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Lakland Owners Group #69

#13,361
Gecko 5 said:
Sorry if my comments offended you or struck a nerve.
My comments were based solely on MY experience. They are not a reflection of the entire system.
Back to topic.....
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Awe heck man, absolutely no offense taken at all... I wasn't trying to point fingers or pinpoint anyone...

I know everyone's experience is different.
I was basically trying to give the group information as to the situation mentioned... because for the most part, and stated by another USPS worker in the group, folks just simply have no idea about all that we deal with and the protocols we have to use... there's so much "behind the scenes" stuff it's mind boggling at times..
I seriously wasn't calling out anyone, just letting folks know that Covid has completely flipped everything upside down for us... you're all good man
 
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#13,362
#13,363
blondmix3 said:
Seems a little on the petty side... If you're going to state a certain timeframe, I think "Lakin era" is the way to go. Oh well.
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He's just following the Fender pattern...Pre-CBS not Leo era.

JEDI BASS said:
Dan’s been petty for a while now. He’s lost my support and respect over it. If he’d done a better job, no one else would have needed to buy the biz and take it to the next level, which Steve and John have, IMO.
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IMO the current stuff is not next level it's just more expensive to cover the costs. I consider the Skyline series to be slightly overpriced at this point and that happened when the current team took over. Dan is a bad business man for sure. I was an endorser for years and dropped off when things started to become nothing but business. I guess they know what they are doing to keep afloat but having dealt with them for awhile it's my opinion that Dan was the best thing about dealing with them. Always eager to talk gear and help out. That's not always the way to run a company though. That's why he's leaving the production level stuff in the hands of Ashdown with his new stuff.
 
#13,364
Texan said:
Anyone in the service industry, manufacturing, logistics, whatever it maybe, is stretched right now. We are all on edge in someway. We all have to remember that and understand that all systems are strained in some way. Give everyone a break. We are all in this together.

Let's just be thankful that we have this bass/Lakland comradery that gives us a place to take our minds away from the insanity of the world right now and gives us a few seconds to concentrate on the instruments that we love.

Unity people, unity.
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I agree, but Dan should be the same way. This terminology seems unnecessarily antagonistic.
 
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#13,365
Johnny Alien said:
He's just following the Fender pattern...Pre-CBS not Leo era.



IMO the current stuff is not next level it's just more expensive to cover the costs. I consider the Skyline series to be slightly overpriced at this point and that happened when the current team took over. Dan is a bad business man for sure. I was an endorser for years and dropped off when things started to become nothing but business. I guess they know what they are doing to keep afloat but having dealt with them for awhile it's my opinion that Dan was the best thing about dealing with them. Always eager to talk gear and help out. That's not always the way to run a company though. That's why he's leaving the production level stuff in the hands of Ashdown with his new stuff.
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No, he’s went so far as to call his era stuff “real” Laklands, and made other childish remarks. His era Skylines did not have consistent quality. The misaligned bridge problem (very common), bad nut work, and propensity for twisted necks are prime examples. I’ve kept my eyes and ears open for years now, and I believe the current Skylines are much much better. So much so, that I finally bought one and low and behold, I was right.

So agree to disagree, I suppose.
 
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#13,366
You finally bought one? How many have you played? In my time endorsing, owning and flipping I have played a TON of Skylines and in my opinion 2002-2004 are the best they have ever been. The later Korean ones are OK but not as good as the earlier ones and I would say the Indo ones are likely a touch better. When moving to Indonesia they did get a bit more consistent but they were generally all heavier and just felt a bit more sterile. They saved a bunch of money going to Indonesia and moving to their own pickups and the biggest cost saver was using the PLEK vs their USA techs for the fretwork but the prices kept going up as the company under John uses the Skyline series to supplement the USA line. Not to mention the choice to stay with the Cort factory after they were exposed as being less that moral with their employees. Dan at the time wanted to look for another Korean factory or find a way to make a low priced USA line to fill that niche but other choices were made and he left. He likes talking to bass players and getting them great instruments at a good price but he lacks business sense. On the flip I think the current management is all about profit vs the needs. Two extremes that need a middle ground. I am not saying the new stuff is not good to great just that I don't really get the same feeling from them. Not to mention that all of the innovation happened when Dan was there. What new models have come out? The Hofner copy with the body that matches their guitar company for some reason? Every update or new release is either same old or cost savings for the company. Still great instruments I just don't understand the anger towards the guy who started it and designed the instruments you love.

