Would you be interested in a bass with a built-in effect?

[Sajen006]

We're a group of engineering students from Nacka Gymnasium in Sweden who are currently developing a product, more precisely a bass guitar with a built-in effect curcuit. For this project, we need some input from as many bass players as possible to be able to decide if the idea is worth pursuing.

We're interested in whether or not any of you would be interested in a product like this, as well as what your favourite pedal is.

If you would like to help us out by answering a couple of questions, that would help us out immmensly! The questions can be found and answered here: [This invalid link has been removed]

Thanks in advance!

 

[Joe Nerve]

Ibanez built one that was pretty inexpensive, and very few people were interested. I bought it, it actually sounded pretty cool and was fun to play with, but I ultimately returned it. I notice they were blowing them out a couple of days ago on musiciansfriends stupid deal of the day, for I think $250.

Sorry to say but bass players don't take too well to innovations.

Also, if you really want people to answer questions, I'd post them here, and not in a link. Especially since you just joined today, to post this question.

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[RattleSnack]

If that effect could be changable, that could be interesting. Check out TC Electronic bass amps, effect can be "uploaded" via smart phone app.
But, as Joe said, trend among bass players is vintage.

 

[RickyT]

I change my mind to often about what sounds I want/need. That's the beauty of pedals. I can swap them out whenever I want. I'm not stuck with same OD or Fuzz. I can mix and match as I need to.

 

[Joe Nerve]

If that effect could be changable, that could be interesting. Check out TC Electronic bass amps, effect can be "uploaded" via smart phone app.
But, as Joe said, trend among bass players is vintage.

LOL. I own one of them too. It sits in the glove compartment of my car as backup, and has only been used once, to make sure that it worked .

 

[Zooberwerx]

These are the same folks who brought us Hagstrom, Volvo, ABBA, and Ikea...how can anything go wrong?!?

I remember Electra used interchangeable modules back in the day.

Riis

 

[Bassmike62]

I wouldn't buy such a bass, but I always thought the Toneprint idea could be adapted to have fxs accessible from the bass...

 

[Bodeanly]

I would not be interested. The whole idea reminds me of the instruments with built-in speakers. When folks want an effect, they add it to their pedal board. Unless you are making these extremely affordable (read: toy aisle/ First Act), I do not see them doing well in today's market.

I think you posted the wrong link, BTW.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Not in a bass. Many bassists play without using effects.If I want to spend extra money on an effects, it should be separate, so it can be sold if not used, and if used, used with more than one instrument.

 

[Pudge Fish]

The idea reminds me of the MM Reflex, but with effects rather than pickup combos. Pedals work just fine live and you aren't limited to what's built-in. Also, having to plug my bass into a computer to fiddle with it never appeals to me.

I agree that the TC Toneprint tech is cool though... If you cann pull something like THAT off, it would remove a hurdle for people like me.

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

If you could make an intro level bass with the standard effects (like Marshall did with their small amp series) for under $200, it would appeal to a lot of beginners. For experienced players? No.

 

[two fingers]

Welcome to TalkBass!

You would have a better chance of making this work in the market if you could upload different effects or swap out modules. Having only a few to choose from probably wouldn't work well. I'm not sure what you know about effects enthusiasts, but they like to try stuff.......LOTS of stuff. One delay, or compressor, or fuzz, or overdrive won't get it. Choices. You must incorporate choices in your design.

Good luck with it!

 

[G-Dog]

There is a whole (small) club of bassists here who own the Line 6 Variax bass, many of whom lament it's discontinuation.

Yours doesn't sound like quite the same thing, but I'm just saying . . .

 

[NoxNoctus]

Something like the Wal pre, sure!

 

[Wesley R]

I would not be interested in a bass with built in effects, but I am older and probably not your target market. If memory serves (and it may not) Gibson made an EBO with a built in fuzz.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Line6 Variax. Look it up. Failed miserably.

 

[Slevage]

No

 

[lfmn16]

I think that you are trying to satisfy a market that doesn't exist. Most of the bass players I know don't use effects, or if they do, it's just a compressor. Of the people that I know that do use effects, they are pretty particular about what they use and many go through a lot of effects finding the perfect ones.

I'd look elsewhere for a product to build.

 

[knumbskull]

I think that you are trying to satisfy a market that doesn't exist. Most of the bass players I know don't use effects, or if they do, it's just a compressor.

ignoring the "effects in a bass" idea for a moment, I would respectfully say that lots of us bass players use effects

back on topic, Shergold used to make a kind of modular system in their basses/guitars, I think it has a bit of a cult following:

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in terms of choice, expandability, and ease of use (ie switching on/off), currently pedals are hard to beat. I can see a small advantage if you wanted to bring *just* your bass to a gig – but then pedals are hardly huge as it is.

and yes, if you pursue it, definitely use swappable modules.

 

[Ewo]

Well, it's not exactly an effect, but a sweepable HPF onboard could come in handy.