Summer NAMM

Ibanez introduced a number of new basses at Summer NAMM 2010, including new GSR, SR370 and SRT900 series. GSR Series All three of the GSR series basses are available as 4-string only, and come with a P/J pickup configuration. Two left-handed models are offered, including a short-scale version (28.6″). The new GSR series offers a line of basses for players...

AweSome Musical Instruments has unveiled their line of B-35 bass guitars. Available as a 4 or 5-string, the bass features three J-style pickups with six switches as part of their TW-35 Patented Pickup Switching System. After a little math, it adds up to 35 different pickup tones. The passive pickups are switched between on and off, in-phase and reverse-phase, and...

Ernie Ball has released the Music Man Reflex, which they were showing off at their booth during this summer’s NAMM show in Nashville. The bass is an evolution of the 25th Anniversary Bass, and features multiple pickup options. Choose from a standard single humbucker, dual humbuckers, or a humbucker plus two single-coils to suit your tone interests. The bass also...

Boulder Creek’s display at NAMM this summer featured a nice array of acoustic bass guitars, including their new Koa model. One of the unique things about these basses, as well as their other basses, is the Boulder Creek Suspended Bracing System. The system utilizes tone bars with a brace instead of traditional bracing to support the top. The “SBS” works...

During our Summer NAMM adventure, we stopped in at the Better Audio Technologies booth to check out their new custom SMB-series of bass cabinets. The cabinets, which are available in a variety of finishes, utilize innovative 6″ long-throw woofers that give a –3dB cutoff frequency of 37Hz for great low-end extension. That’s lower than many manufacturers’ bass cabs, which generally...

After recently naming Geddy Lee as an endorsing artist, Orange Amps was proudly showing off their newest bass goodies at Summer NAMM. Orange expanded their Tiny Terror line to the low end, with the Terror Bass 500 and 1000. A compact head weighing in at 5kg (11.02 lbs), the Terror bass is a hybrid amp with a Class D solid-state...

The new Vee Strap is an innovative solution to the problem of finding the right way to hold a heavy or uncomfortable bass. It features a dual-shoulder strap design that evenly distributes weight and stabilizes your instrument. Essentially, it is two straps built into one, coming together in a “V” on your back and buttoning onto your bass like any...

While checking out all the great new gear at NAMM, the Gold Tone booth really caught our eye with some great twists on the bass. New for 2010 is their PBB model, a resonator bass with an extending aluminum endpin allowing it to sit in an upright position. The bass has a 32″ scale, with a mahogany body and maple...

EMG has released Jazz bass versions of their X series pickups: the JX, JAX, and JVX sets. The brand’s X-Series is made to provide increased headroom, giving the voicing an organic and open tone while keeping great clarity and response. EMG describes them as “bridging the gap between passive and active tone.” The JX retains the jazz bass tone while...

Digitech released the new BP90 Bass Multi-Effects Processor as part of their appearance at the 2010 Summer NAMM Show. Powered by the AudioDNA 2 processor, the BP90 is built to digitally represent equipment including stompboxes, amplifiers, cabinets, and tons of effects. In all, it features 27 effects, 11 amps, five cabinets, and five stompboxes to choose from. Along with 50...

The Fleabass line will be expanding with the coming of the Street Bass model, due to ship in late July. The Street Bass is an even more affordable version of the already available Touring Bass, which Flea himself is using to tour and write the new Red Hot Chili Peppers album with. The Street model varies from the Touring Bass...

The guys from Low Notes for Nashville really know how to throw a party. Low Notes For Nashville – The Benefit Concert was held last night in Nashville, with a non-stop, 4+ hour lineup of bassists performing and sharing stories about Nashville, area musicians and ways to help people impacted by the flooding that took place in May. Bassists Bryan...