LightWave Bass Pickup System See The Light

First there were magnetic pickups, hex pickups for guitar synth, and piezos for that acoustic guitar sound. Now there’s LightWave Pickup System from Audio Optics, Inc. The LightWave is a departure from conventional magnetic pickup technology.

Photodetectors use infrared illumination to measure the shadow cast by each vibrating string. This optical signal is then converted into an audio output. Meanwhile, each string is also “felt” by a piezo signal in the bridge, which contributes other components to the string’s sound. The bass player controls the blend of these optical and piezo outputs, and selects among 15 presets EQ settings for a wide range of tone colors. The LightWave is rockin’ in 4-, 5-, and 6- string basses. With acoustic-electric guitars to follow the lead. Your ears will be amazed at what your pickups are “seeing”. http://www.lightwave-systems.com

Gear-Vault Classifieds is an eBay alternative. Come sell your guitars and amps with us, for free!

Subscribe to G-V eNews

Harmony Central Message Board Is Down

Harmony Central Message Board Is Down

We’ve noticed that Harmony-Central music message forum is down due to having database error (s). We would like to take this opportunity to invite acapella.harmony-central.com forum members to join us at Gear-Monkey Forums Read more

Subscribe to G-V eNews

Stomp Box vs Multi Effects Processor

Tech Education Read more

Subscribe to G-V eNews

Guitar Chord Finder Online Virtual Tool

Hey Gear-Vault readers, here is a rockin’ resource for all you guitar players out there. Not sure what chord you are playing? Well just place your finger on this virtual fretboard by clicking the fret and string where your fingers are and it will tell you all the possible names for the chord you are playing. You can also hit the play button to hear the chord or note that you selected. This is a really cool guitar chord tool.

Subscribe to G-V eNews

John Lennon Anthology

Capitol’s John Lennon Anthology Box Set sheds some fascinating light on rock’s first intellectual. The set’s four disc contain nearly 100 tracks, nearly all of which have never been officially released; many hadn’t even appeared on bootlegs. Read more

Subscribe to G-V eNews

HIWATT Custom 400 Bass Head

When Robert Trujillo (Metallica) wants to make noise, he plugs into his HIWATT amp. Read more

Subscribe to G-V eNews

Mesa Boogie Formula Pre Recording Amplifier

Recording engineers know that it’s never been easy to get good guitar tone by “going direct” into a mixer. Yet, for many guitarists with home studios, miking an amplifier to achieve a more natural-sounding live tone isn’t always an option. Maybe you don’t have the best sounding amp and cab setup; perhaps you do, but your home studio environment prevents you from cranking it up. Maybe you’re recording live in a small space and you don’t want your guitar sound to leak into the drums or vocal mikes. Obviously, there are any number of reasons to record directly—and there are number of devices to help you do it.

Meet Mesa Boogie Formula Pre (buy it used between $400-$500). Read more

Subscribe to G-V eNews

RainSong Russ Freeman 12-string Electric Guitar

The Russ Freeman 12-string signature model, named for the jazz-inclined guitarist, is quite a different beast altogether. Fitted with two 89R EMG humbuckers and a Mike Christian piezo bridge pickup, this model is packing some serious hardware. The unidirectional graphite used for the soundboard has a natural finish and looks uncannily like stained spruce. The all-black theme certainly makes for a handsome and futuristic-looking instrument.

The light electric strings, low action and shallow 20” radius figerboard make this 12-string one of the easiest to play. Even that extra 21st fret can be hit and rung true. There are essentially four separate sounds offered by the Freeman Signature: acoustic, piezo and electric bridge and neck pickups. Given that the integrity of the acoustic tone is normally compromised by mounted pickups, this strange puppy does a fine job. The unplugged tone is responsive—loud and slinky with a crystalline shimmer. Powered up, the active magnetic and peizo pickup combination unearths some stunning tones. In addition to the master volume and master tone controls, there are two three-way switches: The first allows you to select magnetic or piezo pickups, or both at once. The second allows you to choose which humbuckers are on when the electric mode is engaged—bridge, neck or both. The seven pickup selections throw out everything from smoky flurries and ballsy chords to super-lush strumming. Furthermore, the high feedback threshold allows you to do all of it at high volume. http://www.rainsong.com/

The Bottom line, The RainSong Russ Freeman 12-string is an inspiring instrument.

Gear-Vault Classifieds is an eBay alternative. Come sell your used guitars and amps with us, for FREE!

Subscribe to G-V eNews

RainSong Limited-Edition Electric Acoustic Graphite / Carbon Guitar

It’s safe to assume that no trees were harmed in the making of RainSong’s guitars. That’s because RainSong acoustics are constructed from no less than 100 percent graphite: Wood is replaced by black unidirectional graphite for the soundboard, back, sides fingerboard, bridge, tailpiece and headstock, then strengthened in areas, such as the neck, with woven graphite fibers. Read more

Subscribe to G-V eNews

Leo Fender and Marshall Amplifiers - Beginning of the Guitar Amp

Continued on from “Gibson Firebird Guitar Born 1963”

Of course the electric guitar wouldn’t have developed at all had it not been for amps. And the guitar amplifier would never have come into being had it not been for Mr. Lee De Forest, who invented the vacuum tube Read more

Subscribe to G-V eNews

Next Page »