Ok, so what bass evolution do you actually want?

[krfoss]

Apparently people don't like the evolution or lack thereof with fender and keisel, but....

What do you actually want?

At some point, the bass has to still be a playable bass.

There is that bass with the half fretted, half fretless that's an interesting evolution, but nobody bought it...

Headless basses are a thing to some, but heavily divisive....

P/j, p/mm, j/mm are all combos of other basses...

People hated gibson's robot tuning guitar...

So, what do you people actually want?

 

[charlie monroe]

... something to complain about

 

[Frank Tuesday]

I want them to build something unique so that I know they are still innovating. I don't want to buy from a company that rests on its laurels. Having said that, I'm still going to buy the thing they've been making for 60 years.

 

[krfoss]

... something to complain about

Ahh, a true Festivus believer.

 

[Sean150]

You know how car manufacturers come out with a new model every couple of years that’s “brand new” because the sheet metal and interior are slightly different while the actual technical stuff is the same. I think that’s what they want, and it does make for good window shopping.

 

[SteveC]

I kind of agree. People don't really seem to embrace the evolutions. There are only so many "playable" and "practical" variations you can do with neck and body shapes. Electronics...a magnet is a magnet. People didn't go for the "lightwave" optical pick up. I'm honestly surprised "fanned fret" basses are as popular as they are.

 

[lokikallas]

I want a 3D, smart, 4K bass, wait... that's TV sales marketing.

 

[krfoss]

I kind of agree. People don't really seem to embrace the evolutions. There are only so many "playable" and "practical" variations you can do with neck and body shapes. Electronics...a magnet is a magnet. People didn't go for the "lightwave" optical pick up. I'm honestly surprised "fanned fret" basses are as popular as they are.

I find the fanned fret impossible to play on, but it's just not for me. Similar to the car updates, if they just stopped making basses with the magnets and switches to lightwave, I wonder if people would just go with it. They don't make a '59 eldorado anymore, and people aren't up in arms about it.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

A horn loaded acoustic bass guitar like a stroh violin, except huge and all built into the body of the bass. Get on it, Fender.

 

[legalbass]

I just want a bass that's a Precision Bass but also the most innovative bass ever. I don't think I'm asking too much here.

 

[SteveC]

The one thing that I kind of wish would have worked better/been developed more aw the Line 6 Variax. I think they had a good start, but then just dumped it because I'm sure there just isn't a big enough market of bass players to make it worth while. Hence all their guitar stuff.

But really, a modeling bass (especially with how far that area has come) would be awesome - especially for us "cover band" types. I even liked/agreed with most of the models they had originally. I think having the tech available to be installed in whatever body you chose would help. I get that they probably needed to do a "generic" shape to avoid issues and try to have a mass appeal, but it didn't really work. I wish I could find the video of where a guy took the guts and put it in a Ken Smith or some "nice" bass. That would help a lot I think.

If the "guts" din't have to be in the bass maybe? If the piezo pickups were under the bridge, and the knobs were obviously on the bass, the rest could be in a pedal or rack unit?. You'd probably have to be wired but that's a sacrifice I'd make. I'm wired anyway.

Or not.

 

[SteveC]

I find the fanned fret impossible to play on, but it's just not for me. Similar to the car updates, if they just stopped making basses with the magnets and switches to lightwave, I wonder if people would just go with it. They don't make a '59 eldorado anymore, and people aren't up in arms about it.

That's a good point. The people who like/want those old cars find them, have clubs, etc., but they drive an Accord to work. I have my old P bass, but I play this "lightwave" because it's what's available and supported these days. That would be an interesting hypothesis to study.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

For the Sussudio bassline to have played on a bass.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The latest evolution has probably been roasted woods. I want to find a Precision FSR roasted P bass.

 

[gln1955]

If we take the analogy further, most evolutionary divergences seem like a good idea at the time, but turn out to be a dead end.

 

[Muttleybass]

I want a MusicMan to come out with a Stingray 5HS, neck thru with a rosewood fret board with white MOP blocks, in translucent cherry red (matching headstock) with a black pick guard, smoked or gunmetal hardware, under 9 pounds, and want them to FIX THAT G STRING that slips off the neck at the 12th fret.

And I don't want to pay $3000 for it. (ya say ya wanna evolution?)
Hello? Mr. Ball?

 

[bassistkll]

I'm not a proponent of evolution, I believe in intelligent design.

 

[Persona87]

The thing about innovation is that usually “the next big thing” is so different that it’s hard to imagine, and until it proves that it’s the next big thing, people think it’s a stupid fringe decision that no one will want. For example, I’m really interested in electric cars. Most electric cars are just like regular cars but powered by electric motors, but there are two big innovations in the works. The Tesla Cybertruck is an experiment in using simplified construction to drastically reduce manufacturing costs while providing some major benefits (strength and durability). The Aptera is a car that is experimenting with designing a light and aerodynamic vehicle to drastically increase efficiency. Both might be just a crazy idea that no one likes, but they might turn out to be “the next evolution”. We just have to see.

 

[Dean N]

I want two buttons on my bass. When I push one, a little robot hand comes out of my cab, holding an ice cold beer, and puts it on my amp.

Similarly, the other button would make nachos appear.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Nothing. Violins haven't changed in centuries. Get a decent instrument and start playing.