Laguna LE322 Review

I own TWO Lagunas now. The LE322 and the LE300, both in the AVB (Antique Vintage Burst) color scheme. But both are completely different in wood grain and color. The LE300 uses locking tuners which actually makes this guitar the better value of the two. Tuning has never been a problem on either guitar but I like the locking tuners.

Perhaps the only minor issue I had with the Lagunas is that they are set up at the store with light strings and two springs on the tremolo. I like using 10's so I added a third spring on the trem. Bo big deal.

The stock pickups are, in my personal opinion, solid-sounding and that sound was what made my purchasing decision. I was wary of the good looking, bargain guitar but wow, I plugged in to a small combo and heard the nicest sounds from all the pickups. This guitar is not a screaming shredder guitar. The bridge pickup's output is not as hot as some other guitars. But it growls and squeals perfectly for me. The two single coils, just as other stock single coils, do hum a little but their sound is crisp and very sweet and very responsive to pick attack.

I'm not into brands. I do own other brand-name guitars that cost 3-4 time more than the Lagunas. I heard a sound and felt a neck on the Lagunas that convinced me to buy on the spot. And then, to find another beautiful-grained Swamp Ash with even sweeter-sounding tones... I am sold.

The first Laguna LE322 I bought was spot-on perfect. The guys at Guitar Center took the time to check it for me, make a few minor adjustments and put on a fresh set of strings. Action on the neck is just as it was when I purchased. I have only one minor gripe about the Tone knob which has a push-pull on it and the knob feels a bit wobly. Not a big deal and I checked it afterward. I do wish Laguna would make a 24 fret model with the Wilkinson trem. I don't like the Floyd-Rose trems at all.

The body is NOT as delicate as people keep suggesting. I have gigged, recorded and traveled to Europe with this guitar in nothing but a gig case. This thing is solid! I was never worried about a thing.

As a guitar player that needs a reliable work-horse guitar, I have gotten my money's worth. I never expected to have such a great instrument from an "off-brand". I hope Laguna continues to make guitars the right way and keep making solid, solid models that become the first guitar we reach for in professional situations. The MSRP of $699 is not what I paid for mine but I would have. For me, it's a great find and a small price worth paying for so much fun.

This guitar has delivered in every way for me. In the studio and on-stage. No tuning issues, no neck issues, the Wilkinson trem is dependable. I did not think the Laguna would become my main axe but it has. I have recorded an album almost entirely using the Laguna and it's many robust sounds. The guitar is aesthetically beautiful, the wood grains are rich and the combination of the maple neck, rosewood and swamp ash body come together nicely. I just bought another Laguna right before Christmas. I was not expecting to buy one, I was out looking for an HSS Fender Strat (American), but the orange/brown and beautifully unique wood grain, compelled me to try it. Once again, the sound was what sold me. I plugged in played it for like an hour with no tuning problems, no action problems. I took it home. I wanted a Fender, I was ready to pay much more for one, and walked out with the Laguna. Go figure.