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DLB (Dan Lakin Basses) Coming Soon!

#121
Showdown said:
I don't think this is either fair or accurate. His original basses weren't really Fender clones (unless you call any double cutaway bass a Fender clone). He didn't really sell Fender clones until later. And they were ALL great basses.

I prefer Lakland to Fender. I'm sure his new ones will be great too.
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What do these bring to the table then? It sounds like he learned from lakland that he is better off building someone else's designs, so what is the angle here? Why spend nearly a grand on a Korean made parts bass when you can get a squier classic vibe for $300?
 
#125
As far as Fender clones blame the market not the builders. Why would someone intentionally build something that will lose them money? Ask Sterling how many Stingrays are sold in comparison to Bongos and Big Al's. Even G&L had to come out with a jazz bass because the market just doesn't want anything else. Even Fender has trouble selling anything that isn't traditional. Every variation or innovation they have done has fallen by the wayside. It's crazy because every time there is something new you will see threads that go on for pages ripping apart the looks and design and then when something safe like this comes out the builder is ripped for not innovating.

On top of that we don't really know the details of these basses. Maybe (although I doubt it) the jazz is the new Osborn signature seeing as he dropped from endorsing Lakland awhile back.

As far as being a Skyline clone anyone saying that has not played a US Lakland. This sounds like it's trying to get to the US Lakland level at a cheaper budget. Something I think that the Skyline series did better at first. The US hardware, oil finish on the neck and graphite reinforcement are all touches that put it closer to the US line than the Skyline. And if it gets even 20% closer at the same price or lower than it's an amazing deal.
 
#127
Johnny Alien said:
As far as Fender clones blame the market not the builders. Why would someone intentionally build something that will lose them money? Ask Sterling how many Stingrays are sold in comparison to Bongos and Big Al's. Even G&L had to come out with a jazz bass because the market just doesn't want anything else. Even Fender has trouble selling anything that isn't traditional. Every variation or innovation they have done has fallen by the wayside. It's crazy because every time there is something new you will see threads that go on for pages ripping apart the looks and design and then when something safe like this comes out the builder is ripped for not innovating.

On top of that we don't really know the details of these basses. Maybe (although I doubt it) the jazz is the new Osborn signature seeing as he dropped from endorsing Lakland awhile back.

As far as being a Skyline clone anyone saying that has not played a US Lakland. This sounds like it's trying to get to the US Lakland level at a cheaper budget. Something I think that the Skyline series did better at first. The US hardware, oil finish on the neck and graphite reinforcement are all touches that put it closer to the US line than the Skyline. And if it gets even 20% closer at the same price or lower than it's an amazing deal.
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+1 Right frickin' on man....
 
#129
ShowKing said:
yeah there is no rule that says you have to always innovate. nothing wrong with making something fender style and doing a good job of it!
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Completely agree, but why would I buy one of these over a Korean Lakland, G&L JB, Fender CiJ or MIA, Lull, Valenti, Sadowsky Metro (more $$$), and Fender style basses from Elrick, Modulus, Dingwall, and dozens of other builders?
 
#130
Baird6869 said:
Completely agree, but why would I buy one of these over a Korean Lakland, G&L JB, Fender CiJ or MIA, Lull, Valenti, Sadowsky Metro (more $$$), and Fender style basses from Elrick, Modulus, Dingwall, and dozens of other builders?
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I'm not trying to be sarcastic but you haven't went over one of these with a fine tooth comb or played one yourself.
 
#131
OK..I'll chime in. While, another "Fender inspired" bass that is partially made offshore and assembled here is not really my thing. I can fully understand why Dan would do it. And I can respect it. As some have already said, it is what sells...at least in volume anyway. Ask most of the builders that have been doing this a while...They don't make a ton of money on the "custom" basses. At least in the volumes that they can produce them. They make money on other things....Look at someone like Mike Lull. He still probably makes most of his money on repairs and service. Mike Tobias is making most of his money on the Kingston series, Carey Nordstrand is making his money on pickups and preamps. So, I can fully understand why Dan is doing it this way. Maybe then we can hope that he will build a few "one offs" here or there. Kinda like what Carey Nordstrand is doing now.

And on the subject of why you would buy one of these over the other similar offerings on the market. If they are truly as good as Jauqo says...they will sell. They are in the same price range as a Skyline and less expensive than some of other brands mentioned. And if the bass meets up to Jauqo's first impressions...they will sell a lot of them.

Just my 2 cents.
 
#132
IME, there can be a world of difference in tone, playing feel, and ergonomics among any number of Fender-style basses.

So...IMHO, there's still room in a crowded market for Dan to bring something new or better within a "classic" design.
 
#135
sigmafloyd said:
I get that it's hard to make money on original designs, but that isn't a reason to make yet another fender knockoff.

They will probably sell though.
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It's an excellent reason. Would you work a job for little financial return when you could do the same job and make a fairly good living doing it? It's easy to criticize builders when it's not our money. Or better yet people should start making innovations a financial good idea for the builders by buying innovating products.
 
#137
Lets keep in mind. The Glaub and Osborn were only two offering from the "Dan era" of Lakland. Dan also put out the 55-94 and 4-94
How many companies have copied THAT design???
And lets not forget the Decade, Scheff, and Hollowbody
I'm one of the people that run the Lakland Owners Group. I've dealt with Dan. Hes a great guy with a passion for what he does.
I spoke to him the other day. He had a non compete clause in his deal selling Lakland that JUST ended.
Lets give him a chance.
This may just be the begining.
 
#140
sigmafloyd said:
What an innovator. Seriously, how many times can one person rip off Fender? Didn't he sell Lakland, now he is selling yet another fender clone? Greed and a lack of vision
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Greed and wanting to earn a living are two different things. As far as vision, I'd say his vision as to what will sell is right on.

sigmafloyd said:
What do these bring to the table then? It sounds like he learned from lakland that he is better off building someone else's designs, so what is the angle here? Why spend nearly a grand on a Korean made parts bass when you can get a squier classic vibe for $300?
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Quality of construction, high quality components, the same reason people buy Skylines. In this case, it sounds like these may even be a step up from Skylines at the same price point.

sigmafloyd said:
I get that it's hard to make money on original designs, but that isn't a reason to make yet another fender knockoff...
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You kinda' contradict yourself there. That's the exact reason to make a Fender style instrument.

I'm not trying to pick on you, but I think you should give Dan a break, here. He's going to build what the vast majority of buyers want. I like new models and innovation as much as anyone, but when I look at my bass collection, the majority are traditional designs. Innovation means financial risk, and even the largest manufacturers can get badly burned when they try to market something new that the public doesn't buy in to.
 

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