NAMM what gives?!?

[Chrisk-K]

I may be in the minority here but that type of playing does nothing for me. I know there is a time and place for it I guess but strictly slap style does nothing for me. She does have skills though.

To me, mindless slapping is as boring as mindless guitar shredding. A bass is a *musical* instrument, not a mechanical sound generator.

 

[donahue]

If I were a wealthy consumer, as in rich, NAMM would be my music store. Everything has a price, and I'm sure if you bring enough cash you can buy just about anything you see there. Lot better selection than any brick and mortar music store. Where else can you lay your hands on such a selection of nice gear? I believe there is that side of the coin as well. IMO

 

[scuzzy]

Ashdown Unveils the CTM-30 Little Stubby Bass Amp

Not sure if this was posted, but I want it. Very cool idea.

 

[joker820]

Started watching YouTube videos on Namm here and there but still haven't seen all the ones I might be interested in.

Fender

The bad- Way over a half century and still no 5 string Mexican p5 or fretless 5 really not much going on bass wise at all.

The good- some of the custom Shop relic stuff looks really cool but I'm not sure if I'm interested in spending like $7k-$10k for fender custom Shop to beat up a bass I wouldn't pay over $2k for.

PRS

No news at all. Absolutely nothing new for basses

Musicman

I really don't know what to say. If you're going to change the stingray (a classic design) go about it differently. The neck through stingrays they started making a year or two ago were an example of something cool. Would have been blown away if they decided to do fanned fret sr5 even if it was a very limited edition. A 6 string stingray would have been interesting. But the Im just not feeling the choices they went with. You get one more fret (shut the front door) seriously go 24fret like the bongo or leave it alone. Hardware changes look cheap to me in comparison. Not that they might not look good on a newer design but the Smaller bridge and back of the headstock makes them look like a cheap clone of real stingray. Just not feeling the changes at all. Let the "its too heavy" crowd play their violin basses. I seriously doubt 1 pound lighter is going to make them happy anyways. I've purchased 3 new musicmans over the years and weight was never a major issue for me. Would have rather seen them tweak the compensated nut so it didn't cut the side of my index finger at gigs.

ESP

The good- they are taking some chances and developing new basses

The bad- would have preferred to see them offer the recent AP-5 which is a nice 5 string PJ copy with emgs in different colors (its currently only available in "Im Batman," instead they came out with a new retro inspired body shape that I'm sure some folks will dig but I'm not feeling it.


Warwick

The bad - this years limited editions are Meh. They look like overpriced neck through Ibanez basses.

The good- think i saw a rockbass version of the infinity 5 string which stirs up some gas for An affordable backup bass.

Dingwall - the Darkglass edition NG3 looks badass imo. Probably the most interesting bass I've seen so far this year. Unfortunately I recently bought an ng2 and the DG edition NG3 is an 8 month wait. View attachment 2892164Finish kind of reminds me of The Lamborghini aventador View attachment 2892202

sadowsky - relatively good job. New more affordable line is interesting.

Pedal wise the pedal I will absolutely buy is the DG alpha/ omega ultra. Big fan of my original alpha omega. I have that pedal on about half of our live sets these days. I honestly assumed they'd release a A/O ultra but more similar to the b7k ultra I had and if that's all it was i wasn't planning on buying one. But I dig the new features. The headphone out is awesome Because nearly all the time I spend practicing at home is with headphones. Will be cool to just chill with my basses and pedalboard and practice. Interested in paying around with the iRs. I also like how they replaced the lower row of knobs that the b7k ultra I owned had with sliders. This not only provides more controls but on the b7k ultra I was constantly bumping that lower row of knobs when i hit the Footswitches. My only complaint about this pedals design is having the little pushbuttons and xlr out on the sides with top Jacks. Defeats some of the benefits of having too Jacks. But as small and feature packed as the pedal is that's one of those "1st world problems" that I can't cry too much about. View attachment 2892165I'm also curious about the Tech 21 dug pedal. I think the amp has an interesting sound but was expensive and I dig the idea of not changing my rig and having the option to buy a much more affordable pedal for that sound. And at over a $100 cheaper than the new Darkglass I expect tech 21 to sell a good amount of these. View attachment 2892222Still checking stuff out and I'm not super interesting in Amps at the moment so who knows what I've missed

For some people, myself included, 1 lb less makes a world of difference. I've got faith in MM.

