Gig-fx SubWah
With four operating modes optimized for
bass—CLASSIC, SUB, TRIG, and AUTO—Gig-fx’s new
SubWah has put a funky spin on a classic
pedal, folding wah, envelope filter, and autowah
effects into a single, all-analog package.
Price $225
Contact gig-fx.com
StageTrix Pedal Fastener
Those of us with pedalboards know the bedeviling
nature of Velcro. On one hand, it’s a miracle substance
for the task at hand, on the other, kludging the roll into
stompbox shape is a pain and the adhesive often loses
its tackiness over time. With the new StageTrix stuff,
we finally have purpose-built hook-and-loop fastening
material for pedalboards. Each piece is shaped appropriately
and designed with special adhesive to adhere
to the common rubber base material of many pedals.
Price $9.99
Contact www.stagetrixproducts.com
Spector Forte Basses
According to Spector, the new Forte basses are all
about “no options, no frills, all tone.” The U.S.-
made instruments feature the NS-curved body
style, graphite reinforced rock maple through
necks, 24-fret pau ferro fingerboards, Spector
locking bridges, Aguilar onboard electronics, EMG
pickups, and include a Spector gig bag.
List price Forte4, $3,499; Forte5, $3,599
Contact www.spectorbass.com
Aguilar TLC Compressor
The TLC compressor is designed to give bassists flexible
and musical control over their dynamics. With variable
attack, threshold, and slope levels, the rugged-looking
TLC promises to tame out-of-control transients and
bring increased focus and coherence to your sound.
Price $199
Contact www.aguilaramp.com
Keith McMillen
Batt-O-Meter
The nifty Batt-O-Meter is
dead-simple, but may prove
indispensible. Basically, you
insert the q" plug into any
battery operated device and
it tells you the hours left until
the battery dies. It includes a
switch for compatibility with
different battery chemistries.
Price $29.95
Contactwww.keithmcmillen.com
RetroChannel
The RetroChannel would make a very hip alternative to
a bass-specific preamp in a rig or a vibe-y front-end
for a digital recording system. Basically, it’s a solidstate
device designed to mimic the sound of a Telefunken
V72 mic pre, an LA2A compressor, and a Pultec
EQ. Reportedly Tony Levin is currently using it, and is
pleased as punch.
Price $1,800
Contact www.retro-channel.com