NAMM 2019 Archives

No Treble attended the 2019 Winter NAMM Show to get the scoop on the bass gear announcements for the year. While it takes some time to cover it all, we’re thrilled to share this recap from the show.

It’s been 20 years since Ibanez first introduced the BTB. They’re celebrating in 2019 with the BTB 20th Anniversary Bass, available in five and six-string versions.

Strandberg was turning heads this year at the Winter NAMM Show as they unveiled the Boden bass. The instrument, which they say has been years in the making, is a headless design with an ergonomic body shape and multi-scale neck.

Ibanez is marking several milestones this year with anniversaries of their flagship models, and now they’re bringing back a part of their past from nearly 30 years ago. The new Affirma series of basses reintroduces the model that started their more unique designs.

Ernie Ball Music Man has announced a limited run of a short scale version of their StingRay bass. The 2019 Short Scale StingRay Special is a passive bass that has a 30-inch scale for easier playability.

Reverend Guitars unveiled three new bass models at the NAMM Show this year with the Triad, the Raymond, and an updated version of their Decision. Each of the bolt-on basses is built with a five-piece roasted maple neck, korina body, and a boneite nut.

Spector has reintroduced its Performer Series of basses with the Performer4. The budget-minded bass features a nato body inspired by their flagship body shape.

Shortly after unveiling the Fullerton Deluxe line of basses, G&L has announced the accompanying Fullerton Standard Range, which also includes versions of their JB and LB-100 models. The new basses are also built in the company’s Fullerton, California shop but offer more standard finishes.

Hartke was at the 2019 Winter NAMM Show to unveil the XL Series V2 bass cabinets, which commemorate 35 years of the business and the original aluminum-cone cabinet that was hand-built by Larry Hartke. The new version of the XL Series will include two new models and a revamped design.

EMG has introduced three new signature sets of pickups with three of the biggest metal bass stars: Slayer’s Tom Araya, Anthrax’s Frank Bello, and Megadeth’s David Ellefson. Introduced at the 2019 Winter NAMM Show, each of the sets was dialed in with the artists.

Phil Jones Bass has unveiled a new bass combo amp called the Micro 7. The miniature single channel combo dishes out 50 watts and is loaded with a 7-inch driver matched to a 3-inch tweeter.

Fender unveiled six new effects pedals featuring original designed circuits at the 2019 Winter NAMM Show. Notable among the new stompboxes is the Downtown Express, which marks the company’s first official bass effects pedal.