3 New 2012 Releases & *Update* 12/02/12

Hey y'all! Before we crack on with this post just a quick update. Jim and I are currently working on a project with my band and we're making a few videos along the way so check part 1 out here and part 2 should be up in the next few days. Also we'll hopefully be shooting a batch more of reviews in the coming weeks so stay tuned.

Anyway...on with the blog. 

Recently the music production world went crazy for a few days in Anaheim, California. The NAMM (an enormous show where all the biggest and smallest names in gear production go to show off their stuff) show hit and my word if there was place I could go in the world it would be there.

Sadly there was no way I could go, its not open to the public. Nevertheless though I've picked out 3 products that will have been noticed by many at NAMM. 

1. MXR Custom Badass Modified Overdrive - this was voted best guitar pedal of NAMM 2012 and you haven't heard a good overdrive pedal 'till you've heard this. Its got real tube like overdrive quality. MXR took a standard overdrive circuit and (as they call it) 'hotrodded' it. Some of the features include True Bypass, EQ and a cool boost at 100Hz to give you an added punch to your tone. From what i've heard from this it sounds incredible and when they release it in the UK I'm going to do my best to get my hands on one. Last thing - it looks so mindblowingly awesome! 

      2. Fender Select Series 2012 - 'Select instruments for Select individuals' as Fender put it. These are some of the best looking guitars on the block at the moment (in my opinion). They're an all new design, based up on the existing Strat, Tele, P and J Basses. It seems at the moment Fender on a big production drive to capitalize on Gibson's lawsuit problems and the Select series is driving it. Brand new pick ups, necks and many come with locking tuners. They were a hit at NAMM with many. Some 'true' Fenders will outcast them and admittedly they are rather pricey, but I think they could be a real one to look out for. 

        3. Orange Micro Terror - we use Jim's Orange Tiny Terror a lot at Jimstudios and it's a wicked sounding amp for something of its size. And now, Orange have gone one step further. NAMM was full of 'pocket' and 'baby' heads this year, it does appear to be the new craze as I pointed out in the a blog several months ago. This Micro Terror has a similar sound to the Tiny Terror series but is even more portable and best of all it costs £99 - an absolute bargain for a tube amp. Of course it only has one valve and its not going to be able to kick out the same kind of volume as its bigger brothers, but a good practice amp? I think so!

So there you have it, 3 brand new releases for 2012 that will keep you playing till the cows come home. Enjoy!

Peace, Linus