I have bought and sold many skylines....never bought or sold for that amount....if I could buy 4402 or 4465 for that price I would stock up
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NBD: Dan Lakin JO
- Thread starter ModuMan
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You sir do not know what you talking about, a Lakland DJ or JO selling at the price of 500 USD will sell within seconds.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I don't understand where the confusion is coming from, I never said they sold for that price. I am assuming you mean a Daryl Jones or a Joe Osbourne model, which both sell for more than a standard Skyline or Fender Standard, which is not what we are talking about at all. We are talking about a Fender Standard vs a run-of-the-mill Skyline, a fair comparison in terms of price point to my understanding, and in that comparison the Fender appears to do better in terms of resale value.
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Lets look at it this way, the 44-01 is the cheapest Lakland Skyline at $788 street. They sell for about $500 here on TB. The 44-02 are about $1500 new and sell for roughly $1k to $1100 for newish good specimens, I have seen them in the $800's for the older and rough ones. How does that translate to the Fenders you are discussing?
When did this turn into an investment board?
The average person probably wastes more money on fast food and booze each year than the biggest loss anyone is going to take in a bass. Unless you're a perpetual bass trader then who cares. And people buying new probably aren't traders or investors... they are PLAYERS only. Let's end this thread.
The average person probably wastes more money on fast food and booze each year than the biggest loss anyone is going to take in a bass. Unless you're a perpetual bass trader then who cares. And people buying new probably aren't traders or investors... they are PLAYERS only. Let's end this thread.
Diabo: IMHO a fair comparison would be a MIA Fender P bass vs a skyline 4464 ( previous Bob glaub) or a skyline 4464 deluxe ( previous Duck Dunn RIP)
OR
MIA Fender j bass vs skyline DJ or 4460 ( former Joe Osbourn)
These are "standard" skylines which are comparable models.
OR
MIA Fender j bass vs skyline DJ or 4460 ( former Joe Osbourn)
These are "standard" skylines which are comparable models.
I imagine that the price will be in the area of a US Lakland, or a Sadowsky etc. I'm very curious to see what D Lakin USA will produce.
And yes,that amount is a big chunk of cash for the "Average American" (I assume you mean Bass player!) yet- Those builders seem to be doing quite well, with a long wait for a custom-ordered US Lakland, and Sadowsky in-stock always sells through.
Since Lakland reportedly didn't become profitable until they started offering foreign-built basses (USA builds apparently being a money loser), why would Lakin even bother?
Many builders: Zon, MTD, G&L, Elrick, Lakland, EBMM. have come forth with offshore builds because in the end, the profit margin is greater AND it allows them to sell more basses. It's a benefit to some buyers to be able to own & play "Name-Brand" bass at 1/2 the cost of the Premium lines those builders make.
I have no idea of Laklands history of profit and loss; I can only assume what you say is correct about the US builds being "money losers".
Frankly-that seems a bit suspicious to me- no offense intended of course.
As to WHY- I would venture that Dan Lakin has a long history of offering top-end US built basses (Chi-town! My OG hometown- Da Bears!)
and probably wants to be able to offer a high-end bass to those that would want one- At a profit for him-and remember most high-end builders are not driving $100K Jags like the ones I eyeballed at a Dealer tonight! (Just dreaming).
He may even partner with Carl P from Lakland, just a guess.
If he chose to, I think a D Lakin USA could be produced, would be awesome, and would get a good reception among the other boutique basses for want of a better word.
My .02
I don't think anyone would dare enter into a business without reasonable prospects of success and a plan for making profit, especially if they have already run similar setups in the past.
I think its great that we get so much choice as bass players, and the choice is increasing.
The one thing that makes you think is that you can buy a decent MIA Fender P bass for similar money (in the UK) as a Lakland, and the Fender will have CS pups, and the great hardcases. Whether you like hardcases or not, I think every bass over a certain value SHOULD ship with them. Simple as. No gig bags please, unless they are something like a Mono M80.
