EssentialTension

No, the strings should be at tension, to balance the tension of the truss rod.

I have a Lakland Skyline Decade - I guess it may be the only one in this country, it was certainly the first here and was one of the first few out of the Chicago factory. Here's John Pirrucello stood in front of the PLEK machine holding my bass before it left Lakland: Mine is the single-coil passive version which has a street price of $1259 in US and if you could walk into a shop and buy one here it would probably cost that much or likely more in £. Because I bought it when the £ was much stronger against the $, even with import duties and shipping, it cost substantially less - although it was still a lot of money. In total I waited 18 months for it. It's mahogany and it's 9lbs 4oz. It has blocks and binding and a coloured headstock - both of which put the price up. Skyline bodies and necks are machined (in batches of thirty) in the Cort factory in Indonesia (formerly at the Cort factory in Korea, which closed down) using the same CNC programmes as US Laklands. Hardware is fitted in Indonesia but no electronics. In Chicago the bass has the electronics added - the same electronics as a US Lakland - is restrung, the frets are PLEKed, the bass is setup, and in the case of the Decades a bone nut was fitted. It's a great bass with a real retro sound, one of the few basses with a true neck pickup, and a fabulous finish. I won't be selling it, it was worth every penny. I don't care where it was made but, anyway, it wasn't simply made in Indonesia. From the Lakland website: [quote]Lakland Skylines are designed in Chicago but made in a state-of-the-art overseas factory. Lakland determines all specifications and anything that can be done by machine is done by machine, including the fretting. Basses are manufactured in lots of 30 (or more) of each model. You may have heard about the long lead times - that's because we only have so much physical space, and it's impossible to inventory every bass in every color. We listen closely to our dealers and customers, and based on their input and orders we put into production the models and colors in demand at that time. Most Skylines arrive at the Lakland factory fully finished, except for electronics. Lakland luthiers inspect each bass and do refinements according to an incredibly thorough set-up procedure that ensures each bass has proper string alignment, neck relief, fretting, tuner installation integrity, etc. The Skylines are then installed with the same electronics as the US models (except for the 01 models which are shipped with overseas electronics.) No Skyline bass leaves the Lakland facility until it's properly set up and in prime playing condition. We know the customer might not consciously notice it if the refinements weren't done, but we believe that this incredible attention to detail is the reason most players consider Lakland Skylines higher in quality than most mass produced American-made basses. [url="http://www.lakland.com/skyline_vs_us.htm"]http://www.lakland.com/skyline_vs_us.htm[/url][/quote]

[quote name='Legion' post='642514' date='Nov 1 2009, 02:19 PM']I've still got a barely used 4 string set of Roto's for sale if you decide to try them out. J[/quote] Thanks Legion, I've actually got some Rotos on the way now but I may get back to you.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='642459' date='Nov 1 2009, 12:28 PM']Rotosound state the gauge is to keep the tension on the neck. A couple of rehearsals and it doesn't notice.[/quote] I think you're right, the heavy gauge wouldn't bother me.

[quote name='bassline' post='642450' date='Nov 1 2009, 12:16 PM']hi i have been useing roto black nexus strings for a while now and they have been realy good, they have lasted about twice as long as my strings normaly do. here is a link to them [url="http://www.stringbusters.com/frameset.asp?MAIN=http://www.stringbusters.com/ko-kat/BASS%20STRINGS/ROTOSOUND/"]http://www.stringbusters.com/frameset.asp?...INGS/ROTOSOUND/[/url] enjoy:)[/quote] Aren't those roundwounds with a coating rather than nylon tape wounds (which is what I'm interested in but didn't say explicitly)?

What's really good about it is that there's 'PLENTY OF FRET WEAR'.

Very nice. I've played Ashdown through Ampeg - it works.

[quote name='The Burpster' post='642166' date='Oct 31 2009, 09:19 PM']I've tried Rotos but they are a dubious gauge, I now use GHS 45-100s on my Ovation. They make a wonderful EUBlike thud or plunk sound....[/quote] Thanks, I didn't realise GHS even made them.

