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D Lakin vs Fender P

#41
I don't get why these basses are so polarizing, and why there are so many pinions about them based on everything but the sound and quality themselves.

I wouldn't dare make an opinion on value either without having played one.

That said, his 'ambassador' program is inept and a lousy way to use social networking to promote your brand, but it doesn't affect the instruments themselves nor their perceived value.
 
#42
Smooth_bass88 said:
Just cuz something's made in USA doesn't mean it's the be-all end-all (this coming from a player who's main basses are US- Laklands).
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I strongly agree. There is some kind of nationalistic pride that leads people to believe that anything made in the USA is somehow better than anything made elsewhere. As though USA manufacturers only employ artisan craftsmen and the rest of the world employs uneducated, barefoot, natives who live in mud huts.
 
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#43
Liam Wald said:
I strongly agree. There is some kind of nationalistic pride that leads people to believe that anything made in the USA is somehow better than anything made elsewhere. As though USA manufacturers only employ artisan craftsmen and the rest of the world employs uneducated, barefoot, natives who live in mud huts.
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Dude, Is the labor cheaper? Is that reflected in the price to the consumer or is that cash going back to the owner? Wheres the cost or R&D, innovation or design? Oh its the SAME design as somebody else... and now you have an Ambassador program to save on marketing...

so now you have to question if people are actually recommending his product or just trying to cash out on a pyramid scheme.... and using talkbass to do it

Go ahead & buy his products if you want... I dont like it. But dont put ridiculous words in my mouth like this trash... "rest of the world employs uneducated, barefoot, natives who live in mud huts"

I'm outta this one
 
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#44
I'm not questioning the quality or fit and finish on these Lakin basses, but rather the pricing in comparison to it's peers.

Squier Classic Vibe series are <$400 new. Both CV and D. Lakin are Asian made, classic Fender design instruments.

Does the Hipshot hardware and /or electronics differences really drive the price up to 3x the Classic Vibe basses?
 
#47
BassDaddy77 said:
I'm not questioning the quality or fit and finish on these Lakin basses, but rather the pricing in comparison to it's peers.

Squier Classic Vibe series are <$400 new. Both CV and D. Lakin are Asian made, classic Fender design instruments.

Does the Hipshot hardware and /or electronics differences really drive the price up to 3x the Classic Vibe basses?
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Yeah, it's way way way more than just the hardware and the electronics that make D. Lakin Basses 3X better than a Squire.
 
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#48
I ordered a Lakin Bob Glaub back in january that should be coming in sometime in march with the next bat h according to Dan.

I bought it sight unseen, only based on the reviews and Youtube vids and for the fact that they are customizable.

My choice is somewhat limited due to the fact that I'm a lefty and Dan's basses are the ones who filled most of my criteria. A very well built P-Bass, available lefty and with a 1,75" nut. Add to that the neck profile based on Glaub's favorite '64 P and the choice of colors, and to me it beats any american standard Fender P all day long. And for a lower price point. Here in Quebec at least.

I've tried a bunch of Am std. Fenders and it always left something to be desired with the feel and the sound. That's a personal thing of course and YMMV. Plus, QC seemed erratic as some I tried had some small issues.

All this to say that I'm looking forward to be able to play the bass but if it lives up to the reviews feel and tone wise, Dan will have me as a returning customer.

Oh and they are 100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.
 
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#49
Okay boys and girls, raise your hand if you have actually played a Lakin, seen it in person, and had a chance to give it a good inspection. Go ahead, how many of you?

How many of you have inside information on production costs for these basses? Anyone?

I would answer no to both of these questions, and I will have to assume the people who have actually had them in their hands have a much better idea of the quality of these instruments than I. Also, I don't care how much profit anyone is making, Econ 101 tells me the price is what the market will support. The basses are worth what people will pay for them. This is true whether they are made in Asia, the USA, or by the Keebler elves. :)
 
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#50
MoonQuake said:
I ordered a Lakin Bob Glaub back in january that should be coming in sometime in march with the next bat h according to Dan.

I bought it sight unseen, only based on the reviews and Youtube vids and for the fact that they are customizable.

My choice is somewhat limited due to the fact that I'm a lefty and Dan's basses are the ones who filled most of my criteria. A very well built P-Bass, available lefty and with a 1,75" nut. Add to that the neck profile based on Glaub's favorite '64 P and the choice of colors, and to me it beats any american standard Fender P all day long. And for a lower price point. Here in Quebec at least.

I've tried a bunch of Am std. Fenders and it always left something to be desired with the feel and the sound. That's a personal thing of course and YMMV. Plus, QC seemed erratic as some I tried had some small issues.

All this to say that I'm looking forward to be able to play the bass but if it lives up to the reviews feel and tone wise, Dan will have me as a returning customer.
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Plus you're supporting an American Entrepreneur, a small 'local' business so to speak, as opposed to a giant, too-big-to-fail multi-national corporation.
 
