Lemur's Laguna Bass

gdots · #1 05-18-2009, 07:37 PM

I need help! I have never purchased a bass online before...a little nervous about not playing something prior to dropping a ton of $$$.

I was looking for a little help:

1. Is anyone familiar with Lemur's Laguna Bass that can give me a basic review?

2. Also, can anyone recommend a bass that is comparable in price and quality?

Thanks for the help! GD

jweiss · #2 05-19-2009, 07:49 AM

IAf you haven't do so already, call and talk with the folks at Lemur. They are very knowledgeable and helpful.

My friend has a Laguna and it is an excellent bass for the money.

marvin spangles · #3 05-19-2009, 06:36 PM

:

1. Is anyone familiar with Lemur's Laguna Bass that can give me a basic review?

I bought a laguna as an upgrade to my plywood bass.. I just sold it after 7 years reluctantly I should add. It's biggest attribute is it's playability. It will come to you with a great set up. The finger board is really comfortable. If you have been playing cheap plywoods you will notice a huge difference. Sound wise it is good but not amazing The piz tone is warm . Don't think for one second however that you will be playing ampless gigs. It would take a prettly amazing bass to allow you to do that. I sometimes think that some guys on Talk bass talk bullsh*t . However you are getting great value for your buck. It amplifies well. It Bows really well and produces a loud sound. The lows are really meaty. IMO there is a slightly nasal quality to the mids and highs. This should not put you off. I have a La Scala which is more than twice the price and the Lemur was slightly more playable with the bow. In other words the Laguna is a good bass for the money. I only have experience with a limited number of basses so my opinion has only limited value. Your best bet is to try and get to play several basses within your price range. I am confident that the Laguna will more than hold its own. Good luck in your quest If you want more specific info don't hesitate to contact me. Peter

Bass · #4 05-20-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvin spangles

...I sometimes think that some guys on Talk bass talk bullsh*t...

Ha ha ha! Or as we like to say on Rockabillybass.com, "TalkAss". (Thank-you Gearhead).

Yo, G! TalkBassers usually recommend playing a bass before buying it, aren't there any basses for sale locally? Check out Bob Gollihur's luthier directory. That being said, if it is inconvenient to buy a bass locally, I wouldn't be worried about ordering a bass online from a reputable dealer.

Word.

Ed Fuqua · #5 05-21-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvin spangles

Don't think for one second however that you will be playing ampless gigs. It would take a prettly amazing bass to allow you to do that.

Ain't just the bass, Sparky.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS

I sometimes think that some guys on Talk bass talk bullsh*t.

Care to elaborate?

jgbass · #6 05-21-2009, 07:53 AM

The Laguna bass is Lemur's best selling bass. I own the Laguna and I am very happy with it. Its a great carved bass for the money, a lot of students around here have it, and Lemur will do a great job with setup as well. That is included in the price. You can let them know how you want it set up as well, i.e. type of strings, string height, whether it is for jazz or classical, etc.

But, I would always recommend buying locally, if possible. I have the advantage of being in driving distance to Lemur.

Gary Lynch · #7 05-21-2009, 08:14 AM

Lemur guys are straight up dudes. They will back their product.

Playing without an amp? Man, maybe with a 43 inch scale, high action, and a 7/8 size body? Like an old American? What basses can do it? I mean REALLY do it? Everybody's dream bass for sure.

Paul Warburton · #8 05-21-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvin spangles

I sometimes think that some guys on Talk bass talk bullsh*t .

Rather than taking a cheap shot at our community as a whole, how about being more specific?
I challenge you to start a Thread using your statement as a header.
I doubt if you would do that......so, go ahead, bring it on..... here.

And you other guys who think your basses play your gigs...... I'm playing amp-less on some gigs here in Denver. Ed Fuqua is doing the same in NYC. So are many fine bassists throughout the world.
The truly great bassists in history played the bass......not the amp.

Eric Swanson · #9 05-21-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvin spangles

:

I sometimes think that some guys on Talk bass talk bullsh*t .

If we observe closely, we may notice a similar phenomenon among nearly all other humans...

I find that folks here speak their own truth, to the best of their abilities. If somebody else's hit on something happens to be a slightly different flavor than I am used to, so be it; maybe I can learn something...

CamMcIntyre · #10 05-21-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Rather than taking a cheap shot at our community as a whole, how about being more specific?
I challenge you to start a Thread using your statement as a header.
I doubt if you would do that......so, go ahead, bring it on..... here.

And you other guys who think your basses play your gigs...... I'm playing amp-less on some gigs here in Denver. Ed Fuqua is doing the same in NYC. So are many fine bassists throughout the world.
The truly great bassists in history played the bass......not the amp.

