Category: Newswire

TC Electronics’ new RH750 bass head is a compact solidstate head. Features include:

• Power – 750 watts.
• TweeterTone™ – Front panel tweeter level control for crisp and modern bass tones.
• Presets – 3 user-defined presets.
• On-board chromatic tuner – Always active for instant pitch monitoring at any time.
• SpectraComp™ – Multi-band compression – the musical way to compress!
• TubeTone™ – Emulation of both the tube preamp and tube power amp sections.
• 4-band EQ – Semi-parametric Bass, Lo-Mid, Hi-Mid and Treble.
• Transformer balanced Line Driver – Studio-grade DI for ultra-clean signals to PAs or DAWs.

Learn more at tcelectronic.com/RH750.asp.

While the stage at New York’s The Iridium club has played a part in launching the careers of countless artists, it may be best known as The Home of Les Paul, who performed there weekly for more than 12 years until his passing in 2009. “We all think that playing at the Iridium was Les’ life-stretching experience,” says Jeff Beck, whose new DVD was filmed at The Iridium last June on what would have been Paul’s 95th birthday. The club is so important to Beck that he named his current Iridium Tour in its honor.

Since Paul’s death, The Les Paul Trio – guitarist Lou Pallo, bassist Nicki Parrott, and pianist John Colianni – has continued his legacy, performing every Monday night with special guests that have included guitar gods like Jeff Beck, Steve Miller, and Zakk Wylde among others. This spring boasts a particularly strong lineup, including legendary rocker Ted Nugent (5/16), Jane Weidlin of The Go-Go’s (5/2), Richie Kotzen of Poison and Mr. Big (4/11), Junior Brown (4/18), and more.

Les’ son, Russ, will lead Russ Paul’s Guitar Monsters in a very special tribute to his father on 4/25. A celebrated bassist in his own right, Russ will be joined at The Iridium by Jimmy Vivino (leader of the Basic Cable Band on Conan), Arlen Roth (Master of the Telecaster), Gene Cornish (The Rascals), and Johnny A. Opening for the Trio that night will be TW Doyle, longtime engineer and guitarist for Les Paul.

For a complete calendar of events at the Iridium, visit theiridium.com/calendar.

George Thorogood and The Destroyers’ next album will pay tribute to their Chess Records heroes, including many of Thorogood’s legendary mentors who helped to launch his career in rock & roll. Titled 2120 South Michigan Avenue, the 13-track album will be released July 12.  ‘2120’ features Thorogood’s raw, rocking turn on classics by a who’s-who of the blues, including Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter and other Chess greats, as well as new original songs written by Thorogood, the album’s producer, Tom Hambridge, and Richard Fleming.

Named for the address of Chess Records’ Chicago headquarters, 2120 South Michigan Avenue is produced by musician, songwriter and producer Tom Hambridge, a four-time Grammy nominee and 2010 Grammy winner. The album’s featured guests include 2010 Grammy winners Buddy Guy and Charlie Musselwhite. Read more at georgethorogood.com.

Martin & Co. has announced that six new ukulele models will be introduced at Musikmesse Frankfurt 2011. They include:

• 2 Uke – has a solid mahogany body, solid East Indian rosewood fingerboard and newly-designed bridge, with an applied dovetail neck to body joint, black tusq nut and black compensated tusq saddle, friction peg tuners with white tuner button and a satin lacquer finish.Also includes grained ivory top binding, and beautiful hand inlayed black and white wood fiber rosette.
• 2 Concert Uke – has characteristics of the 2 Uke, but in concert size, and with black tusq nut and saddle, geared peg tuners and black tuner button.
• 2 Tenor Uke – has characteristics of the 2 Uke, but in tenor size, and with black tusq nut and saddle and a tie-block bridge.
• 2K Uke – has a solid flamed-Koa top, back, and sides in a satin lacquer finish, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, black tusq nut and compensated tusq saddle, friction peg tuners and white tuner button. Similar to the 2 Uke, this model includes grained ivory top binding, hand inlayed black and white wood fiber rosette.
• 2K Concert Uke – features characteristics of the 2K Uke, but in concert size with black tusq nut and saddle, geared peg tuners and black tuner button.
• 2K Tenor Uke – features characteristics of the 2K Uke, but in tenor size with black tusq nut and saddle, geared peg tuners, black tuner button and tie-block bridge.

