Then you know you aré taking risks. As with any Bass/company there is risk of lemons and returns passed as new. As you i have taken that route And have had two horrible experiences with EBMM for instance. Two basses that SHOULDNT have passed QC unless champs run that department. I have had little Issues with fenders too. But those were to My Lucky easy fixable. But there aré some that no human hand can fix. Verbigratia, dull piece of wood. You know the risk. You play the game.... as for too much "love" of Laklands over here don't expect everything being perfect and resulting in a love ending story...
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Thoughts on Lakland Skyline 55-01
- Thread starter pappabass
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Then you know you aré taking risks. As with any Bass/company there is risk of lemons and returns passed as new. As you i have taken that route And have had two horrible experiences with EBMM for instance. Two basses that SHOULDNT have passed QC unless champs run that department. I have had little Issues with fenders too. But those were to My Lucky easy fixable. But there aré some that no human hand can fix. Verbigratia, dull piece of wood. You know the risk. You play the game.... as for too much "love" of Laklands over here don't expect everything being perfect and resulting in a love ending story...
I always choose them first. Over the last six to eight months, everything I've wanted except my USA Geddy Lee (which I got a sweet deal on because of a small ding by the bottom strap button) has been on order, arriving soon, unusually long wait....
Back to the 55-01. Does anyone have the Natural finish with maple neck? Care to share pictures? I'm hoping mine's a winner for the grain. Another reason I like Sweetwater is the pictures. But, the 55-01 has an unusually long wait time.
Is the pre amp easy to switch out and is it a drop in replacement?
It wasn't a QC issue in my case it was a MF issue of an idiot working in the warehouse miss picking items. My Ray 34 is perfect.
So I should expect a lemon from Lakland according to your thoughts? I posted a link earlier about the Skyline story and why I eventually went with them. If what they say is true they don't send out basses with bad fret work or crap necks, they tout their QC quite well. I understand the issue with wood, but I don't really play into that whole argument and don't want to start one about wood tonality either.
I have NEVER said you should expect a lemon. Please reread My entire post. What you should expect if you aré a Grown man is to be prepared to whatever it gets since cannot be returned. And this goes for whatever company you buy from. Could arrive perfect? Yes. Could be a lemon? Yes. You know the game? Yes. Would you play by that rule? Thats What you have to decide...
I read it four times...the comment .."as for too much "love" of Laklands over here don't expect everything being perfect and resulting in a love ending story..." led me to think you don't have love and it won't be perfect. It's a bit confusing on my slow witted end.
I realize it's a crapshoot ordering sight unseen.
But, back to Skylines...thoughts pictures?
Sorry, I seemed to have unfortunately hijacked the thread.
Laklands are great basses. I used to play warwicks and spectors and these basses are my go to now. I currently own the 55-60 and a DJ5, and have owned the 55-01, -02, and AJ.
As stated above your always going to find a lemon in the bunch once in a while. Order from a reputable TBer or site and they can exchange or refund if your not happy. That being said, can't go wrong with a 55-01 in my opinion. Not only are they comfy players and have that 35 in scale neck, but they're hands down one of the most upgradable basses on the market. Once you buy one you'll want to extend your Lakland family. Just don't sell it, you'll regret it as I do!
As stated above your always going to find a lemon in the bunch once in a while. Order from a reputable TBer or site and they can exchange or refund if your not happy. That being said, can't go wrong with a 55-01 in my opinion. Not only are they comfy players and have that 35 in scale neck, but they're hands down one of the most upgradable basses on the market. Once you buy one you'll want to extend your Lakland family. Just don't sell it, you'll regret it as I do!
From my personal experience, having owned about 10 Skylines (55-01's and 55-02's) - I recommend finding an early Korean-made Skyline. I see others are liking the newer Indo models, which I have no experience with (my experience is only with the early Indo models, which is why I will never buy another IndoChinese made Lakland).
Comparing the 01 to the 02; I preferred the 02. The 55-01 is a better value however, I just liked the sound of the 55-02 more.
I sold all my Skylines due to left hand pain and numbness. Not sure if it was the size of the neck, the 35" scale or the short upper horn (which I had never thought of until reading this thread).
Comparing the 01 to the 02; I preferred the 02. The 55-01 is a better value however, I just liked the sound of the 55-02 more.
I sold all my Skylines due to left hand pain and numbness. Not sure if it was the size of the neck, the 35" scale or the short upper horn (which I had never thought of until reading this thread).
