NAMM 2011 - Page 2

F-Bass has released a new Alain Caron signature model, dubbed the AC-Classic. Built to attain an “upright” tone from an electric bass, the instrument features a redwood top, additional chambering, and a floating bridge. Another new development for the series is a natural sounding RMC piezo pickup system that is controlled by master volume, bass cut/boost, and treble cut/boost knobs....

Among a slew of new gear Ampeg released at NAMM this year is the Heritage B-15, a combo that pays homage to former Ampeg VP Jess Oliver’s original flip-top design. Limited to 50 units, the B-15 is hand-built and hand-wired in the U.S. by George Metropolous and his team at Metroamps. The classic design includes an all-tube head and a...

Fishman unveiled their new Fission Bass effects pedal at NAMM; a box that adds harmonies to your bass lines, including octave up, 4th and octave up, octave and 5th up, and an octave, 5th, and second octave up combined. The stompbox utilizes 32-bit signal processing and 24-bit audio conversion. Harmonies selected are visually displayed via four footswitch LEDs. There are...

We’re still sorting through plenty of photos and notes from our NAMM trip (and missing the warm weather!). There’s no shortage of gear and artist news left for us to cover, so keep your eyes out for that on our NAMM update page. In the meantime, here are some more photos from the trip. Sam Finlay from Dave Gage String...

To celebrate 10 years since the release of their Loop Station, BOSS has unveiled the RC-3 and RC-30 loopers, each featuring three hours of stereo looping, 99 on-board memory locations, and USB 2.0 connectivity for importing and exporting audio to your computer. A step up from previous loop stations, the new models have multiple inputs, including 1/4” A and B...

Aguilar Amplification has unveiled their second super light bass cab, the SL 410, designed as a blend of “modern technology with a classic vibe.” Weighing in at 69 pounds, the SL 410 features 4 custom-voiced 10” woofers with 11 oz. Neodymium magnets and a phenolic tweeter with a variable level control. The cab is rated at 1200 watts RMS and...

The guys from Gruv Gear were showing off a few new products at their NAMM booth this year, including the new FretWraps and V-Cart Solo Lite. Designed with bass in mind, the Gruv Gear FretWraps are a string-muting accessory made to replace the hair ties that most bassists keep above the nut. Available in three sizes, FretWraps fit around up...

Roland has expanded their line of Cube Bass combo amps with three new models: the 120XL, 60XL, and 20XL. Delivering 120, 60, and 20 watts respectively, the amps are built for portability. The 120XL and 60XL have more in common than the 20XL, as they share dual custom-designed Air Flow Ports, eight COSM amp models, seven effects (including new Drive...

Ruppert Musical Instruments has introduced the Basswitch IQ DI, a pedal that the company calls “the bass player’s Swiss knife”. Built in Germany, it serves as an A/B input switcher, a preamp, a clean booster, a parametric EQ, an FX loop switcher, and a D.I. box. The Basswitch has two inputs, which lead to channels A and B respectively. If...

Fodera has introduced the new Yin Yang Standard bass, based on their Victor Wooten Yin Yang Deluxe. The company consulted Wooten on the creation, as he has “long wanted a Yin Yang that could be more widely available.” The bass utilizes all the same materials and specifications from their Brooklyn-made instrument with a lower price point. The Yin Yang Standard...

The No Treble crew has been hitting the NAMM floor for a couple of days, getting the scoop on the latest bass news and meeting lots of great bassists along the way. Be sure to check out our ongoing NAMM coverage, with lots of new gear reports and bassist news scheduled, even after the show ends. Marcus Miller Alex Al...

Gallien-Krueger Amplification has expanded their MB series by adding a new more powerful head unit, a new combo, and powered enclosures to the line up. The MB800 is an 800-watt amp that weighs in at 4.9 pounds and features a discreet FET driven preamp and power amp. The unit includes a 10dB pad, tuning mute switch, two gains, a four...