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{{Short description|American musical instrument manufacturer}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Lakland Guitars, LLC
| logo = [[File:Lakland-logo.png|Lakland Guitars, LLC logo]]
| slogan =
| vector_logo =
| type = [[privately held corporation|Private]]
| genre =
| foundation = 1994
| founder = Dan Lakin<br>Hugh McFarland
| location = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], [[United States]]
| origins =
| key_people = John Pirruccello, President
| area_served = Global
| industry = [[Musical instrument]]s
| products = Solid and hollowbody electric bass guitars.
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees =
| parent = [[Hanson Musical Instruments, Ltd.]]
| subsid =
| owner =
| homepage = [http://www.lakland.com/ www.lakland.com]
| footnotes =
}}
'''Lakland Guitars''' is an American manufacturer of electric [[bass guitar]]s based in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. The company's first bass combined elements of the [[Fender Jazz Bass]] and the [[Music Man StingRay]]. The company's current line-up includes basses inspired by classics like the [[Fender Precision Bass]] and [[Fender Jazz Bass|Jazz Bass]] as well as Lakland's own original designs.  Lakland's line of signature models includes basses designed in collaboration with well-known bassists [[Joe Osborn]], [[Donald "Duck" Dunn]], [[Jerry Scheff]], [[Darryl Jones]] and [[Bob Glaub]]. Lakland basses are manufactured in the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.
== History ==
Founded by bassist Dan Lakin and luthier Hugh McFarland in 1994, the company's name, pronounced "lake-land", is a [[portmanteau]] of "Lakin" and "McFarland", the [[surname]]s of its founders.
Lakin and McFarland began developing the first Lakland prototype in January 1994<ref name="autogenerated112">Roberts, Jim (2003). ''American Basses: An Illustrated History and Player's Guide''. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. {{ISBN|978-0-87930-721-9}}. p. 112.</ref> and showed it later that year at the July 1994 [[NAMM Show]].<ref name="autogenerated112"/>
The pair launched Lakland in 1994 with a $20,000 home equity loan<ref name="forbes2004">Lambert, Emily. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050126095206/http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0705/140_print.html His Own Beat ]''Forbes''.  July 5, 2004. Retrieved 2011-02-25.</ref> and Lakland basses went into production in the United States in 1995.  In 1996, the company became a unit of A. Lakin & Sons, Inc., a tire recycling company founded by Lakin's grandfather Abraham Lakin in 1919.
McFarland left Lakland in 1997.<ref name="forbes2004"/>  In 2001, Lakland introduced the Skyline Series, a lower-priced alternative to its U.S.-made basses.  Manufactured in South Korea, the Skyline Series helped the company [[break even]] for the first time in 2003.<ref name="forbes2004"/>  Production of Skyline Series basses was moved to Indonesia in 2008.<ref>Pirruccello, John [http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/official-lakland-owners-club-part-8-a-489141/index13.html#post6575171 "'Official' Lakland Owners Club (part 8)"] Talkbass.com. November 24, 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-28.</ref>
In April 2010 the company was acquired by [[Chicago]]-based [[Hanson Musical Instruments]].<ref name="musicgearreview1">Molter, Dave. [http://www.musicgearreview.com/article-display/3273.html "Hanson Guitars buys Lakland; brand name will continue with model changes"] Music Gear Review. May 3, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-24.</ref>  Hanson, a maker of electric guitars and electric guitar and bass pickups and electronics, had been      Lakland's primary supplier of bass pickups and preamp products since 2005.<ref name="musicgearreview1"/>  Lakland was renamed Lakland Guitars LLC and while the Lakland brand name remains, signature model names—such as the Bob Glaub, Duck Dunn and Joe Osborn basses—were given numeric designations.  Lakland executive John Pirruccello was named president.
