Why Lakland Skyline over US Fender?

[Shockwave]

Hey guys.

Just noticing the second hand pricing of Lakland Skyline imports, vs the price of Fender Jazzes.

I do like the look of the Laklands, but why do they command the same sort of second hand value to US Fenders?

Am I missing a trick here?

I couldn't just buy the Lakland because I prefer the look of them...

[cocco]

Well, my skyline Bob Glaub feels better than the current US fenders do IMHO. It's hard to argue with the hardware, hipshot ultralites and a really sturdy if slightly odd shaped bridge are standard fair. The fit and finish is second to none and if you get an older one you also get Lindy Fralin pickups.

[timmo]

Could it be that Laklands are rarer, so command the price because of that? Only a total guess though

[Raslee]

Lakland has a history of consistent quality....Fender on the other hand...ahem!

[theyellowcar]

I think it's a combination of all the points above, plus I'm pretty sure every Skyline bass goes back through the main US factory for the final QC and a set up. That alone is worh a lot given the rep the U.S. Lakland basses have, although I guess this is less relevant in the used market.

Perhaps it does just come back to the fact that there's a proliferation of US Fenders available in the used market, which drags down the value.

Edited November 16, 2014 by theyellowcar

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1416173235' post='2607666']
Well, my skyline Bob Glaub feels better than the current US fenders do IMHO. It's hard to argue with the hardware, hipshot ultralites and a really sturdy if slightly odd shaped bridge are standard fair. The fit and finish is second to none and if you get an older one you also get Lindy Fralin pickups.
[/quote]
Second to none? I went shopping last weekend, the £1050 DJ5 was nice but the wiring was trapped under the control plate....
[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_113751_zpsstzjpdwg.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_113751_zpsstzjpdwg.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

The £2100 usa 55-14 had a very poor finish when inspected with a few flaws and sanding marks etc
[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_114804_zps0auvdmks.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_114804_zps0auvdmks.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Which resulted with my cash going here, flawless finish and a great B string! All that said I'd still rather buy a Lakland blind than a Fender even a USA like mine, lol

[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_171416_zpsprg4tqe4.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_171416_zpsprg4tqe4.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Edited November 16, 2014 by stingrayPete1977

[White Cloud]

I have owned several Lakland Skyline's and they were all exceptionally good instruments. I have owned many Fenders (including some nice vintages) but would assert that Lakland Skyline's beat US Fender hands down for feel and consistency.

Just my tuppence worth.

[fingerz]

A direct answer to your question is because the quality of both instruments is on par, hence the market has gone that way.

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='fingerz' timestamp='1416176202' post='2607724']
A direct answer to your question is because the quality of both instruments is on par, hence the market has gone that way.
[/quote]
Good post, I'd agree with that.

[The Badderer]

Ditto to the above. For my taste the Skyline neck is nicer to play than the Fender neck. Obviously in the musical mass produced market there will always be QC control issues of some level, but there seem to have been far less people having any issue with a Lakland and also not many people moaning about dud ones, or needing to play every one in the store to make sure you get the right one. That said, my Fender Jazz is excellent and currently my main go to bass because i'm just playing in a basic band with no need for a fancy tweakable sound. Just plug and play.

[Shockwave]

Ok.

Thanks for the info guys! Just a quick one, is there ANY difference in tone between a 44-60 and your common Fender Jazz?

[fingerz]

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1416177620' post='2607745']
Ok.

Thanks for the info guys! Just a quick one, is there ANY difference in tone between a 44-60 and your common Fender Jazz?
[/quote]

There can be a slight difference in tone potentially. But get a room full of each, and you'll find some identical/very alike, and some far apart tonally. It's because of the dimensions, pick up specs, wood sources of each manufacturer. With this type of bass - passive/single coil, you find the wood rings through more, so variations are quite wide and personal. Both models are very much from the same tonal school tho. It's simple really - buy the bass you like most when you play it. Everyone makes a different noise on an instrument so no one can tell you the right thing to buy.

[cocco]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1416174776' post='2607694']

Second to none? I went shopping last weekend, the £1050 DJ5 was nice but the wiring was trapped under the control plate....
[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_113751_zpsstzjpdwg.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_113751_zpsstzjpdwg.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

The £2100 usa 55-14 had a very poor finish when inspected with a few flaws and sanding marks etc
[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_114804_zps0auvdmks.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_114804_zps0auvdmks.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Which resulted with my cash going here, flawless finish and a great B string! All that said I'd still rather buy a Lakland blind than a Fender even a USA like mine, lol

[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_171416_zpsprg4tqe4.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/20141101_171416_zpsprg4tqe4.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[/quote]

Well mine is cracking

[petergales]

I had a Lakland Skyline JO a little while ago. Always regretted selling it

[xroads]

Play one and then decide. For me, the plekked neck, weight, neck shape, and B-string of the DJ5 was better than a Fender US. BUT I can see that for someone else, the Fender wins. I would say each has its pros and cons, and you should buy whatever you prefer. I would not pin it down to the country of manufacture, as the Lakland Skylines go to the US for final setup.

BTW: my 4-string Jazz is a Fender American Std....

[Roland Rock]

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1416340857' post='2609250']


Well mine is cracking
[/quote]

Sounds worrying ;-)

[Machines]

I didn't even consider a US Fender over my 55-60. I totally bought it on a whim based on colour .

[JTUK]

I've always thought I'd like a DJ5 but everyone I've played has sounded 'meh'..
I definitely think they need a pre amp as the core sound of the pickups are soft
and just lacking, IME.
I wouldn't say the fit and finish is that much to shout about either... not that it is poor,
but it is only on par with the rest in its pricepoint so not a selling point in itself, IMO.

I've wanted to aquire one but.....??

[White Cloud]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1416564221' post='2611432']
I've always thought I'd like a DJ5 but everyone I've played has sounded 'meh'..
I definitely think they need a pre amp as the core sound of the pickups are soft
and just lacking, IME.
I wouldn't say the fit and finish is that much to shout about either... not that it is poor,
but it is only on par with the rest in its pricepoint so not a selling point in itself, IMO.

I've wanted to aquire one but.....??
[/quote]
Strange. My 2005 Dj had Aero pups and was a beast!

[Prime_BASS]

I wouldn't mind one of those inca silver bent jazzes they make with a matchup my headstock.