 

[MDBass]

The new Dingwall DBird Standard:



The mic input was set a little too hot, so there's some clipping, but I'll do some cleaner tone samples once mine is delivered in a few weeks

 

[toowrongfoo]

Man, that is gaudy.

 

[MDBass]

Man, that is gaudy.

Fortunately, it also comes in trans black and vintage burst

 

[donahue]

The new Dingwall DBird Standard:



The mic input was set a little too hot, so there's some clipping, but I'll do some cleaner tone samples once mine is delivered in a few weeks

Now that Dingwall makes lefties, do you think they will make that model in lefty? It's the greatest looking bass I've ever seen (the matte black model) and I've never even batted an eye at a Gib T-bird before. I really want one!

 

[MDBass]

Now that Dingwall makes lefties, do you think they will make that model in lefty? It's the greatest looking bass I've ever seen (the matte black model) and I've never even batted an eye at a Gib T-bird before. I really want one!

I would be VERY surprised if they didn't start offering lefty models, but probably not until next year: they have a lot of irons in the fire at the moment.

I'm smitten the the trans black myself as well

 

[Nephilymbass]

Fortunately, it also comes in trans black and vintage burst

View attachment 2892894
View attachment 2892895

Dingwall really nailed this bass. Hoping there's a 5 string version in the future.

 

[Loring]

Dingwall really nailed this bass. Hoping there's a 5 string version in the future.

Apparently the first one was at the request of the bass player from nightwish. Crazy looking Finnish guy with an awesome beard...

 

[MDBass]

Apparently the first one was at the request of the bass player from nightwish. Crazy looking Finnish guy with an awesome beard...

The bass player for Epica actually: Rob van der Loo.

Rewiring the 3 pickup configurations was his idea from what Sheldon mentioned

 

[Loring]

The bass player for Epica actually: Rob van der Loo.

Rewiring the 3 pickup configurations was his idea from what Sheldon mentioned

Right you are. Both awesome symphonic bands...

 

[bebass]

Almost NO love for bassists.

Ibanez released a bunch of new Basses.

Way Huge released the Pork Pickle

Blackstar released some combos for bass

Ampeg released 2 new bass pedals

Fender found a way to rerelease more 3TS, Natural and Olympic White Jazz and P Basses and raise the price hundreds.

Not much else. Disappointing!

I found the opposite as in 2 days, which was all I had time for, I absolutely could not check out ALL the bass gear. I played a lot of really nice basses and also some really nice electronics. There was a new line of bass amps and pres designed by a former studio mixer designer - I found his whole philosophy impressive and some killer looking gear - I did not get a chance to try it out. But I DID try out several pieces and found all to be intriguing.

The Tech 21 dUg pedal.
- John

Tried it out and spoke with the designer. And I for a couple of seconds turned up and actually could hear fine at NAMM for a change.

When I've gone, it actually had almost nothing to do with an interest in seeing gear, and everything to do with meeting new people, networking, and catching up with friends and my reps in the industry I rarely get to see. Had I gone out this year, it would've been the same story. Anyone who comes back from NAMM and tells you about some piece of gear they got a good chance to listen to is LYING to you. It's too loud to actually demo anything (with the VERY few exceptions of vendors with sound isolation booths), and as we pretty much all know, trying something out in that environment or a music store gives almost NO impression of how that bass/amp/pedal will actually suit you in an ownership/studio/gigging situation. It's nice to see things with your eyes (which you can do online), but it's a loud, bustling metropolis at NAMM, which doesn't lend itself to intimate experience with a piece of gear. It's like trying to check out a guitar in the concourse of a stadium when the big game has just ended and everyone is funneling past you. LoL good luck with that.

