
From enhancing your clean tone to adding gain to offering a wide range of compression, to the precise control of your EQ, to wielding bold distortions, overdrives, and fuzzes, this powerful unit the size of a cigar box has you covered.
Bergantino Audio Systems has unveiled its latest innovation from creator Jim Bergantino with the release of the new Super Pre. Amazingly expansive and remarkably encompassing, the Super Pre covers all ranges of your sound. From enhancing your clean tone to adding gain to offering a wide range of compression, to the precise control of your EQ, to wielding bold distortions, overdrives, and fuzzes, this powerful unit the size of a cigar box has you covered. Whether youāre hitting the stage or the studio, this is the tool that will make your sound distinctively you.
With the evolution of the gigging bass player in mind, the Super Pre was designed for low enders of all levels and styles to have the freedom of taking their tone with them wherever they go. This is the perfect addition to any pedal chain and amp setup but also functions as a standalone DI for those situations where you need to plug in and play without compromising any bit of your sound. Compact in size and durable enough for even the most extreme of roadwarriors, the Super Pre fits in your gig bag, backpack, carry-on, and on your pedalboard with ease. Instead of hauling around a number of EQs, tuner, compressors, overdrives, distortions and fuzzes, this single unit will cover all of that for you and more.
Boasting endless possibilities, this unit offers all of the grit and power of big tube amp sound thanks to the DSP Embedded System Controlled Bass Amplifier, Bergantinoās BFT drive circuits, and programmable filters including a Bright Switch, Variable High-Pass Filter, Variable Low-PassFilter, and Variable Feedback filter. The EQ possibilities are limitless thanks to the revolutionary Bergantino Speaker-File EQ System and 4-Band Multifunction EQ with adjustable frequency range and āQ,ā which is all scene savable like all of the options on the Super Pre. Regardless of the genre you play or the size of the stage you step onto, this unit has you covered.
With 21 savable scenes, youāre able to dial in the exact tones you want and have them ready to go with a simple tap. Featuring 3 memory switches on the face of the box that each contains 8individual banks, you can program enough sounds to cover every range of low-end glory that you desire. Perfect for players who use different basses during their sets or in the studio, or for those who change their sounds within the matter of a song, the Super Pre will make sure your tone remains consistent.
āWith an ultra-crisp and easy-to-read OLED display and a user-friendly interface to navigate the system, the Super Pre doesnāt require flipping through the manual every time you use it. We understand that when youāre on the stage and in the studio, you donāt have time to troubleshoot your gear or Google solutions in a pinch. With six knobs, two buttons, and four footswitches, the Super Pre is easy to use so that you donāt have to compromise your creativity or your groove in the moment of inspiration.
The same BFT technology that is featured in the Bergantino FortƩ D comes equipped in this unit along with all of the overdrive, distortion, and fuzz in all of its glory. With overdrive that cops that old-school tube tone, you get all of the dirt and grit that excites harmonics and cuts through all frequencies from high to low. Leave it on and adjust the gain to make it your permanent tone or crank it up to push your speakers to shake the walls. Give your fingertips some electricity!
Main Features
- Lightweight and durable casing
- Ultra-crisp and easy-to-read OLED display
- Two Studio-Quality DIs ā Pre and Post, Latency compensated
- Revolutionary Bergantino Speaker-File EQ System
- 4-Band Multifunction EQ with the adjustable frequency range and āQā
- DSP Embedded System Controlled Bass Amplifier
- Software selectable Input Impedance
- User choice of serial or parallel VRC compressor
- Global Gain (-6db to +6db ā scene savable)
- Programmable Filters: Bright Switch, Variable High-Pass Filter, Variable Low-PassFilter, Variable Feedback filter
Additional Features
- Built-in Chromatic Tuner
- Auxiliary Input and Headphone jacks: for personal monitor and practice use
- Programmable Effects Send and Return Loop (scene savable)
- Pre Amp Line Output ā (Level adjustable ā 0db to +6db)
- Selectable Phase Output (Normal or Reverse)
- USB port: allows software upgrades/Speaker-File loads and more
Bergantino Super Pre: $699.00. Shipping begins this week.
