NEW GEAR 48/24: Schecter Stargazer, Friedman JEL-50, Aguilar amPlug3 and Korg Multi/poly

Solar XF1.6Dismember Robert Sennebäck

"I've always been a fan of X-shaped guitars with one pickup and one volume", explains the founding member of Swedish death metal Dismember about his new signature. Featuring a mahogany body and flame maple top in a glossy transparent Flame Wine Burst lacquer, the XF1.6Dismember model has a 24.75" scale length, a three-piece maple neck with a thin C-profile, an ebony fretboard fitted with 22 stainless steel Super Jumbo frets and an EMG81 active bridge humbucker. Lockable are the company's signature machines and Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo.

Cort KX700 TT with True Temperament finish

The KX700 TT six-string model ranks among the premium instruments in Cort's offer, which is matched not only by the choice of materials, hardware and electronics but also by the True Temperament system, which significantly improves the overall tuning of the guitar through its contoured Swedish stainless steel frets. The model uses two Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers, a high-quality Schaller Hannes 6 fixed bridge and the company's locking machines. The mahogany body with an ash top is complemented by a neck glued from heat-treated maple and walnut.

Guitars and basses from the reborn Schecter Stargazer series

After 15 years, Schecter has brushed up the Stargazer concept and launched the updated Stargazer-6, Stargazer Vibrato and 12-string Stargazer-12 guitars, plus the Stargazer 4, 5, 12 basses, with all models to be produced in left-handed versions, too. The mahogany body is combined with a neck glued from three pieces of maple and an ebony or maple fretboard. The guitars use a pair of Schecter USA SuperRock Vintage humbuckers with split coils, while the bass guitars are USA M-25 / J-25 types with serial/parallel, split and mix-and-match options. Prices range from 1000 to 1150 dollars.

Micro-Aggressor: boost/compressor from Abasi Concepts

The new pedal by Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders) uses a pair of parallel-wired, inter-mixable compression circuits that are also usable as a clean boost thanks to ample volume margin. The first circuit delivers an expressive organic tone, while the second circuit features a more transparent expression with detailed articulation. A premium transformer and a soft-touch footswitch operating via a relay in true-bypass mode are installed. Price: approximately 250 dollars.

Distortion FLB Dirt: high-gain sound of the 90s

For now, the latest pedal from the UK's Funny Little Boxes delivers massive "90s" style distortion. The Dirt distortion is built on a circuit with operational amplifiers, the controls consist of gain, volume plus a three-band EQ and, according to the manufacturer, provide sounds from Alice In Chains through Slipknot and Silverchair to Tool and Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine. The price of the effect is around 110 dollars.

Keeley ZOMA stereo reverb and tremolo

The pedal from the workshops of the renowned American manufacturer has three modes combining different types of reverb and tremolo, thanks to dual inputs and outputs it works in mono, stereo and true stereo modes, both sections have their footswitch and you can choose from classic true or silent buffered bypass. The digital reverb circuit (Spring / Plate) maintains a 100% analogue "dry" signal, the tremolo offers Sine, Pitch, Harmonic mods, additional parameters are available when the reverb footswitch is pressed (Alt function) and the order of the two effect units can also be switched.

Friedman JEL-50 Jake E Lee Amplifier

Following the JEL-100 Ltd, JEL-20 and IR-J preamp heads, Friedman has begun offering a fourth signature model from former Ozzy Osbourne band guitarist, the 50-watt JEL-50 amp bringing Lee's classic sound in a boutique, hand-made package. The two-channel amp combines the warm character of Marshall Plexi heads and a more aggressive expression akin to the modified "hot-rod" Marshall JCM 800. The input circuitry is optimized for pre-assigned pedals, and the serial transparent loop handles reverb and modulation effects well. Under the hood, we find 3x 12AX7 + 2x EL34 tubes and custom transformers. Price: about 3000 dollars.

Aguilar amPlug3 TH bass and upgraded Tone Hammer preamp

The amPlug3 Tone Hammer two-channel mini-amplifier, equipped with a flip-up jack, is based sonically on the bass series of the same name, with a rich, warm and dynamically sensitive tone. The analogue circuit also features a compressor, room reverb, chorus, rhythm section (adjustable tap tempo) and Aux input. Aguilar has also modified the popular Tone Hammer pedal preamp/DI box, which in addition to a new chassis boasts an improved Drive circuit with an extended gain range and a small pot for fine-tuning the sound, a mini Aux In and headphone jack have been added, too.

Mapex Black Panther Design Lab Equinox drum kit

The new Mapex Equinox BPDLE628XFB kit from the Black Panther Design Lab edition is made from padauk and maple and offers the most open and clear tone within the product line, aided by SONIClear edges, SAS body reinforcement rings, HALO mounting system with adjustable muting and single-bend 2.5mm hoops. The five-piece kit in Satin Flat Black, fitted with Remo membrane, consists of BD 22 "x16", TT 10 "x7" + 12 "x7.5" and FT 14 "x13" + 16 "x15". The bass drum (7.2 mm) is glued from 8 layers and the toms (5.8/6.5 mm) are six layered.

Analogue modelling synth Korg multi/poly

Korg multi/poly takes analogue modelling to a new level, offering musicians a fusion of classic analogue warmth and state-of-the-art digital technology. Inspired by the legendary Mono/Poly model, the synth features four oscillators per program, an advanced modulation section and a host of other units and features. Each voice contains a virtual VVC card where oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs and portamento circuits are modelled to reflect analogue variations of hardware components. There is a Kaoss Physics touchpad and presets with the character of the company's Mono/Poly synths, MS-20, ARP Odyssey, Prophet 5, etc. The new product with a price tag of about 940 euros should appear in European stores early next year.