“Marshall Amplification announces the launch of its MB Series Bass Amplifiers. Consisting of two models, the MB15 and MB30, the new series is ideal for rehearsal, recording, jamming or small gigs. These compact, rugged amps capture the essence of the Marshall sound at highly affordable price points.

Each MB Series bass amplifier features two channels: Classic and Modern. The Classic channel has independent controls for Volume and Gain, allowing the users to dial in exactly the amount of “grit” desired for their tone. The Modern channel offers a crispness and crystal clarity that is ideal for slap and other modern styles. Both channels share a 3-band EQ. For increased tonal flexibility, the MB30 includes a three-position Voice Shift switch which accentuates/attenuates carefully selected frequencies.

In addition to a built-in limiter which works on both channels, the Modern channel of each amp boasts a built-in, variable Compressor. This features an LED indicator that glows green when the Compressor is switched on and red when the user-determined threshold is reached and the bass signal is being compressed.

Also included is Marshall’s critically acclaimed Emulated Line Out, which provides an emulated line-level signal that’s ideal for live performance or direct recording. This highly accurate speaker emulation is also present on the headphone output of both MB combos.”

Source: Harmony Central
Marshall Website: MB Series
Equipment List…
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Many of you reading this will have heard of Steve Lawson, one of the UK’s finest bass players. If you haven’t had chance to see to him live, you truly are missing out on a stunning experience. So now is your chance. The Recycle Collective are preparing for their 12 month anniversary gig in London, on Wednesday 15^th November. There’s no better moment to see some of the finest musicians play some of the finest music. The night shall be one to remember.

Read the full entry for more details…

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Stuart Clayton has updated his Bassline Publishing site with a new section titled ‘Coming Soon’. So far it can be seen that 2 new books will be released next year.

KISS Bass Transcriptions Volume 1 - Coming January 2007
“Coming in January 2007 will be the first of a series of bass transcription books covering the work of bassist Gene Simmons with the rock group KISS. This first volume covers the earliest days of the band and features complete transcriptions of every song from the band’s first two albums, KISS and Hotter Than Hell. All transcriptions are in standard notation and tablature and include chord symbols. Includes information on Gene’s basses and amps, and detailed notes for each song. Featuring ‘Strutter’, ‘Firehouse’, ‘Cold Gin’, ‘Let Me Know’, ‘Deuce’, ‘Black Diamond’, ‘Got To Choose’, ‘Parasite’, ‘Goin’ Blind’, ‘Watchin’ You’, ‘Comin’ Home’ and more.”

Solo Arrangements for Electric Bass - Coming Autumn 2007
“Coming in Autumn 2007, Solo Arrangements for Electric Bass is a collection of pop/rock songs, classical pieces, theme tunes and original compositions all arranged to be played solo on the electric bass. Using techniques made popular by virtuoso bassists such as Victor Wooten and Michael Manring, this book will enable the reader to master not only a variety of techniques, but the art of playing solo music on the bass. Includes Scott Joplin’s ‘Maple Leaf Rag’, Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’, the theme tune to ‘The Simpson’s’, Sheryl Crow’s ‘Strong Enough’, Peter Gabriel’s ‘Solsbury Hill’, Sting’s ‘Shape Of My Heart’ and many more.”

Check out the books on Bassline Publishing Here.

Line 6 have released a new addition to their LowDown™ series of bass amps - The LowDown™ Studio 110.

“LowDown™ Studio 110 delivers four carefully crafted amp models that can take you from vintage punch to modern grind with ultimate portability. You also get a full-time opto compressor modeled after the studio-standard LA-2A® Compressor.
Once you create your own custom sound, you can save it and instantly recall it anytime.” - line6.com

Features:

4 Incredible Bass Amp Models: Clean, R&B, Rock, and Grind
Synth Bass
Full-time Opto Compressor
XLR Direct Out With Line 6’s exclusive A.I.R.™ processing
Pre Amp Out
4 Programmable Model Memories
Headphone Out
Jam Along CD/MP3 1/8” Input
10” Speaker
75 Watts

Website: www.line6.com - LowDown Studio 110
Buy: turnkey - £218.99, DV247 - £219.99, Piedog - £225

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This years Just Plain Folks music awards show sees Michael Manring pick up an award for his sensational solo album Soliloquy. The Just Plain Folks awards are awarded to musicians who are exterior from the commercial music classification, often they are referred to as the ‘Grassroots Grammys’.

Michael says ‘I feel very fortunate in that I just won a Just Plain Folks award in the Solo Instrumental Album category for my CD, Soliloquy… Considering the enormous talent and creativity the JPF Awards represent, I felt quite grateful to have been nominated and especially honored to have won.’

So congratulations Michael! If you haven’t yet heard the album, clips are available on the CD Baby website. You can also buy the album from Steve Lawson’s website here.

The Results:
1st - Soliloquy (Michael Manring)
2nd - Inflorescence Music for Solo Flute (Laurel Zucker)
3rd - Bow and Cello (Gretchen Yanover)
4th - Qadim (Tim Rayborn)

Boss are celebrating their 30th anniversary with a great new promotion. Buy a Boss Compact Pedal from a Roland Planet* at a Sound Control store, register your details and recieve a Boss BCB-30 carrying case absolutely free.

The BCB-30 can hold up to three compact Boss pedals and includes a daisy chain (Supplies power to the pedals, so theres no need to buy 3 sets of batteries every month!)

Compact Boss Bass pedals:
Boss CEB3 (Bass Chorus)
Boss GEB7 (Bass Graphic Eq)
Boss LMB3 (Bass Limiter)
Boss OC3 (Super Octave)
Boss ODB3 (Bass Overdrive)
Boss SYB3/SYB5 (Bass Synth)
Boss TU2 (Chromatic Tuner)
Conditions:
Offer avaliable while stocks last.
Limited to one offer per person.
*Roland Planets are a retail arm of Roland UK. A Roland Planet is an area located in a leading musical instrument retailer, manned by a Roland product specialist to demonstrate and sell Roland and Boss products.)

For those of you who may not be aware, EZdrummer is a multi-microphone drum software sampler designed for musicians and producers in need of a compact, affordable, easy to handle plug-in without compromising sound quality or control.

Andreas Sundgren from Toontrack Music will be in Sound Control stores giving demonstrations of their multi award-winning drum software titled ‘EZdrummer’ as well as some expansion packs for the software: Drumkit from Hell, Latin Percussion and Vintage Rock.

As well as giving you a first-hand look at the software there will be in-store offers on these products.

The demonstrations will run from 1pm at the following locations and dates:
20th November - Manchester (Salford)
21st November - Leeds
22nd November - Glasgow
23rd November - Edinburgh