Bass Gear - Page 198

Clip-on tuners are notorious for being iffy on the bass, but now Korg has released one specifically for us. The AW-LT100B is a clip-on tuner dedicated to bass instruments with enhanced sensitivity for detecting the low-frequency range. “It uses a chromatic mode with dedicated circuitry that boosts the detection sensitivity in the ultra-low range below 100 Hz,” Korg explains. “The...

This week we’re checking out a submission from Frederiek de Vette, who just finished making her first bass. For a first shot, it looks like an incredible instrument. “Building a musical instrument is something I dreamed of doing one day. After having to quit playing because of an injury I found no reason to pursue that dream anytime soon,” de...

Switzerland’s Greuter Audio has expanded their line of effects with the Fuller Drive. Described as a “very expressive low-to-mid-gain overdrive,” the pedal features a discrete JFET circuit design that they say makes it act like a good tube amp. “The basic idea was to build an overdrive pedal that can produce the break-up point we love in tube amplifiers,” Greuter...

Japan’s Providence Effects has released a new comprehensive effects switching unit for the bass called the Bass FX Console BFX-1. The new bass switcher is fitted with an on-board preamp, the company’s Vitalizer B buffer, and an XLR direct output. “The Bass FX Console BFX-1 enables the player’s favorite pedals with one action without interrupting technical performance,” Providence writes. “A...

Maine’s Arkham Sound has expanded their line of tube preamps with the Abyss. Described as a mid-priced addition to their lineup, the preamp features the same core circuit as their Bullet and Zephyr models and can be used standalone or mounted in a rack. The Abyss centers around a 12AX7 preamp tube, which the company says was selected for good...

At the beginning of the year, new CITES regulations went into effect for all species of rosewood. The wood is very common in basses and other stringed instruments as a fretboard material. To address the issue, Fender released a statement on how they are changing their instruments to deal with the new regulation. “Fender is committed to the continued use...

Phil Jones Bass is introducing a handful of new products this year including the new Bass Pulse One bass amp and the Cab 47. Debuted at the NAMM Show, both the amp and cab are lightweight and carry on the PJB tradition. The Bass Pulse One pumps out 350 watts at 4 ohms while weighing in at only 2.9 pounds....

Something (or maybe everything) about this Century Standard Plus from Roscoe Guitars really caught my attention while sifting through my Facebook feed. Between its slick headless design and dynamic cocobolo top, it stopped me dead in my tracks. The five-string was also built with an alder body and pau ferro fingerboard with 24 frets. I really dig the off-kilter Bartolini...

Matthews Effects has released the Alchemist, a pedal that allows you to split a mono signal or to sum a stereo signal to mono. It does so by utilizing a pair of independent buffers that also help to restore high-end frequency loss from pedalboards and cables. The Alchemist has two inputs and two outputs. Using just one set of each...

Earthquaker Devices has announced the Erupter, a classic fuzz with big sounds distilled into a single knob. Designed by Jamie Stillman, the stompbox is described as having “a big low end, but not too mushy, and a biting top end without being too harsh.” “In developing the Erupter, Stillman ‘[used] every trick [he] ever learned’ to craft a fuzz Device...

In addition to revamping their PolyTune pedal this year, TC Electronic has unveiled two new mini effects: the HyperGravity Mini Compressor and the Mimiq Mini Doubler. Each of the new units are compact versions of existing models with tweaks. TC calls the HyperGravity Mini Compressor the world’s smallest multi-band compressor. It features their MD3 algorithm with three controls: Sustain, Attack,...

Fender has expanded their line of in-ear monitors with the CXA1 and FXA9 Pro models. On opposite sides of the price spectrum, each set is built for live performance, recording, and listening. The CXA1 features a custom 8.5 millimeter titanium micro driver in a low-profile, slimline-style package for comfort. They are also compatible with iOS and Android devices with an...