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Lakland : reputation?
- Thread starter tsar nicholas
- Start date
So is marketing schtick.
Oh go on then, I'll indulge you. Read my original post. I own a Lakland, I own a CS Precision. This is a thread talking about Lakland quality. I offered my view based on comparison. Perhaps you would like to elucidate on your point?
I have owned a Skyline 55-01 since 2006, you can read my review on this site by the way, and it is just a great bass period. Once you factor in the fact that a 55-01 still retails brand new for less than $900 it is an awesome bass. The only change that I have made to that bass was to replace the original metal knobs with ebony knobs and I am getting ready to install a pick guard to give it some old school mojo. The stock electronics and pups are more than adequate and the licensed copies of the Hipshot tuners perform just as well as real Hipshots. I am sure that if you try a Lakland you will not be disappointed.
I'm new to the argument.... but this doesn't seem to fit. I've also seen a few other similar posts. Is anyone questioning the US made instruments?
I thought the "kit base" argument was concerning the Skylines, where (according to this thread) the body & necks are cut & assembled overseas, then the electronics, frets, & hardware are all done here in the US.
The OP was rather vague....did not specify US or Skyline series.
as for the argument "in general"....for Laklands ...some of the most critical final work (i.e. electronics, frets etc) is done in CHI-town.....I KNOW this is not the fact for other basses made in the same factory....
also - just as an "FYI"....MOST of the "imports" of most brands are all made in one of a very few factories overseas...what makes the brands stand out and "differ" are the QC specs and what they will "accept" from the factory as far as issues, flaws etc...also, how much "care" and "attention" is taken once the basses arrive in the US....if any
as for the argument "in general"....for Laklands ...some of the most critical final work (i.e. electronics, frets etc) is done in CHI-town.....I KNOW this is not the fact for other basses made in the same factory....
also - just as an "FYI"....MOST of the "imports" of most brands are all made in one of a very few factories overseas...what makes the brands stand out and "differ" are the QC specs and what they will "accept" from the factory as far as issues, flaws etc...also, how much "care" and "attention" is taken once the basses arrive in the US....if any
Still, from reading this thread, I'm lead to believe the US basses are all made in house. Maybe not the same place, or factory, but all operated by Lakland employees. They cut the wood, make the bodies & necks.
The bodies & necks of the Skyline series is outsourced. They are cut, painted and assembled overseas, then finished with hardware, electronics, & frets here in the US.
The whole kit bass argument stems from the outsourcing of manufacturing of the body & neck...
The US basses are made 100% by Lakland employees.
If I'm understanding the argument correctly.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
I am finding this thread quite amusing .Most smaller builders that make bolt on fender type instruments outsource because it is does not make sense these to invest in CNC machines the parts are made to there specs .These bodies and necks are made to there specifications Lakand ,Mike Lull and even Fodera for there NYC basses outsource it just makes economic sense these are quality production instruments made by smaller builder at a affordable price point.
Fender can build USA made instruments at a lower price point because the are much larger and they can do most more things house at a lower cost the down side a company like Fender gives you much less options color wood etc.
With USA designed instruments that are made to overseas companies like Lakandy can take advantage of companies like Cort large manufacturing resources , lower labor cost and less options keeps the price point lower.
My idea of a parts bass is a small builder buying off shelf parts and slapping them together.
Laklands and other basses are quality production instruments that are outsource and give you more options then the big guys .
Fender can build USA made instruments at a lower price point because the are much larger and they can do most more things house at a lower cost the down side a company like Fender gives you much less options color wood etc.
With USA designed instruments that are made to overseas companies like Lakandy can take advantage of companies like Cort large manufacturing resources , lower labor cost and less options keeps the price point lower.
My idea of a parts bass is a small builder buying off shelf parts and slapping them together.
Laklands and other basses are quality production instruments that are outsource and give you more options then the big guys .
She's a beauty can't wait to hear it. Triple Chi's - nice. Talk about options.
Agreed, but from some of the things he said, I'm guessing he means the Skyline series, not the American made. At least that's the way I'm taking it.
BP, how do you know this?
I still can't tell from reading this post. If I order a us lakland bob glaub, will it start as a raw slab(s) of wood in Chicago, and be then carved to shape also in Chicago by US employees?
What strikes me as weird is the fact that the OP heard all these warnings about Lakland. I didn't know much about the brand until I got here, but I've never heard a significant amount of complaints about them.
I picked up a Skyline Duck Dunn just to check it out. Grabbed it here for about $750 shipped to Canada. The fit and finish kicks the crap out of many of the USA Fenders I play in the shops. When I was buying it I sent Lakland an email to ask about something, can't recall what. The reply came from Dan Lakin.
I wasn't aware that he had sold the business. Don't know how that has affected things.
I picked up a Skyline Duck Dunn just to check it out. Grabbed it here for about $750 shipped to Canada. The fit and finish kicks the crap out of many of the USA Fenders I play in the shops. When I was buying it I sent Lakland an email to ask about something, can't recall what. The reply came from Dan Lakin.
I wasn't aware that he had sold the business. Don't know how that has affected things.
tradernick said:
If you can see the OP has not posted much....I think he was just starting a semi controversial discussion for the fun of it
The new owners are long time Lakland employees/friends of Dans and have really been taking Lakland places and improving the process. Dan did a GREAT Job but had to sell fora variety of reasons..... JP and BO have taken the company to the next level and I see it becoming a much larger company as time goes on....but the customer care will always be there
sigmafloyd said:
The bass will start from a raw slab of wood. Lakland has a supplier (located in the US) who makes all of their US bodies and necks (based on Lakland's specific designs and selected woods)
As I understand it this company also does the same for other mid-higher end US based guitar and bass manufacturers
The bodies are then sent to Pat Wilkins in California for finishing.
After this, the body is returned to Chicago where:
The frets are put in and hand finished (US only)
The body is hand fit to the neck
The electronics are inserted
The bass is assembled and QC checked
So....the US models are truly US from start to finish
iammr2 said:
Because some of the other brands (such as Cort, squire, etc) are completed at the factory in indonesia and drop shipped to dealers...never seeing the US plant for these brands.
As an aside I believe the plant does nice work overall...all of the squire vm and cv series are made there and I am impressed with those lines....even if they were at a higher price point.....
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
