Gear News
Gear News: Peavey Celebrates Its Diamond Jubilee! 60 Years of Innovation
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Peavey® Electronics is celebrating its 60th anniversary! Six decades is a milestone for any business, but in the manufacturing of musical instruments and audio equipment, it is truly extraordinary. Six decades under one man’s leadership is on a whole other level. It’s not only impressive, it’s practically unprecedented. Hartley Peavey’s distinctive vision was the key that started it all in Meridian, Mississippi, and he’s the catalyst that keeps Peavey cruising ahead in the fast lane towards the future.
Hartley Peavey received his first patent for a unique speaker enclosure in 1964. However, it wasn’t until after graduating college that he founded Peavey Electronics Corporation in 1965. What started as a one-man shop above his father’s ex-music store grew into one of the largest independently owned manufacturers in the music and sound industry. Hartley famously said, “In order to be better, by definition you must be different.” Peavey’s unmatched history of innovation has continued since its beginning and has led to more than 180 patents being issued worldwide with new patents now in process. Peavey went from a one-man startup to a major manufacturer by adhering to Hartley’s prime directive: “top-notch gear at a fair price”. A significant number of aspiring artists, who might not have had the chance otherwise, were able to pursue performing careers thanks to the affordability and accessibility of Peavey gear. Long before the advent of the internet and easy access to everything from everywhere, Peavey was the brand that numerous professional artists, as well as those striving to become pros, trusted most.
It wasn’t just the artists that were directly impacted by the visions of Peavey. Hartley’s efforts changed how the whole industry operates. Peavey’s unique approach helped dealers and distributors around the world build businesses and thrive with fair pricing and innovative product solutions. This vision of collaboration is what has helped build Peavey into the global icon it is today.
Learning to play an instrument with a Peavey amp has almost become a “rite of passage”. But that wasn’t enough for Peavey. Always a leader in innovation, Peavey’s TransTube® technology released in 1982 changed how all quality solid-state guitar amplifiers sound and is still a “benchmark” to this day. Peavey’s roadworthy gear kept working musicians cranking up without breaking down. In garages across America, most bands started out with great performing and reliable Peavey amplifiers. Peavey’s established record of innovation provided top level performance at fair prices and provided professional performance to artists and groups at the highest level all the way down to beginners. As an example of this, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) revealed that one of Peavey’s smaller amps from the 1980s (the Decade) was “key” to the Queens’ sound. Decades went from a student amp to setting the second-hand amp market on fire! For this reason, Peavey will be releasing an updated version of this iconic little amplifier in 2025.
Peavey was the first to build electric guitars in the mid-70s on CNC (computerized numerical control) equipment when others said it couldn’t be done. Today, most guitar manufacturers utilize the same methods that Peavey pioneered. Finding inspiration from firearms in the way they were precisely mass produced, Hartley correctly surmised that the same machine used to make gun stocks could make guitar necks and bodies. Peavey could produce them quickly and at a reduced cost. Peavey’s pioneering broke down barriers and kick-started the hot-rod guitar market of the awesome ’80s, opening the doors for a myriad of new guitar brands and artists alike. Peavey’s decades of experience have helped in developing high end professional gear and has resulted in its use by many iconic artists and bands.
Peavey led the charge in the evolution of power amplifiers, as the first company to break the “dollar per watt threshold” with the legendary CS 800. Peavey continues to break ground on the fronts of pure power and “bang for the buck”. Peavey’s revolution in power amp technology continued in 2010 with the introduction of IPR switching power amplifiers. IPRs utilized advanced class D designs that allowed Peavey engineers to dramatically reduce weight while increasing output power, reliability and thermal efficiency—starting at 2,000 watts at under 7 lbs., and just pennies per watt.
Hartley’s frustration with so-called high-end loudspeaker suppliers resulted in Peavey designing its own ranges of high-performance pro loudspeakers. Its Black Widow® and Scorpion® speakers have the feature of field replaceable baskets/voice coil assemblies. This exclusive feature enables the user to eliminate expensive and tedious reconing while preserving factory specifications.
Perhaps the biggest, but often unseen, Peavey innovation started in 1993 when its MediaMatrix® system revolutionized pro audio in large pro venues. MediaMatrix® was the first digitally configured and controlled audio networking system that is now utilized in over 10,000 commercial installations globally, including many international airports, casinos, cruise ships, and other large pro applications.
Far from its humble beginnings, Peavey is now one of the largest makers and suppliers of musical instruments, amplifiers, and professional audio systems in the world—distributing more than 2,000 products in 136 countries. Headline artists of all genres and pro audio installations use Peavey equipment.
Peavey is both proud and grateful for the support it has received from artists, dealers and end users for the past six decades. Peavey, in cooperation with its customers, has continued to find workable solutions for artists of all types in all situations STILL at affordable prices. Whether you work in a club, auditorium, or church, Peavey is there for you. Music is a most rewarding activity, and a “gift” that continues to give for as long as we live.
The core values that Peavey was founded on 60 years ago are still intact today, and they will continue to be what drives this company both now and, in the future… simply put, “The party is still going on!”
