Guitar and Bass Goodies Part II
May 15, 2000 - Just when you thought you had gotten rid of me, I'm back with more guitar and bass goodies from the NAMM show. (If you didn't already read it, check out part one.) I have to say that being at the NAMM show is really a cool experience. There's something new, different, or just plain weird around every corner. Well, here is some information that was around some of the corners I turned.
If you think that this just looks like a head stock on a tube with string . . . you'd be right. Basically, the Tubular Bass is just that. It might look pretty strange, but it actually sounds good. The upright acoustic imitating bass is nothing more that a headstock and a tail piece stuck on the end of a hollow tube. However, that's where the simple part stops. The tube, you see, has extremely thin walls and is made of a composite material designed to be strong yet light. How, light you ask? (I love when you guys ask questions right when I want you to) Well, I'll tell you.
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| Tubular Bass |
The entire instrument, including the stand, weighs about three pounds. Literally, you can pick this bass up and spin it around your head with one hand. Not a behavior I would suggest, however, as it might lead to crying and screaming when the instrument breaks as you send it flying through the window. Does this instrument actually sound like an upright acoustic bass? Yes, it really does. Does this instrument actually play like an acoustic bass? Yes, again. Is it kind of strange looking? Well . . . I guess it is, but if you have even carried a real acoustic double bass up a flight of stairs you will really appreciate this instrument. For more information, click to www.gettubular.com.
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| Klein Electric Guitar |
If ergonomics was the buzz word of the 90's then this guitar must be the guitar of the 2000's. This instrument from Klein was designed with all the past guitar concepts thrown out the window. This body shape was designed from day one with ergonomics in mind.
It rests on your leg just right when you're playing sitting down. The back fin is great for supporting your arm while strumming hard (even better than a Strat). The slope on the top of the body gets the wood out of the way when your tapping and improves the line on site on the upper frets. The instrument is light so it's easy to strap on for an entire gig. And the best part, it sounds good.
This is a good all around instrument for any type of music. Don't let the strange shape fool you, this is a serious instrument. To find out more, check out www.kleinelectricguitars.com.
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| Light Wave Bass Optical Pickups |
The LightWave pickup system from LightWave Systems is the slickest thing to come along in the bass world since the five string. This new pickup system uses light to sense the string movement instead of magnetics. What does this mean to you the bass player. Quiet! No, I'm not telling you to be quiet. What I mean is your amp will be quiet whenever you're not playing. No more hum or buzz in the background.
At the NAMM show I had a chance to test out a Zon bass with the LightWave system installed on it. What's my opinion you ask? It works, it sounds good, it tracks very accurately even on string bends, I had no complaints although I only tried it out for a short time. I think the fact that Zon chose to put it on one of their basses says a lot about the product. Joseph Zon himself told me that they tried everything they could think of during the testing period to make the pick up fail and it just kept working.
One of the greatest things about the LightWave is the battery system. The pickups use a Ni-Cad rechargeable battery system built right into the instrument. A fully charged battery will last for fifteen hours. The system has a two hours remaining battery warning light. The best thing of all, the bass can be played while the battery is charging. I already know of a second bass manufacturer (Conklin) who is using this system and several others who are planning to. Will this eliminate all magnetic pickups? Probably not, but it definitely has it's place in the bass world.
To find out the whole story, check out www.lightwave-systems.com
Well, there you have it. How did you like my NAMM show guitar/bass picks (no pun intended). Drop me a line and let me know at cliffnotes@harmony-central.com.
Keep Jamming,
Cliff
Cliff Suttle (cliffnotes@harmony-central.com) has been studying music for over twenty years including studies at the University of Michigan. Fluent on keyboards, guitar, and bass, Cliff is currently playing in an all original rock band Middle Earth. Cliff's motto: Understand the theory and you can play anything.
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