My Day at D. Lakin basses

[wvbass]

I wish I was a teen-aged fan boy. That was a long time ago.

 

[UpperBout]

OK, "Kumbaya" disclaimer first:

If you tell me you love the bass you play, whether it's a $15K Fodera or a $25 pawn shop special, that's fine with me. That doesn't make me (or you) right or wrong for preferring a different style/brand/price-point.

I had a chance to play a D. Lakin, JO Jazz this past Sunday (albeit briefly). You know what, they're really quite nice. Excellent, in fact. Are they basses that single-handedly trump all other basses and make the Fender Jazz superfluous? No. Are they a really interesting alternative to those folks looking for a fender-style bass in a certain price-range? Yes.

The particular venue in which I played and heard the JO Jazz had it running through a Fender Super Bassman over a matching Fender 4-10. Great tone, everything I hope to hear when I plug in my own Franken-Jazz, which I built for myself out of US-sourced parts. The feel of the DLakin neck was very similar to the Jazz Select neck I used for my custom build. The bass was nice and light but still felt solid. I typically have a bit of a prejudice against offshore-sourced basses, but I wouldn't mind playing (or owning) one of these.

I went back and re-read the MIMJAZZ's original post, and I think it's pretty accurate. While it's true that he is a) a teen and b) a boy and c) a fan, I don't think his review should be written off as merely "teen aged fan boy". It's accurate, and useful, and maps to my impressions of the DLakins now that I've actually played them. OK, the bit about the colors might be a tad effusive, but I think I was effusive when I was 17, too {get off my lawn you crazy kids} I dunno if I can remember that far back...

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Sound is subjective and with that it really doesn't take much to make great sounding pickups.

With all due respect building great sounding pickups isn't rocket science.

The key is luthiers can have pickups voiced anyway they choose.

Dan and his new company will be just fine.


I own a 5 string Fodera Imperial and at the end of the day it's my least played bass, as a matter of fact I haven't seen or touched it in over 6 years and that's only because I have basses that play and sound better to me and that's not a bad thing at all.

 

[WoodyG3]

Exactly, so if people STFU with ridiculous hyperbole they might be taken seriously and their posts or threads might not backfire.


Say it straight up, "I'm a teen-aged fanboy" or "I'm prone to extreme exaggeration mis-wrapped in objective assertions" and people can respect that and take their grains of salt instead of understandably and justifiably raging against the BS.

That's the best way to help your builder friends/heros out.

I just re-read the original post, and while it is a very positive review, I don't see anything "fanboy" about it at all. The only "backfire" seems to be people like you who want to out and out attack people for being enthusiastic about a particular couple of bass models. Why does this matter so much to you? What is your objective here? It seems you simply want to squash enthusiasm and bring everyone down to a cynical existence. Being a jaded and joyless person is about a million times worse than being a "fanboy" in my book.

Again, HAVE YOU SEEN the new Lakins in person? HAVE YOU PLAYED THEM? I will regard the opinion of those who have a thousand fold over those who simply want to spout off here on TB.

There is no "best bass" or "best music" for everyone, but for a few people individually, these new Lakins may just be their perfect bass. Why in the world is that a problem for you!?

I never rant like this, but I'm at a point where I'm fed up with this nonsense.

I think it's great that the OP has found a bass he can be enthusiastic about, something that will make him happy as a player. That's what I hope most people take away from this thread.

 

[StayLow]

^ Thanks for that. I respectfully suggest that if you're fed-up with nonsense, gear reviews on this site is about the last thing you should be reading.

Have a nice day!

 

[basspraiser]

I just re-read the original post, and while it is a very positive review, I don't see anything "fanboy" about it at all. The only "backfire" seems to be people like you who want to out and out attack people for being enthusiastic about a particular couple of bass models. Why does this matter so much to you? What is your objective here? It seems you simply want to squash enthusiasm and bring everyone down to a cynical existence. Being a jaded and joyless person is about a million times worse than being a "fanboy" in my book.

Again, HAVE YOU SEEN the new Lakins in person? HAVE YOU PLAYED THEM? I will regard the opinion of those who have a thousand fold over those who simply want to spout off here on TB.

There is no "best bass" or "best music" for everyone, but for a few people individually, these new Lakins may just be their perfect bass. Why in the world is that a problem for you!?

I never rant like this, but I'm at a point where I'm fed up with this nonsense.

I think it's great that the OP has found a bass he can be enthusiastic about, something that will make him happy as a player. That's what I hope most people take away from this thread.

Rant away Woody....this thread needs some serious "off topic" and "negativity" infractions from the Mods.....

Worthy of a rant

 

[petrus61]

I wonder if more people will be happier if Dan instead of manufacturing his basses in Korea decided to buy parts from warmoth , USAG or any other parts supplier, paid somebody to paint the bodies, do the assembly in his office and charge $ 2,500 for a ''boutique'' bass, just like many other builders do, I am sure that at the end of the day Dan will deliver the same quality but people will feel they got a better bass just because the price they paid.

I can think of two TB'ers off the top of my head that get oodles of love for just that. It's not my thing, but I see those guys more as a "setup" service than an actual builder/luthier per se (though one of them does do some neck shaping, etc) The Lakin thing is a little different, as you have a guy with virtually no personal experience building the product he is selling. He's a guy with a business plan and a reputation, and pretty much has to count on those things and his builders to meet his customers needs. IMO, he's more or less there with the money, while he depends on others to see through virtually every other step. It's not like he's inspecting each bass personally at his home in Chicago before it ships, as was painfully apparent in a previous thread. That is why I personally think the price tag is a little steep for what they are offering without a case. They may be amazing basses, so at the end of the day they're worth what people will pay, but at that price there just seems to be so many other places I'd personally go first.

