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New basses coming from Lakland
- Thread starter mccartneyman
- Start date
Why are all these companies constantly copping Fender designs?
Why not leave Fender to Fender, and design your own bass?
It's always baffled me...
Because they sell.
And I see where you're coming from, but I'd take a Lakland or Sadowsky or something comparable over a Fender any day of the week.
Think about the ergonomics and function of a bass guitar.....
The original Fender designs pretty much nailed it. The scoops, wings, headstock, etc...all serve a function and purpose. What new companies are doing is taking a functional design and slapping different electronics, and maybe a nip and tuck here and there.
The original Fender designs pretty much nailed it. The scoops, wings, headstock, etc...all serve a function and purpose. What new companies are doing is taking a functional design and slapping different electronics, and maybe a nip and tuck here and there.
It seems utterly ridiculous to me.
One might as well say, "Well, Porsche nailed the best design for cars, so let's all make cars that look like that! Cool!"
...and that they're allowed to call them "P-basses" and "Jazz basses" is just wrong.
Sorry; not looking to get flamed here. I know that Lākland and Sadowsky get big love around TB, but it looks cheap and lazy to me.
[/rant]
One might as well say, "Well, Porsche nailed the best design for cars, so let's all make cars that look like that! Cool!"
...and that they're allowed to call them "P-basses" and "Jazz basses" is just wrong.
Sorry; not looking to get flamed here. I know that Lākland and Sadowsky get big love around TB, but it looks cheap and lazy to me.
[/rant]
+1. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.Oh yay, another fender copy....
Nope, lack of originality and creativity. If you can't build your own bass, time to get out of the business.
I like Lakland and all but they should try to push the envelope forward. They have the Skyline series if their US volume cannot handle risk. Then again, in a world where many will get excited over Fender's latest Jazz bass pickguard/color combo while viewing something like EBMM's Gamechanger as unnecessary I guess we dictate where bass design will go and that is our fault.
How about the 44-94, 55-94, 44-01, 55-01, Decade, Hollowbody, etc. ?
I personally don't see a problem with builders trying to bring what a lot of the market wants, and to improve in areas that Fender consistently HASN'T for years. (In my opinion)
I think the fact that so many of these "clones" are preferred over the "real" thing says a lot. I happen to like the Fender designed bodies and pickup style, but I definitely prefer the playability, consistency, and quality of other brands like Lakland.
I've owned Fender basses and played tons more, and the ratio of "good" Fenders to "bad" Fenders is pretty discouraging for me. So, I'm personally glad other builders are adding their own improvements (IMO) to the designs.
Also, put yourself in the shoes of an executive at Lakland or a similar builder. If the market is demanding the J and P style basses, and there is an indication they want a '51 style or an active Jazz, it makes sense for them to do it.
ALL that being said, I'm not interested in either of the new models, but I'm not really interested in '51 style P's period, and I like passive J's..
to anyone bashing outright: don't like em? don't buy em. speaking with your wallet (either way) is the only thing that matters in business.
and something to keep in mind re: Lakland, Lull, Celinder, or whoever and other manufacturers that have fender-like products... the reason these companies exist is that they cater to people who want BETTER fenders. it's debatable if they achieve that. but there are an awful lot of folks who can afford anything they want and they CHOOSE Lakland over other brands (adam clayton, anyone?). different strokes, and all.
and something to keep in mind re: Lakland, Lull, Celinder, or whoever and other manufacturers that have fender-like products... the reason these companies exist is that they cater to people who want BETTER fenders. it's debatable if they achieve that. but there are an awful lot of folks who can afford anything they want and they CHOOSE Lakland over other brands (adam clayton, anyone?). different strokes, and all.
I agree...I like Laklands for their own unique qualities, but a Fender is a Fender. For me, I have a Fender for a Fender. And I have a Dingwall, for its unique B-string. And some point I would like to have a Lakland that is a Lakland.
Ever since CBS owned Fender it seems that Fender has used it's name to sell instruments, not quality. What some of the Fender "copycats" have done is taken what Fender left back in the day and continued it today. So, while Fender sells millions of instruments with their name, Lakland will sell thousands with their quality.
