ON THE DOWN LOW
GAS*-sufferers will perk up at this new gear, headed your way right now
Sire, makers of the affordable Marcus Miller bass range, has announced a new model for the summer. The P10 is a beefedup version of their P7, which like its predecessor, has a roasted flame maple neck, an alder body featuring a flame maple top, and Marcus Premium Revolution pickups. These, combined with a Marcus Heritage-3 preamp and controls including an active/passive toggle and a middle/mid-frequency dual pot, should produce a highly tweakable tone performance. It’s set to cost $1499.
Schecter Guitar Research has announced four- and five-string versions of its Ultra Bass series, now with EMG TBHZ pickups, dual volume and tone controls. The mahogany-bodied basses will also boast Schecter Custom bridges, thin C neck profiles and carbon-fibre reinforcement for the five-piece maple and mahogany necks. Street prices should be $999 for the four-string and $1099 for the five.
Warwick has announced brushed metal housings for their MEC bass pickups in gold, black and silver finishes. “Available in this series will be P, J, PJ, MM and soapbar-style pickups for four-, fiveand six-string basses, both as a set and individually,” they tell us. “Their sound and pickup quality corresponds to the current MEC pickups, which are known to enjoy a very good reputation in the market.” You’ll pay between $129 and $270.
Finally, ESP has added a new wood option to its LTD bass series: a burled poplar top in a Black Natural Burst Satin finish. Ranging from $749 to $849 in price, the D series feature seven-piece maple and jatoba necks with mahogany bodies, roasted jatoba fingerboards, ESP Designed SB pickups and Grover tuners. Expect reviews of all these goodies as soon as we get hold of them.
*Gear Acquisition Syndrome