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Lightwave Saber bass Thoughts? Own one?

keiththebassist

keiththebassist

Aug 12, 2010
803
24
Santa Rosa, California
www.booradleyshouse.com
#1
I am seriously intrigued by the design idea for the Lightwave Systems Saber SL series basses but there are no dealers in my area and it's hard to imagine plunking down the bucks before playing one. Anybody out there own or have played one of theses babies? The optical pickup design just kinda gets me going and I'm a total sucker for sustain and it seems like nothing can compete with the sustain, harmonics, slaptone etc. that these things are capable of. I've seen the Ed Freidland review, which was awesome, but wondering if there are others out there with stories to tell... Thanks!:bassist:
 
#2
Check out the reviews at Saber A Fretless - Bass Gear Reviews at TalkBass.com
Although they are about the fretless, the optical pickups are the same for the VL and SL. The hype and reviews are accurate about the sustain, clarity, and transparency of the sound, but you should bring your A game to play one. The pickups will translate anything you do, or neglect to do, with your fingering, so you can't hide your errors. On the other hand, if you do play well they can be a monster.
Go to their website ( Saber A Fretless - Bass Gear Reviews at TalkBass.com) and get the 800 number. Talk to Chris, the owner and designer. I think they may still have a generous return policy if you genuinely don't like the instrument.
 
#3
I've had one for about 6 months or so. Really like it a lot.

The sustain is unreal. In the words of Nigel Tuffnel, "You can go out and have a bite to eat, you'll still be hearin' that one." It doesn't hurt that it is hands down the quietest bass ever. Never knew my other basses were noisy until I heard absolutely no noise, no hiss, no buzz, no hum from the Lightwave.

Harmonics are amazing. You can easily pull clear and bright tones from the first fret.

Range of tone is simply stunning. Growly, deep, round - whatever you're after. There are times that it can sound a lot like an upright in that you really hear the string, not the pickup. (In the interest of disclosure, that's going through a Demeter pre-amp and Bergantino 410 or Avatar TB153, all of which are pretty honest and uncolored.)

I won't pretend that I understand how it works, but it does. The rechargeable battery is a great addition.

As for the instrument itself, it's a very well made bass. Fit and finish is very good, neck is nice, fairly thin, and playable. I will warn you that the string spacing gets a little wide in the upper registers. I have no idea of the measurements, but it's due to the increased space needed for the individual pups in the bridge. Certainly very playable and comfortable for me, but it took a minute to get used to things fanning slightly up top.

I hadn't played one before buying it, but I do that anyway. I tend to like oddball stuff and I've found that if the theory behind the design makes sense and is well supported, the instrument rarely disappoints. However, if you'd like to fly me out to California, I will bring the bass for you to try...

Hope that helps.

Oh, just remembered, it seems to work best with tapered strings. They seem to fit the bridge better. I've been using the Markley SR2000 and like 'em fine. Chris was planning on offering his own brand of strings on the website but I don't know if that's happened yet. Also, I play 5 string and the low B is superb - tite, punchy, and clear as a very big bell.
 
#5
I have a Saber VL-4 identical to this -

saber_vl_DSC8489w.jpg




I agree with what monkeyking said, and can't add much to that. It's light as a feather (under 8lbs), and the build quality is superb - pretty much flawless. If I were pushed to come up with a criticism, I'd say that the tone is a bit on the bright side. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this bass to anyone.
 
#6
I've had my 4 stringer for over 6 years now. I really like the bass as far as fit and function and is a lightweight natural ash with a maple neck/fb. It is really comfortable to play for long gigs, easy on the shoulder. I have used Rotosound 66, Chromes flats and half-round on it. I like the Chromes the best. I might try tapers, as mentioned above, just for grins. You will have to watch your technique more, as it will tell you when it is bad. If you get one, may sure it has the new bridge saddle adjuster, as mine has the old ones and have to pull the strings out of the way to adjust the action. Battery has good charge life. To me it was worth buying it used, and play it quite often in jams and gigs. Make sure you get the info needed to set the optics, used when you change to new or different type of strings. Haven't hear the hybrid models, can't comment on them. Dealers are few and far between, and you can't buy needed replacement parts online, the last I checked a few years ago.
 
#7
I owned one of the originals, in fact the prototype that appeared in the magazine years ago. I loved it and you can use any kind of string with it. I was even using a felt pick.
Ultimately I got rid of it because it picks up every single little noise. I was a new bass player then and just didn't have my technique down yet.
I'd buy another one in a heartbeat if I could find one cheap.
 
