Legion Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) I'm getting the urge to find a jazz bass and as well as Sadowsky I'm considering a Lakland one. I tried out a Skyline at the Bass Merchant a few weeks ago and it seemed pretty damn good, has anybody got any advice about if the USA versions are really worth the extra cash? I've not had the opportunity to play one so it's all academic to me Thanks in advance J EDIT: note to self: search the forums first you lazy sod - found a fair bit of info already, feel free to ignore this stupid question Edited March 3, 2009 by Legion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 In my opinion, there is a massive difference btw the Skyline and the USA instruments, certainly enough to justify the price gap. however, with the Sadowsky Metro and the NYC much less so...... Having just purchased a Metro I believe they are the very best VFM Super J you can buy ATB Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I'd say my 44-02 Skyline plays and sounds just as good as JohnnyLightyears/Molans NYC Sadowsky which I had for a decent length of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Isn't it just the NYC Sads that are routed out? Having owned a Sadowsky Metro and both US and Skyline Laklands I'd go with what Marcus says. If you want a lightweight Sadowsky though I think you may need to go NYC. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I was watching an interview with Roger Sadowsky, he was saying that some of his customers claimed that the chambered bodies had a better sound than the non-chambered bodies, but I think in the case of the Sadowsky's I would have thought a large part of the tone was to do with the Sadowsky preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 But, if they both have the pre, then any difference will presumably be the chambers? Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 [quote name='GreeneKing' post='424515' date='Mar 3 2009, 09:01 PM']Isn't it just the NYC Sads that are routed out? Having owned a Sadowsky Metro and both US and Skyline Laklands I'd go with what Marcus says. If you want a lightweight Sadowsky though I think you may need to go NYC. Peter[/quote] My RS4 59Burst is light as a feather..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceguyhomer Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 [quote name='Marcus' post='424569' date='Mar 3 2009, 09:54 PM']My RS4 59Burst is light as a feather.....[/quote] Easy ..erm...to lift then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 [quote name='niceguyhomer' post='424575' date='Mar 3 2009, 09:59 PM']Easy ..erm...to lift then [/quote] Very easy on the shoulder mate....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Marcus' post='424569' date='Mar 3 2009, 09:54 PM']My RS4 59Burst is light as a feather.....[/quote] Yeah so is my RV5...Very comfortable.. If you can pull it from my kungfu grip Edited March 3, 2009 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 If I wanted or needed a light bass I think I'd be enquiring if a UK luthier could build a chambered swamp ash bodied bass. Failing that it'd be NYC and Roger Sadowsky methinks. That all means waiting of course. Otherwise it's that 2nd hand market again. A special bass, that's the answer imo Get a bass made for YOU Alan You'll not look back. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Jon Shuker will build you a custom super-J for much less than you'd pay for a Sadowsky or Lakland. Under four figures, probably. I don't have any of his basses, but this place is full of satisfied customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceguyhomer Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 There's plenty of basses passing through here at the mo - and I'm looking at some nice Jazz 5 Deluxes but I'd have to sell something first and that ain't easy at the moment. Who knows I might treat myself after my holiday, I'm in 3 bands so I think I can justify another sortee into the market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 [quote name='Marcus' post='424569' date='Mar 3 2009, 09:54 PM']My RS4 59Burst is light as a feather.....[/quote] I'm really kicking myself for not trying your bass on Sunday. Another time maybe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 There is a difference between the Skylines and the US series, but imho a well set up Skyline is 9.5 out of 10 on the scoresheet and I can't justify spending another wheelbarrow full of money on a US version for that tiny .5 bit more to get the full 10 out of 10 The US and Skyline Laklands are fantastic basses with excellent customer support, but as someone has pointed out a custom build Shuker is very very tempting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceguyhomer Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I've owned both and there is a big difference IMHO. That said, I'd rather have two Skylines than one USA. For a bit of light relief, here's the one's I've owned in pornographic form...(no prizes for guessing which is the USA one) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdy Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 [quote name='Marcus' post='424504' date='Mar 3 2009, 08:52 PM']In my opinion, there is a massive difference btw the Skyline and the USA instruments, certainly enough to justify the price gap. however, with the Sadowsky Metro and the NYC much less so...... Having just purchased a Metro I believe they are the very best VFM Super J you can buy ATB Mark[/quote] Bang on! You wont be disappointed with a Skyline but I found the US models to be absolutely spot on in every aspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Lots and lots of choice for super jazz basses. My GB's are very light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Alan You reminded me of how nice that Lakky was now. Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted March 4, 2009 Author Share Posted March 4, 2009 Oh dear - this is confusing me even more I think! Ultimately I want just one bass so maybe it better be a Lakland USA or Sadowsky Metro eh. I'll have visit the Bass Gallery very soon and try out whatever they have I think. Thanks for all the discussion though, keep it coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platypus Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Trouble is, the US ones are scarce as hens teeth by comparison with the Skylines. Don't know of anywhere that stocks the US models and would be suprised if the Gallery has any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted March 4, 2009 Author Share Posted March 4, 2009 [quote name='Platypus' post='425092' date='Mar 4 2009, 02:14 PM']Trouble is, the US ones are scarce as hens teeth by comparison with the Skylines. Don't know of anywhere that stocks the US models and would be suprised if the Gallery has any.[/quote] You are totally correct there...I rung the gallery today and they have a Sadowsky RV4 and UV70 in stock. Lakland-wise they have a JO Skyline I can try, but thats about all. I have been offered a good price on a USA JO model by bass Central but I hate buying blind so dunno what move to make next. I'm getting scared about selling the Sterling lol J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platypus Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 [quote name='Legion' post='425138' date='Mar 4 2009, 03:00 PM']You are totally correct there...I rung the gallery today and they have a Sadowsky RV4 and UV70 in stock. Lakland-wise they have a JO Skyline I can try, but thats about all. I have been offered a good price on a USA JO model by bass Central but I hate buying blind so dunno what move to make next. I'm getting scared about selling the Sterling lol J[/quote] Think a few days in the Florida sunshine is called for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimijimmi Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 i have USA Laklands and Skylines... and i have to say,i much prefer the skylines...for the money youre getting a world class bass.. plus if it gets stolen or damaged on tour you wont have a big dent in your wallet trying to replace it.. also,speak to Dan at Lakland..im sure they can source out a light-weight bass for you...they made me my white DJ4 light-weight as ive just had major surgery on my spine... sum them up in 3 words..."theyre the bollox" jj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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