LightWave Systems
Over ten years ago, Christopher Willcox, LightWave Systems founder and CEO, began research and development on an alternative to conventional string instrument technology. The result of his efforts is the LightWave optical pickup system. Willcox, a professional luthier, used his extensive experience in design and construction of advanced electric guitars to conclude that the conventional magnetic pickup was limiting the performance potential of stringed instruments.
Willcox's goal was to design and build stringed instruments with unmatched sustain and tone. Frustrated with the magnetic pickup's inability to accurately represent string and instrument acoustic properties, he began development of an optical pickup that would liberate the string's true voice, while eliminating the magnetic influence on the strings and the inherent noise of conventional pickups. During the first phase of development, research was conducted on a single string optical test bench to determine the feasibility, configuration, and basic component selection of the proposed system. In January 1998, LightWave Systems formed its first OEM partnership with Zon Guitars, an influential and innovative bass manufacturer. Following this industry alliance, in January 2000, LightWave released its beta optical pickup system to the bass market and received incredible feedback on their product. Based on solid market feedback, in May 2001 the company launched its second version of the system, the LightWave optical pickup system, dubbed 'S2'. The vastly improved S2, featuring the company's monolithic bridge design, six channel motherboard, and optional daughterboards, provides virtually unlimited tone and control configurations.
LightWave developed the LightWave optical pickup initially for the bass, and is in development of models for the electroacoustic and electric guitars. LightWave's development is an evolution of the concept of the electric pickup providing musicians more responsive sound and a more accurate representation of their instrument and playing style. With increased sustain, greater dynamic range, and more tonal capabilities, musicians will hear and feel all of the subtle nuances offered by the LightWave optical pickup.
LightWave Systems focuses on research, product design, and market development for its growing product line. Constantly in development of new products for our optical pickup, we are looking towards a future filled with great promise for all musicians seeking the ultimate in sound.
Designed and developed from the ground up by LightWave, the Saber SL and VL are high performance, professional basses featuring our exclusive, patented LightWave optical pickup system.
The LightWave pickup's transparent response delivers harmonically rich, deep, and powerful sound, spanning a wide range of tones from pure, natural string sound (our trademark Voice of the String), to super-aggressive and cutting edge with the use of EQ or signal processing. Extremely low noise characteristics eliminate the annoying background hum and buzz typical of conventional pickups, and with no magnetic field pulling on the strings, sustain is long and natural, like a grand piano. Highly sensitive to even the most subtle nuances, the LightWave pickup delivers the true sound of the strings, the instrument, and your playing.
The Saber's high performance design makes it perfect for heavy road work, the sonic demands of digital recording, or long hours of playing and practicing. And since the LightWave pickup does not rely on body mass for its extended bass response and long sustain, the Saber is exceptionally light in weight and designed with a natural, familiar feel. The VL models feature swamp ash bodies with resonant chambers, beautiful flame maple tops, and a variety of stunning, transparent finishes. If you're considering a fretless, our fretless models are renowned for having the most realistic upright bass sound available anywhere. And our affordable SL models make owning a fretless or 5-string easier than ever.
The Saber SL and VL are designed for outstanding performance in all styles of music, from hard rock and heavy metal, to pop and jazz. Top professional bassists have already added LightWave instruments to their arsenals. Now you, too, can own a high performance bass featuring a sonic palette unlike anything you already have. Unless, of course, you have a Saber.
The Saber SL Hybrid model blends the traditional sound of an active magnetic humbucking pickup with the LightWave optical pickup for enhanced tonal range.
Willcox's goal was to design and build stringed instruments with unmatched sustain and tone. Frustrated with the magnetic pickup's inability to accurately represent string and instrument acoustic properties, he began development of an optical pickup that would liberate the string's true voice, while eliminating the magnetic influence on the strings and the inherent noise of conventional pickups. During the first phase of development, research was conducted on a single string optical test bench to determine the feasibility, configuration, and basic component selection of the proposed system. In January 1998, LightWave Systems formed its first OEM partnership with Zon Guitars, an influential and innovative bass manufacturer. Following this industry alliance, in January 2000, LightWave released its beta optical pickup system to the bass market and received incredible feedback on their product. Based on solid market feedback, in May 2001 the company launched its second version of the system, the LightWave optical pickup system, dubbed 'S2'. The vastly improved S2, featuring the company's monolithic bridge design, six channel motherboard, and optional daughterboards, provides virtually unlimited tone and control configurations.