#8
Thanks for all the input guys! It seems like anyone here is hard pressed to come up with something negative to say about them. I am a relatively new bass player (3.5 years) so I am a little worried that my technique (or lack thereof) would show through more with something like this but I also think it could help me hear the flaws in my playing better and thus help me sharpen up. I was considering the fretless until I heard the sound of the slapping on the fretted version, and there's no way I could pass that up!

I guess my only other concern is that I normally anchor my thumb on the body of my soapbar EMG pickups and would be left without a place to anchor on a bass like this, I'm aware of the floating thumb technique and things like that but I am not really adept to it. Anybody also have this issue with theirs???

Thanks again!
 
#9
I play a 5 string fretted and fretless LW Saber. Quality is top notch and the electronics are surprisingly more versatile than one might think. It can produce some very serious thick low end. I use Thomastik Acousticore Phosphor Bronze strings on the fretless and SIT round wounds on the fretted. Both are tuned E-C and both have a very even and clean tonal output overall. Really an interesting bass.



















Lightwave Bass Endorser.
 
#10
I think since I forgot to even mention the pickup to thumb relation, that means I haven't had an issue with it.

I wouldn't worry too much about how revealing this bass can be. Though I've been playing a long time and gig steadily, my technique is god-awful. I usually charge the bass after I set up for the gig, so that should tell you how little I practice. I think you'll do just fine.

It's a fine instrument and via e-mail Chris Wilcox seems like a nice guy with a passion for his idea. I'd really like to see him succeed on a large scale.
 
#13
When they say it clearly shows your imperfections, its right. The piezo system is one of the most sensitive on the planet, and will pick up everything you do. I had one of the original Sabres from the first production run. Since I'm not a jazz dude and my technique is "percussive", to say the least, it would pick up everything I did.

It is light as heck, sustains forever, you actually can get sounds out of it that seem an octave lower then they are, and the neck is thinner then most and lightning fast.

It is beyond quiet, has zero effect from 60cycle hum, and in the words of my old producer, its the best bass he's ever recorded.
I would recommend it for someone who really loves playing fingerstyle, and who has or wants to have great technique.

tom
 
#16
keiththebassist said:
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm gas'ing super hard for one right about now. Think I'm gonna save up for the fretted SL5 in the natural finish. I can't wait!!!!
Click to expand...

This is a good deal. Maybe not the color choice you want, but at 59% off MSRP, that's a fairly mitigating factor. These deals on Amazon come and go. They seem to drop the prices incrementally until certain models sell, and then it's back to regular prices.
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#17
Gentlemen,
I don't post much, but I cannot resist this one. I have been playing for about 10 years despite a noticable lack of talent. I bought a 4 string Saber bass (the solid body one from a few years ago), becouse it was a crazy cheap deal and I was smitten with the sound. After a few weeks of picking it up and putting it down agan because if really botherson "string noise" due to my lack of technique. I never fell out of love, but I was really feeling unworthy. THEN
I put on a nice set of flats (TE). Dang what a whole new world! All the magnificent tone was still there, but my clumsy finger noise was gone. Right now it is my number one (behind a nice Warwick and an MTD). I get nothing but complements on my tone. My geezer bandmates love the sound, to the point they encourage me to step out with it (Chameleon, Spanish Moon etc.). So, just me, and I am a hack, but I bet that if you put flats on that lovely bass, you'll never go back. It really is magic.
 
#18
first inversion said:
Gentlemen,
I don't post much, but I cannot resist this one. I have been playing for about 10 years despite a noticable lack of talent. I bought a 4 string Saber bass (the solid body one from a few years ago), becouse it was a crazy cheap deal and I was smitten with the sound. After a few weeks of picking it up and putting it down agan because if really botherson "string noise" due to my lack of technique. I never fell out of love, but I was really feeling unworthy. THEN
I put on a nice set of flats (TE). Dang what a whole new world! All the magnificent tone was still there, but my clumsy finger noise was gone. Right now it is my number one (behind a nice Warwick and an MTD). I get nothing but complements on my tone. My geezer bandmates love the sound, to the point they encourage me to step out with it (Chameleon, Spanish Moon etc.). So, just me, and I am a hack, but I bet that if you put flats on that lovely bass, you'll never go back. It really is magic.
Click to expand...

Put a set of tapewounds on it. Takes the bass to a whole different dimension...
 
#19
I had one for about a year and then I can’t recall now why but I sold it to try out a more expensive bass years ago, which , ever since I have regretted. After a while one of TB top player’s called me and told me to put a st of Thomastik Acousticore Phosphor Bronze strings on of I really wanted tone to die for. Even though I previously liked how it sounded, with these strings it sounded like a massive electronic double stand-up bass. And that was the 4 string fretted Sabre model!! I’m still looking to get back to that great tone.
Peace
DAcat
 

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