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Lakland Quality debates...REALLY?!?!

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#21
A couple of weeks ago I got to try my first Lakland. It was a jazz bass style 5 string and it felt REALLY good! Ash body with a maple neck & fretboard. Really pretty! If I had the cash I probably would have bought it right then and there. Now I guess I have something new to GASS for.
 
#22
DiabolusInMusic said:
Sounds like somebody takes their Lakland a little too seriously...

As far as all the arguments go I would still say 3/5 QC "arguments" are about Fender not Lakland... You might remember them as the company that started Lakland... :D
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Nope, not at all. I own several other brands, and if you take a look, I actually endorse another line of instruments as well. My point was not to define Lakland as the greatest instrument ever, it's that I am sick of the worthless crying about supposed changes in quality that don't exist. This would be one thing if it were the casual user, but I am hearing/reading "experts in the biz spewing this nonsense.

I'm not some rabid fan boy hellbent on trying to defend my favorite brand, it's just venting about people picking bones with info on things they know not what they speak of.
 
#24
Good lord, this is why I don't venture out of certain threads.

I've never played a Lakland, and I'm sure you haven't played all the Laklands in the world. Like every company, there's bound to be some bad eggs.

That said, why even start this thread? You do realize you started another thread to argue in when your initial gripe was everyone arguing, right?

Just seems silly.
 
#25
Well, when I was on vacation in Orlando 2 years ago, I dropped by Bass Central and walked out with a beautiful Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones. It's Indonesian and is stellar quality. I've dealt with Lakland in Chicago twice now for parts and their customer service was excellent on both occasions. So, in my personal experience, a fine product with excellent customer service. That's pretty much it for me. I've had similar experiences with Ernie Ball/MusicMan, Mesa/Boogie, and Hartke. Not so much Fender for customer service, and Rickenbacker was just plain pathetic (I felt embarrassed for them). I tend to let the product and customer service speak for itself (for anything, not just bass guitars) not where its made or how much it costs. Just sayin'
 
#27
You know the commercial about the car company with the "dependable warranty" and then the "dependable cars" that's been playing lately? Well, Lakland is the Honda of basses. I've owned many, and currently own four (one left today, sadly), I couldn't be more proud to be an owner, based on my experience over the past 4 years with the brand. I also own three Hondas, but that's another story for another thread.
 
#28
My Korean Skyline had me putting electrical tape over the logo. If Dan was still with Lakland, there's no way I'd own one of their basses today. Generally, I think the skylines can be indicative of the high quality coming out of many Asian factories today, but there's an ocean of difference between Lakland building a bass in Chicago and Lakland finishing off one made by a third party in a manufacturing plant. I find that the Skyline prices tend to be on the high side for Far East, factory-produced basses, and I wouldn't let anyone I like buy one sight-unseen.

My Indo 55-02 is a *very* nice bass, but it ain't better than my 2008 Fender. It *is* a lot nicer than some earlier Fenders I've played, but I tend to save my adulation for Laklands *made* by Lakland. I've noticed a huge difference in fit and finish.
 
#29
I've owned 5 Laklands, one 55-94D that is my main bass, and the rest Skylines. Only my first Skyline, a 5501, had what I would call a problem. I purchased it used on EBay about 10 years ago, so it was an early run Korean Skyline. About three months in, the preamp developed a problem where the volume would drop by half during performance. I e-mailed Dan and he sent me a new preamp board -- free. When that didn't solve the problem, he sent me an entirely new wiring rig -- free. I paid $25 to have it installed locally. The bass played, looked and sounded fine other than this. I also have owned an older JO5 with Fralins, the DPLEII with Darkstar, a Glaub with Fralins. All played great. The JO5 was killer but I preferred the versatility of the 55-94. I have played newer Laklands only at the NAMM show in Nashville for the past three years and never found one I didn't like. Plug 'em in, set 'em flat with almost any amp and they sound amazing. I just used the 55-94 Wednesday when sitting in. The regular bassist had a '70s Fender P, and the Lakland blew it away in every category.
 
#30
Billy Low said:
Um, no.

Munji caught it.

I was merely venting.

No discussion or debate.

Venting.

The world is a much better place now. :smug:

(...and yes, I am very happy with all of my Laklands. Several to chose from)
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No offense, but this kind of thread is really open to debate, whether you intended it or not. Such is the nature of the internet.


That said, while I haven't owned any Laklands, I've played a few, both Korean and Indonesian. Couldn't tell the difference between the two, and I found both being very well built instruments.
 
#31
Vic Serbe and I recently had the pleasure of touring the current Lakland facility in Chicago and talking to John, Bo, Leo and the gang about how they make basses - both the USA and Skyline models. I was extremely impressed with both operations. They run a tight ship, and are sinking a ton of money into that company. The whole crew is very much dedicated to making their basses even better and it definitely shows.

Of course, the real proof comes when you play the instruments, and as much as I love, love, LOVE! my Korean Skyline DJ4, I am equally enamored with my Indo Skyline "Duck Dunn."

We'll have the factory tour and a Skyline DJ5 review for y'all in issue #9, which should be out in October. :cool:
 
#32
DiabolusInMusic said:
Sounds like somebody takes their Lakland a little too seriously...

As far as all the arguments go I would still say 3/5 QC "arguments" are about Fender not Lakland... You might remember them as the company that started Lakland... :D
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+1. It usually is people saying fenders qc sucks and laklands is better.

Fodera and sadowsky seem to be the only ones that come out unscathed, though they get accused of being too expensive

That's talkbass for ya
 
#35
I love my LOG P5 and my 55-02.

On the LOG the strings do not line up perfectly under the pole pieces of the pups. I dont think it affects the sound at all. Its the only not perfect thing on either bass. I wouldnt have tolerated that on a US lakland but the LOG was only like a grand new for those people that bought them. I traded for mine so it was a hell of a bargain.
If fender made a 35" scale PJ5 string, I would own one, but alas I will have to Mod my Lakie. I am a lakland fan through and through.
 
#37
jfh2424 said:
Billy Low, you do realize that you are complaining about Lakland quality debates and then...starting a thread that seems to want to engage in debates about Lakland's quality.

Just seems a little weird. Like, if these debates bother you, I don't understand why you are creating yet another forum for the debates...

But, to each his own. As long as you are enjoying your bass (which I presume is a Lakland!) I guess it's cool.

Take care!

John
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Pretty much wanted to say this. This thread is essentially just stirring the pot, a thread complaining about other people complaining. It will soon be filled with those that agree with your opinions, and those that will complain about your complaints as well.
 
#38
Billy Low said:
No. Not until I get that Pink JO5 out of you! :spit:

:cool:


I just had to vent. I can't believe that I am still hearing this mess, and from some of the sources that I am hearing it from...totally ridiculous.

I still say that your JO5 is my favorite Lakland of all time.
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That's really funny. Brian was a major skeptic when I ordered it. In fact, I had to work directly with Pat to get it painted that color. When it got back to Chicago, I think some minds changed. It turned out much better than I envisioned. It takes me back to the '50s, when many drug stores had lunch counters with those white pearloid Formica countertops, pink and turquoise naugahyde-upholstered stools, polished aluminum edging, chrome malt machines, and maple trim. I can even still taste those hamburgers.
 
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