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DLB (Dan Lakin Basses) Coming Soon!

#284
I moved my review to its own thread:
bigdbass said:
Allow me to share my impressions after having the opportunity to play the 2 DLB prototypes (along with some other fantastic basses!)

TLDR version: The new basses from Dan Lakin absolutely hit a sweet spot between US and Skyline Lāklands in fit & finish, tone, and playability with minimal compromise, but at a price point below the Skylines.

I have no official affiliation with Dan Lakin or with Lākland. (But I'd love for that to change. :) )

Context and perspective: After my "formative" years learning to appreciate tone and playability and slowly working my way up through better basses, I landed on Ernie Ball Musicman Sterling 4 strings and stuck with those for 12 or so years. A little over two years ago, I got my first Lakland (after lusting for one since they launched) - a Skyline 44-02, which was very quickly traded up to a US 4-94. I currently have 2 US (4-94, Hollowbody) and 2 Skylines (DJ4, "DPLEII " Glaub), and have had a couple other Skylines come and go. (Actually I have a 3rd Skyline, A 2008 Decade. It's in the classifieds and I'm open to reasonable offers! :ninja: )

With the above in mind, I feel like I'm in a reasonably good position to compare the new Dan Lakin bass prototypes to both US and Skyline Lāklands.

Skylines ended up costing me more money. Why? Because they're generally awesome but leave me wanting more, so I seem to end up upgrading to used US models when the opportunity presents itself. For me, it's in some specific details that are pretty minor but add up: the hardware and the neck finish primarily.

Hardware
When playing a Skyline, each time I reach up to the headstock to tune, I am aware that the hardware is not of the same quality or feel of my US Lāklands. It even crosses my mind to replace it with US hardware, but that's not cost effective. Mr. Lakin is hitting the nail on the head here: He's using US made hardware down to the last screw and bolt, and the difference was immediately noticeable. I compared the prototype "J" type bass to a Skyline 44-60 side-by-side and the hardware difference was night and day in look and feel. The bridge was solid, with the choice of stringing through-bridge or through-body. It has a nice feature to quickly slot strings in when changing strings if you are going through-bridge. (I prefer stringing through body.)

THE Neck
The thing that really grabbed me about the first Lakland I played was the neck. Whatever the technical specs might be, it just felt right to me. The finish on the back of the neck of my US and Skyline models are the other difference that jumps out at me when I contrast them. The neck finish on these prototypes felt fantastic, and was the topic of discussion with Dan for quite awhile. I think this neck finish might actually be better than that of the US Lāklands, believe it or not. I know his new basses have graphite reinforcements in the neck like the US Lāklands. I'm not sure what that really means for the player's experience, but I guess it's a good thing. Perhaps it means more stability, less truss rod adjustments, or stays in tune longer. I'm open to education on this one!

Tone
I'm not one for flowery and colorful descriptions of tone. The J bass sounded to me like a J bass should and met my expectations for tonal variety as dialed up various sounds between the neck and bridge pickups and passive tone knob. The P sounded like a P should and also met expectations, had surprisingly hot output, and was very responsive to changes in right hand attack dynamics. I couldn't find any issues with the Korean made pickups. I should point out that the reference rig(s) were killer. (I also was pleasantly distracted when Dan said I set my tone controls like Bob Glaub. It was only later that I realized that, hey, he didn't say I actually sound like Bob Glaub...)

The Bad
The J prototype neck felt a little too chunky to me. Dan had already given me the heads up to expect this, and explained why, and stated clearly that it was already being addressed. I believed him.
I was initially disappointed in the look and shape of the headstock. I hope and expect that it will grow on me. I understand and appreciate that this can be an area that attracts unwanted attention from instrument manufacturers' legal departments. Dan successfully met his goal in finding something that, in his words, "doesn't look stupid."

The tuners were "reverse" style, and not what I'm used to. I'm not a fan. Dan said that's how the original Fender bass tuners were configured, and that non-reverse will be available.