I'm not in the same league talent wise, but I'm doing the same thing here in Chicago. The last theater gig I did on DB [100 seat house], I did without amp on DB-bluegrass. When I play at the Green Mill, I use very little amp. I love it.

james condino · #11 05-22-2009, 09:10 AM

I play small venues without an amp all of the time. Pull up the action a bit, man up to the bass, and play like its the last gig you'll ever do. I get in a huge workout, trash my fingers, and it reminds me how great it is to be alive and to be playing the hell out of my bass instead of tweaking knobs on the amp or PA or whatever and whinning about the sound all night.....and the smile lasts and lasts and lasts....

j.

jgbass · #12 05-22-2009, 09:29 AM

The original poster who is considering a Laguna made no mention of wanting to play ampless gigs. But Lemur does make a loud bass meant for loudness ... the Jupiter. It really is loud, have tried it.

shakernow · #13 05-22-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgbass

But Lemur does make a loud bass meant for loudness ... the Jupiter. It really is loud, have tried it.

Maybe this should be its own thread, but could you comment some more on the tone and volume of the Jupiter? When it was introduced it was mentioned in the forum as looking like an imitation of the NS Cleveland. I don't know that much has been said yet by anyone else who has actually played the Jupiter, so I am curious.

james condino · #14 05-22-2009, 11:28 AM

JG, you make a good point about the original post. I got caught up in the excitement and simplicity of the ampless thing....my apologies....but it sure is fun not having to worry about all of that other stuff some days!

j.

Ed Fuqua · #15 05-22-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgbass

The original poster who is considering a Laguna made no mention of wanting to play ampless gigs.

That in no way affects my ability or inclination to respond to what I consider inaccurate or ill-informed statements...

Paul Warburton · #16 05-22-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

That in no way affects my ability or inclination to respond to what I consider inaccurate or ill-informed statements...

+1.

Gary Lynch · #17 05-22-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Rather than taking a cheap shot at our community as a whole, how about being more specific?
I challenge you to start a Thread using your statement as a header.
I doubt if you would do that......so, go ahead, bring it on..... here.

And you other guys who think your basses play your gigs...... I'm playing amp-less on some gigs here in Denver. Ed Fuqua is doing the same in NYC. So are many fine bassists throughout the world.
The truly great bassists in history played the bass......not the amp.

Could someone start a thread on this subject? I would like to play ampless but man, it seems like a lot of work and maybe a special setup and strings? Banjos/horns and drums really are LOUD. I guess I could have one bass set up ampless?

jweiss · #18 05-22-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Lynch

Could someone start a thread on this subject? I would like to play ampless but man, it seems like a lot of work and maybe a special setup and strings? Banjos/horns and drums really are LOUD. I guess I could have one bass set up ampless?

Done

Ed Fuqua · #19 05-22-2009, 12:37 PM

There are any number of threads where I (among many others) talk about the physical approach to playing and getting a loud projecting yet warm sound, but ultimately I think that is yet another thing that can only really be communicated by a living breathing human in the same room with you. Because it's not about following a diagram or list, it's about playing with a relaxed approach and using physics. The reason my teacher has been able to help ME get there is because he watches ME play and talks, in real time, about what I'm doing right and wrong, in real time. He can push my shoulder down, he can grab the bass a demonstrate, he can say "THERE, did you feel that?" when he hears and sees what I was going for....

MIKMAN · #20 05-23-2009, 12:32 AM

Since the thread touched many topics, please allow me to give my humple opinion in some order.

The Laguna bass is an excellent value for money instrument. A week ago one of my former students brought back one from the States. Warm sound, good arco response (with Belcantos), decent piz tone. It seems almost identical to my TIANGE Chinese carved bass and costed less money.

Ed's comment about the physical approach in bass playing, under the proper guidance of a qualified teacher, is absolutely right. Additionally, a particular instrument gives to the seasoned mucisian the ability to play unamplified gigs. The Laguna is not such an instrument, even for a mucisian with Ed's chops. The Cleveland is definitely such an instrument, even for players in the minor DB league. There are surely many other basses in the world with huge sound (and i am the proud owner of one of them), but most of the basses i heard in my 50 years would never stand unamplified.

Finally, about the ******** and other comments in the Talkbass community, it is not politically correct to attribute collective responsibility to everyone of us for a false or a biased opinion stated by a member. Everyone carries ones responsibility for his beliefs and ideas, period. Nobody is obliged to agree. These are, nonetheless, the rules in each free forum.