What are the downsides of a 55-02?

I've owned two skylines and have not had any problems. Lakland has a very good reputation. I think that guy behind the counter is smoking crack.

 

DB6's take is about the same as mine.

Believe me, I've owned too many basses over the decades to think what I have is the last word on shizzle.
But the truss rod on my 55-02 gives me action that is BETTER than I can handle on the B string!!! I have had it set so low that it's like playing a fargin' Stratocaster with light gauge strings!!!

I suspect that "the guy behind the counter" told you that line because Dan Lakin didn't want that store to represent his product line any longer.

The biggest downsides of that instrument, to me, are;

- those crappy rubbery knobs that come off too easily (on the bass; what happens with her blouse is your decision)
- you may have to work your onboard & amp controls if you want big wide bottom instead of trebly punch
- the control cavity screws aren't inserted into brass threads

 

Sounds like a dealer who got turned down for a Lakland Dealership.

 

There was store in Garland, (closed now) that refused to carry the skyline series because it made the high priced series look bad in comparison. I talked with Phil at Larry Morgan yesterday about the 55-02, and he seemed interested in looking at one, hadn't tried one, but didn't try to say anything bad about them.

If you want to play a selection of skyline basses, In Texas you have to drive down to Bass emporium in Austin. It's worth the trip.

EDIT: I shouldn't have used the word "bad" I should have said "not worth over twice the price"

 

I've sold over 70 new Skylines and have not had a single warranty issue...PERIOD!

 

The last time I talked to Dave at Club Bass here in Toronto, he said that Lakland had not had a single Skyline returned to them. So I suspect that the guy in question just thought "offshore manufacture = crap" or something of that sort.

 

Considering the source and the volume of Skylines Dude handles, that testimonial is good enough for me. I'd bet Bass Central and Musician's Enemy report similar lack of warranty issues.

As has been mentioned, I'd suspect that a dealer that talks smack about Lakland Skylines is simply a case of sour grapes.

 

sounds like either they were taking away from the usa laklands (since he seemed to like them so much) or his dealership was turned down for them...and yes korea bad!!!
except that these are amazing..

steve

 

I guess that could be the case but I know that I sell the Skylines at the exact same percentage of profit as I do the USA Laklands. Dealer cost on both is the same percentage of "Retail" so I'd say it's more a case of the guy trying to upsell you. So his "profit" is of course greater on a USA Lakland but his "profit margin" should be the exact same percentage for either.

 

i get this crap all the time at the only (and crappy at that =[ ) music store around here. it seems good help in retail sales is next to impossible to find

 

I had the same experience with a Lakland dealer in NYC. The guy that worked the bass dept said they wouldn't be carrying the SkyLines because they do so well with the USA models & the USA's are better & the USA etc, etc.



I go in a couple of months later.....






.....full line of SkyLines.


I'm guessing the guy wants to get rid of the USA cause it takes up alot of his cashflow.

 

The downside of the 55-02 is that it's too damn nice for it's price point. It also compares too well against the US models. All IMO, of course.

 

Seems like a pretty clear consensus here - I talked to the people at the London Bass Centre and they said it was just a case of getting enough Skylines to fulfil demand - so they mentioned how another shop was having trouble getting enough. I just bought the first one I got to try and the price is "embarassing" over here. So - the Skylines are way cheaper than any competiton and whereas I would have to think long and hard about paying the high cost for US-made basses - it was no problem with the Skyline - just such a high-quality bass for the price!

Of course this all makes it very bad news for any store that can't get any 55-02s to sell!!