Customer Service Story: Lakland Decade

[Robert Strickland]

Here are some pics of my new Lakland Decade. I bought the bass used on another forum. When it arrived it was quite clear that the output of the pickups was about 60% of what is normal. Also, the frequency range was not near what I expected. I considered asking the seller to take the bass back, but decided on a whim to contact Lakland for advice. I sent an email to their customer service department merely asking for advice.

Not only did I get a same day response, but it was from the President of the company, John Pirrucello. He immediately offered to send me two new pickups. I indicated that I was unsure about the wiring. Without hesitation, he offered to install the new p'ups and go through the bass to make sure it was all as it should be...for absolutely no charge.

I shipped the bass to John and his crew did the work. When I received the bass the p'ups were expertly installed and the bass sounded absolutely wonderful, and it played better too.

Here's the deal: I bought this bass used. John and Lakland certainly had absolutely no obligation at all except to give me advice, which was the reason I contacted them in the first place, never expecting anything more. Had I received prompt, polite advice alone I would have been satisfied with their customer service. But they went far beyond that. They stood behind their product with no expectation for reimbursement and no quibbling about the "original owner" or "warranty". This is an impressive product and a thoroughly impressive company. They have earned a customer for life.

 

[Mark76]

That's a really good looking bass

 

[Coward Of Reali]

Awesome story, I have the same decade with humbuckers. Funny enough I just got done adjusting my pickup heights last night. I noticed the bridge pickup is slightly quieter than the neck (which sounds massive, I usually never have it all the way on). I raised the bridge and lowered the neck slightly. Was your situation similar?

I was switching back and forth between chromes and Ghs flats but just put some lo-riders on it I had lying around and have really been enjoying how it plays and sounds compared to my two p basses with flats.
There's so many tones hidden within these beauties. I've been really into the sound with the bridge pickup all the way on with the neck up slightly gives it a really cool growly precision tone.

What kind of strings are you using? Do you have single coils or humbuckers? What kind of music are you playing?

There isn't much info or discussions on these basses around, it'd be nice to get some fellow Decade players to chime in.

 

[Robert Strickland]

Thanks Coward. Mine are the single coil. I don't notice any difference between the volume of the pick ups. I agree on all the tonal variations. I find articulation very easy because the notes "speak" so instantly with the slightest touch of the fingertips. I can simply move my hand back toward the bridge or up to the neck and get very different sounds. This is true on any bass, obviously, but it's a wider palette on this bass. My theory is that it has something to do with how far apart the p'ups are spaced. Very nice bass.

Music: variety - straight-ahead jazz, smooth jazz, acoustic singer-songwriter, acoustic instrumental, Latin, etc.