Guitarsite News
Boss GT-1 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
The new Boss GT-1 compact multi-effects processor is now available, with a retail price of $199. Related Feature:Boss Katana Amplifiers This is the latest guitar processor to come out from Boss production line, and as such it carries over their latest amp modeling technology and interface improvements, but packed in a portable floor unit. Boss describes this pedal as being powered by their flagship GT-series engine, which means that it provides the same sound-shaping qualities as its bigger and more expensive siblings. For its size, the GT-1 comes with 108 effects, more than enough to cover virtually any musical styles. Included in its modeled effects lineup are classic Boss stompboxes like the OD-1, along with other popular pedals from other manufacturers. Various effect types are well represented, including Delay, Reverb, Modulation, Wah, Fuzz, Distortion and more. In addition to effects, this pedal has a plethora of amp models that were taken from their COSM library, while the amps were not listed specifically, you can expect it to cover most of the popular American and British tube amps, along with some high-gain models. If effects and amp modeling is not enough, the GT-1 also comes with a 32-second phrase looper to
Boss Katana Amplifiers
Boss has a new line of combo and head amplifiers called Katana, multi-channel solid-state amplifiers with built-in effects. Related Feature:Best Guitar Amps for Under $500 This new amp line is a follow up to the Waza amplifier, and it is the company’s attempt to provide guitarists with a versatile amplifier that does not compromise quality and response, while keeping the price tag reasonable. It’s interesting that Boss is now coming up with their own amps, especially when considering that these will be going head to head with the amplifiers that their mother company, Roland, also builds. Thankfully, rock tones are mentioned a number of times in the press release, somewhat emphasizing that this amp is a different tool meant for overdriven tones, compared to Roland’s reputation for clean tones. The name Katana is derived from the traditional sword that was carried by the historic Samurai of Japan. It symbolizes precision, artistry and honor in Japanese culture, a fitting description to what Boss wanted to achieve out of the newly developed circuits that they implemented in each Katana amplifier. Boss expounds, “Adopting the majestic sword’s name with pride, the Katana amps deliver smooth, cutting rock tones honed by generations of BOSS
Vox StompLab Series – Compact Multi-Effects
Vox introduces the StompLab Series, four compact multi-effect pedals packed with modeled amps and effects. StompLab 2G The StompLab 1G is meant for guitars with the StompLab 2G having an onboard expression pedal. Bassists can go for StompLab 1B or the expression pedal equipped StompLab 2B. Vox designed the StompLab series to be as small and compact as possible without sacrificing sound and features. Their sizes make them easy to carry around as they conveniently fit into a regular gig bag. They can also be easily integrated into pedalboards. Although they are small, these multi-effects units pack quite a punch with over 100 amp modeling and effects for the StompLab 1G and 60 total effects for the StompLab 1B. The StompLab series feature a sound engine that is based on Vox VT+ series of modeling amps, and their ToneLab series multi-effects. It comes with 100 presets and will let you save 20 of your own effect patches. Out of the many effects included in each new multieffect pedal, you can use up to 8 effect models simultaneously. StompLab 1G and 1B Tweaking multi-effect units can be a bit confusing to some so to make it easier to use, Vox implemented
Line 6 Helix Guitar Processor
Line 6 unveils new flagship guitar processor Helix, featuring expanded dual-DSP processing and improved controls. Related Feature:Line 6 POD HD v2.6 Update This new multi-effects and amp modeling guitar processor will be taking over the lead position in Line 6’s product line up, offering the latest technology that the company has to offer. Considered as a giant leap forward in guitar processing, Line 6 says that Helix will provide a big improvement over the their previous HD modeling technology. Both the hardware and software was improved to better recreate the dynamic feel of tube amplifiers and the sonic textures of classic effects pedals. The most notable improvement introduced in Helix is the new HX modeling engine, which utilizes dual-DSP processing. This allows for a level of realism that was not possible from their older HD modeling technology. The improved modeling technology is matched by the improved control interface which work together to provide a new playing experience when compared to their older multi-effects floor pedals. Line 6 President Marcus Ryle said, “Helix is the start of a new chapter in the way guitarists relate to technology. Line 6 has spent over twenty years refining and evolving modeling technology. With Helix,
