The Roland VB-99 V-Bass exists now. At $1200-$1500 USD for a system, it's hardly a stomp box, but it does what you ask in the process of emulating (it ain't true, but I'll say it like this anyway) any bass through any amp and effects. Plus pitch-to-MIDI conversion, so you can drive Roland-ready synths.

And it SPECIFICALLY has string modeling. From Musicians Friend:

Quote:

String Modeling is new to the VB-99, enabling to convert "Round Wound" strings to "Flat Wound" or "Black Nylon" for enhanced bass performance.


I hadn't thought of the string freshness factor, but now that you mention it, I don't change strings nearly as often as I used to on my synth-equipped guitar. As long as they have reasonable sustain and stay in tune, I'm good. I almost never hear the sound of the actual strings any more, and those digital ones always sound fresh . . .

R.

Edit: Don and I are saying the same thing in different terms. The Roland V-Axes are essentially guitar and bass computers. All the analysis to which he alludes has been done and is applied to your instrument and playing style while (doing an incredibly good job of) preserving the original dynamics--as well as duplicating the timbral and tonal differences of major instruments and amps (and Roland effects, hee hee).

If you haven't tried a V-Bass, you owe it to yourself to do so. And you don't need the latest and greatest version to do it, either. You can pick up the older Roland V-Bass on ebay for around $450 USD, the GK-3B pickup for another $200 and essentially have a studioful of axes (all with fresh strings, LOL) and amps that you can pack in a briefcase for less than a kilobuck. (I don't even fool with an amp these days except for casual jams; I just go straight to the board.)

Last edited by Ryszard; 06/23/09 09:05 PM.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."