For more information, please visit bergantino.com.
Brent Mason is, of course, on of the most recorded guitarists in history, who helped define the sound of most ā90s country superstars. So, whether you know it or not, youāve likely heard Masonās playing.
Professional transcriber Levi Clay has done the deepest of dives into Brent Masonās hotshot licks. At one point, he undertook the massive project of transcribing and sharing one of Masonās solos every day for 85 or so days. Mason is, of course, on of the most recorded guitarists in history, who helped define the sound of most ā90s country superstars. So, whether you know it or not, youāve likely heard Masonās playing. Levi shares the insight he gleaned from digging deep, and he tells us what it was like when they shared a stage last year. Plus, Levi plays us some great examples of Masonās playing.
PRS Guitars today launched five new three-pickup, 22-fret models across the S2 and SE series. The S2 Series release includes the S2 Special Semi-Hollow and S2 Studio, while the SE Series welcomes the SE Special Semi-Hollow, SE Studio, and SE Studio Standard.
āThe distinctive pickup configurations of these five guitars deliver a versatile tonal platform, whether youāre exploring subtle textures or pushing the envelope. The deep dive into our Narrowfield technology is obvious with this launch. With both the S2 models made in our Maryland factory and the SE models made in Indonesia, our goal has been to create guitars that will inspire you and spark creativity, all at an exceptional value,ā said PRS Guitars COO, Jack Higginbotham.
S2 Special Semi-Hollow
The PRS S2 Special Semi-Hollow features a pair of 58/15 LT humbuckers in the bass and treble positions and a PRS Narrowfield in the middle. A 5-way blade switch and two mini-toggles allow players to tap the humbuckers, creating twelve distinct pickup combinations for sonic exploration. The carved maple top and mahogany back encompass a semi-hollow body that adds a natural airiness and depth to the guitarās tone while enhancing sustain.
S2 Studio
The PRS S2 Studio delivers a wide range of sonic possibilities through its distinctive single-single-hum configuration. Featuring two proprietary PRS Narrowfield pickups in the bass and middle positions and a 58/15 LT humbucker in the treble position, the S2 Studio offers a palette of sounds from single-coil clarity to vocal humbucker tones. This model also has a 5-way blade switch and push/pull tone control.
SE Special Semi-Hollow
The PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow is designed with the versatility of a hum/āsingleā/hum setup, bringing PRSās Narrowfield DD pickup design to the SE Series in a classic maple-top guitar. The semi-hollow construction also enhances sustain and resonance, while the f-hole adds a classic aesthetic. The coil-tap switching system unlocks a wide range of tones through a pair of 58/15 LT āSā pickups in the bass and treble positions and a PRS Narrowfield DD āSā in the middle.
SE Studio
The PRS SE Studioās āsingleā/āsingleā/hum pickup configuration provides a wide range of tonal options. This combination of PRS Narrowfield DD āSā bass and middle pickups with a PRS 58/15 LT āSā treble humbucker offers humbucking warmth, single-coil sparkle, and everything in between. The 5-way blade switch and push/pull tone control further enhance its versatility.
SE Studio Standard
The only bolt-on neck in this release group, the PRS SE Studio Standard brings the tone, playability, and versatility of the Studio model to the SE Series and into an all-mahogany design with a vintage-style pickguard aesthetic. At the heart of the SE Studio Standard is its versatile trio of pickups: an 58/15 LT āSā humbucker in the treble position with two Narrowfield DD āSā pickups in the middle and bass positions. The 5-way blade switch and push/pull tone control allow for an array of pickup configurations.
PRS Guitars continues its schedule of launching new products each month in 2025. Stay tuned to see new gear and 40th Anniversary limited-edition guitars throughout the year.
For the first time ever, two guitar greats, John 5 and Richie Kotzen will be heading out on the road this year. The tour will launch October 16 and run through November, hitting markets across the U.S.
Find the full tour itinerary right plus a link for tickets & VIP, including additional dates featuring John 5 only. Reserved seating tickets will go on sale Friday May 16 though a fan presale will begin today at noon local time and fans are strongly encouraged to buy early to get the best seats.
