NEW GEAR

NEW GEAR

GIBSON E-BOW STRING DRIVER

While many players might not be familiar with the E-Bow, they certainly have heard it many times on record—and in the hands of some major guitarists. (Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers is one.)

The E-Bow is an electromagnetic string driver for the guitar, operating directly on the guitar string and not on the signal of the pickups. This not only makes it unique among most effects, it allows the player to achieve infinite sustain as well as total dynamic control of fade-ins and fade-outs.

The hand-held energy bow can be swept along the string to control and enhance harmonics, giving the guitarist a wide range of options for dynamic, atmospheric and sonic effects. Each E-Bow is packaged with an instruction booklet and tape to allow for full use of its range. Contact Gibson String and Accessories, Division of Gibson Guitar Corporation, 1725 Fleetwood Drive, Elgin, IL 60123.

DEAN MARKLEY K-20B BASS AMP

With the success of last year’s K-20 amp, Dean Markley has expanded the series by introducing the new K-20 B, specifically for bassists. Designed for both the beginner and the touring musician with a need for small yet high-quality rehearsal gear, the amp is a 15 watt RMS solid state design. A heavy duty 8” speaker is housed in a fully enclosed cabinet for punch at any level.

The front panel features include input, line out, and headphone jacks, treble boost and power switches, and controls for volume, treble, midrange and bass.

The powerful package measures just 14” X 12”. The Dean Markley K-20 B is available for the suggested retail price of $139.95... an ideal start-up or warm-up amp! Contact Dean Markley Inc., 3350 Scott Blvd. #45, Santa Clara, CA 95054.

STEINBERGER M-SERIES GUITAR In a move that might be called “back to the future,” the innovative Steinberger Sound Corporation has announced the new M-series guitar—the company’s first full-bodied design.

The “M-Series” design is the result of a collaboration between Mike Rutherford— lead guitarist for Genesis and leader of his own group, Mike & The Mechanics— and Roger Griffin, a well known English guitar designer.

The neck is made from a trademarked proprietary fiber-reinforced composite, which is then molded. The ultra-rigid construction is designed to deliver more sustain and brilliance. This rigidity also prevents flex in the neck even under the variable string tension of the Transtrem System. This tremolo system is unique: it’s a transposing tremolo system that can shift to six different keys to create radical changes in string tension, chord voicing and harmonics.

The electronics include a single EMG 85 pickup and Steinberger’s own unique Active Equalization, increasing the player’s tone range on just a single knob. For further info, contact the Steinberger Sound Corp., 122 S. Robinson Ave., Newberg, NY 12550.

DIGITECH ECHO PLUS DIGITAL DELAY/SAMPLE RECORDER

Digitech has put out the Echo Plus, a digital delay/sample recorder in the DigiTech pedal chassis. This new delay/sampler has a maximum delay/sample time of up to 8 seconds at a 15 kHz bandwidth.

The pedal uses a memory chip to achieve its extended delay time range, having three: 0 to 500 milliseconds, 500 milliseconds to 2 seconds, and 2 to 8 seconds. The pedal also has the capability of digitally recording a sound up to 8 seconds in duration and playing it back from the beginning, triggered by either a light touch on the foot switch or by a 5 volt positive pulse from an exterior source.

The unit is also capable of sound-onsound in either the delay with infinite repeat mode or the sample recording mode. Digital delay effects such as slap back, echo, delay and layering are just a few of the creative possibilities. For more information contact DigiTech at 5639 South Riley Lane, Salt Lake City, UT 84107. (801) 268-8400.