Gizmotron 2.0

[Twigman]

Has anyone tried one of these?
I'm curious
AT $364 for the bass version (plus no doubt shipping, import duty and VAT) it seems a bit steep.
How do you use them?
How do the wheels spin? I know it's got a motor but i can't see how the motor drives the wheels (assuming it does)...
the manual doesn't give much away:
[url="http://www.gizmotron.com/pub/files/gizmotron_manual_rev_C_small.pdf"]http://www.gizmotron...rev_C_small.pdf[/url]

[url="http://www.gizmotron.com/buy/gizmotron-20"]http://www.gizmotron...uy/gizmotron-20[/url]

[media]http://youtu.be/S_JwqHV_qok[/media]

[BassBus]

It didn't sound very good when it was first produced in the 70s and it still doesn't sound good. If I remember correctly the wheels were spinning all the time and it was just a matter of pushing them onto the strings with the keys. The wheels will wear out as they are making contact with a roundwound string.

I'm sure it will be used by a few as the Ebow is. Remember though that this was originally conceived before synths became widespread. Now we have guitar synths you can just plug your guitar into and get many different sounds without adding anything to your guitar.

[BassBus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ka89zhyzSU#t=61.826199

[BigRedX]

From what I've seen, the Gizmotron 2 is a massive step forward from the original model. However IMO it still suffers the problem from being too inclusive when it come to the range of guitars and basses they can be fitted to. The thing that puts me off more than anything else is the complexity of the installation.

The original prototype Gizmo from the 1970s was a far more elegant and much less obtrusive device, because it was built directly onto the bridge of Lol Creme's Strat and seemed to work much better than the Mk1 production model. I'm sure they could make a far better device if they built it directly onto a replacement bridge (Strat and Tune-o-matic for guitar and Fender BBOT for the bass) rather than trying to shoe-horn it onto just about any bass or guitar.

Edit: And yes it has been pretty much replaced by affordable keyboard synths, but IMO there is still a use for the Gizmotron. It's a lot more "playable" than a guitar or bass driven synth.

Edited February 14, 2017 by BigRedX

[Twigman]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1487073960' post='3236727']
It's a lot more "playable" than a guitar or bass driven synth.
[/quote]
That's what's attracting me - the nuances that can be achieved - it seems to make the bass almost cello-esque....

Edited February 14, 2017 by Twigman

[BigRedX]

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1487074279' post='3236736']
That's what's attracting me - the nuances that can be achieved - it seems to make the bass almost cello-esque....
[/quote]

Exactly. However before you go ordering one, I suggest that you have a read of the [url=http://www.gizmotron.com/pub/files/gizmotron_manual_rev_C_small.pdf]Installation Guide[/url] first.

[BigRedX]

OTOH if you want to hear what the original Gizmotron was capable of in the hands of its inventors:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDTzAfEow2c

[RhysP]

I've got an original Bass Gizmotron, unfortunately the wheels are all snapped off. The rubbery plastic they used to make them out of went really brittle as it aged.

[BigRedX]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1487174114' post='3237764']
I've got an original Bass Gizmotron, unfortunately the wheels are all snapped off. The rubbery plastic they used to make them out of went really brittle as it aged.
[/quote]

You can buy replacement wheels for the Gizmotron V2. I wonder if they would fit?

[RhysP]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1487180969' post='3237847']

You can buy replacement wheels for the Gizmotron V2. I wonder if they would fit?
[/quote]

Can you? I'll have to have a look.

[BigRedX]

[url=http://www.gizmotron.com/buy/bass-wheel-kit-standard]Replacement wheels are here[/url]. It might be worth sending them an email.

[RhysP]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1487181468' post='3237853']
[url=http://www.gizmotron.com/buy/bass-wheel-kit-standard]Replacement wheels are here[/url]. It might be worth sending them an email.
[/quote]

Thanks for that!