My Day at D. Lakin basses

[fourstringdrums]

Very few builders do.

Which leads us back to the original argument. Companies like G&L and Carvin DO. But the bigger point is that Dan doesn't make anything from scratch himself. He outsources it and someone else does all the work while he slaps his name on the product.

 

[D. Gallis]

I'm not afraid to play Korean or any South East Asian made basses, some of them have been my favorites to play; I'm just underwhelmed by yet another passive P and J bass on the market - though it's the easiest to sell and most recognizable shape and sound; I'm sure his basses will be fine, and I'm kinda happy that there's an option for 38mm nut on the P.

 

[awilkie84]

It's a different company. Simply relating what I know.

Ok, so we've changed 1 pre-built body/neck for another. It's still a pre-built.

It's funny people compare alder to ash and say ash is always heavy because every ash bass I've ever had has been between 8 and 8.5lbs.

There's ash & there's swamp ash. Swamp Ash is usually lighter.

 

[fourstringdrums]

Ok, so we've changed 1 pre-built body/neck for another. It's still a pre-built.

There's ash & there's swamp ash. Swamp Ash is usually lighter.

I've usually found people complaining about companies who use swamp ash. For example G&L. They use swamp ash, yet people complain they're heavy.

 

[awilkie84]

I'm not afraid to play Korean or any South East Asian made basses, some of them have been my favorites to play; I'm just underwhelmed by yet another passive P and J bass on the market - though it's the easiest to sell and most recognizable shape and sound; I'm sure his basses will be fine, and I'm kinda happy that there's an option for 38mm nut on the P.

That's my issue with it, too. It's a passive P & J, made in a mass-produced low-cost factory & marketed at new domestic prices.

At least something like a Dingwall Combustion has the uniqueness of the fanned fret design to justify its $1250 CAD street price for an import bass.
If I wanted a P or J for $1250, I'd buy a Fender American Special. If I wanted to spend less but still get a good quality import bass, I'd buy a Fender MIM Classic Series Jazz or Precision (or a Japanese Fender Jaguar Deluxe).

 

[GregC]

Ok, so we've changed 1 pre-built body/neck for another. It's still a pre-built.

You do realize there are varying levels of quality and "pre-built", right? I have no interest in defending Nino's building methods, but these blanket terms are less than illuminating.

 

[thebassbuilder]

The only thing I have to add to this fun thread is the head stock is one of the ugliest designs I have ever seen. It looks like he took a Fender neck and cut the bottom off the head stock. This is only my opinion that means nothing. But that alone, makes me to never care to play one. When you talk about knock off designs, it better have a nice looking head stock because that is the only place to make the bass your own.

 

[awilkie84]

You do realize there are varying levels of quality and "pre-built", right? I have no interest in defending Nino's building methods, but these blanket terms are less than illuminating.

I also realize that USACG and Warmoth are on par, as far as quality goes.

 

[GregC]

I also realize that USACG and Warmoth are on par, as far as quality goes.

That's never been my understanding, and the vast majority of folks in this thread agree. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/warmoth-versus-usa-custom-guitars.482656/

 

[awilkie84]

That's never been my understanding, and the vast majority of folks in this thread agree. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/warmoth-versus-usa-custom-guitars.482656/

Going by the multiple threads & different forums I've read regarding both, most opinions are that they are on par with each other. I try to read more than just 1 thread when coming to a conclusion.

 

[NWB]

Whoa there. "Handmade" is admittedly a vague term, but I think it's a real stretch to say that G&Ls are handmade.

Maybe not completely handmade, but a lot of handwork does go into them.

 

[GregC]

Going by the multiple threads & different forums I've read regarding both, most opinions are that they are on par with each other. I try to read more than just 1 thread when coming to a conclusion.

I formed my conclusion based on far more than just one thread, I just took the trouble to actually cite the most recent one I could find here.

 

[awilkie84]

I formed my conclusion based on far more than just one thread, I just took the trouble to actually cite the most recent one I could find here.

Well, I could link you to a Google search of USACG vs Warmoth, but there's not much of a point to that as you still need to read all the threads it brings up.

 

[FenderJazz1989]

I still get confused when a passive P or J becomes a "signature model."

The basses look great, but I have to agree with some on here that have stated they do seem just a little bit too expensive. I just got a brand new but technically "used" AVRI '64 in LPB with matching headstock for like $1400. These are Korean and $1250?

