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Willcox Bass Club (Lightwave)

#501
scuzzy said:
I just placed an order for a Lightwave Classica 5-string from GC used inventory. has the original gig-bag, charger, and looks to be in excellent shape. can you all share any info on this model? Not finding much with my google-fu.
Click to expand...
I don't know much about this model. It looks like the one that preceded the Saber line. I found one on Reverb and it looks a lot like my Saber VL and has the newer monoliths vs the old separate system that are seen on the very early Lightwaves and the Zons.

I suspect that this bass is 20+ years old and the battery probably needs to be replaced unless the last owner did that.
 
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#502
kirkdickinson said:
I don't know much about this model. It looks like the one that preceded the Saber line. I found one on Reverb and it looks a lot like my Saber VL and has the newer monoliths vs the old separate system that are seen on the very early Lightwaves and the Zons.

I suspect that this bass is 20+ years old and the battery probably needs to be replaced unless the last owner did that.
Click to expand...
Any information you can share on battery replacement?

Attaching photos. Really can't find much on these.

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#503
scuzzy said:
Any information you can share on battery replacement?

Attaching photos. Really can't find much on these.

View attachment 7461845View attachment 7461846View attachment 7461847
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Nice. That looks nicer than the other Classico models that I have seen. It has the cutaway and semi hollowbody like my Saber VL. I suspect that it uses the same battery that the Saber's use. Open the back and take a look. Here is the place to order it: Shop Saber Bass Replacement Battery Pack - Willcox Guitars

This photo has my Saber VL fretless in the middle and a Saber SL to the right.

467425996_10234598134071506_8849064240668042164_n.jpg


Oh and here is a youtube from a year ago when I redid the neck.
 
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#505
#506
scuzzy said:
Any information you can share on battery replacement?

Attaching photos. Really can't find much on these.

View attachment 7461845View attachment 7461846View attachment 7461847
Click to expand...

scuzzy said:
I just placed an order for a Lightwave Classica 5-string from GC used inventory. has the original gig-bag, charger, and looks to be in excellent shape. can you all share any info on this model? Not finding much with my google-fu.
Click to expand...
Here's a related thread

I got one used from Elderly around 2010. 35" scale, very nice build quality, beautiful quilted maple top & 5 piece neck. More "normal" looking body than a Saber. Killer tone with Thomastic acousticore strings. I've only had to do minor routine maintenance... tension rod, tightening the bridge, etc.

Mine is lined fretless. I believe made in Ohio under contract by "Lightwave Instruments" (NOT Lightwave Systems/Wilcox)... Wilcox couldn't find the serial number on mine. Still sent me a free replacement battery, though! One of the threads on TB talked about some disagreement Wilcox had with the Ohio production organization.
 
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#508
skygazer said:
Here's a related thread

I got one used from Elderly around 2010. 35" scale, very nice build quality, beautiful quilted maple top & 5 piece neck. More "normal" looking body than a Saber. Killer tone with Thomastic acousticore strings. I've only had to do minor routine maintenance... tension rod, tightening the bridge, etc.

Mine is lined fretless. I believe made in Ohio under contract by "Lightwave Instruments" (NOT Lightwave Systems/Wilcox)... Wilcox couldn't find the serial number on mine. Still sent me a free replacement battery, though! One of the threads on TB talked about some disagreement Wilcox had with the Ohio production organization.
Click to expand...
I didn't know they made 35" scale? Cool.

I also didn't know that they had ever been made in Ohio. Do you have more information about this era of Lightwave? I would be curious to read about it. I guess I assumed they were all made in a Cort factory in Indonesia. Could be completely wrong, but that factory builds a lot of guitars for numerous brands.

I also have Acousticore strings on my fretless. It took a while to get the neck adjusted correctly. Those strings are so low tension that they weren't putting enough tension on the truss rod. They also took some getting used to because of the way they roll under my fingers.
 
#509
kirkdickinson said:
I didn't know they made 35" scale? Cool.

I also didn't know that they had ever been made in Ohio. Do you have more information about this era of Lightwave? I would be curious to read about it. I guess I assumed they were all made in a Cort factory in Indonesia. Could be completely wrong, but that factory builds a lot of guitars for numerous brands.