Then, if you don't want a hardcase, store or sell it, but its part of the price of the bass.
What extra you get with an offshore bass that is 'inspected' in the USA is beyond me. I am a stickler for asking questions and being quite critical before I buy, and to be honest, I think if EBMM and Fender/Squire can make such cheap offshore instruments, then something is missing with the 'boutique' expensive instruments built offshore then inspected. Just look at the SUB basses and the Classic Vibe basses. Cheap and very well made. The CV basses are superb, and not just for the price!
This doesn't apply so much to Sadowsky as they have a specialist team, and although I don't own one, I've seen and played a few Metros to know they are miles ahead of Lakland basses in terms of fit and finish.
I think its great that we get so much choice as bass players, and the choice is increasing.
The one thing that makes you think is that you can buy a decent MIA Fender P bass for similar money (in the UK) as a Lakland, and the Fender will have CS pups, and the great hardcases. Whether you like hardcases or not, I think every bass over a certain value SHOULD ship with them. Simple as. No gig bags please, unless they are something like a Mono M80.
Then, if you don't want a hardcase, store or sell it, but its part of the price of the bass.
What extra you get with an offshore bass that is 'inspected' in the USA is beyond me. I am a stickler for asking questions and being quite critical before I buy, and to be honest, I think if EBMM and Fender/Squire can make such cheap offshore instruments, then something is missing with the 'boutique' expensive instruments built offshore then inspected. Just look at the SUB basses and the Classic Vibe basses. Cheap and very well made. The CV basses are superb, and not just for the price!
This doesn't apply so much to Sadowsky as they have a specialist team, and although I don't own one, I've seen and played a few Metros to know they are miles ahead of Lakland basses in terms of fit and finish.
I agree with musicman20. I have a Korean Skyline Duck Dunn-very nice bass but it does not compare with my Sadowsky Metro. Also very different price point!
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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Couple things about D. Lakin basses intrigue me: alder bodies, US Hipshot reverse tuners and nearly infinite finish options. Would love to know if there are CNC holes in the body under pickguard.
HOW is that intriguing? That's the most commonplace body wood in existence.
The typical approach is a high-priced builder later offers an offshore-built line at a lower cost. The result is attracting buyers who were previously priced out of the brand. "I've always wanted a Lakland but could never afford it. Now I can with a Skyline!" Could Lakin pull off the reverse? "Finally, I can pay twice as much for a Lakin bass! Take my money!!!" Hmm...
Also the logistics involved are substantial. For now, Mr. Lakin simply need to fire off an email to his Asian supplier telling them he needs X number of Y basses. Then he just waits for them to arrive so he can ship them out to the buyer. A very small, streamlined operation on his end. To get into the home-built game, you now have to have real estate, equipment, employees, insurance for all those things, building materials...no small cost or effort involved here. Would you ever be able to recoup that investment?
Yeah, I'm just going by what I've read about Lakland. No offense taken.
Of course not!
Always must be some reason why someone sells a business they started. I know others close to Lakland have commented; it's all good that they continue to build the goods, (or have them built) and D.Lakin has returned!
And your breakdown about an Import Bass business is spot on. Earlier,I told of my trip to China to see how an offshore bass is pumped out.
All it takes is a check and a set of plans/specs; I (or you) could have a branded bass line in a container, on a ship or plane.....
Then, all we have to do is SELL them!
Just last week a friend of mine returned from a manufacturer-seeking trip to China. He was amazed that they had all the latest and greatest equipment yet would not spare the expense to buy 50-cent safety glasses for their employees! I believe in the capitalist system where you pay whatever local wage workers are willing to accept, but I can't abide the complete disregard for employee safety/well-being. When your employees eyes/appendages aren't worth enough to you to provide the most basic of safety equipment, that's a real moral issue.
LOL! Me too, but w/ my dear snobbish expensive basses I become "SuperCautious Man"
And---I do drink! (Responsibly!)
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