The Future
Dan was clearly excited, and rightly so. I'm excited too. If (when!) the new line takes off, he has several ideas (beyond the obvious: lefties, blocks & binding, fretless) to bring to market that I will be standing in line for. And there will be a line, as he'll be offering some features that I know a lot of us have been looking for. I apologize for this tease and the lack of detail, but I don't feel it would be appropriate for me to disclose specifics.

I didn't get to take photos. I was too busy having fun playing and talking about basses. Below is the only pic I have. The bass is silver, although it seemed to range from green to grey to blue depending on the lighting angle.

IMG_20130608_135001_039.jpg


Sign me up. I'm looking forward to my first bass from DLB.
Click to expand...
 
#285
When I first saw it I was unsure on the headstock. I can say now that I actually really like it.

What I have found about the Skyline line is that the neck just feels very different from the US line and I love the US necks. If he nails the feel of a US Lakland neck at that price then I imagine it will be a Skyline killer.

What if any differences in neck feel were there? You said you possibly liked the DLB more...was there something specific that made you feel that way?

Thanks for the write up. I am in for one as well.
 
#287
This is all fine and good, but I'd love to walk into a music store and plug one of these new Lakins in (that's how I came to love Laklands) and see first-hand what the deal is. This seems like a long way off.
 
#289
Johnny Alien said:
You said you possibly liked the DLB more...was there something specific that made you feel that way?
Click to expand...

What I might like more is the feel of the oil finish on the DLB versus the US Lakland. I think DLB may have improved on the recipe.

As far as neck shape, the proverbial jury is still out until the refinements Dan spoke of are implemented.

Dan interrogated me on my impressions of the neck shape, and what I liked and why. Ultimately I think it comes down to how the neck falls into and fills the C shape of my fretting hand. Too thick/chunky and it feels like it's fighting me and slowing down hand movements. Too thin/flat and it's somehow fatiguing, like the bass isn't helping to balance and distribute its weight. (The Fender Geddy Lee signature, which I almost love, fits in this category for me.)
 
#294
The neck profile on the J bass has been addressed and currently in the process of being taken care of. Like I said in an earlier post there will be a P/j model coming but first things first(in regards to the P and J models.



A little info on those who may be interested.



Dan Lakin's new line of Basses – DLB – (Dan Lakin Basses)



Dan been out of the industry for the past 3 years due to a non-compete with the company that bought Lakland in April of 2010. Sitting on the sidelines for this time has given him a chance to re-think how he would re-enter the business and offer better basses at better prices.



He began by hiring a specialist in sourcing production – everywhere in the world. When Dan explained that he was looking for amazing quality at any price, he knew exactly what companies to contact. He was right on the money, these products made by his new sources are topnotch quality from head to toe! Although made overseas , the feel and tone are much closer to great USA made instruments.



He began over 2 years ago when he started sourcing the pickups. After looking at a number of sample pickups and using his ears, he created great single coils as well as a wonderful split coil humbucker. It took months but the end result was worth it.



He then sourced the hardware. Hipshot products is making all of it and he couldn’t be happier. We’ve got a great compliment of USA made hardware.



Then he began work on the bodies and necks. Again using samples of what we were looking for turned out to be great sounding and very playable basses.



Put it all together and Dan has created great quality basses at great prices.



Selling price will be approximately $999.



Features not usually found in basses at this price range;



Bone Nut

Oil Finish – on back of neck

Super comfortable neck shapes.

USA Made Hardware - Bridge, Tuners, String nuts, ferrules, - all of it!

Matching Headstock on Solid Color Basses



Another big change – Dan has decided to market, sell, and distribute the basses himself. Under the brand name – DLB (Dan Lakin Basses) he will be selling these basses direct. Through Phone and the Web , he will give the consumer, service that until now has been available to artists/endorsers. Products will leave the DLB facility in perfect playing condition. he will offer the player a 30 day return policy – no questions asked. He;s still working out the details on the warranty. But it will be at least 2 years, some components even longer.



Models –



Dan will bring back the Joe Osborn and Bob Glaub models. This should tell you what the designs on the new models are…..



