Start Me Up
Five new products to get you started
IK MULTIMEDIA AMPLITUBE FENDER COLLECTION 2
1 IK’s latest collection of big F amps includes five combos from the ’57 Custom series plus models of an ’53 Bass man and the iconic ’65 Super Reverb. The collection is available as an add-on for Amp li Tube 3 and 4 via the Custom Shop, and offers all the usual features, including post-amp effects loop, 3Dmic placement and more, while the amps have all been approved by Fender. It’s available as a bundle with AmpliTube 4 for €275, too. (€179,www.ikmultimedia.com)
BOSS EV-30 DUAL EXPRESSION PEDAL
2 Expression pedals are everywhere nowadays, but the EV-30 can control two pedal sat once. The outputs are isolated to prevent noise issues, while a polarity switch and two minimum value controls allow you to adjust how the E V -30 interacts with your stompers. The pedal itself isn’t quite mini, but is more compact than regular treadles, and boasts an aluminium chassis, while Boss reckons its innovative internal mechanism provides a smooth feel with precise control. (£95,www.boss.info)
D’ADDARIO CINCHFIT
3 If your electro-acoustic’s end pin jack gives you nothing but trouble when you’ reattaching and removing straps, D’Addario has just the accessory for you: the Cinch Fit acoustic jack lock. Loop the ‘Fit bit through the end of your regular strap and a magnetic clasp keeps it in place, while the clam ping action makes for easy application and removal. The whole system uses the weight of the guitar to keep it locked on, so it’ s always held securely. No more fumbling at your next open mic night: aces. (£13.50,www.daddario.com)
PALMER BATPACK 4000
4 The Bat pack from Palmer offers a rechargeable power source for guitarist s with a 4,000m Ah battery capacity. It features a lightweight aluminium chassis, two 500 mA 9 V outputs ripe for daisy-chaining, and a USB output - especially handy if a phone or tablet features in your guitar rig. Battery life is dependent on how many pedals you’re running, but the 4000 claims to offer four hours of play time from four hours of charge. Anal mighty 8,000 m Ah capacity model is also available for £100. (£78,palmer-germany.com)
THEGIGRIG THREE2ONE
5 As the name suggests, Three 2 One allows you to connect up to three guitars to send to one output, and toggle between them using the pedal’s footswitch. The levels of each guitar can be balanced using the three volume controls, which adjust a trio of built-in preampsinside the pedal. Each input is true bypass, but internal DIP switches also offer the ability to add a master buffer to the output, as well as blend all three inputs together at once, if that’s what you’re into. (£139,www.thegigrig.co.uk)