I checked out several basses in a sound booth which gave the ability to actually hear what was happening with the bass. The easiest sound booth access was at the builder's showcase which began an hour early Thursday. It was so nice not having to deal with a crowd. I checked out AC guitar's Basses at this part of the show. The rest of the show was kinda insane, trying to get to everything and check out all I wanted to check out, which I didn't accomplish during the two days I was there.

New Dingwall bass models, new pedals from Darkglass, Tech 21 and others, new cabs from Genzler, Berg, Audiokinesis and others, new 5 string Rickenbackers, dozens of smaller brands like Serek and Chapman debuting new models, a 3000 watt Jule tube rig with two subs cabable of pushing 20Hz, and that's just for starters...seems like maybe you just haven't walked around enough yet

I found lots of new stuff. The many bass pres floating around were all looking pretty cool.

The Darkglass AO Ultra (with graphic EQ and uploadable cab IR's) and the Tech 21 dUg pedal are absolutely brand new

I played those and complained to my distributor for not letting me know of the new Ultra's details prior to NAMM as I try to stay informed of all the new gear. Was really neat jamming out on the DUg pedal with the designer adjusting it as I played.

He's not wrong though: the DBird is something else.

I did notice that the Dingwall booth always had a crowd. I was speaking with Sheldon when Lee Sklar walked up. Then the crowd got a lot bigger

Started watching YouTube videos on Namm here and there but still haven't seen all the ones I might be interested in.

Fender

The bad- Way over a half century and still no 5 string Mexican p5 or fretless 5 really not much going on bass wise at all.

The good- some of the custom Shop relic stuff looks really cool but I'm not sure if I'm interested in spending like $7k-$10k for fender custom Shop to beat up a bass I wouldn't pay over $2k for.

PRS

No news at all. Absolutely nothing new for basses

Musicman

I really don't know what to say. If you're going to change the stingray (a classic design) go about it differently. The neck through stingrays they started making a year or two ago were an example of something cool. Would have been blown away if they decided to do fanned fret sr5 even if it was a very limited edition. A 6 string stingray would have been interesting. But the Im just not feeling the choices they went with. You get one more fret (shut the front door) seriously go 24fret like the bongo or leave it alone. Hardware changes look cheap to me in comparison. Not that they might not look good on a newer design but the Smaller bridge and back of the headstock makes them look like a cheap clone of real stingray. Just not feeling the changes at all. Let the "its too heavy" crowd play their violin basses. I seriously doubt 1 pound lighter is going to make them happy anyways. I've purchased 3 new musicmans over the years and weight was never a major issue for me. Would have rather seen them tweak the compensated nut so it didn't cut the side of my index finger at gigs.

ESP

The good- they are taking some chances and developing new basses

The bad- would have preferred to see them offer the recent AP-5 which is a nice 5 string PJ copy with emgs in different colors (its currently only available in "Im Batman," instead they came out with a new retro inspired body shape that I'm sure some folks will dig but I'm not feeling it.


Warwick

The bad - this years limited editions are Meh. They look like overpriced neck through Ibanez basses.

The good- think i saw a rockbass version of the infinity 5 string which stirs up some gas for An affordable backup bass.

Dingwall - the Darkglass edition NG3 looks badass imo. Probably the most interesting bass I've seen so far this year. Unfortunately I recently bought an ng2 and the DG edition NG3 is an 8 month wait. View attachment 2892164Finish kind of reminds me of The Lamborghini aventador View attachment 2892202

sadowsky - relatively good job. New more affordable line is interesting.

