NBD: Dan Lakin JO

[joeyl]

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

Mine are pretty scratched after a year of gigging, however I expect a new instrument to come without blemishes, I am responsible to put the scratches after it arrives, I don't pay for them

 

[petrus61]

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.

The worst QC I ever experienced on any bass I've owned was a Skyline 44-64 Ltd. From fit and finish (weird holes in the fingerboard, globs of paint in truss access, completely fried electronics). It was the single biggest disappointment I've ever had with a bass in that price range. I went on the Skylines stellar rep here on TB and ordered sight unseen (lesson learned). The biggest kicker was after speaking with John P and sending the bass to Chicago to repair the electronics issue, it came back unrepaired! John did cover all the shipping and eventually the cost of a correct repair from my local tech, so there was good attentiveness as far as acknowledging the issues went, but just not in addressing them. I forked over $100 for a hard case that also came with gouges and a busted latch (which was also replaced by Lakland.)

I only bring this up because after all the "QC" it supposedly passed through, from Indonesia to Chicago, I still wound up with a lemon. The whole "designed/setup in" thing is nothing more than sales schtick. I paid $1100...without the case. At the end of the day, I wound up selling for a loss because guess what? It just did not feel as "better" than a US Fender as everyone so vehemently claimed. It felt like a facsimile...and after having my hands on plenty of US and import Fenders, a poor facsimile. There simply wasn't anything that put it head and shoulders above your average American Standard for me. I paid $800 for a G&L Tribute L2500 a year later that was comparatively flawless AND came with a high quality gig bag.

I really feel for OP and hope it gets worked out. I admire that he's calling it what it is and not making excuses for what he received. I wondering since it's such a low serial # if OP actually received a NAMM model that had been around the block a bit and was accidentally sold as new?

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

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.

Completely agree. Completely. I take care of my gear - even the less expensive stuff. Why? Because I know I will sell it at some point. It's just being smart, nothing else.
And I also agree on the 1st impressions thing. Perhaps Dan is seeing how far he can push it - basically running on the good will his name has accrued to make money. That would be very disappointed, but men have done worse.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

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.

Wow. Not detail oriented? You'd never know that looking at his US made basses... but selling a Korean bass for $1000+ and willingly fudging the details? Seriously?

PASS

 

[MarkoYYZ]

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.

This is what it comes down to for me. Maybe I'm the kind to over-pack things, but if you're establishing a new company in an industry that is very reputation based, and sending out your very first product, how do you not make sure that the very first one is not perfect? It's like launching a ship and having the rope break on the bottle of champagne, causing you to whiff entirely. Sure, the ship is fine, but the very first time at anything generally gets the most care and attention. These issues can sometime happen when you deal in volume and things are busy, but the very first time? You can take 3 hours to pack the thing if you're only sending out 2 of them, as he has apparently noted.

All passengers? check.
Camping gear? check.
Clothes? check.
Maps? check.
Food? check.
No gas in the tank? Fail.

 

[Classic69]

I have basses that are still in pristine condition after much gigging and transport. I'm very cautious with my stuff, and take good care of it.
Not that a scratch would ruin my day, but a new bass should be a new bass!

However---
Everyone who has made some kind of mistake, thoughtless or otherwise, despite best intentions- Raise your hand!
(My hand is raised!)

The good news is that even though he had to be a "test case" the OP's ship issue more than likely will guarantee that it does not happen again; at least it should not.

I used to rep a line of gigbags that were personalized both for OEM's and music shops. Many orders were delayed, as about 99.99% of gigbags are made in China, etc. and containers were delayed in import and such.
It's conceivable that Lakin has some being made and they have not yet arrived. Just a thought.
I also think the basses should come with a gigbag at the very least for that price, but no one is hiding the fact that they do not.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

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?

My Fender Standard has about a decade on it and it has far less noticeable scratches than the OPs brand new bass. I did buff it a couple years ago but even then it looked nowhere near as bad.

My Carvin LB76 is 2 years old and while it has some slight bumps it is still mint condition compared to the OPs.

More importantly, how do your basses look after one year of gigging?

I will add that not all my basses are so lucky. My ABZ got a serious chip/dent in less than week but it is basically unfinished wood. If it had the poly the OPs bass did it would've been fine.

 

[Iridescentone]

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?

Then you're ignoring the usual TB hyperbole in these type of threads. In fact, by assuming/implying that Lakin isn't concerned about launching his fledgling business, isn't aware of the importance of the initial shipments, and just "threw it into a box" with reckless abandon....you're adding to the hyperbole.

Additionally, if you've been around bass gear for any length of time (which by your own admission, you have not), you'd already know that Lakin has established one of THE BEST Customer Service reputations in the business, and has always put out an excellent product.

We don't know how much "care and attention" was given to this bass. All we know is that the foam bag was mistakenly omitted before repackaging. For all we know, Lakin poured over every square inch of this first batch of basses, played and tested them, and showed them to other knowledgeable people. If I were to "assume" anything, that is what I'd expect of him.

 

[ModuMan]

I wondering since it's such a low serial # if OP actually received a NAMM model that had been around the block a bit and was accidentally sold as new?

No, it's just the first of the production basses. The color was my choice.

The only reason I even mentioned the serial was to illustrate that I was initially concerned that I might have been shipped the wrong bass (009) but that was due to things not being put back where they came from when they were all out of the boxes for pics and whatnot. I would have liked for everything to have matched but the number itself wasn't really the point.

