Whats the next BIG thing

[kedo]

Basses will procure, and install tort guards and flats without human intervention.

[Co0O]

Bass version of this:
http://www.rolandus.com/go/v-guitar/

[MarthaSamira]

The next big thing is already here:

VSTis and complete extinction of bass guitars. Wait and see...

[Rob22315]

Originally Posted by Bassist4Eris

I'm thinking it will be some kind of new, space-age composite or something. Something either more resonant than wood, or at least claiming to be.

That's been done - recall the luthite basses from Ibanez and Cort. I have one, the EDB605. Smells like gasoline when I drill into it. It has a very versatile sound and is easy to play but not many people seem to care for these basses.

I have an iron pewter-colored one to which I added Black Beauties. I also added a white LED to the front because I power the onboard preamp from a wall wart and needed to tell if the power was on.

[cronker]

Self tuning and self truss rod adjustment. Copyright.

[3234718]

Wouldn't those light wave basses be considered the next step? Don't see too many people playing those?

[SoVeryTired]

Whatever it is, most people will choose a P instead.

[punkjazzben]

String trees/retainers for the A string on Fender Precision Basses.

[vin*tone]

Originally Posted by Dan B

Oh god this. BC Rich toyed with it with onboard distortion in the 80s, Danelectro had an onboard distortion and a flanger (or something; whoever had it didn't think they were very good), and some Russian guitars had onboard effects.

Aside from some boutique brands and custom shops offering some sort of onboard effect (Ritter made a Jupiter with an onboard distortion; I think BC Rich still offers it on their custom shop), the idea just never took off. Which is too bad because I wouldn't mind having some of the effects on the bass, such as distortion or chorus.

The last "big thing" that I know came out was Babicz's full contact bridge, which I think is a stroke of genius.

Vox did it in the 60's
http://www.voxshowroom.com/us/guitar/apollobass.html

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by Ben Wilkie

String trees/retainers for the A string on Fender Precision Basses.

This is actually a good thing. I've got one on my 60th P and it does exactly what it's supposed to do.

[aledeville]

What about that? This is pretty much a good future... http://gamechanger.music-man.com/home.eb

[bassdude51]

The Steinberger was about as advanced as a bass could get (ugh!) and from there basses have gone back to the basics, more or less.

Next "Big" thing for a bass? Perhaps like Rock n Roll, all boundaries have been explored.

When we look at the Bass Violin, (stand up bass) it's stayed the same for hundreds of years. A design that can't be improved.


Prehaps the basic electric bass will never have a "big" change. The P Bass is such an example of perfection. Always new and always old and always in fashion.

Maybe more "whistles and bells" for the electric bass but nothing really "big".

[punkjazzben]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

This is actually a good thing. I've got one on my 60th P and it does exactly what it's supposed to do.

It's probably the one major thing I can think of when it comes to improving the standard Fender P. Other companies have done it, but not Fender.

[John Schoen]

Originally Posted by Bassist4Eris

I'm thinking it will be some kind of new, space-age composite or something. Something either more resonant than wood, or at least claiming to be.

Originally Posted by Rob22315

That's been done - recall the luthite basses from Ibanez and Cort. I have one, the EDB605. Smells like gasoline when I drill into it. It has a very versatile sound and is easy to play but not many people seem to care for these basses.

Aristides guitars and basses are made from a composite called Arium that is supposed to be very close to wood: http://www.aristidesinstruments.com/homepage.html

[phillybass101]

Brubaker has switchable preamps. His basses can come fitted with your preamp of choice module(s). when you want another sound, just instantly swap your preamp module.

[willbassyeah]

You know the Brubaker interchangeable on board preamp is super cool. I don't get why it has not take off yet.

[willbassyeah]

Originally Posted by phillybass101

Brubaker has switchable preamps. His basses can come fitted with your preamp of choice module(s). when you want another sound, just instantly swap your preamp module.

you beat me to it by a minute LOl.

[Poopoutyouridea]

Originally Posted by awilkie84

built-in pick holders. Essentially, cup-holders for guitars.
Oh, self-adjusting action with a programmable memory. Like the seats in new luxury cars.

I think we already have the first one. The second one, on the other hand, might end up tearing your bridge out.

[azzyrazzy]

A Variax-like electronics replacement package that will fit P-bass/J-bass without routing, and that will not make you feel disconnected to your instrument. I'd buy this.

I know the Variax electronics were huge, but hey, processors are faster than ever before and continue to improve. Like the TC toneprint, it would be cool to just download a new tone to these onboard electronics from your iphone.

[Turxile]

Originally Posted by azzyrazzy

A Variax-like electronics replacement package that will fit P-bass/J-bass without routing, and that will not make you feel disconnected to your instrument. I'd buy this.

I know the Variax electronics were huge, but hey, processors are faster than ever before and continue to improve. Like the TC toneprint, it would be cool to just download a new tone to these onboard electronics from your iphone.

+1
Maybe using the Roland V Guitar like pups but made to stick-on under the bridge, connected to a stand alone effects unit via bluetooth. No routing or mods, high tech
It would help if you can control the settings via touchscreen rather than knobs.

I like some of the other ideas as well.

Oh and cosmetically, can we have neck-through with detachable wings, then the body woods can be changed depending on the mood haha...