Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in January 2022

Usually, the bass gear news feed is full in January, thanks to the Winter NAMM Show. While the show was postponed this year, we did see an uptake in gear news, but not like past years.

However, what we did publish got a ton of attention. Here are the top 10 reader favorite bass gear stories for the month of January 2022.

1. Tao Guitars Unveils the Hansford Rowe Signature HR Superleggera Bass

Bassist Hansford Rowe has teamed up with Tao Guitars to create a new signature bass called The HR Superleggera. The high-end instrument is fully handcrafted in Brussels, Belgium, and takes some cues from Italian luxury sports cars.

2. Sandberg Announces the Greenline Series Basses

Sandberg Guitars has announced the Greenline Series, an eco-conscious initiative that utilizes “woods of character.” They’re also collaborating with United Kids Foundations Forest to plant a tree for every Greenline bass built.

3. TC Electronic Unveils the Infinite Sample Sustainer Pedal

TC Electronic has introduced a new pedal to their lineup called the Infinite Sample Sustainer. As the name implies, the new circuit captures a sample of your sound and sustains it.

4. Rodenberg Amplification Introduces the KILLMISTER Automatic Kill Switch Pedal

Rodenberg Amplification has unveiled a handy new pedal called the KILLMISTER. Named in homage to bass icon Lemmy, the device is an automatic kill switch that lets you cut your signal with eight settings.

5. Zoom B6 Bass Multi-Effects Unit Now Shipping

Zoom’s B6 multi-effects processor for bass is now shipping. The latest addition to their floor units offers 11 bass amp and four DI models based on classic designs in addition to 10 preamps and effects models and a looper.

6. Ibanez Adds Three Multi-Scale BTB Bass Models for 2022

Ibanez is introducing several new iterations of their bass models this year including three new multi-scale versions of the BTB. The BTB805MS, BTB806MS, and BTB605MS all have an extended 37-inch scale on the B-string.

7. Positive Grid Introduces the RIFF Portable Audio Interface

Positive Grid has introduced the RIFF, a portable audio interface designed for electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. The USB device plugs into your computer or mobile device to turn them into a complete recording rig.

8. Fodera Introduces “34×24” Emperor 4 Standard Bass

Fodera is kicking off 2022 with the mantra “new year, new model.” They’ve just unveiled a new edition of the Emperor 4 Standard that features a 34-inch scale and 24 frets.

9. MXR Announces the Poly Blue Octave Pedal

MXR has unveiled the Poly Blue Octave, a pedal that offers four separate octave divisions and a “thick, unruly” fuzz. The octaves include one down, two down, one up, and two up.

10. Mastro Valvola Introduces the OFF1 Pedal

Mastro Valvola has unveiled a new pedal called the OFF1. The unit combines octave, fuzz, and filter circuits into a stompbox made for “guitar, bass, synth, and any other stuff,” the company states.