[quote name='Mykesbass' post='642158' date='Oct 31 2009, 09:07 PM']Is it me, the photograph or a very strange take on Shoreline Gold?[/quote] Maybe NWR's bass faded (darkened?) over the years or perhaps it's actually firemist gold not shoreline.

That's fantastic.

[quote name='soopercrip' post='642082' date='Oct 31 2009, 06:53 PM']I have a 5 string set if you want to give them a try matey PM me your address Andy[/quote] Thanks Andy. PM sent.

[quote name='Sibob' post='642019' date='Oct 31 2009, 05:12 PM']Sounds like it was a badly organised gig, and everyone involved was to blame for a lack of communication.[/quote] That sounds about right.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='642021' date='Oct 31 2009, 05:14 PM']These do's always end up like this. If you expect it, you feel less let down.[/quote] +1 on that brother.

[quote name='munkonthehill' post='642009' date='Oct 31 2009, 05:00 PM']the use of the gear info came from the singer/guitarst of the main band[/quote] Is that the w****r? And I don't mean to be thick, but who was booking you in the first place? Surely that person whould have been organising who goes on when.

[quote name='munkonthehill' post='641990' date='Oct 31 2009, 04:44 PM']i was told that my band was offered a slot at a charity doo, we would be going on first then a chap who organised the nights band would be on second. all seems well so far. We got confirmation it was cool to use their amps and drums.[/quote] My first question: Who told you this and was he or she a reliable source? Because it sounds like they weren't.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='641979' date='Oct 31 2009, 04:23 PM']Me at a recent period hopping festival: [/quote] Which one is you?

I don't know about the UK but - as you perhaps know already - Roger at [url="http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Jeannie-Pickguards-and-Guitar-Parts__W0QQ_armrsZ1"]Jeannie's[/url] actually makes the guards for Lakland.

I'm thinking about getting some of these but which ones? Are the La Bella Deep Talking Black Nylons like La Bellas but with black nylon stuck on? I don't mean the sound but the construction and tension etc. Ditto for the Pyramids? Ditto for any other black nylons? I'd appreciate any input before I cough up £40 or so.

[quote name='Sibob' post='641728' date='Oct 31 2009, 10:35 AM']Isn't the new 'A' Jones signature going to be made by Elrick or something?? This is getting confusing....just use your bloody 70's Fender lol Si[/quote] Looks like that's correct.

[quote name='Hutton' post='597461' date='Sep 13 2009, 03:24 PM']Daryll jones has shifted to Elrick Basses:- [url="http://www.abasses.com/jadebass.html"]http://www.abasses.com/jadebass.html[/url] [url="http://www.abasses.com/djbw.html"]http://www.abasses.com/djbw.html[/url][/quote] Look, Hutton already posted those links. Here's the pic:

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='641707' date='Oct 31 2009, 10:09 AM']i've sent them an email, see what we get back.[/quote] About the loyalty points?

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='641717' date='Oct 31 2009, 10:20 AM']A basses are no longer made, i seem to recall.[/quote] They are making a come back with the Darryl Jones signature: [url="http://www.abasses.com/"]A Basses[/url] ... and the new [url="http://www.abasses.com/djbw.html"]Darryl Jones Signature Model A bass[/url] available at NAMM 2010.

[quote name='Sean' post='641664' date='Oct 31 2009, 08:46 AM']I'm guessing that it'll resurface as an Adam Clayton Model too. When I got my Special Edition DJ it even had "AC Model" on the box but Dan Lakin said that no one was allowed to call it the Adam Clayton Model and asked the Lakland forum members not to refer to it as anything other than a special edition DJ. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=28962&st=0"]Here's[/url] mine in case there is anyone left on planet earth who hasn't seen it.[/quote] I guess something like that will be correct but the DJ wasn't a straightforward Lakland design because it was an Albey Balgochian design first. So it might depend on whatever Lakland's deal with Balgochian and Jones was and what rights to the design remain with Lakland.