The new Skyline Decade looks to have kind of a Gibson vibe with these Chi-Sonic pickups? Anyway, whoever gets one first please post some pics right away. It looks great....
PIC..
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/AmpegKat/chi_sonic_close.jpg)
:P
Link doesn't work unless you're a registered member.
OK, I'll take the link off, but here's the text:
QuoteThe Skyline Decade (which will actually be the first Skyline basses to offer the Chi-Sonics) should be ready for production in late 2008. The prototype is currently in Korea being copied and studied. The first production Skyline Decades will be wine colored and will have a black headstock and blocks....reminiscent of older Gibson basses.
So it's a deliberate move to capture some Gibson vibe. I'll look forward to sound samples.
It all came from the DPLEIII, which we designed in the old Pit three generations ago?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/DSC_0512.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/dple3.jpg)
The run will end up being 10 basses, I believe the basic Skyline will be the same except for the bound & blocked neck, black painted headstock & active/passive electronics?
I can't wait to get mine.
I can see the Gibson influence. Now all Dan needs to do is start suing everyone and he'll be more like Henry J.
That really is a good looking bass...
Quote from: Barklessdog on March 23, 2008, 10:57:18 AM
It all came from the DPLEIII, which we designed in the old Pit three generations ago?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/dple3.jpg)
The run will end up being 10 basses, I believe the basic Skyline will be the same except for the bound & blocked neck, black painted headstock & active/passive electronics?
I can't wait to get mine.
I can't wait to get mine too but ... we have waited ... and we will wait ... and it will be worth the wait. ;D
Meanwhile, for amusement, I bought a G&L L2500. ;D
I like the passive look with three knobs myself...
Quote from: PWV on March 22, 2008, 06:29:15 PM
OK, I'll take the link off, but here's the text:
Quote
The Skyline Decade (which will actually be the first Skyline basses to offer the Chi-Sonics) should be ready for production in late 2008. The prototype is currently in Korea being copied and studied. The first production Skyline Decades will be wine colored and will have a black headstock and blocks....reminiscent of older Gibson basses.
By the way, where did that quote come from?
Quote from: Essential Tension on March 24, 2008, 02:26:37 PM
By the way, where did that quote come from?
The new "Lakland Owners Group" website: http://laklandowners.com/joomla/ (http://laklandowners.com/joomla/)
Its very cool, lots of updates - and you get some swag like stickers and a T-shirt when you pay the annual dues. I'm a sucker for T-shirts!
Found this pic of the Namm show USA Decade
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/Camera086.jpg)
That looks even nicer.
The pickup covers look very retro in a good way, sort of like some of the old Rowe-DeArmonds.
The test will be to see how chromed plastic covers wear. Hopefully they will be Automotive quality.
If the bonding to the plastic is done right, there's no reason it shouldn't last. The Rickenbacker handrest/bridge pickup cover has been chrome plated plastic for over 30 years yet I've never seen a report of peeling problems. Granted, most owners remove it, but not all.
That is one sharp looking bass. Its nice to finally see some real images (not that the photoshopped image wasn't nice) of what the decade is looking like. Makes me wish I had the cash to shell out to pick one up when they become available.
I am going to go and see if I can get more info on the DPLEIII, any one else want to go?
Taklbass-
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=406766
QuoteWhat: Bass Clinic with Jauqo III-X and his band the Jauqo III-X Reality!
Also, this will be the "kick off" of the Introduction of Lakland basses at Cream City Music!
Added Benefit: Dan Lakin is planning to attend and has agreed to a question/answer session. In addition, Dan has mentioned bringing some "Unique" Lakland basses.
When: Saturday, May 10th (exact time to be determined)
Where: Warpdrive & Cream City Music
12505 W Bluemound Rd
Brookfield, WI 53005
Phone: 1-262-860-1800
Toll free: 1-800-800-0087
Cost: Free (but we would like to know attendance through posts in this thread)
Who: All Lakland lovers are welcome! Bring your friends!
