Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Hey, Lakland folks, who can describe their customer experience with placing a USA Series order from the factory? I've saved my pennies and paid for the 44-64 of my dreams a couple of weeks ago. I was impressed that the person who wrote back from the sales email address was John P. himself, and that he gave me his cell number. He's been responsive to all my emails within a day or so, and he's been supportive of all my ideas for the bass. It seems his default is to say "Yep, we can do that!"
So, now I wait 'til June or so to get my beauty. While I'm sitting here and jonesing for a new bass, what might I expect from the company in terms of progress updates or photos? Did yours arrive close to the estimate you were first given, or did your build drag on longer? What did it feel like to first lay eyes and hands on your instrument? Tell us about your custom-order experiences.
So, now I wait 'til June or so to get my beauty. While I'm sitting here and jonesing for a new bass, what might I expect from the company in terms of progress updates or photos? Did yours arrive close to the estimate you were first given, or did your build drag on longer? What did it feel like to first lay eyes and hands on your instrument? Tell us about your custom-order experiences.
Joeykun
pronounced ジョーイくん
- Jun 22, 2007
- 4,200
- 16,151
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: LAKLAND SADOWSKY GENZLER DARKGLASS NORDSTRAND TEMPLEBOARD KIRLIN DRSTRINGS ACCESS
All I can say is stop thinking about it. I put a deposit on a custom build in October. I checked in on Monday. My response was “still waiting on parts”. 3 months in and nothing to show.
So, my advise is stop thinking about it. When it comes it comes. But, I will say it will be awesome when it does finally arrive.
I will not think about my new bass. I will not think about my new bass. I will not think about my new bass. I will not think about my new bass. I will not think about my new bass. I will not think about my new bass. I will not think about my new bass. I will not think about my new bass. I will not think about my new bass.
It's not working.
I can tell you, I feel your pain! I ordered a custom 55-64 in October. I was given the 4-5 months timetable. So, if my math is correct, I should be receiving my bass in the next 30 days or so. The waiting is the hardest part. I am absolutely chomping at the bit! I know it will be here and when it gets here it will be awesome! Rest assured. As far as pics and updates go, I have not received any, but I haven't requested any either. When it gets here, it gets here, I figure. Luckily I have a couple other Laklands to hold me over! Good luck with your wait.
Looks like 2022 is going to be a good year for custom Laklands to pop up in the TalkBass Classifieds... 
The best advice came from @Joeykun - don't think about it, at all. If it weren't for this thread I would not remember I placed an order in early October. I did think about it a lot until I paid the credit card bill. Then I forgot about it. I'm not expecting any pictures of progress reports. It will be here when it's time to be here. I trust Lakland.
@cymbop I believe you answered one of your concerns yourself. The fact that John is personally involved in individual orders shows how small the operation is and how much you matter for Lakland. If you follow their social media you'll see those gorgeous custom instruments coming out of the factory. John was showing a DJ4 this week.
Maybe this will help: when they give you the 5 month estimate, it does not mean that your bass will take 5 months to build. It just means that you your order will be placed in a queue, and they will get to it once they build the instruments ahead. They only need a couple of weeks to build a bass. My order has been placed 4 months ago and it is possible that my bass hasn't even been started on yet.
The best advice came from @Joeykun - don't think about it, at all. If it weren't for this thread I would not remember I placed an order in early October. I did think about it a lot until I paid the credit card bill. Then I forgot about it. I'm not expecting any pictures of progress reports. It will be here when it's time to be here. I trust Lakland.
@cymbop I believe you answered one of your concerns yourself. The fact that John is personally involved in individual orders shows how small the operation is and how much you matter for Lakland. If you follow their social media you'll see those gorgeous custom instruments coming out of the factory. John was showing a DJ4 this week.
Maybe this will help: when they give you the 5 month estimate, it does not mean that your bass will take 5 months to build. It just means that you your order will be placed in a queue, and they will get to it once they build the instruments ahead. They only need a couple of weeks to build a bass. My order has been placed 4 months ago and it is possible that my bass hasn't even been started on yet.
I’ll echo the others. It is worth the wait. My US 55-94 took longer than the estimated time because they wanted to make it perfect. Their attention to detail and quality control guarantee you will get the best instrument they can make. Once it arrives, you’ll forget how long it took to build.
What social media is he posting in? I follow Lakland on Twitter and Instagram but those sights are pretty much inactive.
You guys are helping. It's not that I have any worries or concerns at all; I trust the company completely. I just want to hear your experiences so that I can set for myself the right expectations of the process.
It's the first bass acquisition for me in 11 years, so yeah I wholeheartedly desire for it to arrive, like, yesterday.
It's the first bass acquisition for me in 11 years, so yeah I wholeheartedly desire for it to arrive, like, yesterday.
The other two: LinkedIn and Facebook
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lakland-guitars-llc/
Lakland Basses
The Lakland outfit is only 11 staff, I read somewhere.
I wouldn't expect pictures, and I'm not surprised the boss himself answered your email; I ordered a fretless skyline and the reply was from his brother, the head of sales. I had a question years ago about the volume pots on my skyline DJ and the reply came from the chief luthier at the time, Carl Pedigo.
They are nice people to do business with. Waiting is horrible, but this is a relax, you're in safe hands kind of waiting.
Sitting on a rocking chair on the porch drinking a gin and tonic. That's the way you should wait.
Peace,
SoundSupport
11 people. Wow, didn’t realize it was that small a company.
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
- 6,249
- 8,171
- Disclosures
- Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
Most of these companies are smaller than you'd think.
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
- 6,249
- 8,171
- Disclosures
- Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
Gonna put these TV Jones pickups and rings in the classifieds in the next week or so. Great, focused sound, but I have a different set I might like a little more.
When I ordered my first 55-94 in 1999 I believe it took about 6 months for me to actually receive the bass and I live in St.Louis so shipping only takes a few days. So, even in the best of times getting a new Lakland 55-94 U.S. takes a while. It was definitely worth the wait.
Last edited:
Based on my recent experience with a custom order, I would not be very complimentary towards them. I've found their QC questionable and their attitude somewhat unprofessional.