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#51
awilkie84 said:
My beef with the D Lakin basses is that they're all outsourced for components & construction. He may do a final inspection & setup (I'm not clear on this) but it's not the same as even an MIM or MIJ Fender when it

,
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BassDaddy77 said:
I'm not questioning the quality or fit and finish on these Lakin basses, but rather the pricing in comparison to it's peers.

Squier Classic Vibe series are <$400 new. Both CV and D. Lakin are Asian made, classic Fender design instruments.

Does the Hipshot hardware and /or electronics differences really drive the price up to 3x the Classic Vibe basses?
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GregC said:
So are Sadowsky Metros. And?
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why bother of people that think that the world is divide in four pieces: Asia, Europe, America and Mexico...

By the way, if some of you have ever been in China then you know that in many cases the infrestructure is higher than the US, living in China is not cheap, there is a reason why in very years they will be largest economy in the world. While Chinesse people work hard , American sleep dreaming about the old glory days
 
#52
I'm feeling a little hostility towards my earlier post in this thread. I never said Squiers were better than or equal to these new Lakin basses. I have no experience with DL to draw from.

I was merely suggesting that these seemed to be fetching quite a premium dollar by comparison. Squier is an Asian made division of Fender. Squier's highest quality offerings are the Classic Vibe series. Most folks that have played them feel that they are pretty nice instruments.

The new D. Lakin basses are a derivative of his former signature basses with his former company. They are also Asian made. I realize there are some premium components used. I'm not down playing these at all. In fact I'd love to play one! I was merely pointing out that they seemed a bit pricey, not that they weren't awesome.

I agree that value is a personal thing. Hey, maybe these are, in fact, 3x the bass that a Squier CV is..........but I doubt it............ :ninja:

To each his/her own. Play bass, be happy
 
#53
Tunaman said:
When hes ready to innovate & make them appropriately priced for the overseas labor used... I'll give em a go. Until then, his Lakin project is a complete disappointment to me & kicking Lakland now hes gone rubbed me the wrong way... but I'll respect if you disagree

The OP posed a question on a forum & we gave our responses. Good luck in your search OP
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So many builders are turning to Ps and Js because it's what many players want. It only makes sense for Dan to tap that market first as he gets off the ground.

As for the appropriate price, we don't know the costs, but I bet they're higher than you think. As someone who has played a couple Lakins, I find they are built to a higher standard than Squier CVs (which are indeed nice instruments). Korean skilled labor costs less than US labor, but it really isn't cheap--this is the country of Samsung, LG, and Hyundai, and it's considered a developed market by some measures. In addition, these basses aren't built in giant batches, and you can get virtually any color finish you want--that no doubt comes with a premium. And there's the US Hipshot hardware, too.

I respectfully suggest that a response that amounts to "my bass will crush this other bass I haven't played" is not constructive.
 
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#54
Higher quality than a Squier isn’t exactly glowing praise for a $1600+ guitar.
Bringing this back to the OP, I played my first MIA P on the weekend and was underwhelmed. It was nice, but not so nice to be worth (to me, imo) $1000 more than Squire CV 60’s P or Mexican Fender. $1000 buys a lot of “upgrades”, like US hardware, electrics and a professional setup.
 
#55
bigboy_78 said:
Higher quality than a Squier isn’t exactly glowing praise for a $1600+ guitar.
Bringing this back to the OP, I played my first MIA P on the weekend and was underwhelmed. It was nice, but not so nice to be worth (to me, imo) $1000 more than Squire CV 60’s P or Mexican Fender. $1000 buys a lot of “upgrades”, like US hardware, electrics and a professional setup.
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My comment on Lakin vs. Squier should be kept in context. It was in response to a couple of posts that lumped the two brands into the same category.

I haven't played a new MIA Fender in a while. The Lakins I tried felt better to me than the last MIA Fenders I auditioned. And the Lakin Osborn had a lot more classic jazz growl to it.
 
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#56
So...about how much do ya think Fender would charge to make this bass? Including inlays and painted headstock....Yeah thats what I thought ;) I will take the candy-coated Asian, thanks!
lake-placid-blue-e1420900394688.jpg
 
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#57
pedroims said:
why bother of people that think that the world is divide in four pieces: Asia, Europe, America and Mexico...

By the way, if some of you have ever been in China then you know that in many cases the infrestructure is higher than the US, living in China is not cheap, there is a reason why in very years they will be largest economy in the world. While Chinesse people work hard , American sleep dreaming about the old glory days
Click to expand...
When I say outsourced, I mean OUTSOURCED. I don't mean, sent to some distant country. I mean "You're not actually doing any of the work yourself; you're paying someone else to do it."
 

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