Latourneau basses

[Maude]

I became aware of the Latourneau Maben Gold Top bass a while ago. In my opinion, a beautiful bass, taking styling cues from various iconic styles and blending them to perfection. I posted it in reply to a post on Facebook and then delved deeper into Latourneau. Oh my, do they make some beautiful basses, and other instruments. The craftsmanship looks absolutely top notch. 

Maben Gold Top

 

The Maben is probably still my favourite style with its Rickenbacker top horns, Jazz offset waist and Gibson/Duesenberg-esque headstock, which is different on each bass. They all have slightly different hardware specs so I guess they're each a one off, but I don't know. Has anyone else come across them? 

Their website doesn't show a complete list of their basses, and I've found most through other sites and adverts, which leads me further to believe that they are built to the customers specs as and when they're ordered. 

I've added some links but if you do some digging it turns up some wonderful stuff. 

This 8 string is just stunning. I love the contrast of the walnut back and red front. 

I can only find this 8 string on their Facebook page, just scroll through the photos.

 

Another beauty in a dark teal colour.  

 

Edited March 1, 2021 by Maude

[Teebs]

Gorgeous!

(Even if they do look a bit 'Rickyish')

[Maude]

13 minutes ago, Teebs said:

Gorgeous!

(Even if they do look a bit 'Rickyish')

That's part of the beauty, you philistine. 

The Maben is like an ultra classy Rick. 

Some of their other designs are equally as nice, even without the Rick cues. 

 

[Teebs]

3 minutes ago, Maude said:

That's part of the beauty, you philistine. 

Oi!

3 minutes ago, Maude said:

The Maben is like an ultra classy Rick.

Aye, but:

1 - Is it as dangerous as a Rick - will it try to cut your fingers off, or jab you in sensitive places?

2 - Is it any good for opening bottles of beer, like a Rick?

 

[Maude]

4 minutes ago, Teebs said:

Aye, but:

1 - Is it as dangerous as a Rick - will it try to cut your fingers off, or jab you in sensitive places?

2 - Is it any good for opening bottles of beer, like a Rick?

 

Bottles of beer? 

These will gently tease the cork out of a fine chablis, then massage your shoulders as you quaff it in the evening sun. 

😄

[Teebs]

1 minute ago, Maude said:

Bottles of beer? 

These will gently tease the cork out of a fine chablis, then massage your shoulders as you quaff it in the evening sun. 

😄

Decadent, bourgois frippery!

[Skybone]

Excellent find @Maude, some great looking creations there.

[Maude]

I'd just like to add I'm in no way connected to the company/luthier, I'd like to be because then I might get a discount. 

I'm seriously considering selling some stuff and commissioning something. It's been a long time since I've found a company that seems to tick all my boxes. 

Does anyone on here own a  Latourneau, or know someone who does? 

Here's some more pretty pictures, because we all like pictures, right? (Some are guitars, sorry.) 

The following one is very @Andyjr1515

The rear access covers are just sublime, so classy. 

Lastly, a bit of volute porn especially for @SpondonBassed 😉

[binky_bass]

I see a Rickenbacker, an Ampeg, a Carl Thompson, an Alembic and an Adamovic. Do they have any of their own ideas? 😂

[TheGreek]

Good point. When you go to their portfolio page the basses even have the original designs named when you scroll over the images.

http://lutherie-letourneau.fr/index.php/portfolio/

[Owen]

The Rick-esque ones look very nice. A kind of Gretsch Sparkle Jet vibe which I have always fancied replicating in a bass.

 

[Maude]

1 hour ago, binky_bass said:

I see a Rickenbacker, an Ampeg, a Carl Thompson, an Alembic and an Adamovic. Do they have any of their own ideas? 😂

Oh yes, all designs are heavily borrowed but I just thought the way they incorporate their own ideas into those designs and the craftsmanship were top notch. There's lots of companies copying old designs, these just seemed to adding some nice touches to those old designs. I think the offset waist really works with the 4003 horns, and the rear cavity covers add a real touch of class. 

[Maude]

41 minutes ago, owen said:

The Rick-esque ones look very nice. A kind of Gretsch Sparkle Jet vibe which I have always fancied replicating in a bass.

 

That would make a lovely bass. 😎

[Cosmo Valdemar]

My word, these are stunning! How have I not heard of them before?!

[TheGreek]

Any idea on the prices? I couldn't see anything...

[Maude]

1 minute ago, TheGreek said:

Any idea on the prices? I couldn't see anything...

The gold top 'Maben' is £2.5k, so not cheap, but probably about right. 

[Sven]

Letourneau is a French luthier, he's a bit active on the French equivalent of basschat ( onlybass) if you need to discuss with him

[jazzyvee]

On 01/03/2021 at 21:27, TheGreek said:

Good point. When you go to their portfolio page the basses even have the original designs named when you scroll over the images.

http://lutherie-letourneau.fr/index.php/portfolio/

I just had a look and would have thought that was an infringement of those companies and their product names. 

[MoonBassAlpha]

The Rick 4004/Guildford b302 is an interesting lovechild! The Alembic and Wal lookie-likies are a bit of a rip-off.