NEW GEAR 40/24: Gibson LP Studio 2024, MXR YJM Drive and Fender BDT JB Bass

Gibson Les Paul Studio 2024 innovated edition

The Les Paul Studio, one of Gibson's best-selling models, has received an update, primarily including new electronics and finishes inspired by the more expensive LP Standard series. The latest evolution so far, available in Cherry Sunburst, Wine Red, Blueberry Burst or Ebony lacquers, boasts a Slim Taper neck profile and classic heel, a lightweight mahogany body fitted with resonant cavities and a maple top, factory Vintage Deluxe machines, Graph Tech nut and aluminium tailpiece. Two Burstbucker Pro humbuckers were chosen, with coils split with push/pull volume potentiometers. Official price including soft shell case and accessories: approx. 1600 dollars.

Epiphone Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V

Epiphone has partnered with Gibson Custom Shop Division to introduce the Jimi Hendrix "Love Drops" Flying V, a collectible model that replicates the Gibson that Jimi played from 1967 to 1969. Hendrix furnished his original sunburst Flying V with hand-painted psychedelic graphics, which are reflected in this series, in both right- and left-handed versions. Featuring traditional mahogany construction, the instrument uses two Gibson Custombucker pickups connected to high-quality electronics consisting of CTS potentiometers, a Mallory capacitor and a Switchcraft switch. The headstock features vintage Epiphone Deluxe machines, and the strings are anchored in a Maestro Vibrola tremolo. A hard case is included.

MXR YJM308 Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive

Guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen is a longtime user of MXR effects, a fact both parties now confirm with the signature MXR YJM308 overdrive, which, at least in straightforward controls, was inspired by Malmsteen's older DOD drive (similar to the DOD OD-250), used to kick up the inputs of his Marshall Super Lead. The MXR is built on a circuit promising clarity, transparency, superior dynamics and rich harmonic components optimized for fast arpeggios and strong vibrato. Price: approx. 160 euros.

Fender Mustang Micro Plus headphone amplifier

After the Mustang Micro headphone mini-amp, Fender comes up with an upgraded Plus version with 25 virtual amps, the same number of effects, a hundred editable preset slots with support for the Fender Tone App, a tuner as well as a simple but clear OLED display. With integrated Bluetooth, you can jam along to your favourite songs or guitar videos in real time. Included is a free six months of Studio One+ music creation service and unlimited access to professional software, exclusive content or an active user base. Power is supplied by a USB rechargeable Li-ion battery. Price approx. 130 euros.

Seymour Duncan Hades Gates and Red Devil for Tele pickups

Seymour Duncan has once again teamed up with Billy Gibbons, frontman and guitarist of Southern ZZ Top, and the result is three pickups designed to his preferences. The new additions consist of a set of Hades Gates in the classic humbucker (bridge/neck) size, which uses Alnico 2 magnets and are "hot" versions of Billy's favourite SD Pearly Gates pickups. The third Red Devil for Tele pickup, as a bridge mini humbucker with prominent mids, Alnico 5 magnets and a 16.70 kOhm resistance, is a more powerful, modified version of the SD Red Devil for Strat.

The new Ashdown SX-Line of guitars and stompboxes

The Ashdown SX edition includes the SX-5H and SX-50H tube heads, the SX-5C combo fitted with a Celestion speaker with an Alnico magnet, and the SX-112A, SX-112F, SX-212A, SX-212F and SX-412 cabinets. The five-watt EL84 tube heads feature a single-channel preamp, while the 50W (2x EL34) head features a triple-channel preamp. All models also get reverb, emulated output, a serial effects loop or a Stealth function that reduces overall volume and activates a compensation circuit for studio use. The enclosed stompboxes, made of high-quality plywood, use Celestion 70/80 speakers.

Fender Limited Player Plus x Blu DeTiger Jazz Bass

Built for American bassist and composer Blu DeTiger, the four-string Signature Jazz Bass in Sky Burst Sparkle lacquer is based on the proven Fender JB concept but adds several new features. These include, in addition to an unconventional finish or a single-layer mirrored pickguard, a chambered ash body and active electronics with three-band EQ, connected to a Player Plus Noiseless JB single-coil midrange and a Custom Blu DeTiger Fireball bridge humbucker, the selection or mixing of which is handled by a pan pot controller. The 1966-C profile maple neck carries a rosewood fretboard fitted with 20 frets and a synthetic bone nut. Official price including gigbag: approx. 1500 euros.

Bergantino Forté HP2X: amplifier with modern design and 1200W power

The Forté HP bass amplifiers have seen their third product version, the HP2X, which boasts an all-new custom transformer from Cinemag that, in the manufacturer's words, gives the sound "unparalleled headroom, razor-sharp clarity and the power to move air". The HP2X also now offers parallel compression, a patented B.S.D. (Bergantino Smart Drive) overdrive circuit, variable low-pass/high-pass filters and increased dynamics (+3dB) over its predecessors. Active four-band EQ, Bright and Punch functions, DI Out, Aux In, headphone output, FX loop, USB port or Bluetooth can be used.

Efnote 3 Style-B electronic kit

The Efnote Style-B electronic drum kit is the successor to the previous Model 3 and brings the Japanese brand's proven concept in an even more flexible format. With the module, the developers prioritised the quality of the presets on offer over the number of presets, with a total of 16 factory sets and 34 slots for custom kits available, while wireless Bluetooth allows playing with backing tracks. Compared to version 3, the 3B version features a 12" bass pad with a mesh membrane and a standard hi-hat stand (12" pads), providing a more natural playing feel, and new Lambda stands have been chosen. The company has retained the three-zone 12" snare, dual-zone 10"/12" toms, as well as a pair of 14" crashes and 16" rides in Triple Zone variants.

Analogue semi-modular synth Behringer K-2 MKII

A clone of the popular Korg MS-20 from the 1980s, the second-generation K-2 monophonic synth has several new features and a revised design compared to the previous model. OSC 1 / OSC 2 oscillator sync with modulation switches (similar to the Korg MS-20M) have been added to increase the sonic range, Sallen/Key low/high pass FET filters have been added, there are two analogue envelope generators (filter/amp) and one multi-wave LFO, and last but not least, the patch bay section has been expanded. The official price is under 200 euros.