Owners of Lakland basses and others interested in the Lakland company and its products formed The Lakland Owners Group.  It is not affiliated with Lakland Guitars, LLC.<ref>[http://www.laklandowners.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=56 About Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324090740/http://www.laklandowners.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=56 |date=2008-03-24 }} Lakland Owners Group Website. Retrieved 2011-02-26.</ref>
== Prototype ==
Lakin and McFarland began designing the first prototype in 1994.  Made of ash and a [[quilted maple]] top, [[rock maple]] neck, and [[maple]] fingerboard, the prototype was a blend of elements from a [[Fender Jazz Bass]] and an early MusicMan [[Music Man StingRay|Stingray]].<ref name="autogenerated112" /> Its similarity to Fender's Jazz Bass drew a cease-and-desist order from [[Fender Musical Instruments|Fender]] for trademark infringement.<ref name="forbes2004" />
The prototype's electronics were inspired by a [[Bass Player (magazine)|''Bass Player'' magazine]] review of the [[Warwick (bass guitar)|Warwick]] Dolphin bass. Pickups were supplied by Bartolini and the bass featured Lakland's characteristic oval bridge plate. Originally made of aluminum, McFarland later replaced the bridge with one fashioned from chrome-plated steel.<ref name="autogenerated112" />
== Instruments ==
Lakland currently manufactures a U.S.-made line of basses called the "U.S. Series", and a lower-priced Indonesian-made line called the "Skyline Series".
[[File:Lakland Joe Osborn bass.jpg|thumb|Lakland Joe Osborn signature bass]]
=== Signature Basses ===
Lakin conceived of a signature model bass in 1997.<ref name="autogenerated113">Roberts, Jim (2003). ''American Basses: An Illustrated History and Player's Guide''. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. {{ISBN|978-0-87930-721-9}}. p. 113.</ref>  A bass player himself and a fan of bassist [[Joe Osborn]], Lakin contacted Osborn after reading an article about him in [[Bass Player (magazine)|''Bass Player'' magazine]].<ref name="autogenerated113"/>  Osborn, known for his 1960 Fender Jazz Bass, collaborated with Lakin and a team that included luthier Michael Tobias on what would become a vintage [[Fender Jazz Bass|Jazz]] bass-style 4-string bass known originally as the Joe Osborn Signature model and equipped with [[Lindy Fralin]] pickups.<ref name="Lakland 44-60 Vintage J">[http://www.lakland.com/44-60.htm Lakland 44-60 (Vintage J)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311014145/http://www.lakland.com/44-60.htm |date=2016-03-11}}. Retrieved 2011-02-24.</ref>
Other signature models were developed in collaboration with bassists [[Geezer Butler]], [[Jerry Scheff]], [[Donald "Duck" Dunn]], [[Darryl Jones]] and [[Bob Glaub]].
The Donald "Duck" Dunn and Bob Glaub signature models remain in production under the names 44-64 Custom, and 44-64/55-64, respectively.
=== Hollowbody ===
[[File:Lakland Hollowbody bass.jpg|thumb|Original Lakland Hollowbody design customized with Dark Star pickups]]
The Lakland Hollowbody is a dual-pickup, hollow-body electric bass guitar designed in conjunction with luthier Michael Tobias.<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/hollowbody.htm Lakland Hollowbody] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713182228/http://www.lakland.com/hollowbody.htm |date=2011-07-13 }} Lakland company Website. Retrieved 2011-2-19.</ref><ref>[http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/guitars/round-up-4-retro-bass-guitars-240168 Round-up: 4 retro bass guitars] Musicradar.com.  March 16, 2010. Retrieved 2011-2-19.</ref>  The bass is constructed of carved [[mahogany]] for the back and sides and of [[maple]] for the top and neck. The fingerboard is made of  [[rosewood]].  Current models are equipped with two of Lakland's Chi-Sonic pickups. The body of the bass is completely hollow with no supporting center block.<ref>[http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/guitars/round-up-4-retro-bass-guitars-240168/11 Lakland Skyline Hollowbody Bass price and spec] "Round-up: 4 retro bass guitars". Musicradar.com.  March 16, 2010. Retrieved 2011-2-19.</ref>
=== Decade ===
The Lakland Decade is a dual-pickup, solid-body electric bass guitar released in 2004 to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary.  The U.S. Series Decade is available in a variety of configurations.<ref>[http://www.premierguitar.com/video/20090206/541/Lakland_Basses_Skyline_Decade_Model.aspx NAMM '09-Lakland Basses Skyline Decade Model] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026042105/http://www.premierguitar.com/video/20090206/541/Lakland_Basses_Skyline_Decade_Model.aspx |date=2010-10-26 }}  Online video clip. Premier Guitar. Retrieved 2011-2-20.</ref>  The Skyline series is constructed of a [[mahogany]] body, [[maple]] neck, and [[rosewood]] fingerboard and equipped with Lakland's Chi-Sonic pickups.<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/decade.htm Lakland Decade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713182233/http://www.lakland.com/decade.htm |date=2011-07-13 }} Lakland company Website. Retrieved 2011-2-19.</ref>
=== U.S. Series ===
Lakland U.S. Series basses are manufactured by Lakland in the United States.
