Lightwave SpaceBass

[Thunderitter]

I've been seeing this in the banner ad the last couple of days, so I thought I'd take a look.

Invalid Link Removed

On first pass it looks like an interesting bass, even thought the name has been used and is pretty 1970s to me! Anyway, then I saw the price!

I was thinking this would be a sub $2000 sort of bass but it's starting is $2995 for a four-banger. I'm assuming that is the MSRP, and the retail will be less.

Does anyone know any more, or has anyone had a play, or even own one of these?

 

[chicago_mike]

looks like a Tune from 1995

 

[Stampy]

You can kill someone with that thing lol!!!

 

[the humanity]

looks very 20's to me, like some Art Deco geometric bass. if there were electric basses as we know them today in the 20's that would fit in well with them.

 

[Thunderitter]

looks like a Tune from 1995

Yeah; the description says it was designed with the help of Hatsukazu Fujitani, founder of TUNE Guitar Technology of Japan.

 

[Rickett Customs]

It'd look even better as a headless fan fret..... The 1 pictured.... 36 frets!?

 

[Shmone]

for 2995$ you should at least get a pickup with it

 

[lug]

looks like a Tune from 1995

This one to be exact.

 

[bongomania]

Yeah, there's a wee bit of similarity there.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Yeah, there's a wee bit of similarity there.

That's mainly because Chris Wilcox(founder of LW) and Hatsukazu Fujitani(founder of TUNE) have been working on the space bass for over a decade and they are now in the process of offering they're collaborative efforts to the general public.


There are pics of Chris Wilcox with the Lightwave SpaceBass model that goes back to the 90's.


Here's some hisory on the SpaceBass.

Invalid Link Removed

















I'm a Lightwave endorser.

 

[abarson]

Much of the expense in this instrument is the Lightwave elements and electronics, which have never been cheap. Here's hoping the rest can be attributed to premium woods and workmanship.
Actually, I kind of like it!

 

[MoonDoggy]

The cost also comes from this bass being completely made here in the US. Their other models have been made in Korea and then finalized in the US. And they have a very well-known and respected luthier, Mark Garza, doing the woodworking. That gets expensive fast, but it's a great move for them. Kudos!

 

[TapyTap]

I'm a Lightwave endorser.

Does the design of the Lightwave optical pickup/bridge system make intonation of the string at the saddle a bit of a hassle?

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Does the design of the Lightwave optical pickup/bridge system make intonation of the string at the saddle a bit of a hassle?

For me there was a very minor learning curve and from there it's just like intonating a traditional bass bridge.

 

[TapyTap]

For me there was a very minor learning curve and from there it's just like intonating a traditional bass bridge.

Interesting.

I hope that my next question does not put you on the spot in any way...it is not intended to do so: Do you find the Lightwave pickups/ bridges to be "fragile" in any way? I have not played a bass with this pickup system yet, and I love the concept, but for some reason I am under the impression that the system might be a bit more finicky than magnetic pickups.

Thanks again.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Interesting.

I hope that my next question does not put you on the spot in any way...it is not intended to do so:

No you're not putting me on the spot at all.

Do you find the Lightwave pickups/ bridges to be "fragile" in any way?

To answer your questions.


The pickups or bridge are not fragile at all. I play my LW's in the same exact way I play my none LW basees, with no thought at all of any possible damage occuring to the pickups or bridge or any other part of the LW bass.

I have never had to have any part(s) replaced at all.

Playing a LW is not at all like playing a high end classical guitar, where fragility could be a logical concern if you play it or handle it a certain way.

I have not played a bass with this pickup system yet, and I love the concept, but for some reason I am under the impression that the system might be a bit more finicky than magnetic pickups.

Thanks again.

No not at all. If you ever get the chance, you would be surprised at the versatility and how much low end you can get out of it.

Thanks again.

You're welcome.

 

[Axtman]

With my luck I would reach down to pick up something off the floor and poke my eye out! Scary bass shape!

 

[5thstringer]

I use a Lightwave Saber VL-5 and play it pretty much the same as a conventional p/up
bass. The necks and response are second to none IMO. The controls take a little getting used to, but actually very well thought out. I think LW basses have yet to make their mark, but clearly Chris is a genious as far as innovative design and functionality

 

[groooooove]

piezo-only?

no thanks.

 

[silky smoove]

piezo-only?

no thanks.

Not actually a piezo. Its a LightWave optical pickup.