Lakland Basses

Lakland Bass Guitars

Lakland has been quietly building some of the most player-friendly basses on the market since 1994, out of Chicago. The formula is simple and hard to beat: classic Jazz and Precision voicings, modern build quality, and necks that just get out of the way. Dan Lakin and luthier Hugh McFarland (Lakin plus McFarland, hence the name) set out to build the Jazz and P basses Fender was not, and a lot of session players quietly agreed.

We are a Lakland dealer in Europe and stock a rotating selection of Skyline models, with USA builds and signature models available to order direct.

The Lakland range, and where each is built

Range Built in What it is
USA Series Chicago, USA The full-fat version. Hand-built in Chicago: the 44-94 and 55-94 flagships, plus the vintage-voiced 60 (Jazz) and 64 (Precision) models. Top woods, top fretwork, the real thing.
Skyline Series Indonesia / Korea Lakland's spec at a sane price, and the bulk of our stock. Built overseas to Lakland's drawings, then set up to a standard that embarrasses basses costing more. The 44-02 and 55-02 are modern-Jazz staples.

The model numbers are simple once you know the code: 44 is a 4-string, 55 is a 5-string (35-inch scale). Signature models run across both series.

Lakland basses, frequently asked

What is the difference between Lakland USA and Skyline?
Where they are built. USA basses are hand-made in Chicago, the top tier. Skyline basses are built overseas (Indonesia and Korea) to Lakland's exact spec and set up to the same standard. Same designs, same playability philosophy, very different price. The Skyline is one of the best value-for-money boutique-adjacent basses going.

What do the numbers mean, 44-02, 55-02, 44-60, 44-64?
The first pair is string count and scale: 44 is a 4-string, 55 is a 5-string on a 35-inch scale for a tight low B. The second pair is the configuration: 02 is the modern dual-J active bass, 60 is a vintage Jazz voice, and 64 leans Precision. Once it clicks, the whole catalogue makes sense.

Who are the Lakland signature basses named after?
Some serious players. Bob Glaub (Precision, session legend), Joe Osborn (Jazz, the Wrecking Crew), Darryl Jones (the Rolling Stones and Miles Davis), Duck Dunn (Booker T. and the M.G.'s), and Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath). Tim Commerford of Rage Against the Machine has flown the flag too.

Does Lakland make a P bass, a hollowbody, or a short scale?
Yes to all three. The 64 models are the Precision side of the house, the Lakland Hollowbody (designed with Michael Tobias) is a semi-hollow with real acoustic warmth, and the Decade is Lakland's short-scale for players who want an easier reach. If we do not have the exact one on the shelf, we can order it.

Where can I buy a Lakland in Europe, or find a used one?
Right here. We ship worldwide from Belgium, we carry a rotating Skyline range with USA and signatures to order, and used or ex-demo Laklands get listed in this collection when we have them, each checked and set up in our workshop.

Browse what is in stock below, or get in touch to spec an order.