Lakland fretboard problems

[robgo]

So, I'm buying a 55-02 having sold my EBMM US Sterling because I want to give 5 strings a go.

Anyway, i ordered one over the internet from GAK, only to be told there would be a month's wait for stock. I was far too excited to wait a whole month, so after a bit more research I was able to find one at Dawsons even cheaper which was in stock. (GAK were very polite about me cancelling my order by the way).

Dawsons rang me the next day to say that they had taken it out of their stock room only to find there was a 'problem with the frets' they had no other stock to replace it with and it would have to go back to the distributor for replacement or repair. On further questioning he described that the fretboard had appeared to have shrunk a bit leaving the frets sticking out.

A week or so later (yesterday) they ring again to say it was back from the distributors and if I was ok they would send it out to me - due to arrive tomorrow. i asked him to check with the distributors what they had done, and he phoned me back later to say that they had repaired it - not replaced but repaired, he had no more details than that. He added that obviously if I had any problems they would exchange or refund - involving more waiting of course.

Now I've got no complaints about the service, I'm impressed that these companies actually go to the bother of checking basses over before sending them!! but I just wanted a bit of advice about the fret issue - what should I look out for (other than sticking out frets of course!), have you ever heard of similar problems with Laklands?

Thanks

Rob

 

[kalle74]

this happens with most of them, and it´s a fairly common problem. wood "lives" with the climate changes, and sometimes fret-ends tend to stick out a bit. filing them down takes care of the problem. no biggie.

 

[*Munkeh*]

Hi Rob

Congrats on the new Lakland. I put an order in for a 44-02 deluxe for £1,159 under the Take it away scheme (You may be aware Lakland prices have increased due to the economy but I still managed to get a new one for a price that's even lower than the old price!) The distributors are still waiting for new stock to come in so the dealer can send the bass to me =D

Regarding the fretboard question.... must be the heatwave we had in UK the past 2 weeks eh? I haven't heard about any neck or fretboard shrinkege problems with Lakland basses but as Kalle74 said, it happens to basses in changing environments. I guess you should look out for neck bowing too because if the fretboard shrunk, it may have had affected the neck as well?

 

[robgo]

Thanks for the reassuring replies!!

I'll give the neck a good check, fingers crossed! We're not used to heatwaves over here really are we, so it may have had an impact!!

The 55-01 (OOPS! I just noticed I said 55-02 in my first post I meant 55-01, must be wishful thinking!!!) at GAK was £700. I found it at £630 at Dawsons well below the RRP and a bargain I reckon.

Interestingly Dawsons quote the RRP as £684.13 which can't be right?!

 

[mattygbass]

this happens with any bass, wood breaths and can swell or shrink with climate changes.

i once bought a mim jazz bass at gc, they gave me a deal because the frets were sprouting a bit. well after i had it at my house for a week, moisture got back in the wood and the fret ends were fine.

 

[emblymouse]

My first Lakland Skyline had the same issue. It is not a biggie and only requires dressing the ends by hand. Nothing should need replacing. I bought my bass used on eBay and brought it in to Lakland. They stopped what they were doing and filed those frets while I waited, took about 1/2 hr. Then they did a set up too, all free. On a used bass!
Viva Lakland!