For more, go to www.martinguitar.com.

Joe Bochar’s JBG Supertone solidbody has a sculpted neck heel and patented Sliplock Neck Joint design comprised of an nterlocking mortise-and-tenon joint.  Its body is shaved to 1 5/8 inches thick, with contours and an average weight of approximately 7 pounds. It is available in three versions: standard, with an alder body and maple neck with rosewood fingerboard; the SD has an alder body with maple top; the XT has a limba body, neck, and other exotic-hardwood options. Other features of the line include:

• Solidbody construction (with optional chambering for XT and SD models)
• 25.5” scale length neck, 1

  

  11/16” bone nut, 22 jumbo nickel silver frets

• Dual-action truss rod
• A pair of DiMarzio 36th Anniversary pickups, Volume, and Tone control with coil-tap push/pull switch
• Gotoh hardware and tuners

Learn more at jbguitars.com.

Morley’s new Twin Mix  is a handy switching device that allows a user to route two input devices to two output sources. Each input has an independent Level control for the perfect mix of both inputs. Each input has its own footswitch to engage or mute the signal. When using only channel 1 output, the Twin Mix combines both input sources to channel 1 output destination. When using both channel outputs, each is automatically routed to its own output channel (channel 1 input goes to channel 1 output, channel 2 input goes to channel 2 output).

The Twin Mix is manufactured in a rolled-steel housing and can be powered from one 9-volt battery or Morley 9V adapter. It uses LED indication and our TrueTone Bypass buffer circuit to maintain signal integrity. Learn more at morleypedals.com.

Gathering of the Vibes, the Northeast’s premier summer music festival, announces initial lineup including: Furthur featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, Jane’s Addiction, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, moe., The Levon Helm Band, John Butler Trio, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Dr. John and the Lower 911, Taj Mahal Trio, The Rhythm Devils with Keller Williams, Steve Kimockand Reed Mathis, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Toots & The Maytals, Dark Star Orchestra, Ryan Montbleau Band, David Gans, Assembly of Dust, The McLovins, King for a Day and Bridgeport’s own Deep Banana Blackout. The New Mastersounds, Big Gigantic, and others to headline the Late Night Stage.

The second round of artist announcements will be made within the next two weeks. Vibes continues its tradition of embracing new, undiscovered artists, alongside legendary performers by reviewing 2,400 submissions via the Vibes website and Sonicbids, for an opportunity to perform in front of 20,000-plus music enthusiasts. Over 40 bands will perform on multiple alternating stages at Seaside Park’s 370-acre beachfront venue.

“Gathering of the Vibes continues its musical evolution and remains true to our roots with this year’s lineup,” says festival founder Ken Hays.

The Vibes is an all ages, family friendly event, offering an exclusive Family Camping area, Kids Corner, and a Teen Scene that includes interactive workshops and a “Teen Vibes Stage” offering musical instruction and jam sessions with main stage artists. Learn more at gatheringofthevibes.com.

Session guitarist Melvin Sparks died March 13 at his home in Mount Vernon, N.Y. He was 64 and battled diabetes and high blood pressure. Sparks got his first guitar at age 11 and, as a teen, worked in R&B bands in his hometown of Houston, including a stint in the Upsetters, a group founded by Little Richard. He later moved to New York and worked as a session player for the jazz labels Blue Note and Prestige, where he played sessions for several noted artists. He later released three solo album, on Prestige, and eventually, 10 albums as a bandleader, concluding with Groove on Up in 2005. Sparks is survived by his wife, four daughters, a son, and 13 grandchildren.