NBD: Dan Lakin JO

[Hopkins]

Because they are.

The point is for the same money, WHY ON EARTH would you rather have your bass built by someone in a foreign country, being paid a pittance while foreign factory managers and middlemen take a nice cut - rather than by someone in your own damn country - maybe your neighbor, who is probably skilled and may need a job???

For the most part I agree with you, especially when it comes down to Skylines vs USA Fenders, but there are a few exceptions.

I have a Breedlove Stage Dreadnought, rosewood back that is made in Korea which cost me $1000 brand new. The build quality and finish are absolutely outstanding, and it sounds and plays wonderfully. I could have scored a USA built guitar for $1000, but it would cost at least twice the money to get a USA made guitar that was in the same ball park as my guitar.

 

[SRFSterling5]

In an earlier post you mentioned tuners not being installed correctly on a Skyline. Is this what you're referring to now? Was this your bass, and what was the resolution?

Oh, sorry about the confusion. First the case I was referring to was supposed to be box, writing too fast. Yes it was my bass and my first experience with Lakland. Took a while to get it through my local dealer here. In frustration I ordered another through amazon.com which was perfect. The first one also had neck bowing from an improperly adjusted truss rod. Sold the first one and kept the second. It's a 55-02D. Overall a good bass, just the attention to detail and setup was less than stellar. Now I recently got another import from Canada my F BN5, incredible sound and player and NO ISSUES.

 

[fuzzychaos]

For the most part I agree with you, especially when it comes down to Skylines vs USA Fenders, but there are a few exceptions.

I have a Breedlove Stage Dreadnought, rosewood back that is made in Korea which cost me $1000 brand new. The build quality and finish are absolutely outstanding, and it sounds and plays wonderfully. I could have scored a USA built guitar for $1000, but it would cost at least twice the money to get a USA made guitar that was in the same ball park as my guitar.

I would take a xx-02 Lakland any day over most USA Fenders, except maybe the new American Jaguar, it's a personal choice. I base my purchasing decisions on how the bass feels and sounds, not by what country it's from.

 

[GregC]

While I understand the sentiment and don't necessarily disagree, why is it that many people automatically think U.S. made basses are better than any other foreign made (especially Asian) basses?

Because history and experience shows us that.

+1

I believe the key word in the top post is "automatically", which is exactly what many people have done here.

Call me crazy, but I prefer to take it on a case-by-case basis rather than going along with the massive brush strokes being used in this thread. Want to trade me an Asian-made Sadowsky Metro for a US-built Wishbass? On a more serious note, I'd take a new Skyline over a new standard Gibson any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[Mvilmany]

I'm really unimpressed with those wear spots ... sorry, but I'd need it replaced.

Agreed. This isn't a $150 Rondo music SX. This is a $1000 bass. And it has Lakin's name on it. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that her that little logistical problem figured out. Another red flag for me is that it came in a incorrectly labelled box.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I believe the key word in the top post is "automatically", which is exactly what many people have done here.

Call me crazy, but I prefer to take it on a case-by-case basis rather than going along with the massive brush strokes being used in this thread. Want to trade me an Asian-made Sadowsky Metro for a US-built Wishbass? On a more serious note, I'd take a new Skyline over a new standard Gibson any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Other than the Midtown I played which was very nice, I totes agree on Gibson. Their QC is horrendous and that finish they use on the cheap basses looks like they took a marker and drew the "finish" on the wood. Just awful.

 

[Classic69]

Dingwall is located in my city, within Canada. The Dingwall deals I have seen would blow your mind...

Love Sheldon's stuff!

 

[Iridescentone]

What if you live in Korea or Indonesia or Vietnam or wherever and strive for the same values and have the same national pride being placed on US instruments? You know, not stuff necessarily being bean-counted for outside companies to meet a price point for US market?

I mean, who even knows what Dan is paying for these instruments?

I'm not trying to start any flame wars, I'm just asking...do you not think Korean neighbors appreciate their jobs? Do you not think they do said jobs purposefully, and with pride?

I'm sure that they do like their jobs. So what?

I'm only worried (for good reason) about me keeping MY job, and my neighbor's keeping their jobs. From there, I want my fellow countrymen to keep their jobs. Further still, I want people in other countries who share my culture and values, to keep their jobs.

What I don't want to do, is support the economies of countries who consider themselves at war with me. I have a list. My survival instinct is still intact, despite concerted efforts from abroad and within, trying to convince me to commit cultural suicide. I won't subsidize their efforts with my consumer dollars when I can avoid it. If I buy foreign made goods, I prefer that they at least be made in countries that are allied with me and share my interests. I have a list for that too, not all are Western countries, and some are third world nations.

