Willcox Bass Club (Lightwave)

[kirkdickinson]

Hi to all,

I've recently acquired a Lightwave Saber VL5 FretLess, here's some pics.
At the moment it mount some flatwounds strings and it's tuned E A D G C, but I'll probably revert it to a more standard 5 string tuning B E A D G. I'm not 100% sure anyway, I like the harmonics on the C string.

I still need to understand what kind of strings I'd like to put on it, I'm considering:

- Thomastik AB345 Acoustic Bass 45-125
- DR Strings Rare Acoustic Bass RPB5-41-118
- Dean Markley SR2000 7string (to keep open to both tunings eventually) 47-127

I've excluded
- D'Addario Nylon Tapewound 50-135 because of the <130 limit I've read in this forum about.

What are your thoughts on these options?

Consider that I've got already an NS CR4 Omnibass that suits me for the upright tone so I'm looking forward to something different and I play in a pretty crowded Progressive Rock band (2 voices, 2 guitars, 1 keyboard, optional violin).

Looking forward to hear your feedback !!

Alessandro

Can't go wrong with the Dean Markley SR2000 in my opinion. I have tried several sets of strings on my fretted lightwave and keep returing to those. My fretless came with LaBella Whites and I never liked those. I put Bronze Phosphor D'Addario acoustic bass strings on there for a while. That is a very very bright option. Almost obnoxiously bright. I loved it, but it didn't really fit with the church music that I was playing. I have LaBella Deep Talking blacks on there now, and I think that is whe sweet spot for that bass, for the music that I play.

I have Tomastik Jazz flats on my Portamento fretless and I really like those. They would probably be a good fit for a lightwave also. I am not familiar with the Tomastik strings you referenced.

You say you play mostly Prog Rock and I really think that the Bronze Phosphor strings might really cut through and bring a different voice that fits into the music that you are doing.

If you have changed strings on this bass before, you will realize that it needs almost a complete setup after changing to a different type of strings. That makes testing new sets quite a commitment.

I didn't thow away my Bronze strings. They are nearly new. Drop me an IM and i will gift them to you to try.

 

[kirkdickinson]

Hi to all,

I've recently acquired a Lightwave Saber VL5 FretLess, here's some pics.
At the moment it mount some flatwounds strings and it's tuned E A D G C, but I'll probably revert it to a more standard 5 string tuning B E A D G. I'm not 100% sure anyway, I like the harmonics on the C string.

I still need to understand what kind of strings I'd like to put on it, I'm considering:

- Thomastik AB345 Acoustic Bass 45-125
- DR Strings Rare Acoustic Bass RPB5-41-118
- Dean Markley SR2000 7string (to keep open to both tunings eventually) 47-127

I've excluded
- D'Addario Nylon Tapewound 50-135 because of the <130 limit I've read in this forum about.

What are your thoughts on these options?

Consider that I've got already an NS CR4 Omnibass that suits me for the upright tone so I'm looking forward to something different and I play in a pretty crowded Progressive Rock band (2 voices, 2 guitars, 1 keyboard, optional violin).

Looking forward to hear your feedback !!

Alessandro

By the way, your bass looks like the twin of mine.

 

[james81bong]

Thanks for the feedback Kirk !!

And thanks for the offer to send me the strings; I'm located in Italy so I don't think it will be practical but I surely appreciate the offer !!

I think I'll try first the acoustic bronze to experiment something I can't use in my other basses (I'm missing an acoustic one at the moment), I'll need to go for a complete re-setup since now it is tuned differently from what I need... hope I'll cope with that !! I'll keep the SR2000 in my wish list for the next change anyway

Thanks again for the precious counseling !!

Ale

p.s. they really looks like twins and I like your gear !! I've got also a few more basses, but I never owned a Dingwall and I'm intrigued by the fanned frets, maybe one time I'll try one !!

 

[kirkdickinson]

Thanks for the feedback Kirk !!

And thanks for the offer to send me the strings; I'm located in Italy so I don't think it will be practical but I surely appreciate the offer !!