My only Korea instrument is my Spector but used it was only $350.

Anxious to try one out if/when they become available. I wish Dan the best... the P and J market is saturated I am sure it is going to be tough.

 

[leroy diamond]

I don't quite understand the thinly veiled hostility some posters (who have not seen or played the instruments in question) have displayed toward Dan Lakin. The original poster, MIMJAZZ, is to my knowledge the only person on this thread who has actually seen, held and played these instruments. To those who've been badmouthing the D. Lakin basses and Dan himself, you don't have to share the OP's enthusiasm, but you do have to acknowledge that unless you have direct experience with these instruments your opinion of them is of considerably less value--to me, at least--than the OP's.

I know Dan personally, he's been in my home (he bought a Kubicki bass from me many years ago when Lakland was just starting) and I've owned three Laklands (two USA and one Skyline) and played several more. I can state from experience that his products I've owned and played have been consistently stellar and I know him to be an honest and conscientious person. If you think he's in business to get rich by selling his products for much more than they're worth, look into his past and see if you can find evidence of massive and ill-gotten gains. I think you'll find the opposite is true.

I am Sure Dan is a top guy no question. The force of this thread is more of a discussion of the detail of his latest instruments
The responses on this thread have been perfectly reasonable and have at no time questioned Dan Lakin's honesty. He has had a history of producing excellent instruments

Which leads us back to the original argument. Companies like G&L and Carvin DO. But the bigger point is that Dan doesn't make anything from scratch himself. He outsources it and someone else does all the work while he slaps his name on the product.

Depends what you mean 'from scratch' but agree with what you say re. the D Lakin basses.

 

[steamthief]

So who's actually BOUGHT one? That would be the most valid source of information. I concur with others on this thread, $1250 is a lot of coin for a passive Korean Fender clone.

 

[fourstringdrums]

I am Sure Dan is a top guy no question. The force of this thread is more of a discussion of the detail of his latest instruments
The responses on this thread have been perfectly reasonable and have at no time questioned Dan Lakin's honesty. He has had a history of producing excellent instruments

Depends what you mean 'from scratch' but agree with what you say re. the D Lakin basses.

Dry the wood, cut the bodies and necks themselves etc..

 

[fourstringdrums]

So who's actually BOUGHT one? That would be the most valid source of information. I concur with others on this thread, $1250 is a lot of coin for a passive Korean Fender clone.

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/nbd-dan-lakin-jo.1083583/

 

[basspraiser]

So who's actually BOUGHT one? That would be the most valid source of information. I concur with others on this thread, $1250 is a lot of coin for a passive Korean Fender clone.

Dan told me that the first shipment of 20+ basses is sold...100% and the second shipment is quickly becoming spoken for so...many people have "bought one"

You know....I find it interesting how there is such a divide here....those people who have tried them ( including such "no names" as Bob Glaub Joe Osborn and Ed Friedland) seem to like them and have gone so far as to put down money on them.....including the "no names" listed above....all of them.......Dan has NOT given away a bass yet.

There are also at least 4 threads (including one I started) on here from people who have tried them and like them...

I only see nay sayer comments from "arm chair" bassists.....who have never played one....

Are these basses on par with US Laklands or CS Fenders? Not at all....

Are they good playable instruments that I would play regularly ? You bet!

I have a standing order for the first active fiver...

At $1250 you get many "US" options such as any color....graphite reinforcements...any neck profile...and POSSIBLY birds eye maple boards (being considered as " standard")

You guys are stuck in the " it won't fly" world...

Are these basses "basic"? You bet....by design...you got to get your Chevrolet cash flow before you build Lamborghinis .....Dan struggled with Lakland until he developed the skyline series....

This time he is building the Tried and True to make some money before he goes off and builds the " next new thing"...a great business plan if you ask me....stated from a business owner who developed an " over the top" business plan only to realize I could have made much more $$$$ by offering my client a "McDonald's" menu (ie simple) and am doing that now.

He has ALOT to prove....but he has a great business reputation and I feel confident he will prove it...

I am not a "fan boy"....I am an over logical and critical engineer ....

 

[pedroims]

...But I'm basing it on the fact that when you look at any bass that comes out of a factory overseas vs. one handmade in the U.S., how much better could it possibly get?.

Where you can find a USA handmade bass for $1,300? They go for $5,000 or more. Certainly you cant compare a Dan bass with a Fodera, but lets br honest, how many of us can afford a Fodera?