NEW GEAR 29/24: Gibson Jeff Beck, Mesa Boogie Combo, Rane DJ Controller and JHS DriveHS

Cantrell's G&L Rampage is back in an upgraded version

G&L is relaunching the Rampage Superstrat made famous by Alice in Chains grunge guitarist Jerry Cantrell, for whom the original model became a staple instrument for many years. But the name of the new Fullerton Deluxe Rampage 24 suggests that G&L decided to innovate on this model – the main modifications include an ebony or maple fretboard fitted with 24 Jescar 57110 frets installed using Plek technology, access to the higher positions is facilitated by the ergonomic shape of the alder body/maple neck joint, and a Floyd Rose Original system has replaced the original Kahler tremolo. High-quality Sperzel tuning machines provide tuning and a single G&L AW4370 humbucker wound to a 1980s recipe carries the sound.

Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12: combo with Mark IIC+ series sound

Inspired by Mesa Boogie's 40-year collaboration with guitarist John Petrucci, this combo brings the design taken from his signature JP-2 but offers the sound of the legendary high-gain Mark IIC+ model with a few tweaks. The three-channel version with a pair of graphic EQs boasts clean registers with high headroom and two distorted channels for a thick IIC+-style crunch or lead with increased gain and a creamy, round tone. Channels 2 and 3 also get a new Shred mode adding higher harmonic components and an extra serving of distortion. A spring tube reverb, Cab Clone D.I. box emulation, buffered eff. loop, MIDI, 60/100W switch, etc. are installed. Price: approx. 4300 dollars.

Kiesel Fatboy HF2: a reissue of the Allan Holdsworth model

Excellent prog rock and fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth left behind an impressive legacy and influence on generations of players. The British musician used, among other things, several signature models of the then Carvin brand, later renamed Kiesel Guitars, which has now started offering a reissue of Holdsworth's signature instrument, the Fatboy HF2. The limited edition features a chambered alder body, complete with a birch back and maple front board acting as a resonance system. The maple neck features carbon fibre bracing, a shorter headstock with 2+4 machine configuration, and an ebony or maple fretboard with 24 stainless steel frets, a 20" flat radius and side luminescent markers. A tune-o-matic bridge and a pair of Kiesel Holdsworth humbuckers were picked.

Gibson Jeff Beck “YardBurst” 1959 Les Paul Standard

A limited-edition replica of the 1959 Les Paul Standard that Jeff Beck played in the Yardbirds and later The Jeff Beck Group has been added to the Gibson Artist Series. The Jeff Beck "YardBurst" 1959 Les Paul Standard, which will be produced by the company's Custom Shop in a total of 130 pieces, features a one-piece lightweight mahogany body with a maple top faithfully replicating the original instrument. The Dark Cherry Sunburst lacquer has been patinated in Murphy's lab, the Long Tenon jointed neck has been given the 50s Rounded Medium C profile, a pair of Custombucker pickups without waxing, CTS potentiometers, oil condensers, ABR-1 bridge, aluminium tailpiece and Kluson machines. Price including Lifton case: approx. 10,000 dollars.

Top-of-the-line Yamaha FS9 M and FS9 R

With the premium concert models of the FS series, Yamaha recalls the heritage and superbly crafted craftsmanship of Japanese cabinetmakers through intricate woodworking using the ancient Kumiki method. Both instruments boast all-mass construction with an Adirondack spruce top soundboard, with the letters M and R in the names indicating the use of mahogany or Indian rosewood for the back and sides of the respective version. The profiles of the mahogany necks and ebony fretboards with wooden inlays are also common, and, as in the case of the rosette and body edge decorations, the aforementioned Kumiki method was used. Official prices for professional acoustics, built for the Custom Shop, are around 4,000 dollars.

Pedal amp-in-a-box simulator Mayfly Sunrise

Canadian brand Mayfly has expanded its offering with the Sunrise pedal featuring the sound of classic Fender Blackface Reverb series amps from the 1960s. Featuring analogue circuitry, stereo reverb and a tunable cabinet simulation, this model is the ideal choice for direct connection to a PA system or DAW application. The three-band EQ responds in the same way as the aforementioned vintage amps and there are Volume, Master Volume, Reverb and Dwell controls for further adjustments to the resulting sound. The emulation box delivers an American sound combo with an open-back soundboard, but you can also set the British character using the internal Cone/Cabinet Resonance potentiometers on a closed cabinet basis, or anything in between. In addition to a pair of footswitches with true bypass, there's a headphone output.

High-gain distortion JHS Hard Drive

The Hard Drive is the first attempt in JHS's 15-year history at a modern distortion pedal that isn't based on previous circuitry or classic topology. The manufacturer claims that "the Hard Drive goes harder and further than any gain or distortion we’ve released so far, it lets you dial in everything from grinding tube amp crunch to a bona fide wall of distortion that can easily cut through any stage of studio mix." There are volume and drive controls and a three-band EQ with Baxandall-style bass and treble and semi-parametric mids. A silent footswitch offers a buffered bypass. The price is around 200 dollars.

Solar E2.4 and E2.5: Explorer-style Type-E basses

The four-string E2.4 in Canibalismo finish and its five-string variant, the E2.5 in matte Black Open Core lacquer, are new representatives of the Type-E bass series, which Solar owner Ola Englund says brings "a new standard for metal basses, engineered to satisfy even the most demanding metal player." Both versions feature an extravagant sungkai wood body shape, a through-moulded maple neck, a 24-fret rosewood fretboard and a 34-inch scale length. Also common are a pair of Solar humbuckers with a powerful output and ceramic magnets, a massive bridge with large block stones or a reverse headstock fitted with the company's 17:1 gears. Prices including gig bag: E2.4 approx. 1100 euros, E2.5 approx. 1200 euros.

Ashen Amps APG700.4: 700 W bass head

Californian boutique company Ashen Amps has launched the production of the Ashen Power Generator APG700.4, a compact amplifier equipped with a Class-D power amp with 700 W of power at 2 ohms impedance (350W/4Ohm). The single-channel preamp features simple controls of five pots (Presence, Blend – Mid Scoop, Treble, Bass, Level), an available XLR line jack and a lockable SpeakON output. The chassis is housed in a wooden cabinet, the material and transparent shade of which can be selected when ordering. In addition to its ample power, small size and weight of 4 kg, the hand-assembled APG700.4 scores with superior dynamics, clarity, depth and articulation of tone, as confirmed by the attached video of the prototype.

Rane Performer motorized DJ controller

The professional four-channel motorized DJ controller, built to the rigorous standards of the American company Rane, is a flagship model designed for demanding processes and creative mixing while offering the superior build quality and sound that the DJ community has come to expect from this renowned brand. The precision construction includes a pair of high-torque aluminium plates connected to 3.5-inch displays, integrated STEM Level and Split functions for creative remixing, improvements have also been made to the effects section (29x Main FX) with 16 backlit pads and new presets, 4 fully adjustable PRECISION FEEL volume faders, MAG FOUR crossfader, integration with Serato DJ software and rich connectivity. The innovative Rane Performer comes in at around 2300 euros.