In my case, it was with the exception that the midrange concentric pot needed the hole to be slightly widened. Just a tad. Wasn't much.
I just bought an Indo Lakland that was literally the best set-up bass I have ever gotten stock... I see literally zero QC issues... Buying basses based on their country of origin is honestly ridiculous... But more power to all of ya... More basses for me...
I have a skyline 55-01 that I bought new from Amazon. Turns out it was run through Laklands plek'd program a year prior. No wonder I bought it for less than 750. The neck needed a little relief adjustment and strings raised a hair but it has been a great playing workhorse bass.
I've had two 55-01's, a 55-02, a JO5 (now called 55-60), and a DJ5. All great basses, and they had better low B's than many higher end instruments I've owned. Never had any problem with truss rods or frets. The only issue I ever had was the shielding on one of the 55-01's grounding the battery connection and draining the battery.
The preamp on the 55-01 is probably the only real weak point, and lots of folks swap them out for a something nicer.
The preamp on the 55-01 is probably the only real weak point, and lots of folks swap them out for a something nicer.
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
A lot of comments made on the weak pre's in the 55-01s. OP, I strongly recommend that should you decide to buy one, to not be too quick in replacing anything. Give the bass a fair shake as is. I've learned that basses that don't sound all that great on their own can sound very good in an ensemble situation.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
I call Bull Pucky on this. I've had a 55-01 since early 2003—it has been played a lot. It is still bone stock. I have never needed to adjust the truss rod in 13 years, and that instrument has lived in San Francisco, Dallas, Honolulu, and Kentucky. Not heavy and a great "fast" neck that sets up perfectly.
In addition, I have a Lakland JO 55-60. Same great neck—flawless. Tree trunk? Hardly. I find the size, shape, and feel to be thin, ergonomic, and silky.
I'm not doubting you may have been dissatisfied, but if you broke two truss rods on anything, it was pilot error.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,614
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
IME, the problems with the Korean preamps in the early 55-01 Skylines were that it was "too hot" when run full on, and didn't have a switchable mid band like an Aguilar. I have learned to live with those issues. Now if only I could fit those nice little knobs from the 55-94, I'd be banging'. Just don't like the feel of the big stock ones.
I've had a Korean 55-01 for about 8 years now. A very nice bass with great ergonomics. Mine is perhaps a bit heavy, but it's not exactly a small bodied instrument, so I wasn't surprised. The preamp isn't bad persay, but it does seem to be voiced quite high and zingy. I eventually fell in love with the sound of Chi-sonics and mine is presently being fitted with a pair of Chi's and a passive control setup.
I highly recommend the bass. There's a good chance you'll be pleased with it in it's stock configuration (I was for 8 years), but if you decide to upgrade someday it's nice to know than you can drop just about any pickup in the Bartolini MK or P2 shape into it. That gives you a wide variety of options from Bartolini, Nordstrand, Duncan, Lakland and others.
I highly recommend the bass. There's a good chance you'll be pleased with it in it's stock configuration (I was for 8 years), but if you decide to upgrade someday it's nice to know than you can drop just about any pickup in the Bartolini MK or P2 shape into it. That gives you a wide variety of options from Bartolini, Nordstrand, Duncan, Lakland and others.
I've had a Korean 55-01 for about 8 years now. A very nice bass with great ergonomics. Mine is perhaps a bit heavy, but it's not exactly a small bodied instrument, so I wasn't surprised. The preamp isn't bad, but it does seem to be voiced quite high and zingy. I eventually fell in love with the sound of Chi-sonics and mine is presently being fitted with a pair of Chi's and a passive control setup.
I highly recommend the bass. There's a good chance you'll be pleased with it in it's stock configuration (I was for 8 years), but if you decide to upgrade someday it's nice to know than you can drop just about any pickup in the Bartolini MK or P2 shape into it. That gives you a wide variety of options from Bartolini, Nordstrand, Duncan, Lakland and others.
I highly recommend the bass. There's a good chance you'll be pleased with it in it's stock configuration (I was for 8 years), but if you decide to upgrade someday it's nice to know than you can drop just about any pickup in the Bartolini MK or P2 shape into it. That gives you a wide variety of options from Bartolini, Nordstrand, Duncan, Lakland and others.
I've heard that the pre on the 55-01 isn't mounted to anything in the cavity, it's just laying there on top of the wiring unlike my Korean 55-02 which was mounted. Is this true, does anybody know for sure? Jim
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