 

[Classic69]

"Quality" is a tricky word. As is "value." Some worship "cost" above all else, but even that has hidden elements and 2nd/3rd order effects that people don't consider. We live in a global economy and point of manufacture is fuzzy at best. That said, there are certain parts of the chain that are evident, with the majority of the work being identifiable. Right now some spectacular instruments are coming out of Asia, and the bang-for-the-buck in some cases is very high. For some, that may be the main criteria...and for them that then is the right choice.

Since I live in the US, work in the US, and have been around long enough to see varies aspects of the economy ebb and flow, I can say that for me, with many of my purchases, bang for the buck is not the chief driver. Yes, I'd like a decent "deal", but I calculate value differently. Right now most every musical instrument I have is from small US builders (both bass and amp chain). I have been lucky enough and worked hard enough to afford that "luxury", but in some cases the price difference isn't that huge, especially if you consider the lifetime use of the tool. I'd rather have a few really nice instruments made by people in the US who give a damn about what they are doing, and are trying to make a living. I also try to avoid mail-order when I can and buy from local independent shops. In some cases I pay more, but they provide a personalized service that I consider of value.

In other cases, I deviate somewhat. My car is German, but from a local dealer. My keyboards are Swedish but there aren't any equivalent US builders. And many of my computing products are "designed in California" but built in China (though even that is starting to change).

Do I begrudge the Asian worker their due? Absolutely not. And in fact the growing Asian middle class means that they can buy their own instruments. But at some point you have to think beyond the immediate price of something.

This is a personal set of decisions, and I am not judging anyone else's actions. Everyone makes their own bed - I think they should consider the broader implications of their choice of sheets and pillows. Now I'm tired - but have to pack to make a 10:30am downbeat.

10:30 AM???!!!???

No worries! I've done a few Sunday Brunches in my time as well!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

One could argue that the same mass produced conditions and resulting quality of Asian made basses also exists in U.S. made basses. Fender would be a prime example of having both mass produced U.S. instruments and very detail oriented and quality builds in both their American Standard series models versus their Master Built Custom Shop basses (Pino P-Bass anyone?).

All that being said, I think the bottom line is a good bass is a good bass no matter where it's made! I, for one, am happy that we have so many choices.

 

[Classic69]

I believe the key word in the top post is "automatically", which is exactly what many people have done here.

Call me crazy, but I prefer to take it on a case-by-case basis rather than going along with the massive brush strokes being used in this thread. Want to trade me an Asian-made Sadowsky Metro for a US-built Wishbass? On a more serious note, I'd take a new Skyline over a new standard Gibson any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Asian-made Sadowsky as in Japan; really a different set of production criteria than Indonesia, China, or Korea.

Everyone of course can express an opinion, mine is worth no more or less than anyone's regarding this except I can comment on personal work experience as well as a in-person visit to a Contract Mfr. in China.
I worked for a company that distributed MI accessories. The powers-that-be decided to throw down in the Bass Guitar world, by licensing the name of a VERY prominent high-end US builder, taking one of his former very striking body shapes and having it made offshore.
Astute posters here will know of who & what I speak of.

The end product looked very nice. Modern contract mfrs. in China can take a set of engineered drawings and make it right up. As mentioned, the Importer can specify $200 pups, or $25 pups; a $10 bridge or a $75 bridge, and so on.

This company did "OK" with the bass. They used their marketing leverage to have it placed within some of the large Online Retailers, conversely, some quite well-known Bass specialty shops carry it as a viable alternative to the $4-5K boutique lines they sell.

Politics aside, economic concerns aside- This was not a very good bass. It looked (looks) OK, it feels OK- Yet- the pups are cheap, the finish is only marginal, the components are below par, so on. No way would I buy one, and my reticence to sell this bass for the Company, despite being able to earn a high commission, was among the reasons I no longer work for them.

I was at the contract builder, and although the technologies like CNC, modeling, and production itself were state of the art; the workers were diligent and disciplined- A little TOO much, but that's another culture aspect- I am GOING to say this:

That plant-and the others I feel- are NOT G&L, EBMM, or Ibanez Prestige etc. They do a good job, but they are not in connect with being a dedicated instrument builder of a brand and for a brand that they build.
I could commission them to start a line of "Classic '69" basses if I wanted to, but , no thanks.

Part of what you would pay for with this particular instrument of discussion is the D.Lakin name & legacy; same with Sadowsky, or Lull too, but that is a different run.

