Bass Gear - Page 259

Mike Lull mashed up his M-series body and T-bass pickups to create the JT4 and JT5, a bass with a modern yet familiar feel and “T-bass boom.” And while the body is a modern take on a classic style, Lull designed the pickups by trying to get the same sound of an original Thunderbird bass while creating his own T-Bass....

The Gus Guitars G3 is an awesome bass with futuristic aesthetic. First introduced as a 4-string model in 1996, the G3 follows the company’s G1 guitar and is constructed using a special carbon fiber over cedar technique for the body with chrome plated aluminum tube for the horns. While the features are extraordinary, they’re far from arbitrary. Gus Guitars proprietor...

Demeter Amplification has introduced VTBP-201-800D and HBP-1-800D, a pair of powered preamplifiers that take the company’s existing HBP-1 and VTBP-201 bass preamps and match them with 800 Watt Class D amplifiers. The units feature Jensen transformers to completely isolate the pre and power amp sections, which they say allow for noiseless operation. The preamp can also still be used on...

Spector has reintroduced the NS-5 to their USA Neck-Thru Series of basses. First made between 1987 and 1990 during the company’s Kramer era, the new NS-5 retains the same features while offering current Spector build options. Its neck is a 3-piece laminate of Rock Maple fitted with AAAA figured maple body wings or optional exotic top wings (Buckeye Burl shown)....

NoahJames Guitars has introduced JENZ Machine Heads, a new type of bass tuning machine that the company says alleviates several issues in bass guitar design by the string to anchor at the lowest point on the machine head post. The channel automatically wraps the string neatly to avoid sticking and slippage from winding error. It also removes tension from the...

Due to bassist interest during Summer NAMM, Amptweaker is now offering a bass version of their new TightFuzz pedal. The Bass TightFuzz is tweaked for bass players with extended lower range of the Tight and Tone controls and an added Dry Low knob that blends dry low end into the signal. As with most of the company’s pedals, the pedal’s...

Rotosound has upgraded their Steve Harris Signature Bass Strings by using a new burnishing process to give them a smoother finish. The company explains the change facilitates fast playing as well as reduces string noise. The Iron Maiden bassist’s signature strings are flatwounds that are described as slightly brighter than traditional flatwounds. Available only as a 4-string set, the custom...

Warwick has unveiled the Corvette $$ NT Special Edition 68, a custom shop bass inspired by the General Motors 1968 Model Corvette Stingray. The hot-rodded bass shares the car’s style with a Candy Apple red finish and an airbrushed aluminum center section while the Corvette name is inlaid into the tigerstripe ebony fingerboard. Available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions,...

Of all our bass gear coverage in November, here is your complete list of top 10 gear stories for the month. As always, we base these lists on readers. And as always, these lists come with a warning: may cause GAS. 1. La Bella Strings Launches First Bass Guitar: The Olinto With nearly 100 years in the string manufacturing business,...

Lava Cable has introduced the Lava Power Tube Pedal Board Snake, a 7-cable snake that can be customized with a variety of connectors. The cables included are for AC Power, Amp In, Effects Send, Effects Return, Mono Footswitch, Stereo Footswitch or XLR, and CAT 5/MIDI 5 or 7-Pin. Each of the cables is color-coded, labeled, and shielded to prevent crosstalk....

Ernie Ball/Music Man has unveiled the Sledge basses, a new special offering available through their Premier Dealer Network. Designed in conjunction with Tony Levin, the Music Man Sledge has a custom metallic flake finish that shifts colors depending on your viewing angle. Offered on Classic Stingray 4 and 5s, the Sledge is also available on the Music Man Sabre bass,...

Science just got a whole lot cooler thanks to Victoria University of Wellington engineering student James McVay. As part of Bachelor’s degree, McVay designed and built the MechBass, a 4-string robotic bass guitar. And yes, it rocks. Built with lasercut and 3D-printed parts, MechBass has four separate units for each string controlled with PCBs. The strings are plucked with picks...