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Acoustik Attak Expands Line With Innovative Bass and Guitar Picks

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Acoustik Attak Expands Line With Innovative Bass and Guitar Picks

Acoustik Attak now offering four new pick models: Blade, Blade II, Surge, and Stealth.

In 2020, Florida-based Acoustik Attak Chief Product Officer (and bassist) Mark Labbe and New York-based CEO (and guitarist) Michael DePietro came to a realization about standard flat picks: that no matter how heavy, medium or light they were, they were all still flat.

The duo’s innovative, scientific series of Attak Piks, introduced with the Ambush and Attak models in July 2020, giving guitarists and bassists alternative plectrums with patented raised ridges, diamonds and other patterns on both sides of their lower tip attack zones. The results are enhanced sound waves derived from multiple strikes — achieved with only one strum — on a guitar or bass, regardless of an electric or acoustic player’s choice of instrument or strings. Acoustik Attak expands its innovative line of products by introducing four new pick models: Blade, Blade II, Surge, and Stealth.

Both Blade models, and the Surge, follow the original idea with different textured patterns on both their top and underside tips. Stealth, though structured with a mathematically-engineered, curved bevel tip, presents an interesting spin on the traditional pick by providing more precision and consistent dynamic control — along with an equally-effective grip area.

“After playing with the new Piks for a while, I went back to a regular pick and it sounded dull by comparison,” says New York-based guitarist Brian Goss, who’s worked with New York City punk acts The Noise and Warzone, plus members of Guns N’ Roses, Television, and The Misfits. “It was like a case of reverse engineering to figure that out.”

Labbe and DePietro achieve such engineering through their own exhaustive research, plus collaborations with world-renowned musicians like Goss and sound engineers like California-based Jason Mariani, a Grammy winner for his work with Mumford & Sons. In Attak Piks’ new models, that engineering extends to the Surge, Stealth, and two different Blade Piks.

Blade’s tip ridges produce a compressed sound on individual notes and can produce a wah effect when overdriven. Blade II offers the tone of the original with even more clarity, rigidity and precision.

Stealth’s curved-bevel tip is a phenomenon, lending itself to gliding across strings with consistent dynamic control to produce a more open, rounded bottom end on basses and electric guitars.

And Surge’s multiple rows of raised finite cones result in overdriven and growling tones on guitars and basses, particularly energizing heavier musical styles.

Acoustik Attak’s research team has an aggressive plan to not only introduce more innovations in the pick market but expand into other important accessory categories, unveiling more revolutionary, patented ideas starting in 2022. The future is here now.

Attak Piks are available at attakpik.com, with packs starting at $5.99.

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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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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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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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Tech 21’s SansAmp Bass Driver DI Celebrates 30th Anniversary

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30th Anniversary Limited Edition SansAmp Bass Driver DI

Tech 21’s SansAmp Bass Driver DI Celebrates 30th Anniversary…

The SansAmp Bass Driver DI has been an arsenal staple for players and studios almost since the day it was introduced in 1994. To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Tech 21 is issuing a limited edition with an anodized precision-machined aluminum billet housing and all metal knobs.

This all-analog multi-function, multi-application pedal dials up big vintage tube tones, bright modern slap sounds, gnarly distortions, and all in between. There are three different outputs to drive power amps, recording desks, PA mixers, or simply enhance your current rig. Controls include Presence for definition and upper harmonic content; Blend to combine the ratio of direct signal and SansAmp circuitry; and active 3-band EQ with 12dB of cut or boost.

The 100% analog SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation technology encompasses the entire signal chain, from pre-amp to power amp to speaker simulation. An integral part of the circuitry, the individually-tailored SansAmp speaker simulation will complement any type of bass speaker cabinet system.

It is rare an electronic music-related product can withstand such a test of time. The SansAmp Bass Driver has been used for every kind of music style from death metal to commercial jingles, in countless studios, and on tours around the globe. In fact, many mammoth stage rigs you see are actually driven by a SansAmp nestled behind the backline. It has defied the odds and to this day, SansAmp remains the standard of the industry.

Anticipated Availability:  May/June 2024

For more information, visit online at tech21nyc.com/products/sansamp/bass-driver-30/

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New Gear: Nordstrand Audio PolyVox Multi-coil Pickups

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New Gear: Nordstrand Audio PolyVox Multi-coil Pickups

Nordstrand Audio introduces PolyVox: Multicoil Pickups

Nordstrand Audio’s new PolyVox multi-coil pickups are the ultimate expression of Carey’s lifelong search for the most inspiring and musically evocative bass tone.

Isolating each string’s transducer profoundly alters the resonance of each pickup, resulting in a far flatter, more “transparent” frequency response in comparison to conventional pickup designs. The focus, integrity, and texture of every note transcends even the best conventional pickup designs.

PolyVox pickups include asymmetrical angled coils with a proprietary Alnico magnet load and supporting ceramic bars that achieve real-world output in a totally passive design. At long last, discriminating bass players can enjoy the multitudinous benefits of a fully passive multi-coil pickup system that’s ready to drop into any 4, 5, or 6-string bass that fits our standard soapbar shape.

• Multicoil, hum-canceling bass pickups
• Available as single neck, single bridge or as a set
• Angled poles
• Built with Alnico and ceramic magnets
• Laser cut, fiber bobbins
• Potted in a paraffin-beeswax mix to contain any unruly frequency that may attempt to desecrate your desired tone.
• Standard spacing is 19mm ctc at the bridge
• Extensively designed, and set up in Redlands, California, these basses are available online and at select dealers.
• Street price, starting at $192 for a single pickup.

Founded by respected bass guitar maker and pickup builder Carey Nordstrand in 2005, Nordstrand Audio offers innovative designs rooted in traditional tried-and-true methods and materials. The fast-growing company offers premium quality replacement pickups and preamps to discriminating guitarists and bassists. The V1 Acinonyx was released in 2020. For more information, visit online at nordstrandaudio.com

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