LAG Guitars

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Jorgensen on August 7, 2012 at 3:27pm

I think LAG guitars are great. I would say the quality of seagull/S&P etc.  might be a little better though. But I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Permalink Reply by CaliGull on August 7, 2012 at 11:41pm

I have not heard of LAG Guitars.  Too bad they didn't have the S6 in stock.  I bought mine online (Geartree) so there is always that option.  Most online retailers have a pretty liberal return policy in if you decided not to keep it.  

Permalink Reply by FloridaGull on August 8, 2012 at 6:13am

I have researched LAG guitars, although not played them. In price and materials they seem to be roughly equal to Seagulls but, in my opinion, unlike Walden and Eastman, I believe LAG contracts out their guitars to a Chinese manufacturer who builds a generic "guitar" with various headstock styles to differentiate brands. True, LAG specifies the materials, but, IMHO, Seagull, Eastman, Walden, and others with their own, dedicated factories have the edge in quality control. Walden in particular seems to treat their workers better than the typical Chinese worker - http://www.waldenguitars.com/news_2011_Mixdown_Interview.html - which is good to know...
If made in North America is important to you, wait and try the Seagull - if not, seek out some Waldens (they have lots of cedar-topped models).
Oh, and I believe that LAG's all have pinless bridges, which is a whole 'nother discussion... ;-)

Permalink Reply by Greg Ballantyne on August 8, 2012 at 7:12pm

They have some models with pinless bridges, but I think they are some of their higher grade models. I was playing a solid top laminate sids and back model . it had regular pins in the bridge. I was mostly impressed with the sound, and also the fine woodwork with inlays. Truly beautiful work. I thought I could see where the the cost savings came in, appeared to be a little lesser quality nut and bridge. I plan to go back when I can play the LAG next to the S6, but the sound of the LAG was really sweet, and the wood and workmanship beautiful.

Permalink Reply by DJ on August 8, 2012 at 10:39am

When I was shopping for guitar upgrade I looked at Lag.  What I understood from my research was that they are designed in France and built in China. Everything FloridaGull posted is what I found as well. The other guitars I looked at:

Tanglewood - mage in England - http://www.tanglewoodguitars.co.uk/

Breedlove - American made in Oregon - very nice - http://breedlovemusic.com/

I decided to go with Canadian made Seagull,  But I also couldn't pass up the great price I got it for. With my Yamaha trade in I paid less than $300 for 25th Anniversary Seagull.

Permalink Reply by Greg Ballantyne on August 8, 2012 at 7:19pm

I've looked at Tanglewood's website, but I intend to buy any guitars from the shop in town. I don't believe I can buy a guitar I didn't hold in my hands and play. I got to play it for awhile and then decide to buy THAT one. The shop in town doesn't have any Tanglewoods, although I wish they had one or two to try.

 I'd sooner buy USA or North American made, or European if not. Not that I want the economy of any country to go sour, but I'd prefer to support those economies in that order. Sorry China, you're not at the top of my list.....

Permalink Reply by DJ on August 10, 2012 at 9:52am

I am the same way.  I must have a great music store here.  Scheitels Music Store here in little (under 50,000) Mankato, MN has a some of of lots luthiers. Last time I was in (last week) he had:

Martin, Breedlove, Seagull, Walden, Tanglewood, Cort, Lag,Simon and Patrick

Those are the ones I can remember. So I get to play many different guitars. I have know the owner for 35 years so sometimes I get to be the first in the shop to plays new arrivals.

I wasn't so crazy about Lag though they did win at NAMM. They do have a nice look.  I went crazy over Seagull. I am really surprised at how many Seagulls I have played and how they consistently sound amazing. It is so like Martin.  Rod could get in maybe 6 new Martins a month and maybe one of the cheaper models wouldn't sound like a Martin.  Same with the Seagulls and then even some of the cheaper models sound more expensive. Natural Elements come to mind at least the 3 I have played. All 3 have a strong, clear tone. Can't wait to hear a 20 year old NE. They will only sound better with age.  Off the soap box I get.

Good luck with your search.  It is my favorite part about playing guitar.  I get to play many different guitars with many different people and talk about guitars with many different people. 

Variety is the spice of life, keep sampling.

Permalink Reply by Mike Jorgensen on August 10, 2012 at 5:47pm

Actually DJ, tanglewoods are all made in china, even the masterdesign series. I got this info straight from tanglewood. The back of all the headstocks say Tanglewood Guitars United Kingdom, but they are made in china. However tanglewood owns the factory where they are made

Permalink Reply by DJ on August 13, 2012 at 1:32pm

Well there ya go.  I kinda thought as much.  I also know we don't get the same models that they release in England. Thanks for the straight info.

Permalink Reply by Ron Khoo on August 13, 2012 at 1:37pm

I have seen the LAG in a local store and they are gorgeous.  They also have some nice inlays.  I did not play the LAG and have no comments about the sound.  That said, they look worth the $500.

Permalink Reply by FloridaGull on August 13, 2012 at 5:53pm

After some more current research, I have to retract my "pinless bridge" statement.  I researched LAG guitars in late 2011, and have a copy of their (old, apparently) catalog I downloaded at that time.  Every one of their models had pinless bridges - then.  If you saw any pinless bridge ones, I would venture a guess that they are older models, as their website has changed, their catalog has changed, and everything pictured now has a "normal" bridge with pins.

As they apparently have changed their manufacturing technique from pinless to pinned bridges, perhaps they had some problems with shear forces with the pinless type?  In any event, here's a link to the LAG website:

http://usa.lagguitars.com/TRAMONTANE-g510.html 

Enjoy looking! 

 

Permalink Reply by Mike Jorgensen on August 13, 2012 at 6:29pm

First, I;ll just say it again: I think Seagull is a little better guitar than the LAG. But....

I do agree with most of what floridagull says about chinese factories but as far as LAG branding a generic guitar think about this: True there are many factories in china making generic guitars for various brands, but there are a handful of chinese factories who build OEM for more than one company, but are not generic. The thing about LAG is that the design and aesthetics are so unique that any of these generic factories would refuse to build them. LAG would have to be using a smaller scale factory who only builds for a few companies at a time and are willing to build a guitar companies designs 100% to the companies specs, not the factories. These factories are generally of a much higher quality than the Chinese standard, and most of them rival any USA manufacturer. They generally employ about 60-80 luthiers (not assembly line workers) and work with a team of well respected luthiers from all over the world in order to know how best to build for more than one company without losing the companies identities. The average production in one of these boutique factories is about 1000-1600 guitars a month, compared to the average Chinese factory which can do as much as 10 x that amount. I have dealt with many Chinese guitar factories and have gotten to know the guitar landscape over there. I don't know which factory makes LAG, but I would bet anything that it is one of these smaller boutique factories. I too love Walden and Eastman. I know that they are not building OEM for any other companies right now, but they have done so in the past.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page