NEW GEAR 4/25: Strymon EC-1, PRS Custom 24-08 S-H, Synergy Head and Strandberg Bass

PRS 40th Anniversary Custom 24-08 Semi-Hollow

Commemorating four decades of the PRS brand, the 40th Anniversary Custom 24-08 Semi-Hollow limited edition retains many of the basic parameters of the original Custom – the guitar that gave birth to PRS in 1985 – but in addition to the semi-hollow body construction, combining mahogany with a maple front soundboard, it adds greater flexibility with updated TCI pickups and mini-switches acting as high-pass filters. The special series numbers 300 pieces.

Certified Vintage Gibsons with P-90 pickups

For collectors or guitarists who don't have to dig deep, Gibson has prepared other examples of instruments from the Certified Vintage edition, reserved for original models from the brand's older production. This time, they are guitars (Les Paul Standard, SG Special, LP TV junior, etc.) from the 50s and 60s, equipped with P-90 pickups, which are appreciated for their transparent musical character between single and humbucker. Prices start at $4,250 for the American semi-hollow version of the 1966 Epiphone Century E422T Sunburst and end at the $80,000 mark for a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop.

Strymon EC-1: Echoplex EP-2 style delay

An effect with the sound of a classic 1960s echo chamber, the respected American manufacturer has also added a circuit emulating the harmonic richness of the tube preamp that was part of the vintage Echoplex delays. The pedal, like the master, delivers the typical echo chamber saturation and organic modulation created by the original's myriad subtle mechanical imperfections. The EC-1 is equipped with an ARM processor, stereo Class A JFET input circuit, tap tempo, true/buffer bypass modes, USB-C port, MIDI/Exp connector and last but not least, a three-position Record Level switch affecting the signal level (standard / +6 / +12 dB) and thus the saturation of the repeats. Price: approx. $280.

Tech 21 Killer Wail Richie Kotzen wah pedal

Within the next month, guitarist Richie Kotzen's signature wah should arrive in European distribution, equipped with an optical sensor eliminating the ills of the classic potentiometer. With the sound of traditional vintage wah pedals, the novelty electronics are housed in a solid aluminium chassis, and instead of simple low-pass / high-pass filters, a proprietary circuit is used to change not only the frequency but also the Q, i.e. the sharpness of the filtering. There is a spring under the pedal that returns this segment to the bypass position when the foot is removed from the pedal. The wah can be powered by a 9V battery or an adapter, which is included. The price on the Reverb website: approx. 250 euros.

Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster Mini: an update of the popular boost

The now-discontinued Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster pedal has been given a successor with the almost all-encompassing name of Pickup Booster Mini. The updated version now houses the electronics in a significantly smaller chassis, which has also received a facelift with more colourful graphics. Once again, there is a three-position Resonance switch with mods optimized for guitars with single coils or humbuckers, a carefully designed Class A circuit with up to +25 dB gain, and a footswitch wired in true bypass mode. Plus, even at zero gain, the pedal is able to eliminate signal loss caused by long cables. The power supply for the boost, with a price tag of about $100, is provided by a 9-18 V DC adapter.

Synergy SYN-20IR: tube head for preamp modules

A compact tube (2x 12AX7 + 2x EL84) amp with 20 W of power and a shaft for one preamp plug-in adds its clean channel with a sound close to Fender amps, four slots for individually programmable IR pulses, and the ability to store up to 128 MIDI presets. The power amp offers three working mods, an integrated eff. loop, MIDI DIN connector, 5 speaker outputs, USB port, headphone stereo jack and XLR DI output. Also included in the price of about 1200 euros is a three-button MIDI footswitch and a 7-pin MIDI plus USB cable.

Strandberg Boden Bass Standard 4: headless model with dual scale length

The Swedish brand, which specializes in the production of modern headless instruments, will launch a four-string version of the Boden Standard 4 bass, featuring a dual scale length (33" - 34.5"), a lime body with flame maple top and a bolted neck made of roasted maple with the patented EndurNeck profile. The same material is used for the construction of the fretboard, which is fitted with 24 fan-spaced Jescar 51100 steel frets.
An EGS Rev2 bridge is installed and the electronics consist of two Fishman Fluence Bass Soapbar humbuckers with a trio of voicing mods, coil splitting, common volume, Blend control and two-band EQ. Estimated price: approx. 2700 euros.

Ashdown RB-800 Rex Brown bass amp

The British brand has partnered with Rex Brown, bassist of the band Pantera, resulting in the RB-800 amplifier using the Rootmaster edition concept. The signature model features 800 W of power, active five-band EQ with a Shape function, compressor, overdrive, subharmonic generator and DI section (XLR) with an analogue emulation of ABM cabinets, with a choice of virtual boxes with open or closed construction, 10" or 15" speaker and a horn. Installed are two Neutrik Speakons, an eff. loop, a headphone jack, a footswitch socket and a line input with custom volume.

Sabian Mike Portnoy Max Collection cymbal edition

A total of seven cymbals are included in Dream Theater's veteran drummer Mike Portnoy's anniversary series, which commemorates a quarter of a century since the first signed Sabian collection designed for the player. The set, whose individual cymbals can also be purchased individually, consists of a trio of AA MAX Chimes in 6", 6.5" and 7" sizes with bright, punchy expression, an equal number of new AAX MAXX splashes (7", 9", 11") with a larger bell and modified profile for a more voluminous tone, and an upgraded 22" HHX MAX Ride featuring an assertive sound. The latter version was inspired by two of Mike's favourite cymbals: the 22" HH Rock Ride Brilliant and the 40th Anniv. Artisan Raw Bell Dry Ride.

The updated version of the Roland GO:Piano 88PX

Roland has revamped the popular 2019 digital model, designed especially for students or beginning players. Featuring 88 semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keys that now get an ivory-style finish, the PX version will offer 40 sounds (10 pianos, 10 electric pianos, 10 organs and 10 other sounds) in the base, the Roland Piano App. will provide access to 256 additional registers, various settings can be changed using the Piano Designer software. Integrated are a recording section, USB-C audio/MIDI port, Bluetooth 5.0 wireless, Dual Learning Mode, Ambience, Brilliance and Rotary Speaker effects, 2x 6W sound system, etc. Price: approx. 400 euros.