Keeley Dark Side Multi-Effects Pedal
Keeley celebrate their 15th anniversary this month with a new multi-effects unit called the Dark Side pedal. Related Feature:Best Multi-Effects Pedals This pedal is part of the company’s Workstation Series, all of which offer multiple effects in a compact form factor, while maintaining the same boutique hand-made quality that Keeley Electronics is known for. The new Dark Side pedal is a multi-effect unit that combines fuzz, modulation and delay in a single stompbox. The name of the pedal and the effects included are easy hints to this pedal’s inspiration, the renowned Pink Floyd album Dark Side of the Moon. While the company doesn’t explicitly say it is, many will see this one as a single pedal solution for those who want to utilize the complex sonic textures that David Gilmour employed on the seminal album that helped defined the classic psychedelic guitar sound. The fuzz section of the pedal is described as a transparent sounding big fuzz effect based on a 1977 op-amp unit. To get the sound that they wanted, Keeley and his team made quite a lot of changes to the circuit to replicate the sound of earlier transistor based fuzz effects. The company expounds, “This one lets
Zoom MS-100BT MultiStomp Pedal with Bluetooth
Zoom introduces their latest regular-sized multi-effect pedal, the MS-100BT MultiStomp, featuring amp modeling, effects and Bluetooth iOS connectivity. This pedal aims to combine the power of digital sound processing, versatility of patch loading via bluetooth and the convenience of stompbox design for easy integration into your existing pedalboard. This new pedal is expected to compete against existing compact multi-effects pedals like the iStomp and iRig Stomp – but with its own unique interface and approach towards patch and preset downloading. At the core of the MS-100BT is Zoom’s amp and effects modeling technology. Although it looks small and unassuming, this pedal lets you pick between the 92 Stombox and 8 amp models come with the pedal. You can also mix and match up to six effects simultaneously to create your signature sound or cover popular guitar tones. You can also create and store up to 50 original patches for quick tone reference. If the factory-installed effects and amp models are not enough, the Zoom MS-100BT MultiStomp has the ability to download patches and effects wirelessly via Bluetooth. It has a matching iOS app called StompShare, available on the Apple Appstore which you can download onto your iPad, iPhone or iPod
Zoom G3Xn and Zoom G3n Multi-Effects Pedals
Zoom expands their multi-effects lineup with the new G3Xn and G3n, with upgraded features and intuitive controls. Related Feature:Best Multi-Effects Pedals This two new multi-effects processors are fitted with Zoom’s latest DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology without complicating the controls, thanks to its easy to use stombox like layout. Zoom built their reputation on their affordable multi-effects, and both the G3Xn and G3n follow after their tried and tested formula – which is to make practical, versatile and affordable multi-effects pedals. These two next generation G3 units are designed to provide virtually all the essential effects needed for making conventional music, and it does so while keeping the price and the bulk low, a convenient alternative to the usual bulky multi-effects processors or the even heavier old school pedalboard setup. As expected, both units are packed to the brim with features, focusing mostly on effects (70 DSP effects), which distinguishes them from the usual amp modeling packed floor processors that manufacturers have been releasing. To be exact, there are 68 effects that include digital recreations of various dirt pedals (overdrive, distortion, fuzz), compression and EQ units, modulation effects (flanging, phasing, vibrato, and chorusing), delay, reverb and
Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Alpha & Omega Pickups
Seymour Duncan unveils the Mark Holcomb Alpha & Omega pickups, a pair of humbuckers ideal for progressive metal. Related Feature:Seymour Duncan Dimebag Set These new pickups are especially designed to meet the guitar virtuoso’s tone requirements, having just the right amount of articulation and output to give Mark his ideal tone as he plays for the band Periphery. Periphery is not your straightforward “chug chug” metal band, employing a mixture of technically complex rhythms and quick switching between low frequency riffs and high note melodies. Their unique style requires pickups that have the right amount of flexibility without compromising tone, and so Mark and the Seymour Duncan team worked closely to achieve the artist’s demand for precision, quality and versatility. This resulted in two humbucker pickups that are specifically designed to handle Mark’s neck position and bridge position tone needs. Instead of simply having two identical pickups for the bridge and neck position, they specifically designed the two pickups for their respective positions, and each one ended up being truly distinct from each other, while still being able to blend well together when in middle position. According to Mark, the two pickups are really unique, satisfying the goals that he
