Lakland Owners Group #69

[basspraiser]

Is that impression of the brand based on anything other than the website not being updated in a long time? And what guitar or bass manufacturers’ websites do account for disabilities?

Agreed...I don't see it as a dying brand at all....

Also... Not sure how to make a web site ADA accessible??

No ramps or elevators required that I know of..

 

[basspraiser]

So this is my first post but I’ve read many threads in Talk Bass and have gotten lots of good info. Anyway, I just picked this Lakland Skyline DJ4 in trade. Had never even really thought about Laklands but of the many basses I’ve owned this is now my favorite bass. Love the aggressive tone! It’s a 2006 but has the Lakland pickups (red, green, & black wires) and the 500k pots. This seems like an odd configuration in the research I’ve done, although it was during the transition time. Is it likely the pickups were swapped or has anyone else seen this configuration from the factory? Just curious being the nerdy tech I am. IngloriousOz?

Welcome aboard and welcome to the addiction!

The DJs are great basses!

Sorry I cannot answer your question though

 

[basspraiser]

Lakland has put out new models over the past 15 years. The 44-51 (and M variant), the AJ basses, and the short-scale hollowbody.
They also rolled out Hanson guitars, and recently two Lakland-branded guitars.
They also switched over to their own pickups and preamp in all of their basses (Ps, Js, the LH-3 system, Chi-sonics, and the pickups in the SS hollowbody).
And over that period they bought a PLEK machine, a CNC machine, and started cutting and painting bodies in-house.
Finally, they introduced the US Classic line to get US models to a lower price point. (Note that others, such as Sadowsky, have since done similar things.)

Not bad considering the company nearly went under before a change in ownership during this time.

You could argue that those instruments (other than the Hanson guitars) don't represent much innovation, and I wouldn't disagree. But it has become painfully obvious that innovation isn't what sells these days. Everybody and their brother makes Fender-style stuff--even EBMM did for a couple years. The only bass builder I can think of that has made a significant splash in the marketplace in recent years is Sire, and virtually all they make (other than the M7) are lower-priced J and P copies.

Great GREAT POST GREG!

 

[basspraiser]

Yeah if you configure a 44-60 with a bound/blocked neck, and matching headstock, you'll likely see a price similar to the DJ. There also may be some additional cost due to licensing fees that would need paid to Darryl Jones for use of his name?

I'd be curious if you could get a DJ for a 44-60 price if you had it ordered without the blocked neck and matching headstock.

Don't think they would do that for a DJ....that's part of the DJ asthetic.... But I could be wrong...

 

[GregC]

Lakland has put out new models over the past 15 years. The 44-51 (and M variant), the AJ basses, and the short-scale hollowbody.
They also rolled out Hanson guitars, and recently two Lakland-branded guitars.
They also switched over to their own pickups and preamp in all of their basses (Ps, Js, the LH-3 system, Chi-sonics, and the pickups in the SS hollowbody).
And over that period they bought a PLEK machine, a CNC machine, and started cutting and painting bodies in-house.
Finally, they introduced the US Classic line to get US models to a lower price point. (Note that others, such as Sadowsky, have since done similar things.)

Not bad considering the company nearly went under before a change in ownership during this time.

You could argue that those instruments (other than the Hanson guitars) don't represent much innovation, and I wouldn't disagree. But it has become painfully obvious that innovation isn't what sells these days. Everybody and their brother makes Fender-style stuff--even EBMM did for a couple years. The only bass builder I can think of that has made a significant splash in the marketplace in recent years is Sire, and virtually all they make (other than the M7) are lower-priced J and P copies.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the J Sonic Skylines and Skyline PJs!

 

[Johnny Alien]

Also... Not sure how to make a web site ADA accessible??

No ramps or elevators required that I know of..

You can go back and read my posts and the web pages I linked for more information. Pigeon holing disabilities into people that need wheelchair access is a bit short sighted. There are many different types and levels of disabilities. The web is most certainly not an open and friendly place to all people.

 

[Si-bob]

Yeah if you configure a 44-60 with a bound/blocked neck, and matching headstock, you'll likely see a price similar to the DJ. There also may be some additional cost due to licensing fees that would need paid to Darryl Jones for use of his name?