[[File:Lakland 55-94.jpg|thumb|Lakland 55-94]]
Current U.S. Series models include:
* 44-94: Lakland's first bass<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/44-94.htm Lakland 44-94] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713182245/http://www.lakland.com/44-94.htm |date=2011-07-13 }}. Retrieved 2011-02-24.</ref>
* 55-94: Lakland's first 5-string bass, featuring a 35-inch scale neck<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/55-94.htm Lakland 55-94]
* 55-14: Lakland's Classic 5-string bass, introduced in 2014 offered with fewer colors at a slightly reduced price from the flagship 55-94
{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713182312/http://www.lakland.com/55-94.htm |date=2011-07-13 }}. Retrieved 2011-02-24.</ref>
* [[Lakland Decade|Decade]]: a dual-pickup bass created to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/decade.htm Lakland Decade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713182233/http://www.lakland.com/decade.htm |date=2011-07-13 }}. Retrieved 2011-02-24.</ref>
* 44-60/55-60: the first Lakland signature model,<ref name="autogenerated113"/> a vintage [[Fender Jazz Bass|Jazz]] bass-style bass formerly known as the Joe Osborn Signature and available in 4- and 5-string models<ref name="Lakland 44-60 Vintage J"/>
* 44-64/55-64: a vintage [[Fender Precision Bass|Precision]]-style bass formerly known as the Bob Glaub Signature and available in 4- and 5-string models<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/44-64.htm Lakland 44-64 (Vintage P)]. Retrieved 2011-02-24.</ref>
* 44-64 Custom: a 4-string bass combining a [[Fender Precision|Precision]]-style body and a [[Fender Jazz Bass|Jazz]]-style neck, formerly known as the Duck Dunn Signature<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/44-64-custom.htm Lakland 44-64 (Vintage P)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713182420/http://www.lakland.com/44-64-custom.htm |date=2011-07-13 }}. Retrieved 2011-02-24.</ref>
* 44-51/44-51M: 4- and 5-string basses inspired by the first [[Fender Precision Bass]] which debuted in 1951<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/44-51.htm Lakland 44-51] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513024541/http://www.lakland.com/44-51.htm |date=2011-05-13 }}. Retrieved 2011-02-24.</ref>
* 44-AJ/55-AJ: an active [[Fender Jazz Bass|Jazz]]-style bass available in 4- and 5-string models<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/44-55-AJ.htm Lakland 44-55] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513024833/http://www.lakland.com/44-55-AJ.htm |date=2011-05-13 }}. Retrieved 2011-02-24.</ref>
* [[Lakland Hollowbody|Hollowbody]]: a dual-pickup, hollow-body bass designed in conjunction with luthier Michael Tobias<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/hollowbody.htm Lakland Hollowbody] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713182228/http://www.lakland.com/hollowbody.htm |date=2011-07-13 }}. Retrieved 2011-02-24.</ref>
* 55-69 Tetsuya: a pink-finished 5-string bass designed in collaboration with [[L'Arc-en-Ciel]] bassist [[Tetsuya (musician)|Tetsuya]] and Japanese electric guitar and bass manufacturer [[ESP Guitars|ESP]]<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/55-69-tetsuya.htm Lakland Hollowbody] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513025122/http://www.lakland.com/55-69-tetsuya.htm |date=2011-05-13 }}. Retrieved 2011-02-26.</ref>
=== Skyline Series ===
Lakland introduced its lower-priced Skyline Series of basses in 2001.
