NBD: Dan Lakin JO

[mongo2]

Nostatic.....Dan just knows how to treat his clientele and IF issues arise he fixes them.....

There were over 30 basses and we are hearing about ONE.

The shipping issues DOES need to be addressed and I am sure it will be.

If the rash was that bad I assume it came without packaging from Korea. I don't know though.

I also believe the car analogy fits.....this is new tooling and new patterns for the manufacturer.

Hickups do happen.

I do agree that if Dan noticed the rash etc he should have taken action immediately.

I am awaiting judgement until I play one or more and hear about more of them.

I don't know why these do not have cases.....I agree those should come with the basses....

Respectfully submitted
The Doude

This issue should never have happened. It should have been packaged properly.

 

[Classic69]

Maybe it will be.

The big question you should ask yourself is "what weakness in my constitution made me feel the need to post such triteness and how can I fix that?" And that goes for all of the people who jumped on making fun of the guy who bought this bass. And, no, I don't own a Lakland or a Lakin so the value or general opinion of his basses impacts me in know way.

Me neither, but...

Whoa, nobody "jumped" on the OP, most comments were pretty solid about the poor shipping method, that is not to be denied.
The statement about "001" wasn't meant IMO to denigrate; facts are facts.
Fender, Gibson, etc. low serial #'s worth big bucks, not so much for this branding. That isn't an insult.
A guy paid at auction $1 Million for the 1st production serial # of next year's Corvette. A Toyota Corolla wouldn't bring that much at auction.
That's all.

 

[Iridescentone]

From the pictures( the only ones I have seen of these thus far, I feel that it looks just a little bit sloppy in the way it's put together.

How so?

Are you seeing something no one else has noticed?

All I see are scuffs on an unprotected bass from bouncing around inside its shipping box. That is known as "shipping damage". An unacceptable oversight? Yes, but nothing to do with how the bass was "put together".

 

[ModuMan]

Update time.

I spoke with Dan and have arranged to send the bass back. He has only shipped two basses out so hopefully my issues will not be repeated.

They did not ship like this from the factory. They came wrapped in the foam bags. What I've learned is that Dan is not that detail oriented. Wrong box, didn't use the wrap bag. Obvious stuff. To him, it's an instrument, not crystal. I pointed out that simply isn't an acceptable or shared viewpoint.

He does not have cases or bags. Still sourcing them. I don't know why this is such a problem but that's how it is.

Short story, if he can fix the finish I'll take it, if not then I get my money back.

I'm not making excuses for him. Frankly, I think he needs some help to keep things organized and QC check. But he's doing this as a one-man operation and unfortunately it's not off to a good start.

 

[FretNoMore]

He could at least wrap the bass in some soft cloth or felt if he doesn't supply a case or bag.

 

[leroy diamond]

Cannot believe this. Really shoddy.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

How so?

Are you seeing something no one else has noticed?

All I see are scuffs on an unprotected bass bouncing around inside its shipping box. That is known as "shipping damage". An unacceptable oversight? Yes, but nothing to do with how the bass was "put together".

Maybe you should look at the pictures again. One of the strings goes cock-eyed. It might just off at the bridge though, we don't know yet.

 

[Iridescentone]

To extend the Dan/Leo analogy further, Leo expanded on his ideas when he founded Musicman... His first instruments weren't replicas of what he did previously, he implemented brand new ideas in the Stingray guitar and bass (not to mention early hybrid tube/solid state amplifiers). Dan's ideas for D. Lakin seem more like obvious, easy refinements and swag.

Let's extend the Dan/Leo analogy still further. The first batch of '76 Stingrays were totally botched. They were all recalled back because the finish hadn't fully dried before leaving the factory. The uber heavy clear coat cracked all over the basses, and the sunburst ones also "blushed" around the body edges. The one I got was almost unplayable. A real POS.

Kinda makes Lakin's packing oversight seem trivial by comparison. Not making excuses for the missing polyfoam protector bag, but this looks like a tempest in a teapot issue to me.

 

[SRFSterling5]

I've been reading this whole thing and one thing is for sure, you gotta get on the quality control issues and fast or you're gonna be stuck with a warehouse of basses with no one to buy them. I've purchased two of the previous company's Skyline instruments and for all the praise they get in here, I am in general agreement. But, the Skylines are shipped without cases (not what I would expect from them either), but both arrived in one piece. Here's where I take issue. With Lakland you're getting an instrument from your supplier and then you set up in house, the tuners are crooked, you set up the bass anyway and ship it out? Sorry but quality control is not doing their job. Seems like the same issue here. If I'm doing a new business and I want it to succeed, I'm gonna be hands on from the beginning. No packing with the box, sorry but that's no way of starting up quality control. Reputation is everything in a start up; this is not the way to build a customer base. What I'm saying is, this guy is not direct shipping to a customer, it's coming to him first---fix the problem BEFORE it gets in the customer hands. If you're just sending it to them---sorry but it's on you. Packing for shipment is YOUR COST of doing business, if you pass that cost onto the customer and you don't deliver, shame on you. I also agree with the fact that Mr. Lakin has been in this business before---if you don't learn from your previous mistakes, history is bound to repeat itself and in this case we could have another business gone kaput. It's all in the execution.

