Ok, so what bass evolution do you actually want?

[_Obra_]

Already available in different companies .. but not necessarily one instrument..

- pickups that never buzz or hum, regardless of my position to the Earth's magnetic field or nearby equipment
- no dead spots on the neck
- ergonomically shaped and balanced, no neck dive
- Light to carry
- if active electronics, the batteries should last a long time... like 1 year.
- compensation at the nut too (more for guitars)
- special models/orders of fanned frets, mixed fret+fretless, 24TET
- easy to repair, reliable components built to last
- MIDI add-on readily available that fits the look of the instrument
- not using wood from endangered trees
- beautiful to hear, play and look at
- options of built-in-LED with batteries (for certain kind of stage shows)
- built in magnet to hold metal slide holders (guitars), or metal containers for plastic picks
- volume knobs that a well calibrated so that it evenly moves from 0-10 with the sound, and not 80% of the sound in 20% of the movement.

** futuristic wow **
- magnetic frets for each string that can be self positioned to be solid bars (traditional), individual to each string to perfectly tune to 12TET for each string, or altered for different temperaments all via built in software. Press a button and the frets adjust! Frets (magnetic) can also come off to give a fretless experience, all with the same instrument.

You should try Sandberg

 

[Basvarken]

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.

A inventor from Finland called Olavi Linden has actually built such a bass. He has patented the rolled-up horn inside the body and the diaphragm mechanism attached to the bridge.



He also made one with a huge horn attached to it for an exposition.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I don't need Fender to do anything.
Other makers do what they don't do just fine.

 

[etnoo]

I don’t think any evolution is necessary, all you need has been already done, everything else is only a little improvement and doesn’t change what is fundamental.. the fundamental is the bass on its own

 

[WestyBassBob]

You could buy an electric car in the eighteen hundreds.
The patent for the turbo is from 1905.
Fuel injection systems isn't exactly new either.
I fail to see cars as a good example, but you are probably need to be from the US to use cars for an example.

I said hybrid. Not electric cars. But even they are light years awAy from the early electric cars.

And I’m pretty sure people in other countries drive cars too.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

The bass has already "evolved" into it's ultimate form, the computer. I play a physical instrument specifically because I like the old, unrefined, extremely imperfect neanderthal sound. Unevolved is my jam.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

A inventor from Finland called Olavi Linden has actually built such a bass. He has patented the rolled-up horn inside the body and the diaphragm mechanism attached to the bridge.



He also made one with a huge horn attached to it for an exposition.
View attachment 4087014

Yaaaaaaaas! I knew someone had to have done it! I expected it to need to be bigger, but I hadn't accounted for front and back porting!

 

[VoodooJazz]

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.

So, basically you want a P-bass with a J neck. Good choice!

 

[King Louie]

I want:

• A 34'' weighing less than 2kg/4lbs
• Lithium ion batteries for active electronics
• Built-in wireless transmission without the need for radio packs on your belt. Just a clean design without any output jack.
• Torzal Twist necks on affordable instruments, and a choice of different manufacturers/designs
• Bridges without sharp edges (for muting)
• Tuner built into the instrument, like common for acoustic guitar

 

[g-dude]

I like the single tree idea, but then you’re stuck with an all maple, mahogany,or wenge bass. Could still be cool.

You mean all Walnut!!!

 

[g-dude]

I'd love to see the idea of sliding pickups take off. Not likely, I know I'm dreaming, but at least maybe someone could offer a simple reliable system you can DIY a body around.

DeArmond pickups for guitars have a bar that attaches to the neck, and you can slide the pickup. Pretty nifty.

 

[g-dude]

I want a stringless bass. A theremin/bass hybrid sort of thing.

Get the Moog Theramini and use it to send note values to a modular synth.

 

[DWBass]

Lighter basses for sure. Plug and play pickup systems.

 

[Michedelic]

This is a bit off topic but I've never heard of the Champan Stick before. The most interesting thing about it is the fact that Eddie Van Halen gets credit for inventing 2 handed tap. Emmette Champan first developed the technique in 1969. Kinda like Michael Jackson getting credit for inventing the Moon Walk. Bill Bailey invented the Moon Walk in 1955.

That was going on way before Chapman, he merely continued on a path to go about it more ergonomically...

...and you haven’t known anything about Tony Levin?

 

[Michedelic]

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

Intelligent design? So, explain this...

 

[Michedelic]

How about a little back to the future?

 

[Michedelic]

Ahh, a true Festivus believer.

No, that would be those who use the phrase, “war on(fill in the blank)”.

 

[coy garcia]

Intelligent design? So, explain this...
View attachment 4087748

I've seen photos of this bass a few times...what is it?? What a conversation piece

 

[Michedelic]

I've seen photos of this bass a few times...what is it?? What a conversation piece

It’s the bass that dare not speak its name...
Some know it as.....the Mothman

 

[Richard Martin]

That was going on way before Chapman, he merely continued on a path to go about it more ergonomically...

...and you haven’t known anything about Tony Levin?

Trust me when I say this, I'm far, far, far, far from the only person that didn't know this. Not long ago I saw an interview where Van Halen took credit for inventing the method.