Originally manufactured in [[South Korea]],<ref name="forbes2004"/> Skyline Series basses are currently built in [[Indonesia]] and Korea.  The first two digits of the serial number on a Skyline Series-bass indicates the year it was built.<ref>[http://www.lakland.com/tech-docs/serial-numbers.pdf Lakland Production by Serial Number] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713182507/http://www.lakland.com/tech-docs/serial-numbers.pdf |date=2011-07-13 }} ([[PDF]]) Lakland company Website. Retrieved 2011-02-26.</ref>  Skyline Series basses are shipped to Lakland's U.S. facility for the installation of electronics and final inspection and set-up.<ref name="forbes2004"/><ref>[http://www.lakland.com/skyline.htm Skylines Receive Stateside Attention to Detail].  Retrieved 2011-02-25.</ref>
In 2001, Lakland introduced the Korean (Indonesian since 2008) made Skyline Series. Developed with the help of importer-exporter Westheimer Corp., the midrange Skyline Series is constructed using North American wood and features the same overall design as the US basses (excluding the graphite reinforcement on the 4-string necks, all necks being half-sawn instead of quarter-sawn, acrylic nuts instead of bone, no left-hand models, no alder body wood option, and in far fewer colors) but is cut, finished, and assembled overseas. Once the instrument arrives in Chicago, the company's builders work to install its electronics and make sure the frets are leveled within specification of Lakland's US models. Lakland currently uses the PLEK setup and leveling system. The Skyline 44-02 and 55-02 models originally contained the USA Bartolini MM\J pickups and NTMB preamp, the same system that was in the USA 4-94 and 55-94 basses.  Currently all of those models (4-94, 55–94, 44–02, 55–02) contain the Lakland-Hanson LH3 system.  The Skyline 44-01 and 55-01 models contain the Korean Bartolini MK1 pickups and preamp. The Osborn, Scheff, and Jones signature models previously featured Hipshot-licensed tuners and Lakland-Hanson  custom pickups. (Previously{{when|date=May 2016}} Lakland used Aero or [[Lindy Fralin]] pickups.)
== MIJ Shoreline Series / Skyline series ==
The Lakland Shoreline Series is manufactured in Japan to Lakland USA specs by the Japanese guitar company [[ESP Guitars|ESP]], and is available for sale exclusively in Japan.
ESP also manufactures the Skyline Series, much the same way as they produce their own Edwards range. These are a slightly lower cost option in the MIJ line-up; Much of the rough cutting, and routing and rough finishing is carried out in Korea (not in Japan), where as the final finishing, assembly and installation of pickups is completed in Japan. Most Japanese Skyline series such as the Skyline 44-AJ feature Duncan Design pickups and the Bartolini ME-1 pre amp.
==References==
{{cite book
| last = Roberts
| first = Jim
| title = American Basses: An Illustrated History & Player's Guide
| publisher = [[Backbeat Books]]
| year = 2003
| isbn = 978-0-87930-721-9
}}
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.lakland.com Lakland Guitars]
* [http://www.espguitars.co.jp/lakland/index.html Lakland at ESP Japan]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080501043858/http://www.lakland-mexico.com/ Lakland Mexico]
* [http://www.hansonguitars.com Hanson Pickups]
* [http://www.hansonmusicalinstruments.com/ Hanson Musical Instruments]
* [http://www.laklandowners.com/joomla/ Lakland Owners Group (LOG)]
[[Category:Bass guitar manufacturing companies]]
[[Category:Guitar manufacturing companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Musical instrument manufacturing companies based in Chicago]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1994]]