NBD: Dan Lakin JO

[JAUQO III-X]

From a happy customer.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I'd bet my left arm that the vast majority of people who purchase a D. Lakin bass will love them, no problem.

 

[Musicman20]

Making your own takes much work and a lot of equipment Dan does not have access to currently.

Also they would be at a price point which would make many of you complain....oh wait.....you already are complaining about the price point.....

Guess what, once they hit the UK they will be the same price or more than an American Standard P or J bass. Except you don't get a case, and if there is something not right, then yep, you have to wait for ages for another.

I've never really felt comfortable with the Lakland basses. I've tried about 7 so far, and none of them matched up to the build of my current two Fenders or many Musicman basses. I'm a tough customer to please, but at £1100+, then it has to be right. I think that is fair.

 

[basspraiser]

Guess what, once they hit the UK they will be the same price or more than an American Standard P or J bass. Except you don't get a case, and if there is something not right, then yep, you have to wait for ages for another.

I've never really felt comfortable with the Lakland basses. I've tried about 7 so far, and none of them matched up to the build of my current two Fenders or many Musicman basses. I'm a tough customer to please, but at £1100+, then it has to be right. I think that is fair.

Hey....if Laklands are not your style....I am not going to push you .....

I also have been a supporter of the fact that skylines should ship with a case.....and Dan and the current owners are well aware of my position.

 

[fuzzychaos]

If thats what you think then that's fine but Leo Fender and Roger Sadowsky have offered a lot more to us than Dan Lakin. That's an indisputable fact. Whether you like what they have done is another matter entirely. Every time you see a P bass or a J bass you have to credit Leo Fender. Every time you see a bass that has been hot rodded with a drop in preamp then you have to credit Sadowsky. What Dan Lakin and Hugh McFarland offered was a mash up of Leo's designs with a preamp in it. It was well received and the company made several other high quality Fender clones that a lot of players like. If you're a fan of those instruments then great but for someone who may be unfamiliar with his history or those instruments then what would attract them to spend this kind of money on this instrument. Thats the issue that I am trying to raise. Please don't think I am saying they arent good basses. I have no idea if they are any good or not. Just curious as to how this is supposed to work. It's not as if there are going to be any of these on the wall at a guitar shop to try and fall in love with.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Dan/Lakland come out with the first MM/J bass configuration? That seems like more than a mashup of Leo's designs, there was an element of innovation there.

 

[eqvolvorama]

The MM/J thing was in large part inspired by Warwick, but again I think the argument is irrelevant. Steve Jobs didn't exactly invent anything new either. He just implemented very, very well. To bash Dan for not single handedly revolutionizing bass guitar is a bit unfair, unless of course we're going to bash Roger, Cary, etc.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Dan/Lakland come out with the first MM/J bass configuration? That seems like more than a mashup of Leo's designs, there was an element of innovation there.

Warwick and later Peavey came with J/MM configuration first in the J/MM Millennium.

 

[fuzzychaos]

The MM/J thing was in large part inspired by Warwick, but again I think the argument is irrelevant. Steve Jobs didn't exactly invent anything new either. He just implemented very, very well. To bash Dan for not single handedly revolutionizing bass guitar is a bit unfair, unless of course we're going to bash Roger, Cary, etc.

I agree. There has been very little actual innovation to bass guitars since Leo marketed the first mass produced electric bass in the 50's.

 

[fuzzychaos]

Warwick and later Peavey came with J/MM configuration first in the J/MM Millennium.

Corrected I stand.

 

[Stranger Danger]

The MM/J thing was in large part inspired by Warwick, but again I think the argument is irrelevant. Steve Jobs didn't exactly invent anything new either. He just implemented very, very well. To bash Dan for not single handedly revolutionizing bass guitar is a bit unfair, unless of course we're going to bash Roger, Cary, etc.

I am NOT bashing anybody. You guys act like if you're not worshipping someone then you're bashing them. I DID give Dan credit for what he and Hugh did 20 years ago. I am skeptical however as to the current concept of expensive asian made Fender copies with no cases and nothing new offered. The price point puts his product square in the ball park of American Made Fenders and G&L's. So it seems pretty obvious that he is trying to compete in that market. I am also aware that any skepticism will be met with anger by the fan boys. I hate that term but I don't know what else to call it.

