NEW GEAR

NEW GEAR

SEYMOUR DUNCAN 60 WATT CONVERTIBLE AMP

Already well-known for their pickups, Seymour Duncan is expanding their amplifier line. Their new 60 watt convertible amp incorporates a two channel design allowing the use of any of 13 Seymour Duncan modules for customizing each channel�s sound. Microphonic free, the amp�s other features include a front-mounted effects loop, accutronics reverb, and three-band active tone control circuit with controls wired post overdrive for dramatic tone changes. The speaker gives smooth, clear rhythm overtones and is versatile enough to handle blistering leads, though for players who�d rather use separate cabinets, the amp is also available in a head style. For more information, contact Seymour Duncan, 601 Pine Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93117. (805) 964-9610.

GIBSON LES PAUL JUNIOR

With all the new gear on the market, there�s still a secure place for the old. A reissue of one of Gibson�s most legendary instruments, the Les Paul Junior closely follows the specifications of the 1954 original, including such detailing as the small control pocket, stepped cutaway, and that classic P-90 single-coil pickup. Built of one piece South American mahogany and fitted with a tune-o-matic bridge, the Junior features a one-piece quartersawn mahogany neck Qoining the body at the 16th fret), with a 22 fret, 24 3/4" rosewood fingerboard, and chrome mini Grover machine heads. For more details, contact Gibson Guitars, 641 Massman Drive, Nashville, TN 37210. (615) 366-2400.

DIMARZIO SHOCK WAVE SYSTEM

The new Shock Wave pickup system by DiMarzio is tailormade for loud rock players who have a yen for a single-coil sound with more sustain. The system features three vertical humbucking pickups and a two-position Power Module that perfectly retrofits Stratocasters with top-mounted jackplates. In the module�s passive mode you get a hot, high impedence humbucking single-coil Strat sound with all the pickup combinations. In the active mode, the system more than doubles your guitar�s output with an extra 18db of gain (making it as loud as a full-size humbucker), doubling the versatility of your guitar because, by simply throwing the switch, you can overdrive the amp. The Shock Wave system carries a suggested price of $215, though the Power Module alone (which can be used with any DiMarzio Strat pickups) is available for $79.95. For more info, contact DiMarzio, 1388 Richmond Terrace, P.O. Box 387, Staten Island, NY 10310. (718) 981-9286.

ROLAND S-10 KEYBOARD SAMPLER

Roland�s eight-voice, four octave S-10 keyboard sampler incorporates a custom chip �said to be the most complex VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) ever developed in the music industry,� which provides �astounding sound clarity at a surprising price.� All parameters in the S-10 are fully programmable in the unit�s Edit Mode, while the 128K word or Wave Memory in RAM (Random Access Memory) and a 12-bit Ijnear data format provide 30kHz, 15kHz, and 7kHz sampling rates, with an audio frequency response ranging from 20Hz to 13kHz, and sampling times of up to four seconds. Data can be stored on a 2.8 inch QD (Quick Disc) and, for those keeping track, the S-10 has full MIDI capability. For more detailed information, contact ■ RolandCorp US, 7200 Dominion Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90040. (213) 685-5141.

ART PRO-VERB

With Applied Research and Technology�s new Pro-Verb programmable reverb system, musicians and studio owners can now have �a quality reverberation system for under $400.� The urtit sports 100 user presets (50 reverb, 10 gated, 10 reverse, 10 chorus, 10 delay, and 10 echo effects), with all relevant program information situated with the controls on the front panel for ease of use when rack mounting. MIDI based with a built-in AC power supply, the Pro-Verb features the latest CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architecture enabling it to perform more powerful and complex processes per instruction at a rate of six million calculations per second. For more detailed information, contact ART, 215 Tremont Street, Rochester, NY. (716) 436-2720.

GIBSON IV BASS

Gibson�s bass line is continuing to expand. As the more conventional sister of their five-string bass, the new IV features a contoured body and special tapered neck design, offering comfortable access to the high register �and an exceptionally easy reach to the first fret.� Both the body and the slim taper elliptical neck are constructed of South American Mahogany. The 22 fret, 34" ebony fretboard is complemented by the Schaller black chrome machine heads, a pair of black chrome humbucking magnet-loaded pickups, and black chrome hardware, adding up to a bass that Gibson reckons provides �superb balance and performance.� For more details, contact Gibson Guitars, 641 Massman Drive, Nashville, TN 37210. (615) 366-2400.

PROMARK �MAXXUM� AND �QUATRO� DRUMSTICKS

Promark�s new Maxxum series are designed for drummers with a heavy hand who like to make their presence known. Made of hickory, they�re 5/8" in diameter and come in three lengths: 15 3/4" (Maxxum 400), 16 1/4 (Maxxum 412), and 16 1/2" (Maxxum 419). The shorttapered, large-beaded sticks are available in wood tip only. Pro-Mark�s Quatro line is also made of hickory and only available with wood tips. What makes them unusual is that they�re square, making them �an invaluable tool for teaching the beginning student the proper grip, while providing a much-improved cross-stick sound.� For more details, contact Pro-Mark, 10706 Craighead Drive, Houston, TX 77025. (713) 666-2525.

FENDER 2235 POWER AMP

Billed as �the best valued amplifier, dollar per watt, on today�s market,� Fender�s Model 2235 power amplifier is designed for performance, ease-of-use, and durability. The company says that the specs are conservative, with a power rating specified at 350 watts per channel, while actually delivering 490 watts. Its eight ohm performance is rated at 200 watts, but actually pumps out 275 watts, and the entire unit is designed to drive any kind of speaker load. Each channel has its own front panel 41 detented precision gain control to allow users to return easily to the exact setting required. There�s a front-mounted circuit breaker (maxing it easier to reset the amp), and the entire unit is encased in a 15 gauge steel chassis, fitted with heavy duty aluminum alloy rack handles. For more details, contact Fender Musical Instruments Corp., 1130 Columbia Street, Brea, CA 92621. (714) 990-0909.

DIMARZIO 8, 9, 10 ELECTRIC GUITAR STRINGS

Billed as �the only strings that are specifically designed for loud rock players,� DiMarzio�s three new lines are geared toward getting the best out of today�s distortion and overdrive units. The first, second, and third strings are made of steel that�s been coated with Duration to make them feel smoother and last longer by resisting oxidization (rust) from skin acids and other corrosives. The ball ends, reinforced tor use with locking tremolos in order to prevent slipping, are also said to stay in tune better. The fourth, fifth, and sixth strings are wound nickel alloy, better than stainless steel because it gives more output. DiMarzio 8�s (light gauge), 9�s (mediums), and 10�s (heavy) all carry a suggested retail price of $6.95. For further details, contact DiMarzio, 1388 Richmond Terrace, P.O. Box 387, Staten Island, NY 10310. (718) 981-9286.