The Synergy power amp is a new NAMM introduction for 2009. It is available stand-alone or built-in to a Tri series cabinet (Tri 112L Combo w/ Synergy, Tri 115L Combo w/ Synergy, Tri 210L Combo w/ Synergy.). On its own, the Synergy amp weighs in at 10 lbs and delivers 1,100 watts in to a 4 Ohm speaker. That’s a lot of bass in one box! It measures 17” x 13” x 3.5” – about 2 Rack Spaces (there are optional rack ears available). The Preamp is a hybrid design (solid state, combined with a 12AX7 tube input stage), the Power Amp stage is a Class H amplifier.

Accugroove describe it as “the only amp you’d ever want on a desert island.” – I’m not gigging on a desert island anytime soon, but it still looks like a nice amp and a very attractive addition to the Accugroove line up (I have a Tri 110L which I am very happy with). It is high-power, but still very portable. A straight up amp with the bonus of valve warmth delivered in that Accugroove “hear your bass as it is” way. Full specs:

Power Rating: 

• 1000W @ 2 ohms;  
• 775W @ 4 ohms;  
• 450W @ 8 ohms 

Frequency Response: 

• +0dB, -5dB: 20Hz-20kHz 
• Damping Factor: >500 

More on the  Accugroove site.

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Steve Lawson also got a nice shot of them:

Mark Bass Pedals - photo by Steve Lawson

You can see more of Steve’s photos in this post on his blog: Photos from NAMM so far… The Mark Bass Pedal range includes a DI box (lots of the pedals have an XLR DI output around the back), a booster (with filters), a Valve Compressor, Octaver (-1 octave -2 octaves), a distortion, a synth pedal, a chorus/flanger and a reverb (the “reverbaro”). The latter two have USB connections to link to a computer for editing - all very high tech!

Bassists aren’t know for heavy use of effects pedals, but there are a number of multi-effects boxes on the market from the likes of Line 6, Roland/Boss, Yamaha et al designed for bass. Stomp boxes are the predecessor to the multi-effects unit, and give you one dedicated effect in a box. Again, there are a fair few purpose built stomp boxes for bass (for example, those from EBS), but I’m sure the Mark Bass boxes will be a welcome addition. There is something reassuring about having a box that does just one thing, with nice analogue dials to adjust the settings and then leave in place when you’ve got “that sound”.

Related Bass Posts

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A few picks from the new gear so far… I like to look of the all new tc electronic RebelHead450:

A very high tech, light weight bass head. The mail features (mentioned in the video clip) include:

• Rehearsal input – plug in your mp3 player of sound source of choice.
• Integrated tuner – with LED display.
• Multiple user memories – for storing settings.
• Tone controls.
• TubeTone(tm) – tube sound.
• SpectraComp(tm) – compression.

More on this “Bass Amp 2.0″ (oh yes.. even Bass amps are going 2.0 now )  on the tc eletrconic site. 

No big new gear bass news from Roland this show, but they do have couple of new tuners:

http://www.roland.co.uk/guitar_room_catdet.asp?id=TU1000

http://www.roland.co.uk/guitar_room_catdet.asp?id=TU12EX

There are miles and miles of gear… Stroll though some of the NAMM photos here on flickr - worth it to see the Rob Allen Basses if nothing else. How about a spot the craziest bass competition???

Related Bass Posts

• Accugroove News
• Mark Bass Pedals
• Ritter Cora – Bass fit for a Prince – Bassist
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