To learn more about Peavey, please visit www.Peavey.com.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announces the James Jamerson 1962 Precision Bass®, an era-correct tribute to the bass that was nearly as iconic as the Motown monolith who used it to redefine what the low end was capable of.
“From R&B, to Rock, to Jazz, Country, and Reggae music… everyone owes a debt to James Jamerson. What he did on the 1962 P Bass has never been done. I am so honored to acknowledge that Fender changed everything with the 1962 Precision Bass,” said Raphael Saadiq.
James Jamerson was a phenom in the studio and the stage all throughout the 60s and 70s but more importantly, he drew the blueprint for how a bass part should feel, groove and swagger in order to turn a song into a hit and thereby inspired generations of players to come. Such an indelible impact is impossible without the proper tools, and as far as Jamerson was concerned, none did the job quite like his trusty P Bass®. Its effortless playability, sleek design and undeniable low-end response was and is the path of least resistance between a killer idea and a polished, pitch-perfect bassline that can tie an entire song together. This signature instrument harnesses the magic of the Jamerson’s own Precision Bass and offers it to players everywhere, giving them the opportunity to develop a style and tone that is entirely their own.
Born in 1936, Jamerson was introduced to live music through his grandmother and aunt, both church performers. Captivated by the energy of gospel and jazz, he taught himself piano and trombone before moving to Detroit at 18, where the downtown club scene pulled him toward the upright bass. After graduating high school, he began touring with local groups and by 1959 had become a fixture at Hitsville U.S.A., the recording studio that birthed Motown. It was there that Jamerson truly came into his own, laying down bass tracks for Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, John Lee Hooker and countless others, recordings now regarded as the foundation of modern electric bass playing. As a As a cornerstone of the Funk Brothers and throughout this storied catalog, one thing remains constant – the warm, polished sound of the Fender P Bass that would come to inspire greats like Geddy Lee, Pino Palladino, John Entwistle, Raphael Saadiq, Bootsy Collins, Leland Sklar, Nate Mendel, Geezer Butler, Tal Wilkenfeld, Freddie Washington, Bob Glaub, Matt Freeman, and countless musicians across the globe to pick up a bass and embark on their own journey towards greatness.
“I recalled saying to James as a teenager that he would be great one day! I am excited and happy those words have become a reality. James has received many awards, but the “P-Bass” is a tangible one. I hope you feel the funk and let the music play on!” said Annie Jamerson. “Thank you Fender, from my family and I, You Rock!”
The James Jamerson 1962 Precision Bass offers players all of the dynamic response, low-end presence and stylish looks that helped elevate Jamerson to the top of his craft. This era-accurate instrument comes equipped with a custom split single-coil pickup that provides enough lush, low-end for any band but offers enough definition and punch so that fills, runs and embellishments won’t go unnoticed. The Heirloom sunburst nitro cellulose lacquer finish oozes with classic elegance and will patina gorgeously over time just like the real thing. A classic “C” shape neck, slab rosewood fingerboard, and chrome bridge and pickup cover all ensure that this bass plays, feels and looks like something that you would find in the live room at Hitsville circa 1963. This signature instrument gives players the unique opportunity to hold an integral piece of bass history in their hands and find the sound that speaks to them, just as Jamerson himself did nearly seventy years ago.
“Jamerson is the reason the bass is what it is today. His 1962 Precision Bass wasn’t just an instrument; it was the heartbeat of an era,” said Justin Norvell, Chief Product Officer, Fender Guitars. “As we continue celebrating 75 years of the P Bass, we wanted every player, from bedroom musicians to touring professionals, to be able to hold a piece of that legacy in their hands. From the Heirloom Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish to the custom James Jamerson ’62 Precision Bass pickup, every detail was obsessed over to put that same magic in your hands. This recreation is our love letter to the man who made the groove non-negotiable.”
For more information, visit fender.com/products/james-jamerson-1962-precision-bass
Trickfish Amplification has added the L212 to its L Series cabinet lineup — a 2×12″ with diagonally arranged Lavoce neodymium drivers in the same compact footprint as the L410.
The L212 delivers the tonal character that 12″ drivers are known for: warm and defined through the low end, present in the midrange, and an open and musical top end, with enough output to carry a stage without a second cabinet. At 800 watts AES and 45 lbs., it handles the full output of any Bullhead amp in a cabinet that’s easy to move.
Trickfish president Ryan Owens said, “Players who want the warmth and depth of 12″ drivers at full gigging volume now have a single cabinet that gets them there. The diagonal driver placement was a deliberate choice — it supports better stage coverage without changing the cabinet’s footprint, so you get more coverage without giving anything up.”
The L212 is available now at $1,449 MAP directly from www.trickfishamps.com.
Legendary effects manufacturers DOD and Morley have united to create something truly remarkable: the Wah-ocTo-Fuzz™ pedal. Available now worldwide through local retailers and online, this innovative device answers the call of musicians looking to combine classic sounds by masterfully harmonizing three distinct effects into one unit. The pedal achieves this by blending DOD’s iconic 80’s FX35 Octoplus circuit with Morley’s timeless 70’s wah and fuzz circuits. The result is a pedal that simply leaves players saying, “WTF!”.
