Bass Gear - Page 118

Alberto Rinaldis shared his recently finished EVO-FX4 bass with us, which seems like part sports car with its sleek lines and attractive yellow finish. The Luxembourg-based luthier made sure it plays as well as it looks.

Schecter Guitar Research is reintroducing its Ultra Bass series this year that will include a four-string and a five-string model. The 2020 version will feature the company’s original Ultra body shape fitted with EMG TBHZ pickups.

ESP has updated its LTD D series of basses for 2020 with a new wood configuration. Most notable is their new burled poplar top that comes in a Black Natural Burst Satin finish.

Sire is launching several new models for June including the new P10, which they describe as the higher version of their P7 model. “Just like the V10, the P10 has a roasted flame maple neck, giving you a high-end feel and sound,” the company says.

This week we’re checking out the Schönitz Zett, a five-string acoustic bass guitar with some interesting build details. Luthier Jens Schönitz optimized the body for comfort and extra volume.

Fender has expanded their Player Series of instruments with a handful of guitars and one new bass: the Player Mustang Bass PJ. The short-scale bass fits a new pickup set into the vintage body style.

Among their many new products shown at NAMM, Warwick announced that MEC bass pickups would now be available with brushed metal housings. Now the pickups are available for purchase. The sets come in gold, black, and silver finishes.

Sonic Nuance has once again updated its flagship direct box. The third version of the TDI (tuner DI) is 30 percent smaller, lighter, more durable, and quieter, the company says.

Red Witch Pedals has teamed up with Reverb to release the Seraphina, a limited-edition handmade fuzz/octave up pedal. Described as unlike anything the company has done before, the unit is built using four germanium diodes, WIma capacitors, and more.

Luthier Roberto Franceschini of RF Musical Instruments paid homage to a classic in one of his latest builds. The drool-worthy bass, which he calls a great love, is modeled after a ’52 P-bass.

Mayones has expanded its Jabba line of basses with a new reverse headstock model. The Jabba Rev 5 is a five-string bass, built with a profiled swamp ash body, wenge core, and an eye poplar top that comes in three transparent finishes.

Another month in the books means that we’re ready to celebrate the top gear stories. Here are the No Treble reader top 10 bass gear stories for the month of April 2020.