Bass of the Week: Laurus T900-XR

Laurus T900-XR

This week we’re taking a look at the Laurus Quasar T900-XR, a bass that takes a step away from the norm without losing its style and sensibility. Hand-made in Italy, the T900-XR is available in 4, 5, and 6-string models as well as fretted or fretless.

One of the bass’s most identifiable features is it’s unique headstock and “end of body” machine head tuners. The design, which accepts all types of strings, loads the ball end below the bridge while locking the string at the headstock and helps improve the overall balance of the instrument. The instantly recognizable headstock shape is stamped with the Laurus logo.

The T900-XR has a neck-thru design and is built around a laminated neck consisting of alternating sections of maple and purpleheart. Combine that with an inner graphite frame and a double-acting truss-rod system, and Laurus guarantees “absolute non-deformability” in their necks. The neck profile is a special asymmetrical shape for left hand comfort. Instead of wood, the fretboard is phenolic resin, which helps to increase sustain, reduce humidity absorption, and eliminate dead notes.

Choice woods are also used for the body, as it’s built from Khaya mahogany with a top consisting of Olive, Santos rosewood, or European flamed maple. The body wings feature tone chambers, which the company explains are intended to enhance mid and treble frequencies, reduce weight, and increase sensitivity.

For electronics, Laurus includes a pair of Nordstrand Humbuckers and a Noll 3-band active/passive preamp. The volume knob also has a push/pull function to toggle between active and passive. The other controls are bass, mid, treble, and blend. When the fretless option is taken, the bass is fitted with a preamp that also has a semi-parametric mid-frequency control.

All Laurus basses are hand-made in Italy. The T900-XR is priced at approximately $4,550. For more info, visit the Laurus website.

Laurus T900-XR Photo Gallery:

Laurus T900-XR Demo:

Laurus T900-XR Specs:

  • Body: Khaya Mahogany with Two Tone Chambers
  • Top: Olive/Santos Rosewood/European Flamed Maple
  • Neck: Laminate, 5 to 7 Alternating Sections of Maple and Purpleheart
  • Neck Profile: Asymmetrical
  • Headstock: Slotted-in with Lockpin Fastening
  • Scale: 34”
  • Fretboard: Phenolic Resin
  • Tuners: End of Body
  • Nut: Brass
  • Bridge: Brass, Individual Saddles
  • Pick up: Nordstrand Humbucker
  • Electronics: Noll TCM3
  • Varnish: Handicraft “Waxed” Polyurethane Varnishing

Editor’s note: Thanks to our Facebook friends who voted for this bass as the Bass of the Week feature.

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Share your thoughts

  1. Scott Thomas

    Interesting! Not too bad overall. Mixed feelings… The pop/slap sound is dead on! Great tone there. The other parts (intro and bridge) are a bit big and fuller that I would have thought. Considering he’s playing those sections right over the bridge p/u, I would have though it to have bit more bite… it’s the lower notes. The solo is to be expected. Wondering if the “chambers” are resonating a bit in that lower range. Gives it some neat capability though. Not too bad and a nice song for a demo. :)

    • ho sempre considerato le forme del Laurus un pò lontane dai miei gusti, ma devo riconoscere che è uno strumento fantastico, costruito egregiamente e con un gran suono oltre ad avere una ottima suonabilità. In più dò atto al costruttore di aver creduto nel suo prodotto, forme comprese, e di averlo affidato a mani sapienti, come quelle di Federico Malaman, Cico Cicognani e proprio di quel tal Andrea Balasso che è un bassista di cuore e con una grande mano.

    • Giorgio, sempre troppo buono :-)

  2. Grazie Giorgio, detto the un Bravo Bassista come Te, fa molto piacere…anche a nome del Bravo Andrea Balasso!