Now, if these sticks were being manufactured stateside in small batches then they would probably be much more in competition with Lull and Sadowsky and Fender CS. But they are not. People buy Asian import versions of Spector, Warwick, PRS, Fender, etc etc because they have the cache of the big company. I.E. I cant buy an American Fender so Ill buy a Modern Player MIC that says Fender on the HS. SO again, I am asking, for someone who isn't an established fan of Dan Lakin's name, why would anyone buy one of these at this price point?

 

[fuzzychaos]

I am NOT bashing anybody. You guys act like if you're not worshipping someone then you're bashing them. I DID give Dan credit for what he and Hugh did 20 years ago. I am skeptical however as to the current concept of expensive asian made Fender copies with no cases and nothing new offered. The price point puts his product square in the ball park of American Made Fenders and G&L's. So it seems pretty obvious that he is trying to compete in that market. I am also aware that any skepticism will be met with anger by the fan boys. I hate that term but I don't know what else to call it.

Now, if these sticks were being manufactured stateside in small batches then they would probably be much more in competition with Lull and Sadowsky and Fender CS. But they are not. People buy Asian import versions of Spector, Warwick, PRS, Fender, etc etc because they have the cache of the big company. I.E. I cant buy an American Fender so Ill buy a Modern Player MIC that says Fender on the HS. SO again, I am asking, for someone who isn't an established fan of Dan Lakin's name, why would anyone buy one of these at this price point?

He's a small company without the volume to get the necessary prices that would allow him to sell at a lower price point, so the price is what it is. However, what would it cost, at Fender (or Sadowsky, Lull, etc), to get a Jazz bass in Shell Pink with a bound and blocked neck with matching headstock? Call the custom shop and be willing to shell out 3k, or maybe 5k? Will it be a better built bass with a case included? Sure, but at a substantial cost difference.

I have no dog in this hunt for Dan's basses, but I have owned Lakland basses and in my opinion, their current imports are better than almost any Fender I have ever played, and their US made blows even the custom shop out of the water. As I said, in my opinion.

Personally, I'll probably be getting one of the new Carvin JB's.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I'm definitely not a fan boy, I'm a realist.

It's nothing wrong at all to give props where they are deserved.

Some of the USA companies charge from $250 to close to a grand depending on the finish.

Dan's up charge on thousands of available finishes = 0.

USA Hipshot hardware, graphite rods in the neck. These are some things that are appealing to some potential customers.

Some of the foreign companies are using the same woods that some of the USA companies are using because the wood is shipped from the USA.

Can any one here point out a tonal difference in alder or ash from Korea ,USA or China?

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I'm definitely not a fan boy, I'm a realist.

It's nothing wrong at all to give props where they are deserved.

Some of the USA companies charge from $250 to close to a grand depending on the finish.

Dan's up charge on thousands of available finishes = 0.

USA Hipshot shareware, graphite rods in the neck. These are some things that are appealing to some potential customers.

Some of the foreign companies are using the same woods that some of the USA companies are using because the wood is shipped from the USA.

Can any one hear point out a tonal difference in alder or ash from Korea ,USA or China?

Exactly...true...valid...right.

 

[Iridescentone]

SO again, I am asking, for someone who isn't an established fan of Dan Lakin's name, why would anyone buy one of these at this price point?

Fair question. I know I'm not interested, mostly due to price. I expect them to be nice basses, but I can do better for the same money. I'd be tempted if they came with an asymmetrical neck profile, a feature that I personally value.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

SO again, I am asking, for someone who isn't an established fan of Dan Lakin's name, why would anyone buy one of these at this price point?

Because D.Lakin Basses offers features that you cannot get on, say, a Fender American Standard bass (blocks & binding, matching painted headstocks, vintage style reverse tuners, nearly infinite finish options, great customer service). If you need to get in contact with the company, I bet the owner himself answers the phone when you call.

other reasons...

