• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

DLB (Dan Lakin Basses) Coming Soon!

#361
mmbongo said:
I figured it went without saying since it's pretty obviously photoshopped...and crudely at that :p

Added clarification though.

And I hate to say it...and perhaps I'm biased...but I think the one I shopped looks 1000 times better and I've often wondered why nobody uses this design. It basically is a replica of the 'leg cutout' of the body so the contours match and it all looks nice together. But what do I know? I don't build these things!
Click to expand...

If there's still time to change the design in Korea, DLB should do it and copyright / trademark it, pronto.

And give mmbongo a freebie for his input ( I'd take one as well, as a second opinion...preferably one based on a 4-94 ).
 
#362
dje31 said:
If there's still time to change the design in Korea, DLB should do it and copyright / trademark it, pronto.

And give mmbongo a freebie for his input ( I'd take one as well, as a second opinion...preferably one based on a 4-94 ).
Click to expand...

+1 That really works, given the small size of the headstock. I dig it. Unique, but still appropriate to the vibe of the bass. Very nice.
 
#363
Johnny Alien said:
It looks like the headstock used on the MPG Level 4 JJ bass. Very very similar. I don't dislike your design but prefer the actual one.
Click to expand...

Not a fan of that MPG headstock at all, but I like his other designs. This one looks like a rejected G&L headstock design.

MPGLevel4-1.jpg
 
#364
mmbongo said:
I figured it went without saying since it's pretty obviously photoshopped...and crudely at that :p

Added clarification though.

And I hate to say it...and perhaps I'm biased...but I think the one I shopped looks 1000 times better and I've often wondered why nobody uses this design. It basically is a replica of the 'leg cutout' of the body so the contours match and it all looks nice together. But what do I know? I don't build these things!
Click to expand...


Yeah, I know that some folks on TB (including myself) sometimes bounce around on threads and sometimes even skip pages so I was just wanting to help keep a clear picture of the goings on with Dan's new venture.... I could see if someone didn't read all the way through they might be inclined to think the photo shop picture was real and that wouldn't be fair to Dan.

:)
 
#365
dje31 said:
If there's still time to change the design in Korea, DLB should do it and copyright / trademark it, pronto.

And give mmbongo a freebie for his input ( I'd take one as well, as a second opinion...preferably one based on a 4-94 ).
Click to expand...

I am sure there isn't and I for one am glad.

I think it looks alot like the MPG headstock just less curvy...sorry. Actually it looks alot like the Warwick Vulture bass too.
 
#366
Johnny Alien said:
I am sure there isn't and I for one am glad.

I think it looks alot like the MPG headstock just less curvy...sorry. Actually it looks alot like the Warwick Vulture bass too.
Click to expand...



+1 Right on.... I think a lot of players would agree with your assessment that's why I wanted to clear up the photo shop picture. I wouldn't want potential buyer's being scared off.
 
#367
Johnny Alien said:
The pickups in the 44/55-01 were foreign made Barts. They were already made pickups that they dropped in because they were good enough. The pickups in these while being foreign made were made to spec specifically for Dan. At that point there is little difference between him spec'ing it with a US company as they will all wind it with similar wire on a similar machine.

The US Hiphots are a actually much nicer and something with moving parts that you directly interact with frequently. The quality of those parts can mean a whole lot for an instrument. Not saying that foreign made tuners or other hardware can't be nice as well. Replacing hardware can be very expensive as US Hipshots cost much more than most pickups and even then depending on thickness of headstock, diameter of the tuner hole and spacing between them might be difficult to do. In fact it is not practically possible to replace Skyline Glaub tuners with the US version due to the size of the tuner base and the spacing between them on the Skyline. Replacing a pickup in comparison is relatively affordable and usually drop in (route wise).

US Fender Precision basses I assume have US made pickups and people replace those all the time. Being US made does not make the pickup sound better or worse it all depends on how they are voiced. In this case they were done to Dan (and maybe Bob Glaub's) taste which may or may not work for you but either way probably won't be due to the fact that they were made in Korea.
Click to expand...

thanks for the education. i had no idea about any of that. really.:rolleyes:

chunkstyle said:
Isn't foreign made hardware typically "down-spec'd" and purposely made inferior to US made hardware? It just doesn't make sense to make "licensed by Hipshot" products that are equal to and cheaper than US made products.

Comparing our typical experiences with foreign made hardware to foreign made pickups that have been created with desirable specifications doesn't seem fair.
Click to expand...

yes. :)
 
#370
the yeti said:
of course not. it's the closest example i have personal experience with. my point was the majority of people who had issue with the 5501 didn't swap the hardware, they swapped the electronics because that made an impact on performance. that part is fact, what the impact was is debateable i suppose.
Click to expand...