Pedal wise the pedal I will absolutely buy is the DG alpha/ omega ultra. Big fan of my original alpha omega. I have that pedal on about half of our live sets these days. I honestly assumed they'd release a A/O ultra but more similar to the b7k ultra I had and if that's all it was i wasn't planning on buying one. But I dig the new features. The headphone out is awesome Because nearly all the time I spend practicing at home is with headphones. Will be cool to just chill with my basses and pedalboard and practice. Interested in paying around with the iRs. I also like how they replaced the lower row of knobs that the b7k ultra I owned had with sliders. This not only provides more controls but on the b7k ultra I was constantly bumping that lower row of knobs when i hit the Footswitches. My only complaint about this pedals design is having the little pushbuttons and xlr out on the sides with top Jacks. Defeats some of the benefits of having too Jacks. But as small and feature packed as the pedal is that's one of those "1st world problems" that I can't cry too much about. View attachment 2892165I'm also curious about the Tech 21 dug pedal. I think the amp has an interesting sound but was expensive and I dig the idea of not changing my rig and having the option to buy a much more affordable pedal for that sound. And at over a $100 cheaper than the new Darkglass I expect tech 21 to sell a good amount of these. View attachment 2892222Still checking stuff out and I'm not super interesting in Amps at the moment so who knows what I've missed

The Dingwall 3x upgrade kits should be available in April.

Questions for the TB NAMM attendees:

1. I had heard the effects market is seeing a bigger surge than usual in new analog pedals. Is that true?

2. Is there anything genuinely new and interesting there this year? I was wondering if anybody saw anything radically new or übercool - as in potential gamechanger products? Or is it "more and better but still mostly the same" from what you can tell.

"Game changer" is kinda difficult to say, as it would be in the eyes of the beholder. But improved? Yes! I saw some really nice basses, some studio noise level bass amps and bass preamps. Some really nice new pedals that for some players will certainly up their tone choice, and a couple of new bass cabs that could be potential "game changers" in their relationship to other cabs of the same rough configuration.

Jeff has some new stuff at the Genzler booth .

I got to play his new 410!

Orange didn't have anything to plug in and try. I was bummed about that.
A few pedal and pick up companies didn't have any basses. When i swung by Ampeg it was nothing but Mackie.
Warwick had about 80% of their models there. I spend about an hour there. Their LX series of Asian made basses are pretty respectable.
ESP\LTD had something interesting basses, but no way to plug them in.
I found some interesting stuff at the Lakland and Mayones booths.
I got to try out a Darkglass Alpha\Omega. An added bonus was they had a Dunable bass there for trying pedals. Score. Patrick Hunter was at the Darkglass booth and I talked to him for a while. He does a lot of demo Youtube videos. Really nice guy.
The Blackstar bass amps are pretty nifty. I tried the 115 with a Spector and it was meaty as hell. I didn't catch the price though.
I also got to try the Asian made Peavey Cirrus basses. They are actually pretty nice, as are their little Trace Elliot mini heads\cabs. Their other basses were junk.
I got to chat with Ryan from Fuzzrocious for a while. Now I'm gassing for a Gray Stache or buying a Demon again. The Verellen set up he has is super sweet.

It was a mixed bag for me. I thought there was no way I could get everything I wanted to do in with one day, but I actually only needed 5 hours. I'm glad went, but it didn't meet my life-altering expectations.

Owning a Peavey USA Cirrus, I was expecting to be a bit disappointed with the import Cirrus. But actually thought it pretty nice. I was intrigued by the Blackstar amps but didn't get a change to play one. I was really busy for two complete days and still didn't see all I wanted to see.

If I were a wealthy consumer, as in rich, NAMM would be my music store. Everything has a price, and I'm sure if you bring enough cash you can buy just about anything you see there. Lot better selection than any brick and mortar music store. Where else can you lay your hands on such a selection of nice gear? I believe there is that side of the coin as well. IMO

I guess "enough cash" would sway most but you have to remember that for the out of country folks to actually sell a bass there is difficult, as they can't avoid customs. A dealer can buy a bass, but many of these guys will take it back then ship to you. I purchased two new product lines there and my basses have to be taken back then shipped.

Ashdown Unveils the CTM-30 Little Stubby Bass Amp

Not sure if this was posted, but I want it. Very cool idea.

I spoke with them a good bit and this was the amp that triggered my interest. He said there were upgrades to the design and it wasn't just a re-issue.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I found the opposite as in 2 days, which was all I had time for, I absolutely could not check out ALL the bass gear. I played a lot of really nice basses and also some really nice electronics. There was a new line of bass amps and pres designed by a former studio mixer designer - I found his whole philosophy impressive and some killer looking gear - I did not get a chance to try it out. But I DID try out several pieces and found all to be intriguing.