Let me end by saying I am not dis-respecting the instrument, the builder, the marketing plan, or anything else.
But I will stick to a US-made instrument for the cost. FWIW- I paid exactly $1300 for my M2K with a G&G case.
It is a different construct than a J-Bass, but still.
I look forward to if & when D. Lakin makes a US- built ltd run, really I do.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Wow, this thread really blew up. Personally, if I got a brand new bass in the mail and there was some sort of issue (even if it's just cosmetic), I'd give the seller/manufacturer a little time to sort the issue out as opposed to posting on the internet THE SAME DAY I got it. I sincerely hope that in the long run this does not affect Dan Lakin's business. He's an honest, har-working guy who's got a great product. And FWIW the OP's sentiments (as well as many, many, many, others') won't deter me from ever buying a D. Lakin bass.

 

[Classic69]

Wow, this thread really blew up. Personally, if I got a brand new bass in the mail and there was some sort of issue (even if it's just cosmetic), I'd give the seller/manufacturer a little time to sort the issue out as opposed to posting on the internet THE SAME DAY I got it. I sincerely hope that in the long run this does not affect Dan Lakin's business. He's an honest, har-working guy who's got a great product. And FWIW the OP's sentiments (as well as many, many, many, others') won't deter me from ever buying a D. Lakin bass.

Nobody is trying to, I assure you.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Because they are.

The point is for the same money, WHY ON EARTH would you rather have your bass built by someone in a foreign country, being paid a pittance while foreign factory managers and middlemen take a nice cut - rather than by someone in your own damn country - maybe your neighbor, who is probably skilled and may need a job???

Well, consider the fact that D. Lakin Basses is an American owned company. The body and neck are assembled in another country. Everything else is USA. Also, the setup is done in USA. Do you own an american made smartphone?

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Wow, this thread really blew up. Personally, if I got a brand new bass in the mail and there was some sort of issue (even if it's just cosmetic), I'd give the seller/manufacturer a little time to sort the issue out as opposed to posting on the internet THE SAME DAY I got it. I sincerely hope that in the long run this does not affect Dan Lakin's business. He's an honest, har-working guy who's got a great product. And FWIW the OP's sentiments (as well as many, many, many, others') won't deter me from ever buying a D. Lakin bass.

Uhhhh... the OP loves this bass from what I can gather.

 

[Classic69]

Well, consider the fact that D. Lakin Basses is an American owned company. The body and neck are assembled in another country. Everything else is USA. Also, the setup is done in USA. Do you own an american made smartphone?

No I don't, but you are zig-zagging. Yes it is a global economy; that can't be escaped nor should it be. The PC I'm using to reply no doubt Chinese. Not the point at all.

We're however talking about a bass guitar, on the TB Bass Guitar forum that is new, and costs about the same as some established US-built basses, those that are cut, built, assembled and made by a dedicated US bass building company.
That's the point, not a back-and-forth as to whether the D.Lakin is a worthy instrument.
Is is. No worries.
Better shipping (that will happen) maybe inc. a case (that probably won't) and the choice is ....yours.

And mine.

 

[ModuMan]

Wow, this thread really blew up. Personally, if I got a brand new bass in the mail and there was some sort of issue (even if it's just cosmetic), I'd give the seller/manufacturer a little time to sort the issue out as opposed to posting on the internet THE SAME DAY I got it. I sincerely hope that in the long run this does not affect Dan Lakin's business. He's an honest, har-working guy who's got a great product. And FWIW the OP's sentiments (as well as many, many, many, others') won't deter me from ever buying a D. Lakin bass.

Yes, this thread really did blow up. At this point I regret posting it but not for the reason you mention.

I did, in fact, contact Dan first. And I do like the bass. But it has flaws that need to be corrected. Yes, plural.

I think what I wrote was an honest account of what I got and my impressions of it. As I said, some good and some concerns. The bass really wasn't ready to be shipped. Better Dan have that conversation with me than 29 other people as well. The fact is, he wasn't aware of these issues.

I'll agree with honest and hard-working but how do you know he's got a great product? How many other people commenting here actually ordered one of these? I'm guessing zero.

 

[Hopkins]

I would take a xx-02 Lakland any day over most USA Fenders, except maybe the new American Jaguar, it's a personal choice. I base my purchasing decisions on how the bass feels and sounds, not by what country it's from.

I base my opinions the same way, but if all other things are equal, I am choosing the MIA product. To be honest, at the price point I think the MIA Fenders are a slightly better bass than the Korean Laklands. I also think that the labor cost of being manufactured overseas, should be passed along to the customer, which I think with the Skyline series, that isn't the case. That being said, if they can sell the bass at that price point and sell enough of them to justify the cost, then more power to them.

 

[Hopkins]

On a more serious note, I'd take a new Skyline over a new standard Gibson any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Same here, but I also greatly prefer a Fender style bass over any of Gibsons offerings(except maybe a Ripper), even if Gibson QC wasn't an issue.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

So basically, everything about the D. Lakin bass is great except for a little shipping damage. Maybe there can be a claim filed against the shipper to cover any repair costs incurred?