3D Guitar Pickups
Natural Stereo & Natural Mono – A new 12 coil pickup technology Regular mono pickup coil positions only reads the Y axis of the string movement. 3Dxy technology uses 12 coils to read 6 strings, and read both axis (X and Y), that means vertical and horizontal string movement. In 3Dxy system each string has two coils. Both coils make a 90º angle, and read the string position in the space. Each coil reads a different signal but complementary. When we hear both signals in a stereo sound system it produces a natural surround sensation 3D. This is what we call “natural stereo”. The 3Dxy natural mono is produced by adding both L and R channels resulting from a 3Dxy natural stereo pickup. The resulting natural mono signal has all the details of the 3Dxy natural stereo, but we loose the surround 3D feature. We can say that natural mono is more rich than traditional mono, because now we have complete string vibration information (X and Y axis). The 3Dxy pickups output level and sensibility is grater than old mono pickups. This is because 3Dxy pickups have more spins in a grater number of coils (two in one string). 3Dxy
Fishman Fluence Carpenter and Townsend Signature Pickups
Fishman releases two new Fluence signature pickups, co-designed by Stephen Carpenter and Devin Townsend. Fishman Fluence Stephen Carpenter Related Feature:Affordable Guitar Pickups These electric guitar pickup sets showcase how Fishman’s unique Fluence can be customized to accommodate the needs of modern players, specifically for those who play high-gain metal like Stephen and Devin. The Fishman Fluence is described as a total re-imagining of the electric guitar pickup design, a departure from good old wound pickups that were first introduced in 1934. These pickups utilize an innovative design that allows for a second voicing option, which lets you switch between two different tones. The technology behind this pickup is a quite straightforward, instead of having wires wound over a magnet, Fishman printed the coils on to a circuit board. This means that each production pickup is consistent, and at the same time, it conveniently deals with the hum, noise and tone loss that’s usually associated with older pickups. Capacitance issues are also dealt with via its active electronics. Since the coils are printed on a circuit board, Fishman can then copy great sounding pickups by simply analyzing its component and wounding. This compact design also allows for multiple voices, but for
Seymour Duncan High Voltage Humbucker
Seymour Duncan reveals more information on the Custom Shop High Voltage humbucker used in Angus Young’s SG. Related Feature:Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special Pickups With AC/DC’s reputation for outstanding straight-to-amp rock and roll tones, many guitar players are curious as to what pickups they were using. The secret is now out thanks to a recent interview with the band’s guitar techs, who revealed intimate details about Angus Young’s main touring guitars, including the artist’s use of custom made Seymour Duncan pickups. Without specifically name dropping, the company describes this pickup as being developed for one of rock’s most iconic guitar players. But we do know him to be Angus Young, and the story goes that he was looking of a dirty and mean sounding pickup with vintage style tonalities. So Seymour Duncan custom made a set for him, with some similarities to their Pearly Gates pickup but substantially different. The press release describes the pickup as being very clean and bluesy, with some of the low end trimmed, ideal for driving cranked Marshall amplifiers – much like how Angus would. Seymour Duncan expounds: “One of the keys to the High Voltage sound is the selection of specifically calibrated Alnico II
Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special Pickups
Seymour Duncan introduces the Saturday Night Special humbuckers, designed to replicate classic ’70s era rock tones. Related Feature:Seymour Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker With so many pickup manufacturers focusing on vintage ’50s and modern tones, this new set is a welcome variation, designed to produce tones the sit between old school and new school. It is meant to be fatter and hotter than vintage pickups, without the compression found on modern ones. The new Saturday Night Special Set is made in Seymour Duncan’s facility in Santa Barbara, California. They feature four-conductor wiring with a maple spacer and they come with short mounting legs, which should make it an easy replacement for a wide variety of dual passive-humbucker configuration guitars. Instead of just making a one-size-fits-all pickup that can be used in both the neck and bridge positions, Seymour Duncan designed this set to have distinctly different sounds that complement the position. The bridge position is described to be a little fatter and hotter, great for classic rock riffs and cutting leads. The neck position on the other hand is fine-tuned to be less “wooly” and a little clearer, meant for singing solos or for clean tone playing. According to Seymour Duncan
