Just came across these whilst surfing the net, says they use an optical pickup. Just wandered if anyone has owned/ played/ heard one?
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Lightwave basses?
- Thread starter bannybassman
- Start date
- Jul 17, 2003
- 23
- 19
- 64
- Disclosures
- Endorsed by Fodera, MTD, TecAmp, Intex Cables...love them all!
I have the prototype six-string version, an MTD fretless with lightwave pickups. They are fantastic, but it's a learning curve! Here's the demo: YouTube - ‪Patrick Pfeiffer Backstage Solo Action‬‏
I had heard that these are hard to play, because they show your weaknesses as a player in a big way. I found the opposite to be true. It was easier to play because I could hear exactly what I was doing. Clean response and very good fit and finish may make this my go to instrument for a long time.
Tituscrow said:As a physicist, this gives me arousal
Yeah, that's kinda why I wanted to explore further
I liked the Lightwave system a lot; not so much the bass itself unfortunately. On a Zon, many years ago, it sounded and felt really great. Too bad it's only available on their own basses now.
- Jun 3, 2009
- 3,330
- 398
- Disclosures
- Bassgearu, Music Industry Consulting and Sales. Tech 21, NBE Corp, Sonosphere.
I had one of the original production Sabres for many years. For jazz and tapping especially, the bass just sang. The piezo system in them is superior and does, as carl h above says, articulate every nuance of your playing.
The optical system sustains forever and the bass weighs about as much as my lunchbox. The necks are slim and fast.
I sold mine to a young man who had always wanted one but could not afford it. I went from playing it a lot to a little as I started using a pick more and more and my approach to the bass lately has been, well, extremely percussive. So you heard everything I did, from banging my hand on the body to random pick noise.
I would recommend them highly, and Chris Wilcox of Lightwave Systems is an amazingly nice and good man.
The last time I used the Lightwave I played an open mic singing over my bass. I have never gotten more complements then that performance, at least not in the past decade or two.
Have fun!
The optical system sustains forever and the bass weighs about as much as my lunchbox. The necks are slim and fast.
I sold mine to a young man who had always wanted one but could not afford it. I went from playing it a lot to a little as I started using a pick more and more and my approach to the bass lately has been, well, extremely percussive. So you heard everything I did, from banging my hand on the body to random pick noise.
I would recommend them highly, and Chris Wilcox of Lightwave Systems is an amazingly nice and good man.
The last time I used the Lightwave I played an open mic singing over my bass. I have never gotten more complements then that performance, at least not in the past decade or two.
Have fun!
I have a Lightwave Saber VL. It's a bit on the bright-sounding side, but overall it's a great bass. Technically fascinating, and light as a feather.
Had a Zon Lightwave fretless 5 (built in '00) that I bought new. Sold it last year to my buddy Harry to had been lusting after it since I snapped it up before him. I think the Lightwave system is best for fretless - never did dig the fretted ones I hear but maybe they have changed.
Very neutral and organic tone. I liked it a lot but GAS got me and I'm now playing Rob Allens (gone hyper organic).
Very neutral and organic tone. I liked it a lot but GAS got me and I'm now playing Rob Allens (gone hyper organic).
- Dec 23, 2008
- 157
- 0
- Disclosures
- Staff Producer / Audio Engineer: Blue Tower Studio, Denver, CO & Mighty Fine Productions, Denver, CO
+1 on Lightwave is amazing for fretless.
I can't imagine it being anything but "clacky" & too bright on a fretted instrument. But plenty of people do it.
I have one of the original Zon Sonus Fretless 5s with the earliest version of the Lightwave S1 system. It has not been without its problems, but when it is working it is amazing. Mine has been out of commission (one of the pickups failed a few years back & I've just been too busy to do anything aout it), but with excellent customer service from Lightwave, I'm getting it working again.
I've always used some, but very little of the piezo. The instrument sounds sterile & flat if you leave it totally off, but more than just a tiny bit of it and it starts to sound real bright & weird and can even feed back if your amp is up loud & you get your bridge too close to the horn in your cab.... (again, this is from the earliest prototype of the lightwave system, the piezo may be voiced differently now. there is also a control on the preamp board having something to do with the piezo... maybe a highpass frequency? i forget. some EQ setting, anyway)
I am very excited to play this instrument again. I played nothing but my fretless zon from 1999 till about 2005. The broken pickup coincided with my re-discovery of the fretted bass, and I've been playing nothing but fretted since.
Anyway, great system, glad they are still around & very pleased with their fantastic customer support. I (somehow, unwittingly) got a bass with a prototype of their earliest system from 10+ years ago, and they still offer no questions asked top notch customer service to me. That is awesome.
I can't imagine it being anything but "clacky" & too bright on a fretted instrument. But plenty of people do it.
I have one of the original Zon Sonus Fretless 5s with the earliest version of the Lightwave S1 system. It has not been without its problems, but when it is working it is amazing. Mine has been out of commission (one of the pickups failed a few years back & I've just been too busy to do anything aout it), but with excellent customer service from Lightwave, I'm getting it working again.
I've always used some, but very little of the piezo. The instrument sounds sterile & flat if you leave it totally off, but more than just a tiny bit of it and it starts to sound real bright & weird and can even feed back if your amp is up loud & you get your bridge too close to the horn in your cab.... (again, this is from the earliest prototype of the lightwave system, the piezo may be voiced differently now. there is also a control on the preamp board having something to do with the piezo... maybe a highpass frequency? i forget. some EQ setting, anyway)
I am very excited to play this instrument again. I played nothing but my fretless zon from 1999 till about 2005. The broken pickup coincided with my re-discovery of the fretted bass, and I've been playing nothing but fretted since.
Anyway, great system, glad they are still around & very pleased with their fantastic customer support. I (somehow, unwittingly) got a bass with a prototype of their earliest system from 10+ years ago, and they still offer no questions asked top notch customer service to me. That is awesome.
