Eden WTDI Direct Box/Preamp (LEFT) – The WTDI features a 3-band
EQ with Bass Boost and
Mid Shift switches, Gain,
Enhance (boosts low bass,
upper middle, and high frequencies),
Compressor, and
Volume knobs, and 1/4" and
XLR outs with a ground lift.
eden-electronics.com
T.C. Electronic
Blacksmith (RIGHT) –
The Blacksmith
pumps out 1600
watts, and its TubeTone
control offers
vintage sounds while
the SpectraComp
knob offers 3-band
compression.
tcelectronic.com
Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 –
This tiny, 500-watt head
weighs 4 pounds and its
Drive control features Aguilar’s
popular AGS (Adaptive
Gain Switching) circuitry.
aguilaramp.com
Epifani Piccolo Head
and Prototype Cab
– The Piccolo can be picked up
with a pinky finger and pumps
out 600 watts of class AB
power at 4 ohms. Front-panel
controls include Active/Passive,
Mid-Cut, Mute, and Vintage
voice buttons, and Gain, Mid
Cut, Bas, Mid, and Treble
knobs. The incredibly light prototype
cab will be available later
this year.
epifani.com
Ampeg Portaflex PF-500
(shown) and PF-350
– Compact and potent, the MOSFETdriven
PF-500 and PF-350 weigh
11 and eight pounds, respectively,
and, at $399 and $299 (street), drop
a lot of thump for the buck. Controls
include Ultra Hi/Lo boosts,
Bass, Mid, and Treble controls and
a -40 dB pad.
ampeg.com
Gallien-Krueger MB800
– Driving 800 watts at 4
ohms, the MB800 weighs
4.9 pounds and features
a discreet FET preamp,
effects loop, pre/post XLR
out, defeatable limiter, dual
Speakon outs, Headphone/
Line out, and backlit front-panel
controls.
gallien-krueger.com
MXR M87
Bass Compressor
(LEFT) – With Release, Attack,
Ratio, Input, and Output
controls, and an LED
readout for gain-reduction
status, the M87 offers
bassists and guitarists
formidable tone-sculpting
capabilities.
jimdunlop.com
Ibanez TS9B Bass
Tube Screamer (RIGHT) –
The venerated guitar
overdrive has been
customized for low-end
lovers. It features
Drive, Level, Mix, Bass,
and Treble knobs, and
can add up to 30 dB of
gain for everything from
warm, vintage growl to
all-out fuzz mayhem.
ibanez.com