New Gear !

LINE 6 JM4 LOOPER
With the advance and flourish of musical technology, many modern musicians find that rather than collaborating with other human beings, it’s easier to simply do it all. In the spirit of this DIY attitude, Line 6 has forged a true do-itall stompbox, combining extensive amp modeling with over 200 presets with room for up to 36 user-customizable tone settings, a range of multi-effects processing including chorus/flange, phaser, tremolo, reverb, delay, tape echo, and sweep echo (all three with tap tempo), plus userfriendly looping functions. The JM4 ($460 street) also boasts a unique bank of actual recorded “jam tracks” featuring A-list session players like Tony Franklin and Dave Pomeroy jamming out in over ten styles to give that human feel to endless hours of solo practice. The Looper also features q" instrument and aux inputs, an r" CD/mp3 input, and a balanced XLR mic input for sound-on-sound loop recording. www.line6.com

—MARTY FOWLER

CHUNK SYSTEMS OCTAVIUS SQUEEZER
Chunk Systems has managed to squeeze a remarkable range of effects into this analog synthesizer, including those from Chunk’s other two pedals (the Agent 00Funk and Brown Dog), plus a variety of synth, octave, fuzz, filter, and tempo-based effects. What makes the pedal especially intriguing is its digitally programmable interface and SD card socket, allowing users to save and load additional presets remotely. Also including an onboard tuner and taptempo metronome, the pedal truly squeezes its hybrid technology for all it’s worth. However, the innovative package omes at a price ($625 list) that might put the squeeze on your wallet.

—MARTY FOWLER

MARCHIONE BASS
In 2002, Texas luthier Stephen Marchione moved his workshop back home to Houston after spending time in New York City (New York City?!). Marchione seems to make mostly guitars, but this fine-looking fretless has us hoping to see more of his creations. With its swamp-ash body and sugar-maple neck (mmm … sugar maple), chances are good this custom fretless sounds as sweet as it looks. This fretless Jazz-style bass ($5,900 direct) has an ebony fingerboard with maple fretlines, and comes with Marchione’s own custom pickups and Hipshot hardware. www.marchione.com

—BRIAN FOX

LINE 6 BACKTRACK
Although primarily marketed toward singer/songwriter guitarists, the small and sleek BackTrack recorder will capture more than your next big hit. It comes in two versions: the basic version with both q" input and output ($139 retail), and the “+ Mic” version ($209 retail), which tacks a small microphone with automatic gain control to the side of the device. Both models boast a couple of notable features: First, rather than having a set RECORD button, the device records only when a signal is present. Second, the MARK button marks sections of audio, so you’ll be able to “backtrack” to all of your most brilliant moments. www.line6.com

—MARTY FOWLER

PROHANDS HAND EXERCISER
Gripmaster, makers of the original Gripmaster and Via hand exercisers, have released its new Pro model exerciser designed for—you guessed it—professionals. The new version ($22 direct) comes in four tension levels: a light tension at five pounds per finger, medium tension at seven pounds, heavy at nine pounds, and extra heavy at 11 pounds per finger for the most serious workout (I hope they make sweatbands for fingers!). The sturdy structure and convenient pocket size of the ergonomic exerciser make it a useful tool for keeping those fingers moving while away from one’s beloved bass. www.prohands.net

—MARTY FOWLER