Switch guitars, anyone remember them?

[Jbird]

I saw a local Grand Rapids band, Blackgate, open for Symphony X and Overkill tonight. Surprisingly they were pretty good, and the bass player played a multi-colored Switch bass:

I remember seeing a used Switch bass at the South Bend Guitar Center maybe 6 or 7 years ago, and just remember that it was freakin' heavy. It made all the other basses feel lightweight in comparison. Played really nice though.


I always wanted to try one of the guitars, and when I finally did at the little guitar shop in Traverse City, MI a couple of years ago, the strings were so high off the fretboard it was unplayable. Not sure how that happens since their necks weren't supposed to be able to warp…

 

[Coralkong]

I have heard of them, but have never seen or played one.

I thought they were a "new" brand.

 

[Lerxst]

There used to be one hanging on the wall over at a local shop they took on trade. I don't think anyone ever expressed an interest in to or took it off the hook in the several years I went there

 

[Tiltsta]

I remember those. Vibracell technology or some such thing. I didn't mind them being plastic, but I hate the look so much I never wanted to try one. If they made a more conventional looking guitar out of composite I might be interested.

 

[jp_nyc]

They still exist.

 

[CBHScott]

They still exist.

I thought the company went out of business?

I saw one (the singlecut model) at a shop in Seattle a couple of years back. Was surprised how playable and resonant it was. Did not bother to plug it in, though.

 

[jp_nyc]

I thought the company went out of business?

They might have tanked and come back. They’re obscure enough that finding out would take a lot more than Google searches, so I don’t know.

 

[mystixboi1]

My former roommate had a green one. I forget the model. Nothing special and actually felt fake. Like plastic

 

[2112]

Funny...

I googled Switch Guitars and came upon this facebook post:


Switch Vibracell Guitars shared Zach Flora's photo.
September 3 at 11:21am ·



Zach Flora
We've got a lot of catching up to do. It's been 8 years since I've been able to play this bass. Let the session begin!



"}" data-reactid=".6" style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127); cursor: pointer; margin-right: 20px; padding: 4px 4px 4px 0px; display: inline-block; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14px;">Like Comment Share

Followed the post to the guitar player:
https://www.facebook.com/zachmothegreat?fref=photo

This guy your bass player, by any chance?

 

[Jbird]

Funny...

I googled Switch Guitars and came upon this facebook post:


Switch Vibracell Guitars shared Zach Flora's photo.
September 3 at 11:21am ·



Zach Flora
We've got a lot of catching up to do. It's been 8 years since I've been able to play this bass. Let the session begin!



"}" data-reactid=".6" style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127); cursor: pointer; margin-right: 20px; padding: 4px 4px 4px 0px; display: inline-block; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14px;">Like Comment Share

Followed the post to the guitar player:
https://www.facebook.com/zachmothegreat?fref=photo

This guy your bass player, by any chance?

Yep, that's him

For a local band they were pretty darned good, if you like Iced Earth and that kinda music. Bass player had the big Kerouac beard, singer reminded me of a young Sebastian Bach or that new singer for Dragonforce, and had the pipes to match.