Lakland Skyline Bob Glaub 4-string P Bass Reviews 5

Olympic White, red tortoise shell pickguard, maple neck with rosewood fretboard and pearl block markers, 1.5' at the nut, 4-string. Unlike Lakland's popular fivers, the neck does not have graphite reinforcement bars. One Darkstar single-coil pickup. Hipshot ultralite tuners. Stock Lakland stainless roundwound strings from the factory. ------------------- I've played bass professionally for 44 years. I currently play in a praise band in a local church and also do studio work. I favor rock but have played just about every style, even -- shame -- disco. Favorite players include Paul McCartney, James Jamerson, Tony Levin, Chris Squire, Joe Osborn, Bob Glaub and Sting.

I purchased this bass, which was s special limited edition run, in 2005 from Vintage Bass Trading Co. in Arizona. Paid $1495, with gigbag.

As is usual with all Lakland basses, the feel, look and sound were perfect. The sound from the Darkstar pickup provided warmth and punch, plus a bit of an edge that the standard Lakland split-coil pickup doesn't. The Jazz bass style neck encourages flying all over the neck ala Sgt. Pepper-era Paul McCartney. Great sound, great look.

In retrospect, I would have liked the stock Lakland 1.75'-wide Glaub neck better, but that combination wasn't offered in this limited edition run.

Evey Lakland bass I have played is flawlessly constructed. The Skylines are cut and assembled in Korea to Lakland specs but finished in Lakland's Chicago factory. Fit and finish is wonderful -- tight neck pocket, level frets.

I've said it before: the best Fender P basses are being made by Lakland. Lakland's Bob Glaub series is designed after the veteran session man's 1964 P bass. The limited edition I review here is no longer available, but the stock Skyline edition Glaub shares most characteristics and should be every bit as desirable. The current Skyline Glaubs have the new Lakland split-coil humbucker pickup but are available only in black and tobacco sunburst, although there are still a few older Glaub's around with colors like Lake Placid Blue or candy Apple Red, with the older Fralin pickups. The neck is 1.75' wide, which is the widest P bass neck that Fender offered. Necks choices are maple or rosewood, with dot markers. Street price without a case is around $1050.

Laklander rated this unit 5 on 2009-12-12.

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