LightWave developed the LightWave optical pickup initially for the bass, and is in development of models for the electroacoustic and electric guitars. LightWave's development is an evolution of the concept of the electric pickup providing musicians more responsive sound and a more accurate representation of their instrument and playing style. With increased sustain, greater dynamic range, and more tonal capabilities, musicians will hear and feel all of the subtle nuances offered by the LightWave optical pickup.
LightWave Systems focuses on research, product design, and market development for its growing product line. Constantly in development of new products for our optical pickup, we are looking towards a future filled with great promise for all musicians seeking the ultimate in sound.
Designed and developed from the ground up by LightWave, the Saber SL and VL are high performance, professional basses featuring our exclusive, patented LightWave optical pickup system.The LightWave pickup's transparent response delivers harmonically rich, deep, and powerful sound, spanning a wide range of tones from pure, natural string sound (our trademark Voice of the String), to super-aggressive and cutting edge with the use of EQ or signal processing. Extremely low noise characteristics eliminate the annoying background hum and buzz typical of conventional pickups, and with no magnetic field pulling on the strings, sustain is long and natural, like a grand piano. Highly sensitive to even the most subtle nuances, the LightWave pickup delivers the true sound of the strings, the instrument, and your playing.
The Saber's high performance design makes it perfect for heavy road work, the sonic demands of digital recording, or long hours of playing and practicing. And since the LightWave pickup does not rely on body mass for its extended bass response and long sustain, the Saber is exceptionally light in weight and designed with a natural, familiar feel. The VL models feature swamp ash bodies with resonant chambers, beautiful flame maple tops, and a variety of stunning, transparent finishes. If you're considering a fretless, our fretless models are renowned for having the most realistic upright bass sound available anywhere. And our affordable SL models make owning a fretless or 5-string easier than ever.
The Saber SL and VL are designed for outstanding performance in all styles of music, from hard rock and heavy metal, to pop and jazz. Top professional bassists have already added LightWave instruments to their arsenals. Now you, too, can own a high performance bass featuring a sonic palette unlike anything you already have. Unless, of course, you have a Saber.
The Saber SL Hybrid model blends the traditional sound of an active magnetic humbucking pickup with the LightWave optical pickup for enhanced tonal range.
Saber VL
Saber VL Specifications
- Chambered swamp ash body
- Flame maple top
- Transparent amber or transparent natural finish
- Custom treated black basswood fingerboard
- 3-piece hard maple neck
- LightWave optical pickup system
- Custom GraphTech monolithic bridges
- iceTone saddles
- Switchcraft output jack
- Noble potentiometers
- Master volume
- Bass boost and cut
- Mids boost and cut / mids sweep
- iceTone blend
- Warm / cool toggle switch
- NiMH rechargeable battery pack
- Rapid-charge system (1 hour recharge)
- 16 hours playing time per charge
- Hear the true sound of the string
- Transparent response
- No magnetic field = long, natural sustain
- Extremely low noise
- Extended bass response
- Lightweight, comfortable design
- 34" scale length
- 4 and 5-string, fretted and fretless
- 2-octave fingerboard
- ProTec gig bag
For more information on the LightWave Systems Saber VL, visit: LightWave-Systems.com.
- Chambered swamp ash body
- Flame maple top
- Transparent amber or transparent natural finish
- Custom treated black basswood fingerboard
- 3-piece hard maple neck
- LightWave optical pickup system
- Custom GraphTech monolithic bridges
- iceTone saddles
- Switchcraft output jack
- Noble potentiometers
- Master volume
- Bass boost and cut
- Mids boost and cut / mids sweep
- iceTone blend
- Warm / cool toggle switch
- NiMH rechargeable battery pack
- Rapid-charge system (1 hour recharge)
- 16 hours playing time per charge
- Hear the true sound of the string
- Transparent response
- No magnetic field = long, natural sustain
- Extremely low noise
- Extended bass response
- Lightweight, comfortable design
- 34" scale length
- 4 and 5-string, fretted and fretless
- 2-octave fingerboard
- ProTec gig bag
For more information on the LightWave Systems Saber VL, visit: LightWave-Systems.com.
