Bass Gear — Issue 7
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2011 Summer Namm Show Awards
There was a lot of fun to be had and a lot of cool products to play with in Nashville, but these three products walked away with Bass Gear Magazine 2011 Summer NAMM Show Awards:
G-wiz Electronics – Foot Loose Foot Switch
Ever wanted to switch on that envelope filter for your favorite riff, but you forgot it was coming up, and you are over hamming it up on the guitar player’s side of the stage? Ever needed to switch to a chorus for the next song, but you are out on the dance floor leading a conga line? Well, if these scenarios apply to you, or if you just find yourself needing to switch a pedal on/off when you are not right next to it (for whatever reason), then the Foot Loose wireless foot switch line of products may just save the day. These have technically been available for a while, but G-wiz CEO Tom Gogue informally re-launched the line at Summer NAMM. If you have a use for wireless switching of effects, compressors, or any other pedals, these gadgets make it easy as pie. Www.gwizelectronics.com
Kala – 5-string Solid Body U-Bass
This award was both the hardest and the easiest to award. The BGM staff was in the middle of a heavy debate over which instrument should get an award, and we had a number of really smashing electric basses in the running. The problem was, which one really stood out from the others? Out of the blue, someone mentioned “that killer little 5-string U-bass,” and instantly we all knew we had our winner! The Acoustic U-bass has been putting smiles on bass players’ faces for several years, and the 4-string Solid Body certainly earned our respect at Winter NAMM. This new 5- string version totally amazed everyone who played it. For uniqueness and sheer “fun factor,” this 5-string Solid Body U-bass is a real winner. Www.kalaukulele.com
Overton – Featherweight Series Amps and Cabs
Granted, I am likely to stop and smell the roses at pretty much any NAMM booth that is packed full with bass goodies like amps and cabs, but when you set up an eyecatching display which not only involves a bass head but also a mug full (or half-full, even) of rich, dark beer, it’s like an irresistible force is pushing me into the booth... As it turns out, the amps and cabs, alone, were plenty reason to stop by. While all of the heads featured lightweight technology (class-D output sections and switchmode power supplies), Overton offers both neodymium and ceramic-based enclosures. Everything we played sounded great, and the different cab options definitely gave you a variety of tonal flavors to choose from. The amps are intelligently laid out, and feature rich. A relative newcomer, the Overton brand is definitely one to keep your eye on. Www.overtonamps.com
G-wiz Electronics – Foot Loose Foot Switch
Ever wanted to switch on that envelope filter for your favorite riff, but you forgot it was coming up, and you are over hamming it up on the guitar player’s side of the stage? Ever needed to switch to a chorus for the next song, but you are out on the dance floor leading a conga line? Well, if these scenarios apply to you, or if you just find yourself needing to switch a pedal on/off when you are not right next to it (for whatever reason), then the Foot Loose wireless foot switch line of products may just save the day. These have technically been available for a while, but G-wiz CEO Tom Gogue informally re-launched the line at Summer NAMM. If you have a use for wireless switching of effects, compressors, or any other pedals, these gadgets make it easy as pie. Www.gwizelectronics.com
Kala – 5-string Solid Body U-Bass
This award was both the hardest and the easiest to award. The BGM staff was in the middle of a heavy debate over which instrument should get an award, and we had a number of really smashing electric basses in the running. The problem was, which one really stood out from the others? Out of the blue, someone mentioned “that killer little 5-string U-bass,” and instantly we all knew we had our winner! The Acoustic U-bass has been putting smiles on bass players’ faces for several years, and the 4-string Solid Body certainly earned our respect at Winter NAMM. This new 5- string version totally amazed everyone who played it. For uniqueness and sheer “fun factor,” this 5-string Solid Body U-bass is a real winner. Www.kalaukulele.com
Overton – Featherweight Series Amps and Cabs
Granted, I am likely to stop and smell the roses at pretty much any NAMM booth that is packed full with bass goodies like amps and cabs, but when you set up an eyecatching display which not only involves a bass head but also a mug full (or half-full, even) of rich, dark beer, it’s like an irresistible force is pushing me into the booth... As it turns out, the amps and cabs, alone, were plenty reason to stop by. While all of the heads featured lightweight technology (class-D output sections and switchmode power supplies), Overton offers both neodymium and ceramic-based enclosures. Everything we played sounded great, and the different cab options definitely gave you a variety of tonal flavors to choose from. The amps are intelligently laid out, and feature rich. A relative newcomer, the Overton brand is definitely one to keep your eye on. Www.overtonamps.com
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