Some pretty mismatched grain on a Lakland

[Alder P Ashman]

What do you all think of the grain match on the back of this Lakland? I think the front looks pretty decent.

 

[Gorn]

That would always bother me. I love a natural finish, but only if it's either one piece or very well matched. Seems like they didn't really put enough thought into choosing those two pieces.

 

[scourgeofgod]

Looks fine from the front, I wouldn't expect a manufacturer to spend very much time trying to make 2 pieces appear as one.

 

[taylor16]

Looks killer from the front. And I'm sure plays like a dream and sounds incredible.

Skylines are still the best deal around.

 

[two fingers]

Heck, I'm not even a big fan of the front.

The "blemish" a couple of inches over the bridge, the odd oval right above the bridge, and the really tight pattern around the bridge pickup that seems out of place on such a loose grain top all wreck it for me. It's certainly not ugly. But I wouldn't pay Lakland prices for it.

The back is pretty bad. But if the front were gorgeous and it played/sounded like a dream I wouldn't let the back slow me down.

 

[Rogatien022]

I'd rock it like there's no tomorrow. I could not care less about the looks of it.

 

[2cooltoolz]

Well, I love it! The wild, loose pattern on the the lower half of the bass really wows me. Good luck on matching that! That bass is totally unique in the world!

 

[metalstorm]

Dual Density!

 

[Not yet]

Total pass for me

 

[Solarmist]

As others have mentioned - the front looks fine, but the back bugs me - probably because I'm huge into transparent finishes.

I could probably live with it though as you don't play the back of the bass.

 

[GregT]

Probably the worst looking natural wood-grain bass or guitar I have ever seen. I am a fan of the Skylines, but they really messed up on that one. Natural finish instruments are what they are to "show off" the wood. Ick!

 

[bobcruz]

I'd consider it a blem and would only buy at a very large discount. YMMV.

 

[Treb]

As long as the front looks good I won't bother with the back perhaps not being as pretty. Ymmv thing really.

 

[punchdrunk]

That looks like a $300 bass

 

[Treb]

That looks like a $300 bass

No, a $300 bass has plywood body.

 

[LanEvo]

No

 

[Doner Designs]

If it was a US model I would send it back. If it's a Skyline and the front looks good I would live with it. I have had similar situations with other makers such as a G&L Tribute. There again if it was US, it would have gone back. My GL Trib was a lot like yours except it was a 3 pc. Looked great on front but not the back. It probably limits your wood selection a lot to have both sides looking great and that's partly why they give you a better price on the non-US models.

 

[Thumpinshelton]

Coming from a BIG Lakland guy.....my OCD would take over and not let me go with it. To some that may be silly, but be happy all around with your purchase. Truth is, it would still sound killer and should live up to the Lakland quality. So, if the back doesn't bother you go with it...if it does look at another one.

 

[blindrabbit]

What do you all think of the grain match on the back of this Lakland? I think the front looks pretty decent.

Ouch. That shouldn't have been made into a natural finish instrument. It needs paint.

 

[sxaxsx]

Looks fine from the front

Looks killer from the front.

front looks fine

As long as the front looks good

The front is the same two pieces that the back is. I don't see how you guys think the front looks better? I think it is just the angle plus the pickguard. If the angle was straight on like the back is it would look as bad I think.