I think I'll try first the acoustic bronze to experiment something I can't use in my other basses (I'm missing an acoustic one at the moment), I'll need to go for a complete re-setup since now it is tuned differently from what I need... hope I'll cope with that !! I'll keep the SR2000 in my wish list for the next change anyway

Thanks again for the precious counseling !!

Ale

p.s. they really looks like twins and I like your gear !! I've got also a few more basses, but I never owned a Dingwall and I'm intrigued by the fanned frets, maybe one time I'll try one !!

Wish I had a good recording of the bronze on my Lightwave. Very very bright sounding I think the output is so much that it slightly overdrives the preamp and brings a little distortion right out of the bass. Like I said, I really liked the tone, but some might think it was obnoxious and it definitely did not fit the praise and worship music that I was doing. More of a metal sound.

Dingwall is awesome. Such a solid B string. They are starting to become very popular among Metal and Prog-Metal.

I have a couple other basses now, maybe it is time for a new "Family photo". I have a Ibanez Portamento SRF706 that is currently my most played bass. I also have a the cheapest ebay 4-string that I use for lessons. It actually looks, sounds, and plays surprisingly well, but needs a little fret end smoothing... which I need to learn to do myself.

 

[Tosh]

Hey Y'all I just noticed that Willcox has slashed prices on the Saber SL Bass w/ HexFX

Any color you like as long as it's black - $999

Saber SL Bass 4-string Fretted - Willcox Guitars

This is a nice bass! I bought one for $1300 a couple of months ago. I'm guessing they're closing them out....

 

[kirkdickinson]

Hey Y'all I just noticed that Willcox has slashed prices on the Saber SL Bass w/ HexFX

Any color you like as long as it's black - $999

Saber SL Bass 4-string Fretted - Willcox Guitars

This is a nice bass! I bought one for $1300 a couple of months ago. I'm guessing they're closing them out....

Seems like a good price for that that one. I mostly play fretless 5 string. I already have a chambered VL fretless and 5 string. If I spec out one like it with the HEX, it is $1668.00.

I see an Atlantis Guitar Wide body for $799 vs the regular Atlantis for $1414. What is the difference?

 

[jimfist]

Hello all!

I've had my eye on a Willcox bass (Saber 4 string fretted) for a while and my be pulling the trigger soon.
I'm also very interested in the HexFx system with the Roland GR-55 pedal.

I understand that these instruments are a bit different than traditional basses with mag pickups, and am fully aware of the added adjustments needed when changing strings, intonation, setup, etc.
Also, that since there's no pickup, I'll need to deal with my habit of using it as a thumb rest - unless Willcox considers adding some sort of thumb rest.

Beyond that, I play a 50/50 mix of fingers and pick. Can anyone describe to me how the playing experience is different when compared to traditional mag pickup basses, in terms of techniques (palm muting when picking, for example)?
I'm hoping that there aren't any non-starters issues in this respect, so please, any feedback is helpful.

Similarly, I'm curious to hear from those who use the HexFx with the GR-55 as to their experiences, good/bad/ugly.

Thanks, and hoping to join the club soon.

 

[kirkdickinson]

I have two, both 5 strings. One fretted and one fretless. I don't really change my playing style any. If you are really dependent on a fixed thumb style and use the pickups, you might want to add a thumb rest. One of mine came used with a stick on thumb rest, but I rarely use it. My style is more of a floating thumb style so I might use it ocassionally.

Mine has a cheap plastic thumb rest that is just attached with double sided tape. There are nicer ones and you can permanently screw them on if you want.

Amazon.com : bass guitar thumb rest

Here is where the thumb rest is on mine.
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/lw-2-jpg.694459/

I bought this one here in the classifieds.
SOLD - Lightwave Saber VL Lined Fretless 5 String

I don't know much about the HexFX, but would love to have one to play with.

 

[jimfist]

I have two, both 5 strings. One fretted and one fretless. I don't really change my playing style any. If you are really dependent on a fixed thumb style and use the pickups, you might want to add a thumb rest. One of mine came used with a stick on thumb rest, but I rarely use it. My style is more of a floating thumb style so I might use it ocassionally.

Mine has a cheap plastic thumb rest that is just attached with double sided tape. There are nicer ones and you can permanently screw them on if you want.