Designed to ignite creativity for guitar, bass, and keyboard players alike, the Wah-ocTo-Fuzz™ empowers musicians to use a singular effect or combine one, two, or all three simultaneously. The octave section utilizes the DOD FX35 Octoplus circuit to produce a classic analog octave blend that channels the captivating, glitchy essence of the 1980s. Players can easily sculpt this sound using the Direct Level to control the dry signal output, the Tone Control to adjust the overall brightness, and the Octave Level to dictate the lower octave signal.
The wah section boasts Morley’s classic Electro-Optical design and features convenient switchless operation; users simply step on the glow-in-the-dark treadle grip to instantly engage the wah effect. Finally, the fuzz circuit draws inspiration from the timeless sounds of Morley’s 1970s era, offering an Intensity Level knob to control the gain of the fuzz effect and a Fuzz Level knob to manage your overall signal when the fuzz is activated.
Built for maximum protection, the WTF pedal is housed in a rugged and lightweight Cold-Rolled Steel chassis. It also features a premium Morley buffer circuit designed to protect your tone from any mischief in your signal chain.
The new Wah-ocTo-Fuzz pedal features standard 1/4″ instrument jacks for both its input and output connections. For power, the unit operates using a standard 9VDC 300 mA center negative power supply, utilizing a standard +9V DC tip-negative barrel jack. Alternatively, it supports standard 9V battery operation that is easily accessible via a quick-clip battery door. Physically, the pedal measures 6.86 inches in length, 4.23 inches in width, and 3.88 inches in height, with a total weight of 2.27 lbs. (1.03kg). Finally, the Wah-ocTo-Fuzz is backed by a 1-year warranty.
For more information on the new DOD and Morley Wah-ocTo-Fuzz, please visit www.digitech.com.
Street Price: $249.99 USD
Phil Jones Bass announces the BOOSTEROOSTER Model PE-2, A precision 2-band EQ, preamp, and clean booster for bass. Packing a boost of 18dB of 2-band clean gain, the PE-2 is a compact preamp and EQ pedal engineered specifically for electric and upright bass. It has been engineered to restore tonal control in any environment and delivers consistent, authoritative bass tone when connecting to PAs, recording interfaces, or unfamiliar backline — where bass tone is most often compromised.
The BOOSTEROOSTER’S +18dB of clean gain will drive amplifiers into their optimal operating range, compensating for passive or low-output instruments, and maintaining signal strength through long cable runs or complex pedalboards with no distortion, no compression, no coloration.
Features of its precision EQ include Bass Control (±12dB @ 60Hz) — targets true fundamentals, adding weight and authority without boom or speaker overload.
Treble Control (±12dB @ 6kHz) — adds clarity and articulation without harshness.
For more features and information, visit online at www.pjbworld.com
Kikuchi Guitars, Japanese boutique craftsmanship with a legacy behind it…
A new name has entered the international bass guitar scene, though the story behind it reaches back decades.
Kikuchi Guitars is the work of Japanese master luthier Yoshiyuki “Yoshi” Kikuchi, a respected builder whose career includes work connected to renowned Japanese and American bass brands and artists. During his career, Kikuchi has been associated with Atelier Z, John Suhr and Roger Sadowsky. In the early 1990s, he moved to New York to work alongside Roger Sadowsky and further refine his craft, later contributing to the development of Sadowsky’s Japanese production.
Today, decades of experience in design, setup and refinement come together in Kikuchi Guitars: instruments built around musicality, balance, smooth playability and immediate response.
The philosophy behind Kikuchi Guitars is simple: evolve the classic electric bass by improving feel, balance, response, consistency and musicality, without losing the soul players fell in love with in the first place.
“A legacy, made personal.”
The basses are manufactured in small batches in Japan and combine inspiration from classic 60’s and 70’s bass designs with carefully considered modern refinements. Features such as graphite-reinforced necks, lightweight hardware, transparent custom electronics, carefully selected woods and exceptionally low, even setups all contribute to instruments known for their comfort, balance and responsiveness.
The current lineup includes the Hermes Series, featuring models inspired by vintage configurations of Jazz Basses and available in both active and passive versions. Rather than custom shop instruments built to order, these basses are produced in limited batches with fixed specifications, allowing Kikuchi to offer boutique-level craftsmanship at a more accessible price point.
Tonally, Kikuchi basses are known for articulate lows, textured mids, crisp highs and a highly dynamic response. Whether played fingerstyle, slapped aggressively or used in subtle studio work, the instruments remain musical, balanced and expressive.
Kikuchi basses are already attracting attention from players looking for a refined boutique instrument that blends vintage familiarity with Japanese precision, detail and feel.
In addition to the bass lineup, Yoshi Kikuchi is also building a small number of handcrafted archtop guitars. At present, it has not yet been determined whether these instruments will become available outside Japan.
Kikuchi Guitars Europe, based in Hilversum, The Netherlands, is the official European distributor and showroom location for the brand. In the United States, players can connect through Kikuchi Guitars USA. Players are welcome to book private demo sessions in person or online.
Visit online at kikuchiguitars.com
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