Care, effort and consideration go a really long way with me. Probably other people too.

If the bass is made right, awesome. If not, I get my money back. The way I see it, Dan has a lot more invested in this than I do.

 

[TonyP-]

My Fender Standard has about a decade on it and it has far less noticeable scratches than the OPs brand new bass. I did buff it a couple years ago but even then it looked nowhere near as bad.

My Carvin LB76 is 2 years old and while it has some slight bumps it is still mint condition compared to the OPs.

More importantly, how do your basses look after one year of gigging?

I will add that not all my basses are so lucky. My ABZ got a serious chip/dent in less than week but it is basically unfinished wood. If it had the poly the OPs bass did it would've been fine.

All my basses have some wear...To me its life...
If I use something all the time talking it to studio's - rehearsals - gigs were I take it up 3 flights of stairs (on a regular basis) they will get a little dinged, especially if you move around a lot (I do). My Lull had marks on and scuffed up pickgaurd in under 2 weeks.
So my question back is are your basses leaving your home regularly?

 

[TonyP-]

Guys let me point out again...I understand nobody wants to buy to have unnecessary cosmetic damage to a new instrument...I think thats a given
De Point Haaas bun Bealabored...

Additional understanding from my point of view: I don't invest instruments with the point in mind that I'm reselling them. Instead I look at them as loving tools of the trade.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

OK, so besides the small scuffs or whatever in the finish, how is the bass otherwise?
How does it feel strapped on standing up for several hours?
How does it record?
How does it sound with a loud drummer?
How does it sound with flats?
Does it 'cut' through the mix live?
How do your hands feel after a 4-set gig?
How is the fretwork?
What do other musicians have to say about it?
How about the FOH engineer?

 

[TonyP-]

OK, so besides the small scuffs or whatever in the finish, how is the bass otherwise?
How does it feel strapped on standing up for several hours?
How does it record?
How does it sound with a loud drummer?
How does it sound with flats?
Does it 'cut' through the mix live?
How do your hands feel after a 4-set gig?
How is the fretwork?
What do other musicians have to say about it?
How about the FOH engineer?

That is what counts

 

[RedHotFuzz]

In fact, by assuming/implying that Lakin isn't concerned about launching his fledgling business, isn't aware of the importance of the initial shipments, and just "threw it into a box" with reckless abandon....you're adding to the hyperbole.

No hyperbole at all. I'm simply responding to the *actual evidence* presented. And that evidence is not favorable to Mr. Lakin's new business.

Additionally, if you've been around bass gear for any length of time (which by your own admission, you have not), you'd already know that Lakin has established one of THE BEST Customer Service reputations in the business, and has always put out an excellent product.

It doesn't matter if had never touched a bass in my entire life. I still understand and recognize the importance of a quality product and a quality delivery.

Surely Mr. Lakin knew this first-out-the-door product would be photographed and broadcast for all the world to see?

It's nothing but a major butt-fumble. That's just the fact of the matter.

 

[Classic69]

OK, so besides the small scuffs or whatever in the finish, how is the bass otherwise?
How does it feel strapped on standing up for several hours?
How does it record?
How does it sound with a loud drummer?
How does it sound with flats?
Does it 'cut' through the mix live?
How do your hands feel after a 4-set gig?
How is the fretwork?
What do other musicians have to say about it?
How about the FOH engineer?

+1... Except the part about "sound with FLATS" Me no likey flats

 

[Stranger Danger]

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.

No way

 

[Classic69]

No way

Wait, though-
Maybe, just Maybe- Dan Lakin could for instance, be revealed as an ALIEN, taken to Area 52 etc.

THEN.......

 

[Gougedeye]

Ok. So I read/skimmed this entire thread...regarding the strings not lining up with the pickup poles. Does it look to anybody, besides me the bridge isn't mounted squarely? It looks just a bit angled toward the E string to me. am I seeing things? I own a couple of Lakland basses and they are top notch! I hope Dan Lakin can catch lightning in a jar a second time!

 

[Gougedeye]

I just checked the pics again. In the 4th pic the bridge looks just fine, but in the 8th it looks tweeked to me...

 

[Iridescentone]

No hyperbole at all. I'm simply responding to the *actual evidence* presented. And that evidence is not favorable to Mr. Lakin's new business.



It doesn't matter if had never touched a bass in my entire life. I still understand and recognize the importance of a quality product and a quality delivery.

Surely Mr. Lakin knew this first-out-the-door product would be photographed and broadcast for all the world to see?

It's nothing but a major butt-fumble. That's just the fact of the matter.

The 'actual evidence' is some scuffage due to the missing foam bag. That's it.

Lakin already said he'll make it right, just like everyone expects him to. Your perspective is skewed because you have no history with Lakin's products, or his CS. I think you're over-stating the importance of this single issue, despite it happening with Bass #1.

I see no reason to try to blow the issue out of proportion here. I doubt very much that we'll hear about too many Lakin foibles in the future. And not just because of the negative hype on this forum. If the basses are good (and the early reports indicate that they are), and Lakin does what he's always done re CS, players will buy them.

While I fully empathise with the OP's disappointment and frustration, I also realize that in the real world (as opposed to TB World) mistakes happen, even from the best of companies. And as long as things were rectified in a timely fashion I would be happy in the end, if it were me. This is what I expect will happen here.