NEW GEAR 28/23: PRS Unveils New Signature, Boss Introduces Analog Delay and Dynamo its First Bass Amp

PRS Myles Kennedy and NF 53 Telecasters

PRS chose the summer season to premiere two Telecaster-inspired instruments. The first is the signature model of the band's frontman Alter Bridge, who says of the newcomer with a swamp ash body, maple fretboard and two PRS Narrowfield MK pickups, "This guitar captures the spirit of my favourite older instruments. With that said, since we developed this guitar, most of my vintage instruments rarely see the light of day." While the second version of the NF 53 is similar in concept to the Kennedy Signature, with the exception of the PRS Narrowfield DD (Deep Dish) pickups, it was based on an earlier 1953 example that was one of Paul Reed Smith's favourite instruments, who described the NF 53 as "a beautiful high end without the hum".

Jackson CS Diablo IV SE Kelly: a stylish Explorer in the style of a computer game

Jackson has included a special edition of the extravagant Diablo six-string model, which will be produced in just a dozen examples by Principal Master Builder Pasquale Campolattano's Custom Shop. Almost everything, from the unconventional finish, through the hardware, to the body shape reminiscent of an Explorer on steroids, to the electronics consisting of a pair of EMG 81/60 active humbuckers with a powerful output, is subordinated not only to the massive sound but more importantly to the visual style referencing another edition of the computer game of the same name. It was also for this reason that Blizzard Entertainment, who launched the positively reviewed Diablo IV title some time ago, was involved in the development of the guitar.

Boss DM-101 Delay Machine Analogue Reverb

A new pedal delay with an analogue signal path and digital controls takes this effects format to the absolute limit and could be a game changer in the world of analogue reverbs. A warm sound with up to 1200ms delay is provided by a total of eight years of proven BBD chips, 12 modes to choose from, a modulation section with chorus settings, tap tempo, four programmable presets in the base, MIDI (up to 127 presets), wet/dry routing and more. If you're looking for a flexible "old school" delay, the DM-101 definitely has something to offer. The icing on the cake is the stylish design evoking the first ever Boss DM-1 analogue echoes from the late 70s. Price: approx. 530 euro.

Bogner Überschall Ultra EL34 and 6L6 – new versions of the iconic amp

Originally from Germany, Los Angeles-based engineer Reinhold Bogner will soon delight fans of the sound of his amplifiers with a pair of new modernly conceived 100W Überschall Ultra two-channel amps, equipped with EL34 or 6L6 power tubes, so that those interested can choose between British- or American-sounding versions. Although these heads are often referred to as "Monsters of High Gain", they have enough potential and flexibility to offer guitarists cultivated clean registers, wide crunches and additional positions as well, thanks to the six voicing switches and Gain Boost function, among others.

Spector basses from the "Revision" USA NS collection

Spector has announced that it is updating its USA NS line of basses. The instruments are being manufactured in the company's new Custom Shop facility in Woodstock, NY, and will feature long-loved design elements while maintaining the aesthetics of the popular NS series. The edition in question still features the body contours of that famous model, proprietary bridge, matching headstock, etc. Current options include modern or vintage pitches of pickup mounting sets, modified fretboard, classic and more subtle through-neck profile and premium electronics with active preamp.

MXR Blackout Series vintage bass effects

This year, MXR's owner Jim Dunlop celebrates the fifteen-year anniversary of the MXR Bass Innovations division, which the company has decided to commemorate with a limited Blackout design edition consisting of the M87B Bass Compressor and M87B Bass Envelope Filter. Its electronics are housed in a chassis sprayed in matte black "Stealth" paint, the labels have been given a gloss lacquered black font and a bright yellow status LED has been installed. The MXR Bass Innovations team was created with the goal of developing bass pedals made by bassists and for bassists – not just rebuilt guitar pedals.

GT Bass – the first edition bass from Dynamo Amplification

This debut bass set, hand-assembled in the Texas boutique manufacturer's workshops, will be appreciated by bassists who demand superior sound quality and craftsmanship from their setup. This is matched in every way by the professional design of the all-tube amplifier (3x 12AX7 + 4x KT-150) with a 300W power amp, complemented by a single-channel preamp based on the legendary Alembic F-2B/1x. There is also a Bass 212 cabinet made of Baltic birch, fitted with FaitalPro neodymium drivers (2x 600 W), FD375 tweeter and dual passive bass radiators increasing the output by +6 dB.

High End Reimagine – Pearl news for this year

It's shaping up to be a superlative year for drummers using Pearl products, with a host of new products on the market that should take the acclaimed brand's products to an even higher level. So what can we expect from the Japanese giant this year? First of all, Pearl Maple Masters sets with Maple Pure bodies or hand-built Masters Maple/Gum bodies, updated Reference One Series sets, design-interesting Professional Maple sets or a signed snare by renowned player Dennis Chambers. There will also be high-quality Pearl Demon XR 3500 hardware, including the GyroLock-L tom holder and R2 Air Tom Suspension system, etc. We'll be bringing you more details on specific models shortly.

Korg Wavestate SE and SE Platinum synths

Manufactured at the brand's Japanese headquarters, Korg's new synths are the current flagship fleet featuring a premium 61-note keyboard with natural response and aftertouch functionality that provides the same superior playing experience as the company's high-end workstations. Under the hood slumbers a staggering 120-voice stereo polyphony (nearly twice as many as the original Wavestate line), hundreds of updated sounds, and of course, Wave Sequencing 2.0 technology that was designed from the ground up for a new generation of musicians, producers and composers, taking cues from such diverse sources as modular synths, groove boxes and algorithmic composition. The limited edition Platinum differs from the standard only in design.

Grace Design Rex and Roxi microphone preamps

A pair of pedal microphone preamps aimed at musicians who want to fine-tune and perfect their own microphone sound exactly to their liking on stage or in the studio. Both models score with signal path quality comparable to high-end rack-mount versions, equalization, mute switch, +10 dB gain circuit linked to a separate footswitch, phantom power, HPF filter, DI + Amp outputs and FX effects loop. The larger Roxi variant will also offer semi-parametric mids and other features.