I have to say, that is really a nice looking bass. I'd even be tempted by it. The only issue I have with Lakland (I've owned a couple) is the Skylines are a bit pricey for Korean made basses. It'll be interesting to see the pricing once it's ready to ship.
I agree, I would only buy a Skyline or most basses used.
These were limited and one of only 10 so I sprung for a new one.
I emailed Lakland asking for an update and they sent me some prototype pics, but without the preamp (which Lakland is adding just for us)
This is going to be an amazing and very special bass, well worth the wait!
This bass is drop dead sexy!
Also it should be noted the pickgaurd is not the final one. In the picture it's unbeveled.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/IMG_0029.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/IMG_0032.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/IMG_0031.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/IMG_0033.jpg)
It looks really nice, and I hope it'll be well worth the wait. But when I think of "drop dead sexy," basses aren't what I'm thinking about. ;)
Basses have personalities, look at the 20/20 !
Quote from: Barklessdog on May 09, 2008, 09:03:08 AM
I emailed Lakland asking for an update and they sent me some prototype pics, but without the preamp (which Lakland is adding just for us)
This is going to be an amazing and very special bass, well worth the wait!
This bass is drop dead sexy!
Also it should be noted the pickgaurd is not the final one. In the picture it's unbeveled.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/IMG_0029.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/IMG_0032.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/IMG_0031.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/IMG_0033.jpg)
>:( DAMN!! That is fine! I am jealous to say the least :mrgreen:
That's a beautiful bass... Wish I could have gotten in on it. :-[
It looks like they may be selling the same thing without the preamp though. That'd be good enough for me!
That is beautiful, wish I got in on it as well. Where can you get a stock one ?
Wow! Drop dead gorgeous. I love the Gibson-ish color theme.
Quote from: ilan on May 21, 2008, 07:21:04 AM
Wow! Drop dead gorgeous. I love the Gibson-ish color theme.
I think that you can thank John for the layout - he was very adept at generating rapid Photoshop mockups along the way and I seem to recall that he may have been the first to bring up the mahogany/cherry ala Gibson concept.
I'm waiting for the stock ones as well - I have Stingray that I can sacrifice when the time comes ;)
Quote from: godofthunder on May 21, 2008, 04:45:12 AM
That is beautiful, wish I got in on it as well. Where can you get a stock one ?
There's a thread on TB that states (per Lakland) that this is the first shipment of Skyline Decades that will be for sale some time between July and Sept. I'm sure if you contact a Lakland dealer they can hook you up!
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=400189
Great looking bass but the thing that kills it for me is there is no pickup in the sweet spot >:(
I've never understood that sweet spot thing. Whenever you fret, the position of the pickup relative to the string length changes with every different fret position.
To me, it either sounds good or it doesn't, no matter where the pickups are.
I love the looks of that bass.
Is there more information about the pick ups? I guess they're humbuckers. TB Plus soundalikes?
No they are Lakland Chisonic Humbuckers that use-
2 Humbucked Chi-Sonics (these are switchblade to single coils - one switch throws both pickups into single coil mode or humbucked mode. Active bass can equipped with Single coils on request. The passive bass can be ordered with humbuckers (add $200 to list)
They feature neodymium magnets which are much stronger than any magnet on the market and have a much longer projected life, so they can use much slammer magnets, saving weight compared to DarkStars which have really big ones.
Most that have tried the new pickups really like them.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/dintop.jpg)
You can see the small magnets on the sides of the pickups
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/hanson.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/DION.jpg)
Original plastic prototypes
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/mohogde.jpg)
Looks like September is our delivery.
Thanks for the technical information. And what about the sound?
They are supposed to be close to Dark Star, but a bit better, in their opinion- which is always a matter of opinion.
Okay, cool! Thanks again!
I have no intention to buy this bass (though I think it's a great bass and if I had truck loads of money...), but I was just curious.
Quote from: Barklessdog on July 17, 2008, 11:23:37 AM
They are supposed to be close to Dark Star, but a bit better, in their opinion- which is always a matter of opinion.