Perhaps someone likes the way the D.Lakin bass sounds, or maybe they like the neck profile better than comparable US made basses.

Besides, no one complains about Yamaha, Ibanez or ESP basses that go for upwards of $2k. Know why? Because they're great basses and if it's a great sounding, great playing, great looking bass, who cares if it's not made in the USA.

 

[pedroims]

I am asking, for someone who isn't an established fan of Dan Lakin's name, why would anyone buy one of these at this price point?

Because offer some cool features at same price of comparable quality basses: Hipshot hardware, any color you want, matching headstock, block inlays, bone nut, good sounding pickups, excellent customer service. Getting something like that from Fender will be really expensive but then, why get a expensive Fender when I could get a Sadowsky or USA Lakland, the only other company that offer something similar is Carvin, actually Carvin offers more stuff for the same price but no many people like them.

I am planning to buy a jazz bass next year and Dan it is a good option for me.

 

[mexibass]

I am NOT bashing anybody. You guys act like if you're not worshipping someone then you're bashing them. I DID give Dan credit for what he and Hugh did 20 years ago. I am skeptical however as to the current concept of expensive asian made Fender copies with no cases and nothing new offered. The price point puts his product square in the ball park of American Made Fenders and G&L's. So it seems pretty obvious that he is trying to compete in that market. I am also aware that any skepticism will be met with anger by the fan boys. I hate that term but I don't know what else to call it.

Now, if these sticks were being manufactured stateside in small batches then they would probably be much more in competition with Lull and Sadowsky and Fender CS. But they are not. People buy Asian import versions of Spector, Warwick, PRS, Fender, etc etc because they have the cache of the big company. I.E. I cant buy an American Fender so Ill buy a Modern Player MIC that says Fender on the HS. SO again, I am asking, for someone who isn't an established fan of Dan Lakin's name, why would anyone buy one of these at this price point?

Hey guys, we all have to recognize this: many of these points of view are 100% valid and true to some extent.

A) I think nobody is entitled to fully support or bash a Lakin bass if we haven't played one.

B) I also concur that for this kind of money, I'd be better off looking for the right MIA Fender, G&L, Carvin or Musicman, but if I got to hold a Lakin in my hands and like it, that fact alone would make me forget it's an offshore instrument and wouldn't mind trading a hard shell case for the color I want, block inlays and such. Let's keep in mind that having an American made instrument doesn't guarantee that it's gonna be great. Sadly, I've played many crappy basses made in USA on that price range.

C) I definitely think Lakin is targeting Lakland Skylines.

Anyway, maybe they're really nice playing and sounding basses, like some reviewers have stated already, but oh boy, I really despise that odd looking headstock, wish Dan should've come up with something classier like the Lakland headstock

 

[h2otorched]

Hey guys, we all have to recognize this: many of these points of view are 100% valid and true to some extent.

A) I think nobody is entitled to fully support or bash a Lakin bass if we haven't played one.

B) I also concur that for this kind of money, I'd be better off looking for the right MIA Fender, G&L, Carvin or Musicman, but if I got to hold a Lakin in my hands and like it, that fact alone would make me forget it's an offshore instrument and wouldn't mind trading a hard shell case for the color I want, block inlays and such. Let's keep in mind that having an American made instrument doesn't guarantee that it's gonna be great. Sadly, I've played many crappy basses made in USA on that price range.

C) I definitely think Lakin is targeting Lakland Skylines.

Anyway, maybe they're really nice playing and sounding basses, like some reviewers have stated already, but oh boy, I really despise that odd looking headstock, wish Dan should've come up with something classier like the Lakland headstock

 

[h2otorched]

mexibass...you are correct sir!
However, my first impression of the D. Lakin headstock was similar, what?
Then I screen snapped an image and or over a few days would give it the
glazzies. It's not that bad. Certainly a more creative or artistic headstock
could have been manifested, but, as you point out in C) ...best not tread
to closely to avoid litigation. And realistically, while playing it doesn't
probably look much different, or really matter.

 

[h2otorched]

I feel there is a missed opportunity here...who wants to help me design a ' fan boy' tshirt?
: } ~