New Gear from Boss, Electro-Harmonix, Hartke, and More
ARTISAN BASS WORKS
Fidelity basses
Besides the ANSIR angled neck you’d expect from an Artisan Bass Works instrument, the company’s new Fidelity basses sport a pair of Seymour Duncan Jazz SJB pickups and an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp. The flagship of the line, the Maple, comes with a three-piece alder body, bookmatched figured-maple top, and a roasted maple neck matched with an ebony fingerboard.
Street $2,000
Contact artisanbassworks.com
BASS GURU
This cool app for iPad and iPhone features lesson “packs” on topics such as soloing, swinging, fingerboard navigation, blues fundamentals, and warming up, all taught by pro bass players, including Felix Pastorius, Tom Kennedy, Victor Wooten, Ivan Bodley, Robin Soper, Linda Oh, Mike Visceglia, Robin Keats, and Ed Friedland. You can watch a video in “Lesson Mode,” or see the lesson written out and hear it played in “Practice Mode.” Best of all, you can pause, loop, and adjust the tempo. The app, which is free, includes a pack of lessons to get you started.
Street Lesson packs, $4–5
Contact bassguru.com
BOSS
RC-1 Loop Station pedal
The mission of the latest Boss looping box is to be intuitive and hassle-free: RECORD, OVERDUB, PLAY/STOP, UNDO/REDO, and CLEAR operations are all accomplished with one integrated pedal, while the loop level is controlled with the panel’s single knob. The circular loop indicator features 24 multi-colored LEDs for instant visual feedback on the operation mode and cycle status of the current loop. The RC-1, which offers 12 full minutes of stereo recording time, can be powered with an adapter or a single 9-volt battery.
Street $100
Contact bossus.com
HARTKE
210 HyDrive 2x10 Cab
Hartke’s HyDrive line of cabinets gets a boost with a 500-watt, 40-pound 2x10 that’s fitted with a pair of the company’s 10" HyDrive paper/aluminum hybrid cone drivers with neodymium magnets and a 1" tweeter. Other features include a high-frequency attenuation switch, a perforated steel grille, and inset handles.
Street $500
Contact hartke.com
KSM
Foundation Bass Bridge
Built for either string-through-body or top-load configurations, KSM’s Foundation bridge works its magic by maximizing the transfer of string-to-body vibrations. After final adjustments are made, all moving components lock into position with a clamping system to prevent any part from vibrating loose after extended use. The entire bridge is made of anodized aircraft aluminum, a light, durable, and resonant material that resists corrosion and rust while maintaining tonal integrity.
Street 4-string black, $150; 4-string nickel, $160; 5-string black, $165
Contact ksmguitars.com
ELECTRO-HARMONIX
Nano POG
This little brother to the Micro Poly-Octave Generator boasts an advanced algorithm for glitch-free tracking so you can fearlessly dig into sub-octave and octave-up flavors. Separate level controls for DRY, SUB-OCTAVE, and OCTAVE UP help you conjure everything from low rumbles to mandolin-like chime and rich organ-esque tones, and a separate DRY output lets you split your signal for greater flexibility and control. Runs with an adapter or a 9-volt battery.
Street $200
Contact ehx.com
PEAVEY
David Ellefson ReValver artist bundle Megadeth bassist David Ellefson’s artist bundle for Peavey’s ReValver 4 amp modeling software takes its inspiration from the gear Ellefson uses on the road. The bundle includes amps and effects—the Hangar18 Bass Amplifier, Hanger18 Drive 410 Bass Cab, Hangar18 XL Bass Cab, CE-Bass Chorus Pedal, Grinder Bass Overdrive Pedal, C-Thrasher ACT Bass Guitar, BC-Bird ACT Bass Guitar, Peavey Zodiac Bass Guitar, Graphic Equalizer Effect—as well as a bank of signature Ellefson presets.
Street Free download
Contact peavey.com