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DLB (Dan Lakin Basses) Coming Soon!

#146
I say more power to him and good luck. Has anyone considered that selling these "clones" may also be a means to allow him the financial stability to create something new? Coming from an R&D background, I know how much capital it takes to "innovate."

And if this first round of basses has the fit, finish and playability as some have mentioned, I'm sure there will be buyers. :)
 
#150
Johnny Alien said:
And what colors?? Are the necks and bodies finished in Korea or the US? I am shocked that a Korean factory would do the oiled neck treatment.
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There are a lot of colors available and Dan is looking to pre-sell the first 12. The first ones will get to chose any finish they desire.


Bodies – Poly not nitro.

Neck are finished using a gun stock oil same as Lakland USA . Necks and bodies all finished in Korea.
 
#151
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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And there is the answer...(emphasis mine)

Most company's are started to make money, not innovate. Maybe later, after the cash flow, he'll do some xx-02 style or use soapbars in some. Me, I'd try one just based on his reputation alone, plus I have not been impressed with Fender in awhile (except the AM Standards in 2012).
 
#153
I guess I would have just a few comments as a former Lakland player, and to all the posts above:

1) Most basses today are 'Fender copies' in some way or the other. Some look like vintage Fenders a bit more. Others have fancy wood tops and slightly different body styles, but are still pretty much J basses:p No harm or foul IMO for a company to build a higher quality version of a classic bass.

2) If you remember the Fortune article about Lakland back in the day, Dan was making no money on his high end, Chicago produced line, and went to the Skyline product to try to keep the brand in business. He purposely put the Skylines next to the much more expensive models at retial to show that the Skylines were pretty much the same thing. I thought that was dumb at the time (before I read the article), because many said 'why would you pay $2,000 more for the USA model that is basically the same thing?'. After I read the Fortune article, I realized that is exactly what he wanted the customer to think.

3) As far as I know, Dan was primarily the 'money and business end' of the Lakland business, and has no particular background or skill as a luthier. I believe he is from a very wealthy family, and the family money allowed him to start Lakland. It was the 'land' part of Lakland (can't remember the guys name) who I believe was the designer. So, not sure what Dan will bring to the party, other than a name.

My guess is, the basses will be reasonably good, and the brand will sink like a rock. That being said, even though I have zero interest given all the great other brands out there, he seems like a class act and I wish him well. Very nice cat.
 
#154
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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Some of those "Korean made parts basses" are excellent instruments, like my Lakland Skylines. Certainly better than the $300 Squier IMO (not that there is any wrong with the Squier). Have you ever played one?
 
#156
KJung said:
It was the 'land' part of Lakland (can't remember the guys name) who I believe was the designer. So, not sure what Dan will bring to the party, other than a name.
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Ken.

Dan Lakin, Hugh McFarland (the Land in Lakland, Carl Pedigo all were very instrumental in the overall design of Laklands flagship models 4-94 and 55-94. And Dan is a pretty decent bass player and knows a quality instrument and great tone when he hears it.

And as far as Dan just bringing a name, he is respected in the industry by many customers (where at the end of the day it matters). Remember Dan's name is still connected to a brand that he had a vision for started and a brand that is still highly regarded as a modern day improvement for many bass players today.


Dan knows what he is doing and he has learned a lot and he's bringing a new quality product that will make a lot of the other companies take note and step up their game.


KJung said:
My guess is, the basses will be reasonably good, and the brand will sink like a rock.
Click to expand...

As far as the brand sinking like a rock, I seriously doubt it.
 
#159
My, first year of production, Korean 55-01 is a great bass! There aren't many, if any at all, bad basses coming out of that Korean factory. I don't doubt these will be well made basses but I would definitely like to see a more innovative design. Dan does have a built in fan bass so he'll sell a few due to the quality components. Folks won't have a need to do any upgrading. Or much upgrading! :)
 

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