DLB (Dan Lakin Basses) Coming Soon!

[JAUQO III-X]

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.

No vaporware at all, I have enough experience and as a player to know that this will be a very successful thing for Dan far more than Lakland was (yes remember me saying this).

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.

Good reasons for some and a very logical reason for many. Two reasons why people purchase other brands. The brand that they choose is the brand that they feel are giving them what the want/need.

Both people who have played the J haven't liked the neck so far,

As far as getting the neck profile right, it wasn't wrong, it just wasn't a J bass profile. Like I said in an earlier post it was in between a P and J neck profile.

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.

Can you name any company that does not charge an upgraded price for certain body colors? And can you name a company that does not get crazy when it comes to charging extra for a matching headstock?


Some companies charge from $300 - $700 for a matching headstock and that usually depends on the color of the body.

 

[sigmafloyd]

As far as getting the neck profile right, it wasn't wrong, it just wasn't a J bass profile.

I'll leave that one alone

Can you name any company that does not charge an upgraded price for certain body colors? And can you name a company that does not get crazy when it comes to charging extra for a matching headstock?


Some companies charge from $300 - $700 for a matching headstock and that usually depends on the color of the body.

So custom colors will be an upcharge then? I'm confused.

If you could get these in any color, with matching headstock, at $999, that would be one major reason to choose these over a Fender. Otherwise, we're talking $1300-1700 for a Korean made bass.

 

[the yeti]

I
If you could get these in any color, with matching headstock, at $999, that would be one major reason to choose these over a Fender.

thing is, my impression from this thread is that this bass will theoretically surpass lakland's skyline. that would surely be reason to buy over fender at the same price. (for me, since the korean skylines were hands down better than any fender i've ever played.)

unless of course i misunderstood the thread so far... it happens.

 

[stingray56funk]

So custom colors will be an upcharge then? I'm confused.

If you could get these in any color, with matching headstock, at $999, that would be one major reason to choose these over a Fender. Otherwise, we're talking $1300-1700 for a Korean made bass.

He was saying that matching headstock and color options were not an upcharge.

$1000 price

 

[lowendmafia]

He was saying that matching headstock and color options were not an upcharge.

$1000 price

So, as someone who is in the first 12, I can tell you that the offer was either a P or a J, ANY COLOR I wanted with a MATCHING HEADSTOCK standard and a WHITE PICKGUARD for the $1000 price tag.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

He was saying that matching headstock and color options were not an upcharge.

$1000 price

They wont be, where most companies charge for certain colors and extra extra for matching headstocks.

 

[sigmafloyd]

So, as someone who is in the first 12, I can tell you that the offer was either a P or a J, ANY COLOR I wanted with a MATCHING HEADSTOCK standard and a WHITE PICKGUARD for the $1000 price tag.

That's great. If he offers that after the special 12 that would be sweet. Gonna be a hard business model to maintain but it would make people happy I'm sure.

 

[tomydacat]

Any chance he can do a copy of my first bass ? it was a 60s body and 70s neck? with vintage aged look?
i know i probably wont get my first bass back even though i know who has it . would love a copy so to speak ..

 

[lowendmafia]

That's great. If he offers that after the special 12 that would be sweet. Gonna be a hard business model to maintain but it would make people happy I'm sure.

I'll admit that the first 12 are going to be used to market the brand so he wants as many colors as possible. I am sure it will be a situation where there are instruments on hand in standard colors with the option to order custom colors with a wait time. One thing I know is that I got an Indonesian Skyline that was supposed to be inca silver and the color was not even close. It was basically Ice Blue, so I hope the Korean finishing is more accurate.

 

[the yeti]

I'll admit that the first 12 are going to be used to market the brand so he wants as many colors as possible. I am sure it will be a situation where there are instruments on hand in standard colors with the option to order custom colors with a wait time. One thing I know is that I got an Indonesian Skyline that was supposed to be inca silver and the color was not even close. It was basically Ice Blue, so I hope the Korean finishing is more accurate.

skylines went downhill when production moved out of korea. my bet is these basses will be of considerably higher quality than an indo skyline.

