Ibanez SR780
Ibanez has gotten a lot of mileage out of
its basic Soundgear design. The comfy,
thin-necked instrument can be found in
iterations spanning the price spectrum.
Ibanez also frequently delivers excellent
value, as the new SR780 demonstrates.
Its 5-piece jatoba/bubinga neck, spalted
maple sides, and oval abalone inlays give
it a decidedly high-end look, despite its
relatively low price. Additional features
include Bartolini MK1 pickups and a 3-
band EQ.
Price $799
Contact www.ibanez.com
Electro-Harmonix Enigma Q Balls
With many features in common with the celebrated
Lovetone Meatball envelope filter,
the new Enigma offers the most versatility of
any Electro-Harmonix filter yet. It offers
extensive control over filter type, filter sweep,
and a mix function. Of particular note are the
included analog distortion and the expression
pedal functionality, which allows for
foot-control over filter sweep.
Price $189
Contact www.ehx.com
Rotosound Nexus Coated Strings
Rotosound is now offering a line of strings with a
wear- and corrosion-resistant polymer coating. The
black-colored coating is applied to a nickel alloy
wrap, which Rotosound says preserves rich
midrange tones with less high-frequency presence
than a stainless set. The strings are available in
.040, .060, .080, .100 and .045, .065, .085, .105
gauges with an optional .130 B string.
Price $35
Contact www.ehx.com
Akai Miniak
Key-bass cats should be excited by the new Alesis
Miniak, which delivers three virtual analog oscillators,
a sequencer, drum machine, arpeggiator, 40-
band vocoder, stereo effects, and over 600
presets. One extra-cool feature: the filters, effects,
and vocoder can be applied to an external signal
(like a bass guitar), thanks to the q" input jack.
Price $499
Contact www.akaipro.com
Olympus LS-11
The Olympus LS-10 has been lauded
here and elsewhere for its excellent
form factor, intuitive interface, and hi-fi
sound. The new LS-11 shares these
good qualities in common with its
predecessor but includes an expanded
8GB of memory, an improved interface,
and an optional remote control.
Olympus is also supplementing the
release with a line of accessories, like
stereo mics, a battery pack, protective
silicone skin, and a windjammer.
Price $399
Contact www.olympususaamerica.com
Warwick Stuart Zender Signature
Former Jamiroquai bassist and current session heavyweight
Stuart Zender had a big hand in the development of his first
signature bass. Its body contour is unique in the Warwick line,
and it features a two-piece ash body with flamed French ash
top, a black oil finish, ovangkol neck, and Tigerstripe ebony
fingerboard. Active MEC pickups and a 3-band MEC EQ round
out the hot-looking axe.
Price TBD
Contact www.warwickbass.com
Doctor Soul’s Cables
New custom-cable maker Doctor Soul’s offers extensive
custom-control over its cable line. Customers can choose
color, length, and plug type. Each Doctor Soul uses highquality
Mogami cable and custom-spec Amphenol plugs.
A rugged FLEXO-brand PET wrap improves resistance to
chemical degradation and UV radiation.
Price Approx. $50–$100, depending on length
Contact www.doctorsouls.com