Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in April 2023
The NAMM Show happened in April this year, which means an uptick in bass gear news. Here are the top 10 reader favorite gear stories on No Treble for the month of April.
1. Fender Announces the Squier Sonic Series Basses
Fender’s entry-level Squier Bullet series has been replaced by a new line called the Sonic Series. The new instruments carry similar attributes to their predecessors with new colors and new models.
2. FKT Audio Introduces The Fretless Pedal
FKT Audio has released a new pedal called The Fretless, which combines a midrange parametric EQ with a chorus and reverb. The pedal was designed the enhance the sound of a fretless bass during rhythm and lead sections.
3. Ernie Ball Music Man Ball Introduces the Family Reserve Nitro StingRay Retro ’76 Bass
Ernie Ball Music Man unveiled the latest in their limited edition Ball Family Reserve instruments. The Spring 2023 drop includes the Ball Family Reserve StingRay Retro ’76 bass.
4. Harley Benton Unveils 25th Anniversary Model Basses
Harley Benton is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special edition of guitars and basses in a Firemist Gold finish. The two basses include the JB-25TH and the Enhanced 25TH.
5. Dingwall Unveils Limited Edition John Taylor Rio Dream Bass
Dingwall Guitars is in Anaheim at the NAMM Show to show off some of their work and reveal an incredible new artist model. The Limited Edition John Taylor Rio Dream Bass features a custom finish inspired by Duran Duran’s “Rio” album cover.
6. Reverend Guitars Unveils Linh Le Signature Lil Linhbacker Bass
Reverend Guitars unveiled a new model at NAMM this year with a signature model for Bad Cop/Bad Cop bassist Linh Le. Dubbed the “Lil Lihnbacker,” the new instrument is based on the company’s existing Dub King with some tweaks.
7. Ashdown Engineering Unveils Studio MiniRig at NAMM
Ashdown Engineering has expanded its Studio Range with the Studio MiniRig, a mini-stack consisting of a 250-watt solid-state amp head and a 2×10” cabinet.
8. Digitech/DOD Relaunches the Meatbox Octaver and Subharmonic Synthesizer Pedal
After being acquired by Cor-Tek, Digitech/DOD has been relaunching some of their most beloved pedals. Now the company has announced the return of the Meatbox Octaver and Subharmonic Synthesizer.
9. Acorn Amps Introduces the Solid State Preamplifier
Acorn Amps has introduced the Solid State Preamplifier, which takes the normal and saturated channels from their Solid State amp and puts them into a compact preamp pedal.
10. Rapier Introduces The Saffire Bass
Rapier, a vintage British guitar brand that was reborn in 2021, has just unveiled the Saffire Bass. Based on the Saffire Guitar, the new four-string is built with a 31-inch scale.