The Chisonics are essentially P-90 bass pickups. I've never heard them but the principal construction is essentially the same except Lakland has used neodymium magnets instead of ceramic. It's a good design and a much needed and refreshing departure from the old magnets-as-pole-piece design for bass pickups. I congratulate Dan for doing it.
Dark Stars use Alnico V....but the difference is way beyond that. I'll stop here lest my opinion drifts of into the realm of hype.
Quote from: Fred Hammon on July 22, 2008, 04:32:35 AM
The Chisonics are essentially P-90 bass pickups. I've never heard them but the principal construction is essentially the same except Lakland has used neodymium magnets instead of ceramic. It's a good design and a much needed and refreshing departure from the old magnets-as-pole-piece design for bass pickups. I congratulate Dan for doing it.
Dark Stars use Alnico V....but the difference is way beyond that. I'll stop here lest my opinion drifts of into the realm of hype.
I think its great to hear your opinion. Sound and pickups are very subjective. Lakland sure is excited about the Chisonic pickups. It's great that Lakland finally is crafting it's own pickups & tone. It was also great of Dan to make Dark Stars a production offering from a major manufacturer.
Dark Stars sure have a following, Fred has done an amazing job bringing these to market. A labor of love for sure. Gibsonites know this feeling all too well.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/76_12_hot20tuna_01.jpg)
I picked my bass today and so far it has exceeded my expectations in many ways. The Chisonics & preamp are excellent. It also has a passive & single coil mode.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/P1040290.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/P1040295.jpg)
They have to disassemble & reassemble the basses for pleking
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/P1040291.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/P1040292.jpg)
Cool, are you going to have to wrap it for Christmas since you're less than a month away?
How's the neck feel?
The neck feels great no sharp edges, it's a jazz sized neck, no fret buzz. Will have to play it more this weekend
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/P1040302.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/P1040314.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/P1040306.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/LAKLAND/P1040305.jpg)
That is beautiful John !
A bound Jazz style neck on a Mahogany? body with versatile humbucker pickups sound like a combination of my favourite features from my favourite basses. Sorry to be anal about it but anyone know which Korean factory?
That bass is awesome! Lakland does it again.
QuoteSorry to be anal about it but anyone know which Korean factory?
The Korean factory closed and are now being built in Indonesia
Quote from: Barklessdog on November 29, 2008, 02:46:02 PM
The Korean factory closed and are now being built in Indonesia
Thanks John, I was just curious after the earlier quote "
The prototype is currently in Korea being copied and studied."So, if the Decades are being made in Indonesia they should be cheaper in price right?
I wouldn't count on that.
Sorry Dave, we need a "Tongue in Cheek smiley" around here I reckon. ;D
I didn't think you were serious. :P
;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PQ5VXWYpsM&feature=PlayList&p=08D482B2452260AD&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=3
This video is intersting in a number of respects.
I can add some info, having a USA Decade with Dark Stars, and a Lakland 55-02 with Chi Sonic humbuckers.
The large pickup cases in the Skyline Decade actually house single coil Chi Sonics, since the Dark Stars are single coils. The Decade in the video and the upcoming short scale Decade are great basses with the full rnage tone they aimed for, but they are different from Dark Stars. DS basses I've played reach a saturation point where the note really blooms as opposed to decaying quickly. That dynamic is a blast for expressive playing. The consensus on the old Dude Pit was that the DS vibe works well in mahogany or hollow bodies, which you get with the Skyline Decade.
My 55-02CS on the other hand is switchable for active-passive as well as single coil vs humcancelling. In passive single coil mode, the CS seems to sound different from the pure single coil Chi Sonics in the Decade. Perhaps having the humcancelling coil within the case has some effect. Or it could be my imagination. Although I bought the 55-02CS for its versatile 3-band active EQ, I often use it in passive s/c or passive humcancelling mode (with the optional passive tone control).
Hope that was clear...that the larger Chi Sonic case can be spec'd out as pure single coil, or combined.