Bass Gear

Ampeg launched the Venture Series late last year. After introducing a new cabinet earlier this month, the company announced that the lineup’s mid-level amplifier is now shipping.

This week, we’re checking out a custom Jarius bass from Anka Custom Guitars & Basses with a streamlined design. The 33-inch-scale bass pares things down from the standard Jarius design, which has a pair of single-coil pickups.

Since launching Esopus Guitars, Stuart Spector has focused on making acoustic guitars. Now he’s back to building basses. The Tailwater bass is a 32-inch scale instrument handcrafted by the legendary luthier.

Boss has released a few bass combo amps in the Katana series, but now they’ve unveiled the first head unit in the lineup. The Katana-500 Bass Head was introduced alongside the new Katana Cabinet 112 Bass.

Spector has revealed the second volume of their Woodstock Custom Collection featuring 12 handcrafted, one-of-a-kind basses made by the company’s master luthiers. Each bass is built in their Woodstock, New York workshop and builds upon Spector favorites while trying new things.

Dingwall unveiled a limited edition Rio Dream Bass with Duran Duran’s John Taylor last year and now they’re expanding on it with a production model. The new John Taylor Signature bass follows in the footsteps of the Rio Dream with similar specs, but the company will be offering unlimited access to it as a regular model.

This week we’re checking out a new signature bass by Camarota Instruments for the mighty Lorenzo Feliciati. The Vinta MkII “Tiger Koi” has an alder body with a stunning flamed redwood top that gives the beast its stripes.

Dunlop has teamed up with Metallica’s Robert Trujillo to unveil the latest in their signature series of bass strings. The set was designed with the bassist to complement his signature sound.

NativeAudio has added a new pedal to their lineup with the Frybread Fuzz. The transistor-based fuzz pedal pays tribute to company founder Mike Trombley’s native heritage.

Sandman Dream Guitars recently shared a custom build for a customer that looks downright mythical. Dubbed “Trident,” the five-string bass has an incredible book-matched hybrid wood and resin top.

Ernie Ball Music Man has launched the Custom Design Experience, an online instrument configurator that lets you spec out your own StingRay Special bass.

Last fall, Ampeg launched its newest line of amps and cabs with the Venture Series. Now, they’ve unveiled the largest cabinet of the group with the VB-88. The cab is rated at 800 watts RMS while only weighing 67 pounds.