I'd be curious if you could get a DJ for a 44-60 price if you had it ordered without the blocked neck and matching headstock.

The only reason I could imagine Lakland not building that for you, as a US Custom, would be if they had a specific agreement with DJ that the design wouldn't be used for any custom derivatives. All you can do is ask

Si

 

[soundsupport1]

The only reason I could imagine Lakland not building that for you, as a US Custom, would be if they had a specific agreement with DJ that the design wouldn't be used for any custom derivatives. All you can do is ask

Si

Agreed. I would argue that the distinctive feature of the DJ is not the neck (lots of jazz basses have bound and blocked necks, after all), but rather the pickup spacing and - more than anything - the body shape.
I suspect Lakland would have more of a problem if you asked for 70s pickup spacing on a 44-60 than if you asked for a DJ with dot position markers and a natural headstock.

Peace,
SoundSupport

 

[gotfunk21]

Agreed. I would argue that the distinctive feature of the DJ is not the neck (lots of jazz basses have bound and blocked necks, after all), but rather the pickup spacing and - more than anything - the body shape.
I suspect Lakland would have more of a problem if you asked for 70s pickup spacing on a 44-60 than if you asked for a DJ with dot position markers and a natural headstock.

Peace,
SoundSupport

I have actually ordered a 44-60 with 70’s spacing. They were perfectly accommodating

 

[soundsupport1]

I have actually ordered a 44-60 with 70’s spacing. They were perfectly accommodating

What nice people they are.

 

[basspraiser]

You can go back and read my posts and the web pages I linked for more information. Pigeon holing disabilities into people that need wheelchair access is a bit short sighted. There are many different types and levels of disabilities. The web is most certainly not an open and friendly place to all people.

Lighten up a bit ..I know...I was just trying a bit of levity.

I did scan your posts after I posted this...

 

[Johnny Alien]

Lighten up a bit ..I know...I was just trying a bit of levity.

I did scan your posts after I posted this...

I have numerous family members with different levels of disabilities. None in wheelchairs. I don't need to lighten up I just don't think it's a subject matter that deserves levity. Just my opinion. Some things you just don't poke fun at.

 

[Lovep]

I have numerous family members with different levels of disabilities. None in wheelchairs. I don't need to lighten up I just don't think it's a subject matter that deserves levity. Just my opinion. Some things you just don't poke fun at.

My question is why is it assumed that everyone wants to read this debate on a bass forum. IMO, this type of convo could be handled just as easily with a PM. I really like this thread and would like to continue to see Lakland/bass focused material...

 

[Johnny Alien]

My question is why is it assumed that everyone wants to read this debate on a bass forum. IMO, this type of convo could be handled just as easily with a PM. I really like this thread and would like to continue to see Lakland/bass focused material...

It was about the lakland site which is on topic. Then people started questioning me about it and I answered them. Then it did drop. The conversation moved on and then someone brought it back up in a joking manner. If you want it to end then don't talk about it anymore. I had stopped discussing it.

 

[Lovep]

It was about the lakland site which is on topic. Then people started questioning me about it and I answered them. Then it did drop. The conversation moved on and then someone brought it back up in a joking manner. If you want it to end then don't talk about it anymore. I had stopped discussing it.

LOL. Yeah, definitely on topic. Have a nice day.

 

[inthebassclef]

Hopefully some nice lakland pics can lighten the mood. Here's a family shot of mine, before and after production

 

[Holdsg]

I love how the raw pistachio wood has a green tint to it, just like the nuts.

 

[inthebassclef]

I love how the raw pistachio wood has a green tint to it, just like the nuts.

Yea it is pretty awesome. In person it still has some of the green in it

 

[soundsupport1]

I love pistachios. I'd just get a craving every time I played it or even saw it. and pistachios are expensive, so there goes my gig money...

 

[JEDI BASS]

I’ve fallen in love with a redwood burl/swamp ash bodied bass w/ ovankol neck and ebony fretboard. I think my next Lakland or Carlo bass may use a similar wood combination.

Still waiting on my dual P Carlo. It should be close to finished.