The Skyline Decade....

[Chris P.]

I love the looks of that bass.

Is there more information about the pick ups? I guess they're humbuckers. TB Plus soundalikes?

[Barklessdog]

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.



You can see the small magnets on the sides of the pickups




Original plastic prototypes


Looks like September is our delivery.

[Chris P.]

Thanks for the technical information. And what about the sound?

[Barklessdog]

They are supposed to be close to Dark Star, but a bit better, in their opinion- which is always a matter of opinion.

[Chris P.]

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.

[Fred Hammon]

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.

[Barklessdog]

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.

[Barklessdog]

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.





They have to disassemble & reassemble the basses for pleking

[Lightyear]

Cool, are you going to have to wrap it for Christmas since you're less than a month away?

How's the neck feel?

[Barklessdog]

The neck feels great no sharp edges, it's a jazz sized neck, no fret buzz. Will have to play it more this weekend

[godofthunder]

That is beautiful John !

[Freuds_Cat]

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?

[PWV]

That bass is awesome!  Lakland does it again.

[Barklessdog]

Sorry to be anal about it but anyone know which Korean factory?

The Korean factory closed and are now being built in Indonesia

[Freuds_Cat]

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?