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Funkulator Combines Simplicity and Great Tone

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funkulator-webSlap bass is a love/hate thing. We all love the fact that it’s fairly easy to pick up and sound somewhat proficient on. We hate the fact that as soon as you start playing slap, your tone falls short. Suddenly, it’s lost in the mix with no definition and everyone is wondering “what is THAT guy doing?!” So we try to compensate for that by trying out filters, equalizers, compressors, limiters, etc.. with varying levels of success. But we’re still left wanting a simple, easy to use solution that will bring the funk each and every time with a minimum of effort.

Enter the Funkulator, by Creation Audio. Based upon decades of firsthand experience on the road and in the studio, it features a preset EQ designed to give you “Marcus Miller in a box,” with the simple flexibility that one knob can provide. Dial in as much or as little of the preset as you need to keep your slap sound shaking the floor and supporting the band.

First thing I noticed when plugging the pedal in is that the logo lights up. THE LOGO LIGHTS UP. That, in and of itself, makes this probably my favorite pedal to date. Then I turned it on and started working with it. The beauty of the Funkulator is in the sheer simplicity of it. Immediately, that elusive slap tone that I’d been hunting for but rarely been successful at finding was right there (and for me, it’s between 11 o’clock and 2 o’clock, depending on mood). And because it’s only one knob, you can throw this in your gigbag, take it out and get that same sound over and over again. It’s easy to dial in, easy to get a great tone, and easy to recall that tone consistently.

However, don’t think that the Funkulator is just limited to our slap bass brethren, oh no. When playing fingerstyle, I was able to get some nice, thick tones. With the pedal cranked completely clockwise, I could grab some heavy dub tones. Whatever the style you want to play, the Funkulator is ready to help you sculpt the sound, quickly and easily.

The Funkulator from Creation Audio is one of those “Wow! I wish I’d have thought of that!” type ideas. Take a great EQ preset, make it simple to use and dial in, and put it in a stomp box. And with a street price of $149 for a handmade in the USA pedal, you really can’t go wrong. So go ahead, make your funk playing that much easier and more fun with the Funkulator.

Buy the Funkulator

Bass Videos

New Gear: Trickfish Introduces New Line of Pedals

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New Gear: Trickfish Introduces New Line of Pedals

Trickfish Introduces New Line of Pedals…

Trickfish is proud to announce the release of its new line of stompbox pedals, thoughtfully designed for discerning musicians. The VCA Compressor, Overdrive Preamp, External Preamp (EPA), and Signal Filter pedals are designed and manufactured by Trickfish in the USA and feature the highest-quality components and materials for long-term durability and pristine sound.

These pedals embody Trickfish’s commitment to delivering top-tier sound quality and dynamic musicality, providing smart and user-friendly tools to help bassists achieve their ideal sound on stage and in the studio. All of the Trickfish stompbox pedals feature a high-quality angled steel chassis, smooth taper knobs, top-mounted jacks, easy to read graphics and are powered by standard 9V DC pedalboard power supply-compatible jacks.

“The new pedals represent what I consider the “bass toolbox” that can enhance the experience of any bass player in a live situation”, says Ryan Owens, President of Trickfish. “We love how this first offering has turned out and there’s more to come!”

Click to view demo videos

Retail pricing: VCA Compressor: $249, Overdrive Preamp: $229,  Signal Filter: $219, and External Preamp: $219.

For more information about Trickfish Amplification and its innovative lineup of bass pedals, visit trickfishamps.com.

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Bass Videos

Reviews: Phil Jones Bass Compact Plus 450 and Bass Engine 17

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Reviews Phil Jones Bass Compact Plus 450 and Bass Engine 17

Phil Jones Bass Compact Plus 450 and Bass Engine 17 Reviews…

In this issue, we take an in-depth look at two new amps from Phil Jones Bass, the Compact Plus 450 and Bass Engine 17.

For more information, visit online at pjbworld.com

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Gear News

BITE Serves up Tasty Vanilla Bass Series

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BITE Serves up Tasty Vanilla Bass Series

BITE Serves up Tasty Vanilla Bass Series

Looking at these Vanilla basses, one is tempted to give the term bass lick a somewhat different meaning. Austrian custom bass builder BITE Guitars calls this bass series Tasty Vanilla, quite understandably so. What makes them look yummy in the first place? The satinated off-white finish, the white pickups, the absence of a pickguard – BITE calls this ‘rear access’ – the light-colored natural maple & pearl blocks fretboard, and the 24-karat gold plated hardware to top it all off.

BITE shows us two variants, a 4-string 34″ and a 5-string 33″, one of the very few 5-string medium scales available. BITE writes, there’s no floppy B string at 33″, it plays and sounds just like the big guy.

Sound-wise, we’re looking at BITE’s own 1000-millivolt high-output passive pickups, this time in a Reverse PJ configuration, meaning the P has its DG coil closer to the neck. This reverse arrangement gives your plucking fingers more space across the D and G strings and it adds a bit more oomph to D and G. Finally, the wiring is a standard Jazz-type parallel circuit (Volume-Volume-Tone).

