Any one played a Lutarius

[xplorer]

I'm really curious about Lutarius basses as they're made in Old Lyme. I lived and went to college there- very small town. I haven't found any info on the net either, and I've looked on and off for a few months.

Huh, I grew up in that little town, and know exactly what college you're talking about but I've never heard of anyone making basses there... quite the small world

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I really loved living in Old Lyme. Very expensive though- I was very lucky to lease an old carriage house with some roommates so it was affordable.

 

[Lesfunk]

I like local connections, but personally, I would not spend 2K on a bass that looked like this 1. It just doesn't do anything for me, visually. I suppose it might sound and play nicely, being handmade.

This goes back to the old "one man's beauty is another man's ugly" Take Ritter for example. Some might say they look like liquid art. Others might say they look like a puddle of sick.
And as far as the price goes? What I do know about these basses is that they are not made in large quantity by any means. That will drive up the price.
I know that it's a solid, quality bass that rests on the body comfortably.
It has a very punchy tone reminiscent of a Music Man but seems a bit tighter and more focused . I think it has a better electronics package.
The smaller body makes it less cumbersome than a Music Man.
I have not weighed it but I would guess 8lbs. The neck is very fast a comfy. I like it better than a MM.
The bottom like is This is "the" bass that cured my GAS for a Music Man and then some.

 

[Lesfunk]

And I really don't like that the string-through drillholes don't have metal ferrules. I can see the rims of those holes getting dinged up pretty easily.

I did a check and found that there are brass inserts in the "through body" string holes. When I met with Tom, the builder, he told me that he liked the idea of the hidden brass ferrules but did have the other kind to use if they proved to be more desirable. I personally like the hidden ones better.

 

[Lesfunk]

I think these basses look super cool too but I am having the same problem as all the rest of the guys, no info. Anyone know what their turnaround time for a special order is, customer service info, quality of build? Any info would be great.

I met Tom, the builder/designer of these basses and got to check out his shop. He's a real nice guy with lots of creative ideas and real skill.

Unfortunately, the reason info on his instruments is hard to find is that he has put his Bass building on the back burner as he has a young family he needs to take care of and building basses just don't pay the bills. He told me that right now he is not doing a production run and is doing one offs pretty much exclusively.

I got to see his collection of prototypes, one offs and Blems (ones with things like finish imperfections) which was quite a treat. He does a lot more than Bolt on Stingray type basses.
He's got some beautiful exotic wood neck throughs reminiscent of the classic Tobias . Real classy stuff.

Tom Showed me his take on a long scale SG style bass with the MM pickup that was kick ass. He also had some Carl Thompson inspired basses both bolt on and NT that were super nice. Fretless too.
I really wish him the best and look forward to him getting some time to build more instruments .
I love mine and would love to help promote these basses in any way I could.