Eastwood Hi-Flyer Phase 4 Electric Guitar
Eastwood Guitars brings back a classic guitar design with the new Hi-Flyer Phase 4, featuring a slanted neck pickup. [Click to Enlarge] This guitar is based on the original Univox Hi-Flier Phase 4 model, introduced in 1977 and was seen in Nirvana’s Heart Shaped Box video. Although using modern materials, Eastwood Guitars designed the new Hi-Flyer Phase 4 guitar to be a true replica. It maintains all the fine details with regard to the asymmetrical shape and cut of the basswood body as well as the profile of the bolt-on maple neck. Eastwood hopes to provide the same vibe and sound as those found on vintage Univox guitars. The Eastwood Hi-Flyer Phase 4 Hardtail model is based on the white guitar that Kurt Cobain used on Nirvana’s 1993 music video “Heart Shaped Box”. It features the same aesthetics and build, including the white finish and pickguard. The guitar has a set maple neck with a maple fretboard. It follows the same scale length of 24.75″ and nut width of 1.625″. To replicate the vintage tone of the original, Eastwood equipped this guitar with Phase 4 Open humbuckers that follow the distinctive pickup configuration of the original. Tone controls are kept
Eastwood Airline ’59 Coronado Sailor Jerry Custom
Eastwood Guitars team up with tattoo, rum and lifestyle marketing man Sailor Jerry to create the Airline ’59 Coronado Sailor Jerry Custom. This limited edition guitar is commissioned by Sailor Jerry and features his custom tattoo graphics on the front and back. Aside from the nice tattoo graphics, the Sailor Jerry Custom carries the same retro vibe and design that the other Airline ’59 Coronado guitars have. The Coronado series is Eastwood’s tribute to the Supro Coronado model that was used by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. At the core of this guitar is a Vintage Cream mahogany body wrapped in rubber body binding. It also features Eastwood guitar’s toned chambered design. The Airline ’59 Coronado Sailor Jerry Custom comes with a 25 ½” scale length bolt-on neck. This maple neck is topped with a rosewood fingerboard that features block markers and vintage style zero fret. Nut width is measured at 1 11/16″. [Click to Enlarge] To guitar features some great looking hardware which include a TonePros Tune-O-Matic bridge, custom chrome tail and Wilkinson Tuners. The sound of this guitar is captured by two Alnico Hot-10 Humbuckers that can be switched on and off by mini-switches located just above
Line 6 JTV-69S Guitar
Line 6 introduces another James Tyler Variax model, the JTV-69S with Strat-like design and 3 single coil pickups. This guitar is based on traditional Strat SSS configuration, equipping the guitar with vintage-voiced single-coil pickups loaded with alnico magnets. This new Variax guitar is also designed by luthier James Tyler, combining traditional boutique level quality with modern modeling capability. The JTV-69S expands on the familiar Strat shape, pickup configuration and sound by adding 29 built-in modeled instruments. Following traditional build, the body of the JTV-69S is made of Alder. The body is cut into a double cutaway Stratocaster like shape that is a bit sharper on the edges. The guitar has a bolt-on solid maple neck that measures at 25.5″ scale length, it is cut into Tyler ’59 neck shape. The neck is topped with a rosewood fingerboard that carries 22 medium-jumbo frets and dot inlays. The nut however strays from the traditional, equipped with modern Graph Tech Black Tusq XL self-lubricating. 28 Guitar Models The headstock comes with sealed locking/staggered tuners with 16:1 ratio, and it works together with the guitar’s Tyler-designed tremolo bridge to keep the guitar in-tune. The hardware on this guitar is chrome. Being part of the
Line 6 Variax Standard – NAMM 2015
Line 6 unveils the result of the first major collaboration between Line 6 and Yamaha, the Variax Standard, combining Yamaha’s craftsmanship and Line 6 instrument modeling technology. Related Feature:Line 6 Now Under Yamaha The guitar will be on display at the Line 6 2015 NAMM booth found in room 212A, and is described as the company’s attempt to make a Variax instrument that is more affordable and accessible. Since joining with Yamaha in January 2014, I have been expecting that Yamaha will be infusing their quality mass production expertise into Line 6’s existing manufacturing process. And it looks like this is this will be just one of the many products that will be produced by the collaboration of the two companies. As expected, the Variax Standard features Line 6 modeling technology that allows it to reproduce the sound of a wide variety of guitars, from vintage to modern and even exotic instruments. Variax HD technology has come a long way, and to my ears they are now much closer to the actual guitars that the model, even the sonic details, feel and response are convincing if not downright amazing. If the line up of virtual guitar models are not enough,