Meet and Greets for both artists will be available. For John 5 please go to: https://john5store.com/collections/vip.
Today, John 5 also announces more details of his anticipated new album. Called The Ghost, it will be released October 10 and is led by the new track āFiend,ā featuring Kenny Aronoff.
John 5 continues running public tours this month for his Knights In Satanās Service Museum of KISS Memorabilia in Los Angeles, California. Guided tours are open to the public for one month only (with a possible expansion). Current dates available are May 12-16, May 19-23 and May 27-30. Each will be led by John 5 himself who will provide tons of rich detail and answer any questions. Secure your place HERE.
JOHN 5 continues to tour with Mötley Crüe including an upcoming residency in Las Vegas in 2025.RICHIE KOTZEN &
JOHN 5 FALL 2025 TOUR
October 16 El Cajon, CA @ Magnolia
October 17 Riverside, CA @ Fox Performing Arts
October 18 Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
October 19 San Jose, CA @ The Ritz
October 21 Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre
October 22 Albuquerque, NM @ KiMo Theatre
October 24 Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
October 25 Leander, TX @ The Haute Spot
October 27 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
October 28 Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall
October 29 Nashville, TN @ Fogg Street Lawn Club
October 30 Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
October 31 Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
November 1 Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
November 2 Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theatre
November 4 Richmond, VA @ The National
November 5 Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho Theater
November 6 Patchogue, NY @ Patchogue Theatre
November 11 Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
November 12 Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall
November 13 Foxborough, MA @ Six String Grill & Stage
November 14 Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater
November 15 Lorain, OH @ Lorain Palace Theatre
November 16 Columbus, OH @ The King Of Clubs
November 17 Warrendale, PA @ Jergels
November 19 Wyandotte, MI @ District 142
November 20 Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
November 21 Fort Wayne, IN @ Piereās
November 22 St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre
November 23 Belvidere, IL @ Apollo Theatre
November 25 Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
November 29 Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet's*
*John 5 only
AEROSMITH guitarist and songwriter JOE PERRY is set to return to the road for a series of August performances with THE JOE PERRY PROJECT. The 8-date run kicks off August 13 in Tampa, FL and wraps August 23 in Port Chester, New York, with an August 19 performance in PERRYās Boston hometown (see the itinerary below). For the North American trekāwhich marks the first solo shows for PERRY this yearāthe legendary guitarist will be joined by his Aerosmith bandmates Brad Whitford (guitar) and Buck Johnson (keys), along with The Black Crowesā Chris Robinson (vocals), and Stone Temple Pilotsā Robert DeLeo (bass), and Eric Kretz (drums).
āWellā¦itās time to let the music do the talkin again,ā PERRY says. āIām really excited about the JPP line up this year!!!! Most of these guys played with me at The Roxy in L.A. at the debut event for my latest solo album [Sweetzerland Manifesto] in January 2018. Theyāre all busy as hell but thankfully theyāre able to carve out some time for this run. And Iām not only lucky enough to have Brad Whitford onstage with me but Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes! [who sang āFortunate Oneā on Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII], Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz from STP!!! and Buck Johnson who plays keys and sings with Aerosmith, the Hollywood Vampires, and is also a solo artist in his own right.ā
For the shows, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee says āthe set list is gonna include my fav JPP cuts, STP, Black Crowes, and with Brad weāll be hitting the Aero hits and some deep cuts and then ya never know!!!! Gonna be a BLAST, and if youāve ever been to one of my shows you know the words GARAGE BAND on STEROIDS come to mind! See you there!!!!ā
DATE | LOCATION | VENUE |
Wednesday, August 13 | Tampa, FL | Seminole Hard Rock - Tampa |
Thursday, August 14 | Hollywood, FL | Seminole Hard Rock - Hollywood |
Saturday, August 16 | Toronto, ON | HISTORY |
Sunday, August 17 | Muskoka, ON | Kee to Bala |
Tuesday, August 19 | Boston, MA | Wang Theatre |
Wednesday, August 20 | Hampton Beach, NH | Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom |
Friday, August 22 | Mashantucket, CT | The Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino |
Saturday, August 23 | Port Chester, NY | Capitol Theatre |