START ME UP!

Five awesome new products to get your gear engine revving this month…

JACKSON PRO SERIES CHRIS BRODERICK SOLOIST SERIES

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The latest signature six- and seven-string series for Broderickhasbeen tweaked with the in flames touring guitarist explaining a subtle but important change; “We actually made them an eighth of an inch thinner from the face to the back of the guitar. It just seems to create a better balance and a better weight ratio.” Options include Stunning Transparent blue and gloss Black finishes with hardtail or Floyd Rose.

£799 for six-string, £899forseven-string www.jacksonguitars.com

AKG ARA

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Akg’ s most affordable condenser mic yet? we’ re all ears! The iconic mic brand’s plug-and-play USB range started strong with the Lyra, and th ear a is even more afford ably priced. It offers 24-bit/96khz converters, with a the dual-capsule mic array to choose between car do id( close, directional recording) and omni (all-around capture) polar patterns. In addition to output volume, mic gain control and a mute button, a kg promises zero-latency recording with the Ara.

£99 www.akg.com

BOSS IR-200

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With with possibilities of pedalboard-based rigs nowbecomingmore ambitious, Boss has joined Walrus audio and strym on in entering their and amp modelling pedal market. It’s brought a speaker institution along as a partner for the impulse response part with 144 Boss and10ce lest ion on board dig it alir ca band mic combinations here. There’s also eight guitar amps to choose from including “classic clean, tweed, and class a to vintage and modern high-gain.” £351,availablejanuary2022 www.boss.info

ORANGE SUPER CRUSH 100

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Thetwo-channel all-analogue JFET preamp design draws influence from the tone of orange’ s Rockerverb in a solid state package.theand100-watt Class a/b power amp is the same 100- watt class a/ bas the pedal Baby 100. “You can dial this in for pretty much any playing style – it’s not a genre-specific amp,” says designer a de ems ley. its Cabs imbalanced output mimi cs the sound of a2x 12 cab for your interface or a PA. £429head/£599combo www.orangeamps.com

HARLEY BENTON LIGHTCASES

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The portability of a gig bag with the protection of a hardshell at a bargain price... Surely a case of wishful thinking? not for thom ann brand Harley Benton. Its Lightcases can cover most singlecut, double cut, bass and acoustic guitar needs with water resistant nylon exterior clothe and high-density foam padding interior layer. Two detachable padded shoulder strap sand carrying handle mean you can carry it on your back or like ahardcase. £33 electric guitar and bass options ,£29 for acoustic www.thomann.de