• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bass Whammy Petition!

What you are implying from your post is that you (a recording/performing artist who is an endoser of Digitech products) spoke with the company about re-releasing a certain product that was not a big seller but is currently in demand now...and you were not successful and it doesn't matter who came to them and tried to get them to re-release it. As far as I know (I know, I am quite naive) Justin Chancellor is the most well known Digitech Bass Whammy user that I am aware of. That's it. I tried to word it in a way that wasn't offensive. I even paid you a compliment in the early portion of my post. So, with that being said, I think you did compare yourself to JC...if you couldn't get it re-released...why would anyone else be able to...he is part of the anyone else.


Zappstorius, when I spoke with Digitech about the possibility of re-releasing the bass Whammy it had nothing at all to do with whether I wanted one or not. I have a relationship with the company and various topics come up. I am in a position to ask and possible have influence but you seem to miss one vital ingredient, based of off your comments in regards to my actual conversation on the subject of the digitech bass Whammy and that is that you do not understand or know enough about the inner workings of the industry, and it was not one or two conversations on the bass Whammy but several conversation about it that you did not get to hear and because you didn't hear these conversations you want to call me a liar,please I have not been disrespectful to you in any way and I would appreciate it if you would not be disrespectful to me.

The demand for a new Digitech bass Whammy is micro in comparison to real #'s. Let me put a bug in your ear. Before the product that you want to get made or even re-released, there's a certain amount of orders that have to be placed to even get circuitry made and if the start up #'s in that area alone aren't met then you can hang it up.

Digitech no longer have any of the original bass Whammy pedals in stock.

Since you seem to know how things work based off of your favorite bass players choice of effects, please tell me why isn't there a brand new version of Digitechs bass Whammy pedal available as we speak?

Better yet call them yourself(and no I'm not being sarcastic).

I really hope we can keep this subject that seems to be very personal to you civil.

But the bottom line is that I don't believe you.

Please don't call me a liar again.
 
You guys would be better served petitioning Eventide for a harmonizer stompbox. That would considerably up the sound quality and versitility. And am I the only one wondering what products Digitech make that would make someone want an endorsment deal with them?
 
Zappstorius, when I spoke with Digitech about the possibility of re-releasing the bass Whammy it had nothing at all to do with whether I wanted one or not. I have a relationship with the company and various topics come up. I am in a position to ask and possible have influence but you seem to miss one vital ingredient, based of off your comments in regards to my actual conversation on the subject of the digitech bass Whammy and that is that you do not understand or know enough about the inner workings of the industry, and it was not one or two conversations on the bass Whammy but several conversation about it that you did not get to hear and because you didn't hear these conversations you want to call me a liar,please I have not been disrespectful to you in any way and I would appreciate it if you would not be disrespectful to me.

The demand for a new Digitech bass Whammy is micro in comparison to real #'s. Let me put a bug in your ear. Before the product that you want to get made or even re-released, there's a certain amount of orders that have to be placed to even get circuitry made and if the start up #'s in that area alone aren't met then you can hang it up.

Digitech no longer have any of the original bass Whammy pedals in stock.

Since you seem to know how things work based of off your favorite bass players choice of effects, please tell me why isn't there a brand new version of Digitechs bass Whammy pedal available as we speak?

Better yet call them yourself(and no I'm not being sarcastic).

I really hope we can keep this subject that seems to be very personal to you civil.



Please don't call me a liar again.

I sincerely apoligize if I offended you in any way...it was not my intention. And personally I think you are the one taking this a little bit too seriously. I never once called you a liar, only that I disagreed with you. Again, I apoligize if I offended you. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful in any way and I'm sorry if it came across that way.

Obviously I don't understand the inner workings of the industry...as you do. And thank you for making that clear to me...the sheep/schmuk that follows his favorite bass players around.
 
Thanks Zappstorius.

I have know problem with helping you have a better understanding of the industry,so if you have any specific questions pertaining to artist and company relationships and how the artist can be a positive influence with the company feel free to ask.
 
Hey lets all take a look at Digitech's track record before anyone gets their hair all up in a bunch. Look what happened to the Whammy for guitar. They are on version 4 and if people aren't vocally displaying their disapproval of it.....its being all mad that the WH1 costs too much. Does anyone actually think that Digitech would make a good re-issue of this pedal? Someone mentioned the type of process it would take to even start something up. Originals were made in Canada and a re-issue would def me made in asia or they would be costly items. Your better off getting one on ebay and go in on overtime at work for a couple shifts and be happy.:bassist:
 
Being made in Asia isn't necessarily an indication of poor quality, but it certainly means cheaper production. I have a number of pedals which are made in Taiwan, with which I am quite happy. I think its a pretty racist remark to make. Perhaps Toolmybass might give some consideration to making a formal apology.

Moving on....

Maybe Digitech doesn't have any of the models left in stock, but that's not what is needed for production runs. What is needed is the patent and the schematics - both of which are still in existence, and the production jigs.

At the end of the day it is going to be a question of economics for Digitech, plain and simple. If there is a market for re-issuing the Bass Whammy, and they can turn a profit it will be done.

If Digitech are satisfied with the current profit levels from the WH-4, I wouldn't be holding out for the bass whammy re-issue, because it is not likely to come, no matter how vocal a few bassists are.

That being said, I've signed the petition and hope we can get enough signatures together to convince Digitech there is a market. So spread the word peoples.
 
