Bass Gear - Page 164

Kiesel Guitars teamed up with TesseracT bassist Amos Williams to create the Vader AW5 Signature headless bass. The new model is based on the Vader bass with several differences including a 34-inch scale 23-fret fingerboard, and a single high output HB series humbucker. As with all Kiesel and Carvin instruments, the AW5 is available with a number of options. Standard...

Tech 21 unveiled the Q/Strip as part of their display at the 2017 NAMM Show. Developed in a DI format, the device acts as a preamp and direct box with the features of a recording console strip from the ’60s and ’70s. The Q/Strip features all-analog MOSFET circuitry, which gives “warmth, girth, and larger-than-life tones for which vintage consoles are...

Pigtronix has announced a micro version of their popular Disnortion pedal, which features all of the 18-volt headroom of the original analog Fuzz and Overdrive circuits into a smaller unit that runs on 9 volts. It also has a couple upgrades. “This new Micro version of the Disnortion hugely one-ups the original’s broad palette of touch-responsive dirt sounds by including...

Ibanez shocked many bassists again this year by introducing a new Ashula bass. The SRAS7 is a seven-string model that has a unique hybrid fretted/fretless design with three strings over a fretless purpleheart fingerboard and four strings over a fretted rosewood fretboard. The fretted portion is tuned to a standard E-A-D-G, while the fretless section is tuned A-D-G. Each section...

This week we’re checking out the Manne Guitars Moab, which they describe as their flagship luxury bass model. The bass comes in four, five, and six-string versions with a korina body topped by walnut, Italian Yew, or poplar. Its multi-laminated neck is fitted with a thin “F resin” fretboard, which Manne says allows for precise attack without dead notes. Its...

Spector is celebrating 40 years of bass building with the Euro4LE 1977 Limited Edition bass. Based on the company’s original bass from 1977, it’s built with neck-through construction with a fully carved body with solid American walnut body wings and a 3-piece maple neck. Spector went so far as to measure the dot inlays that adorn the 24-fret rosewood fingerboard...

Digitech has unveiled the FreqOut, a pedal for bass and guitar that creates controlled feedback. The stompbox uses pitch-detection technology to identify the harmonic content of notes and chords then makes those frequencies feedback in a musical way with several settings. “Roaring feedback from an amp can add intensity and musicality to a live performance when used correctly,” Digitech’s Tom...

Wing Instruments expanded their product lineup at the NAMM show this year with the Wing Bass NT and Wing Bass 30. The company describes the new models as representing an evolution in their philosophy that “life is short scale.” Similar to the original Wing Bass, the NT measures up at just 21 inches and plays like the top range of...

Darkglass Electronics wowed NAMM attendees this year with a brand new pedal called the Alpha Omega. Co-designed with Karnivool’s Jon Stockman, the stompbox is a departure from their previous circuits and preamplifiers. “[The Alpha Omega] is fully operational amplifier based and has two distinct distortion circuits (Alpha and Omega) which can be selected or blended using our Mod knob,” Darkglass...

Ashdown debuted the Origin series at NAMM this year, including a 300-watt bass amplifier and a tube preamp and DI pedal. Both units are designed to be “lightweight, portable and stripped back” for a strong yet streamlined bass signal. The Origin amp starts with an active/passive input switch and effects loop. It has a five-band EQ section with Bass, Lo-Mid,...

January is always a big month for new bass gear, thanks to the NAMM Show. The No Treble crew attended the show, and our coverage will contiune in the coming weeks as we sort through the notes. There were some big stories thanks to this year’s show. Here are the top 10 reader favorites for the month of January. 1....

This week we’re checking out a bass that went viral on Facebook. If you didn’t see this video of the Lawalin Chamele yet, watch it, and you’ll understand why it was so popular: Besides the incredible light show, the Chamele is not your typical bass. It features a hollow fiberglass body that’s fitted with programmable LEDs as well as a...