Price:

Jawbone Tashy Vanilla RPJ 4-string 34″
Full specs: bite.guitars/product/jawbone-tasty-vanilla-rpj/
New York 2,539 USD
Berlin 2.658 EUR incl. VAT
London 1.930 GBP

Jawbone Tashy Vanilla RPJ 5-string 33″
Full specs: bite.guitars/product/jawbone-rpj-5er-33/
New York 3,235 USD
Berlin 3.429 EUR incl. VAT
London 2.482 GBP

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Bass Giveaways

Enter to Win the MusicNomad & Friends Giveaway – Ends April 1, 2024

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Enter to Win the MusicNomad & Friends Giveaway - Ends April 1, 2024

MusicNomad, Cleartone Guitar Strings and Franklin Strap have teamed up for an Ultimate Giveaway! The giveaway includes over $450 of gear and accessories.

This giveaway bundle includes:

  • The MusicNomad Ultimate At Home Work Station, featuring 11 “must-have” products for all Electric, Acoustic, Classical, and Bass Guitars. Get your home set up with what the top touring techs and repair shops use to make your gear look, sound, and play the best. It includes all our best-selling cleaning and detailing products, plus string changing and repair tools for your guitar. 
  • 12 sets of Cleartone-coated strings (acoustic or electric). Cleartone’s acoustic strings are expertly crafted for longevity, they provide a warm, rich tone that resonates, perfect for professional musicians and beginners alike. Electric-treated strings produce a rich, bright tone and a smooth feel, perfect for all playing styles and genres. Experience the Cleartone difference with superior string life and consistent sound that will make your music truly shine. You will also receive Cleartone’s variety pack of Star Picks. These highly durable, textured guitar picks provide an exceptional grip and a consistent strike for every note. Ideal for musicians of all levels, Star Picks enhance playability and deliver a balanced, full-spectrum sound. Turn every strum into a star performance with Star Picks
  • Franklin Straps’ best-selling Chocolate American Bison Guitar Strap and Glider Capo. Part of the Franklin brand ethos is bringing high-quality materials to the everyday musician. The American Bison straps are incredibly robust, offering a luxurious rawhide counterbalance to their signature soft pebbled Franklin Glove Leather. Franklin’s Glider Capo provides uninterrupted playing and seamless key changes. The Glider rolls smoothly and the guitars stay in tune.

Giveaway closes Monday, April 1st at 1 pm PST. The winner will be notified via email. We are opening this giveaway worldwide; if you are outside the USA and win, we require you to pay for the shipping and fees.

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Gear News

New Gear:  Ashdown ORIGINAL-EVO-C112T-300

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New Gear:  Ashdown ORIGINAL-EVO-C112T-300

Introducing the Original-EVO-C112T, a ground-breaking innovation in the realm of bass amplifiers. This exceptional amplifier redefines the standards of power, portability, and precision, offering musicians an unparalleled experience in amplification technology.
 
Weighing in at a mere 13.5kg, the Original-EVO-C112T packs an astonishing 300 watts of unadulterated Ashdown bass tone into a compact and lightweight package. Say goodbye to the days of lugging around heavy and cumbersome gear – this amplifier is designed for the modern musician on the move.

Introducing the Original-EVO-C112T, a ground-breaking innovation in the realm of bass amplifiers. This exceptional amplifier redefines the standards of power, portability, and precision, offering musicians an unparalleled experience in amplification technology.
 
Weighing in at a mere 13.5kg, the Original-EVO-C112T packs an astonishing 300 watts of unadulterated Ashdown bass tone into a compact and lightweight package. Say goodbye to the days of lugging around heavy and cumbersome gear – this amplifier is designed for the modern musician on the move.

Designed to accommodate global touring, the Original-EVO-C112T features auto-protect voltage support and an adaptive temperature-controlled fan for optimal performance in any environment.
 
In summary, the Original-EVO-C112T is a game-changing amplifier that combines power, portability, and precision. It’s a testament to innovation and quality in the world of bass amplification, deserving attention from musicians looking to take their music to the next level.

Product Specification-

Power Output: 300 Watts
Power Requirement: 115-230 Volts
Speaker Configuration: 1 x 12” + Horn
High Instrument Input: Impedance 3.9m Ohms, Input range 150mV – 20mV p-p
Low Instrument Input: Impedance -1M Ohms, Input range 150mV to 10V p-p
Line Input: Impedance 10k Ohms, Input range 300mV – 40V p-p
DI Output: 600 Ohm balance / Level -20dBu nominal
Minimum Impedance: 4 Ohm
Headphone Output: Yes and safe for silent practice
EQ: Bass +/-15dB @ 100Hz, Lo Mid +/-15dB @ 220Hz, Middle +/-15dB @ 660Hz, Hi Mid +/-15 dB @1.5kHz, Treble +/-15dB @ 7kHz
Effects Send: Impedance 22k Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal
Effects Return: Impedance 22k Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal
Dimensions (H x W x D in mm): 470 x 606 x 381
Weight: 13.5kg

For more info please visit www.ashdownmusic.com

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