Thanks. For finger style, I can manage adding a thumb rest, or I may find it's not a problem.
How about anyone out there who plays with a pick? Or does Willcox just not attract "that kind of player"? j/k

 

[kirkdickinson]

Thanks. For finger style, I can manage adding a thumb rest, or I may find it's not a problem.
How about anyone out there who plays with a pick? Or does Willcox just not attract "that kind of player"? j/k

I am sure there are plenty of pick players with Wilcox basses. Personally, I started with the bass and even though I can play with a pick, that style never connected with me. Some of the rock god bass players were pick only. Carol Kaye, Chris Squire, Lemmy, Gene Simmons, many others. Don't remember seeing any of the Motown greats with a pick.

 

[Tosh]

I don't use a pick - I like to wear down my fingertips.

I've never missed having a thumb rest with my Willcox. I tend to rest my thumb on the E string, keeping it muted, until I need to play that string.

I realize this may not be efficient playing technique, but it works for me (most of the time).

 

[jimfist]

bump...would like to hear thoughts from Willcox bass owners who play with a pick.
thanks.

 

[BigAlBass69]

New to this technology. Is the sound truly as pure as what is proclaimed? Is it noticeable in a live setting to the extent that one can truly notice? Or is it a studio only thing?

 

[warwickhunt]

To my old ears, in a live setting... it sounds like a bass!

Admittedly a nice clear bass but you aren't going to have anyone rushing you to ask what this fascinating new technology/bass sound is. Saying that neither does it detract or put anyone off, it's just bass to my ears.

 

[timendous]

Hey! I have the opportunity to trade a guitar I just got in a trade for a Red 2007 Wilcox Saber Lightwave 4. Comes with charging cable and all.

My only concern is with it being as old as it is, should I have concerns about the electronics possibly going bad? I have to admit up front if they ended up needing replaced, I wouldn't be able to afford it.

I'll admit I haven't had time to read through all 22 pages of the thread but what I have read has me excited.

 

[kirkdickinson]

Hey! I have the opportunity to trade a guitar I just got in a trade for a Red 2007 Wilcox Saber Lightwave 4. Comes with charging cable and all.

My only concern is with it being as old as it is, should I have concerns about the electronics possibly going bad? I have to admit up front if they ended up needing replaced, I wouldn't be able to afford it.

I'll admit I haven't had time to read through all 22 pages of the thread but what I have read has me excited.

I think the parts are all available, be pending on if it is a production or pre-production model.

Mine have both been pretty solid. The one I purchased used had a piezo go out and I ordered a new one and replaced it. I really like mine. Had to replace a battery once too, but I think I could have made a battery pack cheaper like when I used to make CR car battery packs.

 

[TanglefooT1959]

Better late than never!! I finally took the plunge and bought a Light Wave (sight unseen) that the seller advertised as a CLASSICA C4. I've never seen or heard of such a model. It has gorgeous Pearl block inlays.

 

[kirkdickinson]

Better late than never!! I finally took the plunge and bought a Light Wave (sight unseen) that the seller advertised as a CLASSICA C4. I've never seen or heard of such a model. It has gorgeous Pearl block inlays.

I don’t know that model. Maybe one of the earlier ones. Can you get a closeup photo of the bridge saddles? I believe the earlier ones had a two piece saddle where the piezo was separate from the enclosure? All the later ones have a monolith pickup. Seems like one of the early ones I loooked at had some brass parts in there that aren’t on any of the current models.

 

[TanglefooT1959]

I don’t know that model. Maybe one of the earlier ones. Can you get a closeup photo of the bridge saddles? I believe the earlier ones had a two piece saddle where the piezo was separate from the enclosure? All the later ones have a monolith pickup. Seems like one of the early ones I loooked at had some brass parts in there that aren’t on any of the current models.

OK. I'll have to wait until it arrives from USA in another couple of weeks depending on UPS.

 

[TanglefooT1959]

OK. I'll have to wait until it arrives from USA in another couple of weeks depending on UPS.

Hi Kirk. Here are some photos of the bridge assembly and the serial number of my Saber bass. It just arrived today but I cannot get any sound out of it unless the volume is turned up to full on my amp??