Hey lets all take a look at Digitech's track record before anyone gets their hair all up in a bunch. Look what happened to the Whammy for guitar. They are on version 4 and if people aren't vocally displaying their disapproval of it.....its being all mad that the WH1 costs too much. Does anyone actually think that Digitech would make a good re-issue of this pedal? Someone mentioned the type of process it would take to even start something up. Originals were made in Canada and a re-issue would def me made in asia or they would be costly items. Your better off getting one on ebay and go in on overtime at work for a couple shifts and be happy.:bassist:

Yes but for the fact that they rarely are on ebay, and for each one that is sold, the supply dwindles, forcing the price ever upwards. They are selling for $725 now.

Each time a bidder misses out on one they bid higher to make sure they get the next. I thought you were a lunatic for buying at $620. However, I can see that these things being $800-900 before long.
 
Tool will be done touring though by the end of the year. My guess is that the demand for the Bass Whammy will seriously dwindle once their tour ends. 6 months after they disappear for another 2-3 hiatus, the Bass Whammy prices will plummet on ebay.

That would be my logical guess.

As far as a Bass Whammy reissue, Digitech could always wait till Tool releases a new album and then re-launch the Bass Whammy idea. I doubt Chancellor would openly endorse it, considering the type of guys that Tool proclaims and seem to be, but at least the company would hook all the new fans/old fans on the product.

Now only if they made it sound good and have a long sweep. Buttons for changing presets would be genius too (thinking of the Whammy 4 in the situation).
 
I once called Digitech to get info on having my Bass Whammy recalibrated. The gentleman on the phone was very nice and we talked at length. Of course, I asked "With the popularity of Tool, have you guys ever considered re-issuing the Bass Whammy?" He replied, "The market's too small for us to do it." Of course I'm bummed out in this thread when Jauqo is attacked (like usual) because he's actually one of the most genuine cats I know.
Long story short, gentlemen...unless that petition has 20,000 signatures on it (and yes, I signed too) Digitech won't bat an eye.
 
Tool will be done touring though by the end of the year. My guess is that the demand for the Bass Whammy will seriously dwindle once their tour ends. 6 months after they disappear for another 2-3 hiatus, the Bass Whammy prices will plummet on ebay.

That would be my logical guess.

As far as a Bass Whammy reissue, Digitech could always wait till Tool releases a new album and then re-launch the Bass Whammy idea. I doubt Chancellor would openly endorse it, considering the type of guys that Tool proclaims and seem to be, but at least the company would hook all the new fans/old fans on the product.

Now only if they made it sound good and have a long sweep. Buttons for changing presets would be genius too (thinking of the Whammy 4 in the situation).

NO way jose......TOOL isn't the only band using the whammy man. But justin did make it famous. And the only way these things will go down in price is if another one like it is made. I mean just because tool isn't on tour doesn't mean People will stop wanting to play disposition or lateralus or whatever song that has whammy.

On a side note though, the only way the bass whammy could possibly be any better would be to add a recalibrate function for the sweep of the foot pedal. All new digitech pedals have them but not the bass whammy. IF the calibration gets out of whack then you just need to send it in to digitech. that kinda sucks. I experiences this problem with my bass whammy.
 
I'm really not trying to sound consescending, but I gotta say, I just don't see any real functional use for this pedal in a live "band" situation...maybe in a measure here and there......So, what would you do with it if you had it?..Would it be just a pedal to mess with around the house?...or would you gig it and use it once or twice a night?

For the price these puppies are going for on ebay, I think I would just invest in a decent head or another nice Bass...
 
264 :)

Pardon my ignorance in all this, but is this pedal something that is way beyond what a boutique pedal maker could make? After reading the other comments, it seems obvious that Digitech will never ramp this back up because a few hundred people want it. Thye probably need to make a minimum of 10,000 units or something like that. That said, I would think a boutique pedal maker might want a guaranteed 300-400 pedals at $200 a pop. I just don't know enough about the technology to know if what I am suggesting is utterly stupid.

Thoughts?
 
I'm really not trying to sound consescending, but I gotta say, I just don't see any real functional use for this pedal in a live "band" situation...maybe in a measure here and there......So, what would you do with it if you had it?..Would it be just a pedal to mess with around the house?...or would you gig it and use it once or twice a night?

For the price these puppies are going for on ebay, I think I would just invest in a decent head or another nice Bass...


Amen, brother.
 
264 :)

Pardon my ignorance in all this, but is this pedal something that is way beyond what a boutique pedal maker could make? After reading the other comments, it seems obvious that Digitech will never ramp this back up because a few hundred people want it. Thye probably need to make a minimum of 10,000 units or something like that. That said, I would think a boutique pedal maker might want a guaranteed 300-400 pedals at $200 a pop. I just don't know enough about the technology to know if what I am suggesting is utterly stupid.

Thoughts?

I don't think this is beyond the scope of possibility. Finding people to willingly donate theirs to the cause (they have to be reverse engineered), however, is another matter.
 
I'm really not trying to sound consescending, but I gotta say, I just don't see any real functional use for this pedal in a live "band" situation...maybe in a measure here and there......So, what would you do with it if you had it?..Would it be just a pedal to mess with around the house?...or would you gig it and use it once or twice a night?

For the price these puppies are going for on ebay, I think I would just invest in a decent head or another nice Bass...

Same thing could be said for many many pedals.

But it does make a drastic effect for drastic parts of songs. Lateralus wouldn't be the same if he wasn't using a whammy on those notes. Same goes for disposition.

It might not be used all the time but when it is used it is noticed. If I were to play lateralus I'd bet people would all be wondering what that sweet effect on the bass on that one song was (because they don't remember names). No one really cares if the bass has a dist or a chorus pedal on for the entire song. To most its hardly noticeable. A song might sound "off" without it (to the crowd) but it's not gonna change the song very much.