I also have Acousticore strings on my fretless. It took a while to get the neck adjusted correctly. Those strings are so low tension that they weren't putting enough tension on the truss rod. They also took some getting used to because of the way they roll under my fingers.
Click to expand...

Mine is confirmed 35" scale, very pleased with that. No idea where it was made, but it's built great.


I just ordered some labella low tension flats, I'm hopeful that they are a win. Demos sound great

Doing my first battery charge now. It appears to be taking a charge, so I'm hopeful it's good for a while.
 
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#510
Wyvern said:
I'm going to be getting a Hex SL5 soon.

I noticed they have no warm/cool switch, so are they biased towards warm, cool or in-between?

I wouldn't be too afraid to install a switch eventually if the functionality is still there.
Click to expand...
On mine there's a dial to adjust the blend between piezo and optical pickups, but the effect is not very prominent.

The "Ice Tone" feature does not apply.

the 2 switches are for patch select up/down, and 1/4" vs 13 pin output vs mix
 
#511
Used the Lightwave today during an acoustic set. The LTF from Labella sound great with this bass. Very woody and organic, similar feel to an acoustic bass. My friend said it sounded like a "less full upright". Can't disagree, that and it sustains more. This is what I was looking for.

Additionally, the battery seems to be fairly spent, not holding a really long charge. I can get 5-6 hours in, and it's spent. GC refunded me $46 for battery replacement. That being said, why in the world does Willcox charge $16 to ship a battery? Anyone have a coupon code for free shipping they can send my way?

Love this lightwave.
 
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#512
scuzzy said:
Used the Lightwave today during an acoustic set. The LTF from Labella sound great with this bass. Very woody and organic, similar feel to an acoustic bass. My friend said it sounded like a "less full upright". Can't disagree, that and it sustains more. This is what I was looking for.

Additionally, the battery seems to be fairly spent, not holding a really long charge. I can get 5-6 hours in, and it's spent. GC refunded me $46 for battery replacement. That being said, why in the world does Willcox charge $16 to ship a battery? Anyone have a coupon code for free shipping they can send my way?

Love this lightwave.
Click to expand...

Inspired me to play my Lightwave in church next sunday. Played the Dingwall today. :)

Mine is fretless with Thomastik Infield Accousticores. (crazy feeling strings with their super low tension and nylon cores. They roll under your fingers.
 
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#514
My Lightwave bass is not taking a charge. I haven't gotten the tester out to see if the charger is dead yet. If the battery is bad, will it not take a charge? Seems like I remember having a dead battery on a gig and it would work plugged into power. It won't even work plugged directly in. :(

Also seems like I remember when it is plugged in, there is a light visible through the back plate that lights up. Not lighting up.
 
#515
Has anyone bought a Saber lately? I bought a new old stock hex SL with bad neck issues, and wiring issues swapped it for a new VL (plus $400) and the routing is all jacked (very bad), cracked FB, wrong pot wiring, big neck shim and high frets.
Now Willcox is brushing me off and not handling it professionally.


I really wanted a 5 string Saber but both my examples were nowhere near as good as the late 00 examples I owned and played.
 
#516
kirkdickinson said:
My Lightwave bass is not taking a charge. I haven't gotten the tester out to see if the charger is dead yet. If the battery is bad, will it not take a charge? Seems like I remember having a dead battery on a gig and it would work plugged into power. It won't even work plugged directly in. :(

Also seems like I remember when it is plugged in, there is a light visible through the back plate that lights up. Not lighting up.
Click to expand...
Customer support started it will only charge for about 20 minutes if the battery is shot, then the charge won't last long. Sounds like you aren't getting power to the battery/bass at all.
 
#520
There were two Lightwave-equipped Modulus Quanta - a 5 and a 6 - that were made for NAMM. I VERY nearly bought the 6, until it sold, in July 2020. The day it sold, I found a Basslab STD-VI, which I purchased immediately. I have used that bass exclusively ever since.

They still could do us a solid…
 
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