The first 12 –



Dan will be making a 12 piece sample order to Korea , at the end of this month – June. Delivery should be September or October. The order will have as many different colors as possible. Photos will be taken for the web-site , then the 12 will be sent to those who have pre-ordered those products. Serial numbers will begin at 1 for each type of bass – Osborn and Glaub.
 
#295
JAUQO III-X said:
The neck profile on the J bass has been addressed and currently in the process of being taken care of. Like I said in an earlier post there will be a P/j model coming but first things first(in regards to the P and J models.


Dan will be making a 12 piece sample order to Korea , at the end of this month – June. Delivery should be September or October. The order will have as many different colors as possible. Photos will be taken for the web-site , then the 12 will be sent to those who have pre-ordered those products. Serial numbers will begin at 1 for each type of bass – Osborn and Glaub.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, a few questions:

Is the hardware custom designed or stock hipshot?

Are the woods selected by Dan or in Korea?

Any reason other than cost that he didn't use any one of the existing aftermarket Fender style pickups?

Are they really endorsed by Joe and Bob?

Are they made in Korea by his own team or by a factory there?

Thanks
 
#296
bigdbass said:
What I might like more is the feel of the oil finish on the DLB versus the US Lakland. I think DLB may have improved on the recipe.

As far as neck shape, the proverbial jury is still out until the refinements Dan spoke of are implemented.

Dan interrogated me on my impressions of the neck shape, and what I liked and why. Ultimately I think it comes down to how the neck falls into and fills the C shape of my fretting hand. Too thick/chunky and it feels like it's fighting me and slowing down hand movements. Too thin/flat and it's somehow fatiguing, like the bass isn't helping to balance and distribute its weight. (The Fender Geddy Lee signature, which I almost love, fits in this category for me.)
Click to expand...

That sounds like more than just a neck profile issue.
 
#297
sigmafloyd said:
Thanks for this, a few questions:

Is the hardware custom designed or stock hipshot?

Are the woods selected by Dan or in Korea?

Any reason other than cost that he didn't use any one of the existing aftermarket Fender style pickups?

Are they really endorsed by Joe and Bob?

Are they made in Korea by his own team or by a factory there?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The Hipshot stuff seems to be stock stuff. The Hipshot A bridge and vintage stule tuners. He went with Korean pickups because there is really no magic in pickups, it's a formula that can be factory made anywhere really so if they can get you the tone you want there it just makes more sense.

As for the endorsements I have to think there is a legal agreement to use their names. Joe dropped off of the Lakland endorser list when they dropped his signature model and while Glaub is still listed on that page I know he has not been using alot of Laklands live lately. My guess is that it's an official endorsement but have not heard any confirmations on that.
 
#298
Johnny Alien said:
He went with Korean pickups because there is really no magic in pickups, it's a formula that can be factory made anywhere really so if they can get you the tone you want there it just makes more sense.
Click to expand...

A few pickup makers might disagree. This would be much more appealing, at least for me, if it had SDs or Fralins, but that would probably bump it into a new class
 
#299
sigmafloyd said:
Thanks for this, a few questions:

Is the hardware custom designed or stock hipshot?

Any reason other than cost that he didn't use any one of the existing aftermarket Fender style pickups?

Are they really endorsed by Joe and Bob?

Are they made in Korea by his own team or by a factory there?

Thanks
Click to expand...



To answer your questions.

1.
Is the hardware custom designed or stock hipshot?

The tuners are – a combo of Hipshot designs. Dan used these at lakland for all the Joe's and Bob's. They are HB-1's back , vintage clover paddles ,
Tapers shafts (makes a huge difference) and reverse wound(can be ordered non –reverse)

2.
Are the woods selected by Dan or in Korea?

Spec'ed by Dan but not physically selected.

3.
Any reason other than cost that he didn't use any one of the existing aftermarket Fender style pickups?

Cost but the pickups were speced and they really do sound nice. If it was not mentioned that the pickups were made in Korea no would would even ask.

4.
Are they really endorsed by Joe and Bob?

Yes they are (they would have to be for legal reasons).

5.
Are they made in Korea by his own team or by a factory there?

By a factory but overseen by Dan
 

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