Of course he values his time there. He IS the guy who created it all. I talk to him frequently and I can tell you he never ever bad mouths Lakland that I have heard so I am not sure how everyone hears him being petty or childish? Because he references his era the same way Fender and Musicman do? Why not? It's 100% true. There are two eras and you know it because you have stated a preference for one over the other.

I am always open about my preference for the very early Skylines (I don't feel there has ever been a change on the USA side) but I have never trash talked the current owners so it just seems out of character and just uninviting to come into a thread like this and see people trash talking the guy who started the company.
 
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#13,369
Dan makes snarky remarks on Facebook frequently enough to have changed my opinion of him. That’s where I and others have seen this behavior. I should just stop following him.

I’ve owned plenty of Dan era Skylines, only one that was good enough to keep. But, I sold it to a young player that I knew. I’ve had so many US Laklands that I’ve forgotten some of them. The Plek’d demo/B stock GZ that I just got for under 1k is easily a $1,500 bass and the best Skyline I’ve laid hands on. As for US Laklands, my favorites will always be my two 1st year 4-94s, my ‘98-2000 5 strings, and my Pirrucelli era Scheff.

As for offering something new, I’ve seen many new and interesting wood, finish, and option combinations on the imports, in the last few years. I’ve also seen more options for US basses: all rosewood necks, wenge necks, exotic wood bodies.
 
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#13,371
Aaand here it is. After more than a week, due to shipping delays (I really don’t blame anyone but the pandemic) and moving into a new place. I can finally show ‘er off.

79802634-99CE-4E60-9ACC-0268AF8AC9C1.jpeg



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Prior to owning this I had a Hwy 1 Jazz, a MIM Deluxe PJ, and an SBMM Ray34PB and while those were excellent in their own right, this Lakland is very impressive. It arrived not needing a setup at all, though I will soon swap out the strings for my trusted Hi-Beams. The things I love the most about it are its weight, fit & finish, the rosewood board (!!!), and the frets. They are excellent.
 
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#13,372
P Cheen said:
Aaand here it is. After more than a week, due to shipping delays (I really don’t blame anyone but the pandemic) and moving into a new place. I can finally show ‘er off.

View attachment 3911201


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Prior to owning this I had a Hwy 1 Jazz, a MIM Deluxe PJ, and an SBMM Ray34PB and while those were excellent in their own right, this Lakland is very impressive. It arrived not needing a setup at all, though I will soon swap out the strings for my trusted Hi-Beams. The things I love the most about it are its weight, fit & finish, the rosewood board (!!!), and the frets. They are excellent.
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That's a beauty, love that colour.
 
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#13,373
blondmix3 said:
I'm not bashing Dan at all, it just seems most of the community, if compelled to differentiate, had adopted "Lakin Era", and even "McFarland Era". "Pre-CBS" was aimed at a faceless corporation that almost ruined a legendary brand, not against current, successful owners.
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I think that this is reading WAY too much into it. For instance the early Music Man basses are referred to as Pre-Ernie Ball and no one would think that Ernie Ball ruined that company. If anything the instruments were better after he took over. I for one would argue that fact for sure and most fans would agree as well. The entire thing is to denote when Leo was running things. Time has shown that there are plenty of people that like and pay a bunch for CBS era instruments. So if saying Lakin era sounds better to you for sure use it but don't assume that marking the era the other way is some underhanded stab at the current company. He is a huge Leo fan obviously and following the common practice that isn't used just for Fender.
 
#13,375
JEDI BASS said:
No, we’re not.

But, let’s get back to talking about positive things, shall we?
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Agree to disagree on the first topic but I agree with the second. I apologize for taking things a bit off track here. We all like Lakland and that's what everyone is here for. Let's see some Scheff photos or something.
 
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#13,376
citizenchris099 said:
I'm beginning to understand why Lakland discontinued the 44-76[/QUOTE
Currently a buyers market due
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Johnny Alien said:
Agree to disagree on the first topic but I agree with the second. I apologize for taking things a bit off track here. We all like Lakland and that's what everyone is here for. Let's see some Scheff photos or something.
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How about a custom 55-63 and an 02 55-01?
 

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