 

[basspraiser]

Dan DOES inspect each bass....and does some set up if needed.

Nope....he does not built them BUT he does have very specific build requirements that he checks....ie neck shape pickup specifications body style and size etc.

And he has built plenty of basses in the past......so he does know a thing or 2 about how to do it...
I

 

[pedroims]

I can think of two TB'ers off the top of my head that get oodles of love for just that. It's not my thing, but I see those guys more as a "setup" service than an actual builder/luthier per se (though one of them does do some neck shaping, etc) The Lakin thing is a little different, as you have a guy with virtually no personal experience building the product he is selling. He's a guy with a business plan and a reputation, and pretty much has to count on those things and his builders to meet his customers needs. IMO, he's more or less there with the money, while he depends on others to see through virtually every other step. It's not like he's inspecting each bass personally at his home in Chicago before it ships, as was painfully apparent in a previous thread. That is why I personally think the price tag is a little steep for what they are offering without a case. They may be amazing basses, so at the end of the day they're worth what people will pay, but at that price there just seems to be so many other places I'd personally go first.

Next year I will buy a jazz bass, so far Dan and Carvin are my only options, both give me a huge palette of colors plus good quality, I like Fender but I am tired of the same boring colors and to be honest G&L does not attract me at all. To me Lakin basses it is a good option, I dont care who made the bass as long as it is well done.

By the way, it is true that Dan is paying somebody else to build the basses he sells but Fender stockholders do the same.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

By the way, it is true that Dan is paying somebody else to build the basses he sells but Fender stockholders do the same.

Haha now don't go and offend any one

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I didn't say factory/mass produced, but they're definitely not all hand-made. That's not to say they're a poor product, far from...they're just not done all by hand, as some would believe.

Where's the tipping point? Must a guy use no tools at all before it's "hand made"? Perhaps no power tools? Perhaps he can use power tools but only if their small?
This is silly. Every electric bass out there is made using power tools. CNC is just a different, more intelligent, power tool. Even the cheapest squier is, in the end, put together by hand. So are they now to be considered "hand crafted"?

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

The ridiculous hyperbole is the belief that the USA & Europe will always produce exponentially better products than anywhere else in the world. We don't live in the 1960's anymore, people.

Sure. You are right.
Of course, we also have laws protecting our labor and our environment. I would be interested to see what those laws are where any of these off-shored instruments are made.

 

[pudgychef]

Sure. You are right.
Of course, we also have laws protecting our labor and our environment. I would be interested to see what those laws are where any of these off-shored instruments are made.

Well in South Korea, where these basses are made, you would find labor/unions with incredible sway and voice. You would find working wages FAR exceeding the common assumptions..a first world workforce in a fully developed country which is a major player in the world economy.

Cortek, GnL Tribute, MTD Kingston, Lakland Skyline etc didnt move to Indonesia and China because Korean production was lacking..it was due to the huge difference in cost/power of labor.

 

[petrus61]

Haha now don't go and offend any one

Says the guy with with nothing but incentives to gain in speaking for Dan Lakin. Yeah, you've earned it Jaquo.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Says the guy with with nothing but incentives to gain in speaking for Dan Lakin. Yeah, you've earned it Jaquo.

You know what you can do for me. Before you want to go and attempt to sling mud at me.

First and foremost Dan is a friend of mine and I am gaining nothing at all from my posts, nothing. 2nd. You know nothing at all about the history between me and Dan.

Dan is that rare individual in this business that he is a man of his word and he does just what he says he's going to do.

He set out to make another successful business and I support him.

You really don't know me at all for I do not have to own or play any thing that Dan puts on the market, like I said he is a friend and I respect him, his passion and the fact that is sincerely wants to put a quality product on the market.

I am a Lakland endorser and I have a great relationship with Lakland and I had a great relationship with Dan when he owned Lakland so for him to no longer own Lakland has nothing at all to do with our friendship, if he wants to start a new company while we're still friends so be it.

 

[petrus61]

You know what you can do for me. Before you want to go and attempt to sling mud at me.

First and foremost Dan is a friend of mine and I am gaining nothing at all from my posts, nothing. 2nd. You know nothing at all about the history between me and Dan.

Dan is that rare individual in this business that he is a man of his word and he does just what he says he's going to do.

He set out to make another successful business and I support him.

You really don't know me at all for I do not have to own or play any thing that Dan puts on the market, like I said he is a friend and I respect him, his passion and the quality of his new product.

Exactly my point. Thanks for clarifying your position.

So, what is it that "I know I can do for you" again?

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Exactly my point. Thanks for clarifying your position.

Well why would I lie?

For the record if Dan's new basses were junk or realistically sub par our friendship would not be enough for me to ever comment about how nice they are when that wouldn't be the truth at all but since the basses really are some of the best on the market why not help a friend out with the truth[/QUOTE]

So, what is it that "I know I can do for you" again?

Use your imagination.

 

[petrus61]

Well why would I lie?

For the record if Dan's new basses were junk or realistically sub par our friendship would not be enough for me to ever comment about how nice they are when that wouldn't be the truth at all but since the basses really are some of the best on the market why not help a friend out with the truth

Use your imagination.[/QUOTE]

That's offensive.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Use your imagination.

That's offensive.[/QUOTE]



Offensive is the way you came at me. So we're even.

So now can we be adults and move on?

 

[petrus61]

Well why would I lie?

For the record if Dan's new basses were junk or realistically sub par our friendship would not be enough for me to ever comment about how nice they are when that wouldn't be the truth at all but since the basses really are some of the best on the market why not help a friend out with the truth

Use your imagination.[/QUOTE]

So does your friendship with Dan exists solely on his ability to produce a quality bass, or is it of the unconditional type?