I have a 55-01 and a 44-01, and I used to have another one of each. In the two 44-01s I swapped pickups/pres (Nordstrand DC in one, US Barts in other), and I tell you truthfully while they are great pickups I wouldn't spend the money again, it is a waste IMO. There is nothing wrong with the stock MK1s. My main gigging bass right now is the totally stock 55-01 I recently purchased - while the 44-01 with Nordys (passive electronics) stays home. I really see no reason to change the pickups in it.

Of course, YMMV.
 
#372
sigmafloyd said:
What I think he is selling here, is the presumed feeling of exclusivity and cache that comes with owning a bass that is not made by Fender. By owning one you become part of a more elite group. It tells the world that you have more refined tastes than the guy at the bar with his run of the mill Fender. You're in the know, you have some sort of connection with the builder. That is what makes this foreign made parts bass seem worthwhile.
Click to expand...
This line of argument made no sense out in the real world the first 1000 times I heard it on TB, either.
 
#373
but... yeah, yeah... talk talk talk: did I miss anything along this thread? Any pics anywhere? How can anybody think of buying a bass without even look at it at least on a pic? I understand the maximum trust in Dan; he REALLY deserves it: I have two 55-02 that will never part with! But, again: any real pics?

:D
 
#374
Avezzano said:
but... yeah, yeah... talk talk talk: did I miss anything along this thread? Any pics anywhere? How can anybody think of buying a bass without even look at it at least on a pic? I understand the maximum trust in Dan; he REALLY deserves it: I have two 55-02 that will never part with! But, again: any real pics?

:D
Click to expand...

Here ya go.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/dlb-dan-lakin-basses-coming-soon-952503/index6.html#post14418328

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/dlb-dan-lakin-basses-coming-soon-952503/index15.html#post14438154
 
#375
GregC said:
The pre is a big part of the cost, though. Swapping out pickups on a passive P or J is a lot cheaper.
Click to expand...

excellent point. but i wasn't really concerned with the actual pu's, just the notion that sourcing both mattered (us) and didn't matter (asian). probably shouldn't of brought the real world into a hypothetical, my bad. but yeah, unless the stockers turn out to be awesome, i'd be happy w/something cheap and i can put in whatever i like.
 
#376
the yeti said:
excellent point. but i wasn't really concerned with the actual pu's, just the notion that sourcing both mattered (us) and didn't matter (asian). probably shouldn't of brought the real world into a hypothetical, my bad. but yeah, unless the stockers turn out to be awesome, i'd be happy w/something cheap and i can put in whatever i like.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure anyone was actually saying that. All US would probably be a much better selling point but since his drive seemed to be to come in at $1000 direct he had to make some choices. Dan has seen alot of import and domestic parts and has worked with alot of pickup makers from the time he was originally testing for the Lakland line to when Hanson started hand wiring them for them. His decision was that it's possible to get the same tone out of a foreign made pickup but not as possible to get the same quality in the hardware so that is the way he went. I think the goal was to use as much US parts as possible. At the end of the day there are alot of specs on this that are much closer to US made Laklands than the Skyline series at a cheaper price which is great. If he sold through the conventional system instead of direct these would street out at around $1500-1600.
 
#377
dje31 said:
If there's still time to change the design in Korea, DLB should do it and copyright / trademark it, pronto.

And give mmbongo a freebie for his input ( I'd take one as well, as a second opinion...preferably one based on a 4-94 ).
Click to expand...

I would also agree with this. The current DLB headstock does have a somewhat "cheap" look to it. It would be a shame to build a great instrument and have some turn away because of this.
 
#380
GregC said:
This line of argument made no sense out in the real world the first 1000 times I heard it on TB, either.
Click to expand...

My point wasn't that the other guy at the bar with a Fender will notice it or not, but that the elitist part comes from thinking that you *need* something different or above and beyond a Fender P or J bass. The fact that he is starting with a 'limited run of 12' speaks volumes for the marketing strategy.

I'm sorry if I'm coming off as negative, but this product is total vaporware right now. Until we see/hear/play the finished version, everything is speculation. I don't see what's wrong with asking tough questions about a product. If you want this bass and you have yet to see/hear/play it, you are likely wanting it for a reason that has less to do with the bass and more to do with brand, name association, etc.

So far the only reasons I've heard that someone would want this over a real Fender is 1) color choice and 2) the neck profile. Both people who have played the J haven't liked the neck so far, hopefully he will get it right. In terms of color choice, if he is offering infinite choices for body/pickguard with matching headstock after this first initial run of 12 at the same price I will be impressed.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back