The Bromberg Lemur Bass

Alex Spradling · #1 01-23-2007, 01:41 AM

Did anyone ever go out and get to play one of these? Was it good, bad? Brian if you read this: Do you own any now? You dig them?

Alex

Alex Spradling · #2 01-23-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

Check it out:

Bromberg/Lemur

Yeah, but that's just speculation about how the bass will sound, no one had actually played it yet. I was hoping to reach someone who had one in their living room.

alex

jazzbassnerd · #3 01-23-2007, 10:42 AM

I played a model when I was there about a two weeks ago. I only played pizz, with spiro weichs on it.

I thought it sounded GREAT. Esp. for the price ($8000). Excellent jazz sound acoustically.

Wish I had a chance to play it with the bow.

It's really beautifully made.

robthorsen · #4 01-23-2007, 11:43 AM

I played it a couple months ago- it sounded good but the setup was difficult for me. The strings were so low (probably to Brians spec) that I couldn't really get a feel for how the bass projected or really sounded acoustically. It seems nicely made and had an even sound so would be worth considering if you are looking for a new bass in this price range.

wallydoesbass · #5 01-23-2007, 12:43 PM

Two weeks ago, I saw a new Bromberg at Lemur sporting low action and multiple pickups. According to the sales consultant, the bass was set up to Brian's specification for touring. I agree with robthorsen - the low action was foreign to me, and I didn't form a solid opinion of the bass's sound.

jazzbassnerd · #6 01-23-2007, 12:55 PM

The model I played had decent action, so maybe we played different basses. I was very satisfied with the projection.

wallydoesbass · #7 01-23-2007, 01:56 PM

I believe that Lemur had at least two Bromberg models in the shop. If Brian is taking one on tour, it suspect that the sound is very good.

Maaaven · #8 01-23-2007, 05:14 PM

I was there a week ago and they had two different models.
One german, with the BB setup, and the other was Asian
in origin with a typical setup. The BB setup was perhaps
the lowest I have ever played, and the flattest fingerboard
too. It sort'a redefined _low_ for me. Think about 3mm at
bottom of fingerboard and no scoop and you are in the
ballpark. It takes more care than effort to play.

Brian Bromberg · #9 01-24-2007, 02:34 PM

Hey guys, here is what I know so far. I have seen two different models of the WOOD bass. The German one for $8,000 and the Chinese model for $4,500. I can honestly say that I am very impressed with both versions. I new that the German Stoll bass was going to be very good, but the Chinese bass knocked me out! For the money it is amazing.

When you play them set up with traditional action they do sound fantastic. The sound is very even from the bottom to the top, a true testament to how great my old Italian bass is, and how good a job Lemur did in measuring the bass and how good a job the luthiers did in replicating it.

I do have a very different set up on my bass then most bass players and it is a very challenging set up to do for a luthier. I have complete faith in Lemur to be able to nail my set up. For them it is very new and will take some time in getting nailed down.

Most people will not want my jazz set up. In fact I am going to have them set up a WOOD bass for me with a more traditional set up so I have an arco bass to play without changing my basses set up.

Make sure that you check the bass out when it is set up normally so you can really hear what it sounds like.

They did a great job with the bass. If you play jazz or classical you will love playing this bass. The shape and size of the instrument makes it truly a joy to play.

Thanks.....................Keep up the low end...........Brian

Maaaven · #10 01-24-2007, 06:33 PM

I might add that the german bass has all the pick-ups
that mirror Brian's bass. The one that caught my eye
was a four piece piezzo pickup. There are slots in the
bridge that go under the slots, accepting the piezzos.
this looks much different than the 4-element Wilson.
I did not plug in, but it certianly looked interesting.

While talking, I mentioned I found a way to increase
the bloom, or mwah for you slabbers. Jerry said he
would jump right on it as it fit in with this concept.

drurb · #11 01-24-2007, 10:33 PM

Just curious. What type of finish is that on the Björn Stöll version pictured on the Lemur site? Looks like a spirit varnish. Is it? Sure is pretty!

Maaaven · #12 01-25-2007, 01:24 PM

I am not smart enough to know, but it looks like a bass
that could sell for twice the price.

I have not added much opinion about the basses, but they both
seem to work very nicely, and represent good bargains in the
market place.

Jerry drew a scroll for them that is a little different than
Brian's bass. It is larger, but in the fore/aft dimension.
It is unique without being wierd. I liked it.

musicman5string · #13 01-25-2007, 10:02 PM

I wouldn't mind trying one to see what superstar bass players setups are like.

Marcus Johnson · #14 02-07-2007, 08:34 PM

I just heard Brian soloing on Alan Broadbent's version of "Serenata". Yikes. My bass doesn't have any of those notes on it....

Nice job, B...

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #15 02-07-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I just heard Brian soloing on Alan Broadbent's version of "Serenata". Yikes. My bass doesn't have any of those notes on it....

That's funny - don't you also have a LaScala? Mine has all of the notes that Brian plays on it....They're just more out of tune and slower.

kurtsnyder · #16 02-07-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I just heard Brian soloing on Alan Broadbent's version of "Serenata". Yikes. My bass doesn't have any of those notes on it....

Nice job, B...

That song and CD are one of my all time favorites! Man that is some GOOD stuff!!!

Marcus Johnson · #17 02-08-2007, 10:47 AM

That's a beautiful tune.... I need to spring that one on the bandstand this week.

DURRLLL..... maybe we both need to get Bromberg basses. On mine, I think I'll have little LEDs inlaid, to show me where all the notes to that solo are.

jfv · #18 02-08-2007, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

That's a beautiful tune.... I need to spring that one on the bandstand this week.

DURRLLL..... maybe we both need to get Bromberg basses. On mine, I think I'll have little LEDs inlaid, to show me where all the notes to that solo are.

LOL, yes and next they have an option to hook it up
to a video game 'Bass Heros', they'll all be playin it
on their Wii 'for ya know it

Dakatzpajamas · #19 09-13-2011, 11:51 PM

I just found this thread. I bought a Stoll German version of the Bromberg bass from Lemur. I have been playing it for a couple of years now. I think it sounds great. The action is much lower than normal basses, but it still has great tone. I have been playing electric bass for 18 years, and wanted to get into acoustic bass. The bass was very accessible for me. It has been a great experience, this bass sounds great, and I could not be happier. I did try the Asian version, of this and other basses at Lemur, and was impressed, but felt that the German tradition, and my personal preference to not play a 'Made in China' bass was worth the additional funds.