on the production line. Anyways, my gripe with that bass was that pretty much every single functional screw, whether the strap lock or knobs would come loose. That and the pickups came a little misaligned :spit:

Anyways, I don't think I have anything to worry about as these Skylines generally have a decent reputation.
 
#8
Oh, I did have one pup screw that stripped about half of the hole out so it had to be tightened and lower than I prefer. It was probably my fault, but that was the only thing that went wrong on me until I lent it to a friend while I was overseas. Then all kinds of things went wrong, but I don't thing I could blame that on the bass. Send some pics and impressions once you get it.
 
#9
I played one in a rival band of ours and was very impressed by the sheer feel, heft, and solidity of the instrument; as for sound, it sat well in the mix with a thick, yet robust sound. It wasn't exactly a growling presence like my J-basses, but actually reminded me of my Ibanez only with more color and character. I've often--and still do--crave that model and may get one someday. Please post pics and comments when received.
 

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