 

[lowendmafia]

skylines went downhill when production moved out of korea. my bet is these basses will be of considerably higher quality than an indo skyline.

The bass was good enough (44-64 Custom), but I was presented the opportunity to purchase a very nice US 44-64 in a cool color so I got rid of it. The neck was very nice, the color was just... I don't know... strange? I do, however, prefer the hand rubbed necks to the satin, plasticky feel. I am looking forward to getting my Lakin bass.

 

[BigDBass]

From my understanding, for the first 12 Mr. Lakin definitely wants as much variety in color as possible. For the first larger production run and beyond, it will be 6 or so color options.

 

[Johnny Alien]

From my understanding, for the first 12 Mr. Lakin definitely wants as much variety in color as possible. For the first larger production run and beyond, it will be 6 or so color options.

That is how I understood it as well. He wants to get a bunch of colors in for the 12 so that he can see what finishes he would prefer to make the standards. There will be quite a few choices but not "anything you want". Matching headstocks and jazz width on a Precision body will all be no charge options which is nice.

 

[Johnny Alien]

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 know that it's not my reason for wanting one or for playing Laklands either. I happen to like Fender alot. I think the reissue line is fantastic especially at the prices they sell for on the used market. Once I played a US Lakland the neck just sold me. The old Korean Skylines were close but not the same. These promise to bring that feeling (it's all about the finish and profile combo) at a way more affordable rate. I would prefer not to pay "elitist" prices for a bass and like I said if Fender offered something with a neck that felt like this I would buy it if the price was right. The limited edition of 12 is not a marketing strategy it's a test run of colors before he launches the full brand. They will be the same but he wants to get a bunch in different colors to check which ones he likes and wants to carry as standard.

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.

Totally valid and I think at this point you are right there is little to go by. Like I said my buying off of what has been said already is based purely on the fact that the neck is supposed to match a US lakland in feel. I would love to have that in a bass that is more affordable.

 

[DWBass]

Just wondering....besides the flatsawn vs. quartersawn, what other differences are there with the Lakland necks? In what way can one 'feel' a difference?

With the DLB's.....will Dan also have a 'custom shop'?

 

[WoodyG3]

A $1000 price tag would make these more expensive than the Carvin SB4000 or B40.

I guess Dan's plan doesn't involve having an especially competitive price. I still want to try one, of course.

I was thinking that, too, with regard to Carvin price points. Of course, Carvin doesn't make a Fender copy, as such, just a "similar" body style. And, few people buy a bare bones Carvin, they usually add several options which place them in the $1000 and up category. Also, Carvin still doesn't offer a P-bass, doggone it!

Matching headstocks and jazz width on a Precision body will all be no charge options which is nice.

That is good news, lots of folks prefer the Jazz neck profile, but still want a P-bass.

 

[SJLee]

That is good news, lots of folks prefer the Jazz neck profile, but still want a P-bass.

+1

 

[Handyman]

I was thinking that, too, with regard to Carvin price points. Of course, Carvin doesn't make a Fender copy, as such, just a "similar" body style. And, few people buy a bare bones Carvin, they usually add several options which place them in the $1000 and up category. Also, Carvin still doesn't offer a P-bass, doggone it!

The SB4000 is pretty much a dead on 70s Jazz copy, which the notable exception of the headstock. I see five SBs on the Carvin in stock page within $50 of $1000. And the B40/B50 is the same instrument with a P style body shape for even less dough.

They have absolutely no solution for someone wanting a P, as you mention. Nor an answer for someone wanting a traditional Jazz body shape. Given the number of complaints I hear about both of these points, maybe Dan's got a pretty large potential market.

 

[the yeti]

Just wondering....besides the flatsawn vs. quartersawn, what other differences are there with the Lakland necks? In what way can one 'feel' a difference?

With the DLB's.....will Dan also have a 'custom shop'?

well, for one you can sure feel it in your pocketbook.

aside from that it's a different finish, don't know what else.

 

[lfbassguy]

I wish Dan all the success of his new basses. He, and Brian were very good to me at Lakland.

I think Korea is a better choice than Indo for manufacturing too.

Does any one know if the necks will be graphite reinforced?