Zon Guitars' Lightwave Bass Introduces
New Optical Pickup System{deck}
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Zon Lightwave
(Click for larger image) |
January 27, 2000
Zon Guitars, a leading manufacturer of high-quality, hand-crafted bass guitars,
introduces the Sonus Lightwave Bass. The Sonus Lightwave bass represents a radical
departure from magnetic pickups in the reproduction of string vibration as it
relates to creating sound.
Utilizing an optical pickup system, a beam of infrared light is emitted
across the width of the string to sense the movement at the bridge, the
area of greatest harmonic content. The shadow created by the vibrating
string, is read via a receptor on the other side of the string directly
opposite the emitter. The electronic signal of the individual strings
are then summed together and fed into an active EQ system. The EQ system
consists of volume, bass and treble boost/cut controls.
Because there are no magnetic pickups associated with the Lightwave
system, the strings are allowed to vibrate in a free and natural motion,
unrestricted by the pull of the magnetic field. The result gives the Sonus
Lightwave a rich, pure and acoustic-like voice. Complimenting the infrared
optical system is a piezo element in the bridge which when blended, provides
additional detail and sparkle to the upper frequencies. The entire system
is powered by Recharge Anytime Ni-cad batteries and can be operated while
the charger is plugged in, never leaving you stranded without juice. In
addition, the infrared system is dead quiet. The absence of any magnetic
field makes this bass unaffected by RF or 60 hz hum.
The Sonus Lightwave features a two-piece swamp ash body, 24- fret, 34"
scale, bolt-on composite neck with a phenowood fingerboard and black hardware.
Options include highly figured bookmatched tops ($300), transparent colors($150)
and lined or unlined fretless fingerboards ($100).
While the Sonus Lightwave bass was not designed to make basses with
magnetic pickups obsolete, it is designed to give bassists a truly unique
and expressive new voice.
Sonus Lightwave Specifications:
- 34" scale bolt-on composite neck with phenowood fingerboard
- Two-piece swamp ash body (colors and highly figured tops optional)
- Black hardware
- Lightwave infrared optical pickup system with Icetone piezo feature.
- Powered by Recharge Anytime Ni-cad batteries.
Suggested Retail Prices (not including options):
Sonus Lightwave 4-string $2975
Sonus Lightwave 5-string $3275
For additional information visit Zon Guitars online at www.zonguitars.com
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