Saber SL
Saber SL Specifications
- Solid alder body
- Ultrablack, infrared or xenon blue finish
- Rosewood fingerboard
- 3-piece hard maple neck
- LightWave optical pickup system
- Custom GraphTech monolithic bridges
- iceTone saddles
- Switchcraft output jack
- Noble potentiometers
- Master volume
- Bass boost and cut
- Mids boost and cut / mids sweep
- iceTone blend
- Warm / cool toggle switch
- NiMH rechargeable battery pack
- Rapid-charge system (1 hour recharge)
- 16 hours playing time per charge
- Hear the true sound of the string
- Transparent response
- No magnetic field = long, natural sustain
- Extremely low noise
- Extended bass response
- Lightweight, comfortable design
- 34" scale length
- 4 and 5-string, fretted and fretless
- 2-octave fingerboard
- ProTec gig bag
For more information on the LightWave Systems Saber SL, visit: LightWave-Systems.com.
- Solid alder body
- Ultrablack, infrared or xenon blue finish
- Rosewood fingerboard
- 3-piece hard maple neck
- LightWave optical pickup system
- Custom GraphTech monolithic bridges
- iceTone saddles
- Switchcraft output jack
- Noble potentiometers
- Master volume
- Bass boost and cut
- Mids boost and cut / mids sweep
- iceTone blend
- Warm / cool toggle switch
- NiMH rechargeable battery pack
- Rapid-charge system (1 hour recharge)
- 16 hours playing time per charge
- Hear the true sound of the string
- Transparent response
- No magnetic field = long, natural sustain
- Extremely low noise
- Extended bass response
- Lightweight, comfortable design
- 34" scale length
- 4 and 5-string, fretted and fretless
- 2-octave fingerboard
- ProTec gig bag
For more information on the LightWave Systems Saber SL, visit: LightWave-Systems.com.
Saber SL Hybrid
Saber SL Hybrid Specifications
- Solid alder body
- Ultrablack, infrared, thunder gray or xenon blue finish
- Rosewood fingerboard
- 3-piece hard maple neck
- LightWave optical pickup system plus active humbucking pickup
- Custom GraphTech monolithic bridges
- Switchcraft output jack
- Noble potentiometers
- Master volume
- Bass boost and cut
- Mids boost and cut / mids sweep
- Treble cut
- Optical / magnetic pickup balance
- NiMH rechargeable battery pack
- Rapid-charge system (1 hour recharge)
- 16 hours playing time per charge
- Blend optical and magnetic pickups for enhanced tonal range
- Very low noise
- Extended bass response
- Lightweight, comfortable design
- 34" scale length
- 4 and 5-string, fretted
- 2-octave fingerboard
- ProTec gig bag
For more information on the LightWave Systems Saber Hybrid, visit: LightWave-Systems.com.
- Solid alder body
- Ultrablack, infrared, thunder gray or xenon blue finish
- Rosewood fingerboard
- 3-piece hard maple neck
- LightWave optical pickup system plus active humbucking pickup
- Custom GraphTech monolithic bridges
- Switchcraft output jack
- Noble potentiometers
- Master volume
- Bass boost and cut
- Mids boost and cut / mids sweep
- Treble cut
- Optical / magnetic pickup balance
- NiMH rechargeable battery pack
- Rapid-charge system (1 hour recharge)
- 16 hours playing time per charge
- Blend optical and magnetic pickups for enhanced tonal range
- Very low noise
- Extended bass response
- Lightweight, comfortable design
- 34" scale length
- 4 and 5-string, fretted
- 2-octave fingerboard
- ProTec gig bag
For more information on the LightWave Systems Saber Hybrid, visit: LightWave-Systems.com.
Contact Information
LightWave Systems
6387-A Rose Lane
Carpinteria, CA 93013
Web Site: LightWave-Systems.com
E-Mail: info@lightwave-systems.com
6387-A Rose Lane
Carpinteria, CA 93013
Web Site: LightWave-Systems.com
E-Mail: info@lightwave-systems.com