Line 6 Variax Standard Limited Edition Emerald
Line 6 celebrate their 20th anniversary with the new custom-finished Variax Standard Limited Edition Emerald guitar. Related Feature:Line 6 Spider V Series Amplifiers This limited run release features the same technology that they co-developed with Yamaha, carrying the same playability, versatility and innovative technology while having a distinct emerald green finish. Limited to a very smalll production run of just 225 guitars, and considering that this guitar is available for all their customers around the world, this 20th anniversary commemorative model will probably fly off the shelves in a very short time. The main difference that this limited edition model brings to the table is its distinct look, courtesy of its custom emerald green finish. Other distinguishing features include a “Limited Edition” insignia on the neck plate, which also houses a serial number (1-225) that indicates the production number of the particular guitar. Other than these aesthetic difference this model is still a Variax Standard guitar through and through, with a double cutaway alder body that is obviously inspired by the Strat design. But it’s not just your average electric guitar though, because the it carries over Line 6’s Variax HD technology, which means that the guitar comes with built-in
Line 6 Spider V Series Amplifiers
Line 6 finally unveils the new Spider V series, the latest iteration of their popular entry level amplifier line, with upgraded amp and effects modeling and other extra features. Related Feature:Best Practice Amps Love them or hate them, the Spider series is easily among the top selling amp in the market, so the details of this new version is very much interesting to guitarists everywhere, and I’m sure their competitors are eagerly anticipating as well. Everyone is expecting the new Spider V amps to come with even more features, specifically in the amp and effects modeling department, and with the information that they gave out, it looks like Line 6 did not disappoint. They list the Spider V as having over 200 amps, cabs and effects to choose from, and it breaks down into 78 amp models, 23 cabinets, and 101 effects. For the price, the Spider Amp V will have the more models than any amp within its price range, so it will definitely take quite a while to go through all the models, let alone trying out the many ways of combining them. Line 6 specifically mentioned that the DSP of these new amps will allow up to
Roland New York Blues Tone Capsule for Blues Cube
Roland expands the tone options of their Blues Cube amplifier yet again with the New York Blues Tone Capsule. Related Feature:Eric Johnson Tone Capsule This new Tone Capsule is meant to transform the sound of the Blues Cube amp to the “Class A” British combo amplifier sound, with EL84 tubes flavor combined with the blues sound of New York. The Blues Cube amp is an interesting approach to amp modeling, combining analog solid state amp designs with digital sound processing to achieve realistic sound and feel. Instead of using pure DSP (digital sound processing), Roland combined DSP with solid state analog circuitry to replicate tube amp nuances like the interaction between the amplifier and the speaker. The in-depth reproduction of the feel and tone improves fidelity and realism, but it is not without drawback. Since it utilizes an analog circuit, it is bound by the same one-voicing limitation as regular analog solid-state amps, changing the tone requires changing the circuit itself. Interestingly, Roland found a way to make the design versatile by using a modular amplifier circuit, allowing you to conveniently swap out the part of the amp that can change the resulting sound. This particular component is called the
Roland Blues Cube Stage – 2014 Summer NAMM
Roland introduces the 60-Watt amp Blues Cube Stage, a blues-friendly addition to their popular Cube amp series. Related Feature:Roland Cube GX Amps This amp is part of the company’s reinvented Blues Cube series, which they claim better reproduces the tone and feel of the tube amps that helped shape the blues guitar sound. Amp modeling technology is getting better and better, thanks to the stiff competition between amp and effects manufacturers. With so many new amp models released this year, Roland is not about to let up, expanding their line of guitar amplifiers. The Blues Cube series is quite ambitious because it targets blues guitar players. These are players that rely less on effects, so they are more particular with tone, feel, dynamics and amp response. Roland knows how to price their products competitively but in order to capture this market, the brand has to come up with a convincing tube-like amp. To recreate the behavior of tube amps, the company equipped the new Blues Cube Stage with their latest “Tube Logic” technology. It is described as a design philosophy that carefully reproduces the inner workings of tweed-era tube amps down to the minor details. All the components of the