Tried it out and spoke with the designer. And I for a couple of seconds turned up and actually could hear fine at NAMM for a change.


I checked out several basses in a sound booth which gave the ability to actually hear what was happening with the bass. The easiest sound booth access was at the builder's showcase which began an hour early Thursday. It was so nice not having to deal with a crowd. I checked out AC guitar's Basses at this part of the show. The rest of the show was kinda insane, trying to get to everything and check out all I wanted to check out, which I didn't accomplish during the two days I was there.


I found lots of new stuff. The many bass pres floating around were all looking pretty cool.

I played those and complained to my distributor for not letting me know of the new Ultra's details prior to NAMM as I try to stay informed of all the new gear. Was really neat jamming out on the DUg pedal with the designer adjusting it as I played.


I did notice that the Dingwall booth always had a crowd. I was speaking with Sheldon when Lee Sklar walked up. Then the crowd got a lot bigger


The Dingwall 3x upgrade kits should be available in April.


"Game changer" is kinda difficult to say, as it would be in the eyes of the beholder. But improved? Yes! I saw some really nice basses, some studio noise level bass amps and bass preamps. Some really nice new pedals that for some players will certainly up their tone choice, and a couple of new bass cabs that could be potential "game changers" in their relationship to other cabs of the same rough configuration.


I got to play his new 410!


Owning a Peavey USA Cirrus, I was expecting to be a bit disappointed with the import Cirrus. But actually thought it pretty nice. I was intrigued by the Blackstar amps but didn't get a change to play one. I was really busy for two complete days and still didn't see all I wanted to see.


I guess "enough cash" would sway most but you have to remember that for the out of country folks to actually sell a bass there is difficult, as they can't avoid customs. A dealer can buy a bass, but many of these guys will take it back then ship to you. I purchased two new product lines there and my basses have to be taken back then shipped.


I spoke with them a good bit and this was the amp that triggered my interest. He said there were upgrades to the design and it wasn't just a re-issue.

Cool news on the upgrade kit. I'd seen that a fellow TB member made the conversion. I might Go for that. Any word on how much they'll cost yet? I'm assuming it'll include the additional pickup, selector pot, and a Pickgaurd? What would the 4 settings be? Would be super cool if we could have the option of different pickgaurds like the Darkglass edition black-and white or a white pearloid.

 

[40Hz]

Some really nice new pedals that for some players will certainly up their tone choice, and a couple of new bass cabs that could be potential "game changers" in their relationship to other cabs of the same rough configuration.

Music to my ears. I'm cab shopping as we speak.

 

[bebass]

Cool news on the upgrade kit. I'd seen that a fellow TB member made the conversion. I might Go for that. Any word on how much they'll cost yet? I'm assuming it'll include the additional pickup, selector pot, and a Pickgaurd? What would the 4 settings be? Would be super cool if we could have the option of different pickgaurds like the Darkglass edition black-and white or a white pearloid.

Hey, I will PM you a copy of the sheet sent out on availability and cost of the upgrade kit. My understanding is April on the kit. Not sure about pickguard options. I know on the swirls it will stay the same black.

 

[bebass]

Music to my ears. I'm cab shopping as we speak.

Yeah, as a former cab designer and Acoustics guy I am into cab comparisons and was really impressed with these. A nice time as a bass player with the choices we have.

 

[shadowrider]

Yeah, as a former cab designer and Acoustics guy I am into cab comparisons and was really impressed with these. A nice time as a bass player with the choices we have.

Which new cabs are you referring to? Sorry if I missed it -- I looked back through your post and am not spotting it...

 

[bebass]

Which new cabs are you referring to? Sorry if I missed it -- I looked back through your post and am not spotting it...

I tried out several new cabs at NAMM. I think the ones you may be referring to were the new Genzler BA410-3 and the new Bergantino 410. I listened extensively to both.