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Skyline Glaub >> US Glaub

Johnny Alien

Johnny Alien

Supporting Member
Jan 24, 2003
6,207
3,592
Harrisburg, PA, USA
#1
OK...after much thought I have decided on something that will probably be slightly controversial.

I like the Skyline Glaub necks better than the US Glaub necks. I will admit the finish it nicer on the US models but I think the Skyline necks are slightly thinner from front to back and I think the non-graphite flat-sawn neck is more vintage accurate than the graphite lined quarter-sawn.

I still find the US a joy to play but I think that this is where I landed.

Discuss.
 
#3
It's pretty much a subjective decision as to whether one's "better" than the other. My favorite necks are like Fullerton-era Fender Vintage Series '62 P bass necks. VERY wide side-to-side, very thin front-to-back. The US Glaub's I've played are more like later Precision necks. Just as wide but also thicker front-to-back. I'd still prefer that to something like a Jazz bass neck.

As for the quarter-sawn/graphite vs. the flat-sawn/all wood, yeah it's more "vintage correct", but that again doesn't have much to do with why I buy a bass. For me it's about what THIS chunck of wood in MY hands sounds like. I don't care if it's got a graphite neck, unobtanium pickups, and frets hand-filed by Peruvian midgets with special training from Roger Sadowsky and Yoda. I play the bass. It either speaks to me or it doesn't.

See, I didn't buy my Lakland Deluxe 4-94 because it had a quarter-sawn neck with birds-eye maple fingerboard, ebony dots, and the active electronics. Just like I didn't buy my VS '62 P bass because it didn't have those features. I picked them up, played them unamplified, and they spoke to ME. Both said "Hi, honey, I'm home!!" So I don't pay attention to stuff like that any more.

Play the bass, not the catalog!

John
 
#5
I'm in the 4). "I respect your opinion as someone who has definitely played more Laklands than I, but out of the US and Skyline versions I have owned I preferred the US necks though the Skylines were nice".

Except I didn't see that option...
 
#9
Spiritfield said:
I'm in the 4). "I respect your opinion as someone who has definitely played more Laklands than I, but out of the US and Skyline versions I have owned I preferred the US necks though the Skylines were nice".

Except I didn't see that option...
Click to expand...
This is where I'm at. I've played somewhere between 5 and 10 Skyline and US Glaubs each, and have always preferred the US--though it's a closer race at some times than others.

It's interesting that you've found the opposite of what I have. On average, the US necks I've played have been a little thinner front-to-back than the Skyline necks (seriously). Like JTE, I'm a fan of the wide, flat neck (I have a Fullerton-era reissue P), and the US ones have come a wee bit closer to that for me. Plus, they're just all-around more comfortable IME.:)
 
#13
GregC said:
This is where I'm at. I've played somewhere between 5 and 10 Skyline and US Glaubs each, and have always preferred the US--though it's a closer race at some times than others.

It's interesting that you've found the opposite of what I have. On average, the US necks I've played have been a little thinner front-to-back than the Skyline necks (seriously). Like JTE, I'm a fan of the wide, flat neck (I have a Fullerton-era reissue P), and the US ones have come a wee bit closer to that for me. Plus, they're just all-around more comfortable IME.:)
Click to expand...

Interesting. The Lakland website shows the thickness at the 1st fret to be the same for US and Skyline BGs.
 
#16
I have had limited playing time on a US BG4 but PLENTY on my (now gone) BG4 PJ. I absolutely LOVED that neck! it was very comfortable to play and felt great!

I now play all 5 bangers and LOVE the feel of that neck whether it is a Skyline or US model. the profiles are the same and again - VERY comfortable for me.....

Lakland necks really are the best in the business!
 
#19
I own this bass now, and the neck is one of the best I have ever played on any bass. Matty did a great job. He should go into the neck refinishing biz ;)

mattygbass said:
the skyline glaub neck that i refinished with tung oil was as nice as any of my u.s. lakland necks. im not a fan of the finish they use on the skyline necks.

in terms of thickness, flip a coin for me.
Click to expand...
 

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