 

[Scungilli]

I would send it back. For a $1300 bass that is not made in the USA and no gig bag. Not good on my book. Nice looking bass but I would spend my money elsewhere

 

[leroy diamond]

I've been reading this whole thing and one thing is for sure, you gotta get on the quality control issues and fast or you're gonna be stuck with a warehouse of basses with no one to buy them. I've purchased two of the previous company's Skyline instruments and for all the praise they get in here, I am in general agreement. But, the Skylines are shipped without cases (not what I would expect from them either), but both arrived in one piece. Here's where I take issue. With Lakland you're getting an instrument from your supplier and then you set up in house, the tuners are crooked, you set up the bass anyway and ship it out? Sorry but quality control is not doing their job. Seems like the same issue here. If I'm doing a new business and I want it to succeed, I'm gonna be hands on from the beginning. No packing with the box, sorry but that's no way of starting up quality control. Reputation is everything in a start up; this is not the way to build a customer base. What I'm saying is, this guy is not direct shipping to a customer, it's coming to him first---fix the problem BEFORE it gets in the customer hands. If you're just sending it to them---sorry but it's on you. Packing for shipment is YOUR COST of doing business, if you pass that cost onto the customer and you don't deliver, shame on you. I also agree with the fact that Mr. Lakin has been in this business before---if you don't learn from your previous mistakes, history is bound to repeat itself and in this case we could have another business gone kaput. It's all in the execution.

This is it.

 

[Iridescentone]

I've been reading this whole thing and one thing is for sure, you gotta get on the quality control issues and fast or you're gonna be stuck with a warehouse of basses with no one to buy them. I've purchased two of the previous company's Skyline instruments and for all the praise they get in here, I am in general agreement. But, the Skylines are shipped without cases (not what I would expect from them either), but both arrived in one piece. Here's where I take issue. With Lakland you're getting an instrument from your supplier and then you set up in house, the tuners are crooked, you set up the bass anyway and ship it out? Sorry but quality control is not doing their job. Seems like the same issue here. If I'm doing a new business and I want it to succeed, I'm gonna be hands on from the beginning. No packing with the box, sorry but that's no way of starting up quality control. Reputation is everything in a start up; this is not the way to build a customer base. What I'm saying is, this guy is not direct shipping to a customer, it's coming to him first---fix the problem BEFORE it gets in the customer hands. If you're just sending it to them---sorry but it's on you. Packing for shipment is YOUR COST of doing business, if you pass that cost onto the customer and you don't deliver, shame on you. I also agree with the fact that Mr. Lakin has been in this business before---if you don't learn from your previous mistakes, history is bound to repeat itself and in this case we could have another business gone kaput. It's all in the execution.

Read post #64. OP said the bass left the factory in a foam bag. By default, it means Lakin inspected the bass (probably plugged it in), liked what he saw, but forgot to replace the foam protector bag. An unfortunate oversight at the worst possible time, but I doubt anyone expects this is going to be an ongoing routine mistake, out of sheer carelessness.

Additionally, Lakin has agreed to resolve the issue, or grant a refund. Same as he's always done in the past. I'm guessing he will pick up the shipping costs, as well.

Jeez, what do you guys want, Blood?

 

[fourstringdrums]

I still think that him forgetting the foam bag is a pretty big oversight. You wound think that he's never run a company and shipped out instruments in the past. Hell, I just got a case from Reverend and that thing was packed better than most basses I've ever received. Most companies just put the case in the box and tape it up (and that's usually what I do if it's hardshell). This thing was in a plastic bag, wrapped in thick bubble wrap and braced on all sides, top and bottom with cardboard.

 

[fourstringdrums]

Jeez, what do you guys want, Blood?

Yes, and a first born son. It doesn't have to be Dan's.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

Jeez, what do you guys want, Blood?

I don't see anyone crying for vengeance by sword. I'm just seeing very real concerns being voiced about the quality control of a brand new company. A necessary "buyer beware" notice. Frankly if I were the owner of a new company, serial #001 would have gone out with more care and attention than any unit succeeding it. It should have been the most special shipment in the company's history. To throw it in the box with zero protection is an eBay seller rookie mistake. So yeah, buyer beware?

 

[TonyP-]

I'd forgive that however if the instrument feels great and sounds great and isn't expensive!

Amen

I will be first to say that I have not read the whole thread.
I feel for MM that can be disappointing...Truly.

However

My mind sight is probably a little different then most on this...

I personally could care less if I received an instrument with some scuff marks...Especially a traditional J bass.
Playability & Tone would easily...I mean easily trump some scuffs.

Now granted you paid for a new instrument...and its not right BUT how big of deal is it in actuality? (I mean that as a serious question and not as a facetious statement)

 

[troy mcclure]

One day (who knows you might kick yourself for sending back #001.... I agree he could have packed it better. So I assume they get here from Korea he opens them checks them for quality and repacks them...this must be why the bass is $1300.

 

[TonyP-]

I just skimmed the thread and I'm kind of shocked by this...

My question to folks on here...How do you basses look after a year of gigging?

 

[joeyl]

just something to prevent the bass from moving around in the box would have sufficed. Yeah it is unacceptable for a 1300 dollar instrument. My $950 US made Fender Jazz came in a hardshell case that was itself in a box full of foam.
It is a good looking instrument and the string positions over the polepieces appear within reason for Jazz style pickups.

 

[nostatic]

I just skimmed the thread and I'm kind of shocked by this...

My question to folks on here...How do you basses look after a year of gigging?

Moot point. When I've bought brand new instruments they were...brand new. After hundreds of gigs they have plenty of wear - but *I* put the wear on them, not an unholy alliance of cardboard box and shipping guy compounded by a "not good with details" middleman.

I keep coming back to what shocks me - sweat the details on the swag but ignore the basics. Boggles my mind...

You only get one chance at a first impression.