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Sterling Bongo
News

Sterling by Music Man Introduces the Bongo Bass

The Music Man Classic on a New Affordable Version Sterling by Music Man is proud to announce the release of the Bongo, a modern classic reimagined for a wider range of players. Long celebrated for its distinctive design and bold sound, the Bongo is now available in both 4- and 5-string configurations at an accessible price point—bringing its signature style and performance to a broader audience. Comfort Meets Performance The Bongo has always been known as a player’s instrument, blending ergonomic comfort with uncompromising expression. Featuring a roasted maple neck paired with a rosewood fingerboard, it delivers a smooth, responsive playing experience. The bass’s sleekly contoured body and deep cutaways provide effortless upper-fret access, making it as comfortable on stage as it is in the studio. Versatile Electronics At the heart of the Bongo’s tone is its HH dual humbucker pickup configuration, complete with a pickup blend control and a 2-band active EQ. This setup ensures powerful, punchy lows, articulate highs, and a wide tonal palette that adapts to any style or genre. Whether anchoring the groove or cutting through the mix, the Bongo is ready to shape the perfect tone. Defy the Norm Visually, the Bongo has never been afraid to break the mold—and the Sterling by Music Man version continues that tradition. With its bold, sleek finishes and color-matched headstock, the instrument exudes a modern aesthetic that’s built to stand apart on any stage. Available Now The Sterling by Music Man Bongo is available immediately in 4- and 5-string models, offering players more options to match their musical needs. With its combination of comfort, versatility, and unique style, the Bongo delivers everything bassists have come to love—now in a more accessible package. For more information, visit Sterling by Music Man’s official website.

News

Darkglass Releases New Blocks for the Anagram Pedal

Darkglass Adds Four New Drive & Fuzz Blocks to the Anagram Pedal Darkglass Electronics has just expanded the sonic palette of their powerful Anagram pedal with the release of four new overdrive and distortion blocks in the latest firmware update, v1.5.0. Known for pushing the limits of bass tone design, Darkglass continues to blur the line between analog inspiration and digital innovation, giving players access to an even broader range of classic and modern drive flavors. What’s New in v1.5.0 A Growing Sonic Toolbox With these new additions, the Anagram now offers bassists an even more versatile arsenal of drive, fuzz, and distortion options—all available in one pedal. The update reflects Darkglass’s continued commitment to blending the best of analog character with modern flexibility, ensuring that the Anagram evolves alongside its players. Availability The Anagram v1.5.0 firmware update is available now. Owners can download and install it to unlock the new Atomic Sans, Green πrate Fuzz, Bee Kolme OD, and Arc Dreamer blocks immediately. Darkglass Anagram users: it’s time to update and explore these new tones. If you enjoyed checking out this Darkglass news piece, here are more Darkglass products worth exploring — all tested and reviewed here on BassGearReviews: – Darkglass Anagram – Digital Tone-Shapping Powerhouse – Darkglass Kaamos – Octave Fuzz

News

Aguilar Launches Their First-Ever Plugin Suite

The Aguilar Experience, Now Virtual Aguilar, long celebrated for their iconic amps, cabinets, and pedals, has officially stepped into the digital realm with the release of the Aguilar Plugin Suite. For the first time, bassists can access the full Aguilar ecosystem—amps, cabs, and pedals—directly inside their DAW or as a standalone desktop application. The Full Aguilar Ecosystem in Your DAW The suite brings together Aguilar’s legendary lineup, including the AG, Tone Hammer, and DB 751 amplifiers, paired with SL and DB cabinets, plus the brand’s complete pedal collection. Players can instantly tap into artist-designed presets or dive deep to craft their own tones, giving them both plug-and-play convenience and infinite customization. A Clean, Player-Centered Interface The interface is refreshingly modern, designed to keep things simple while delivering powerful tone-shaping capabilities. Essential controls are front and center, making it easy for players to focus on their sound without being buried in menus. It’s clear Aguilar built this with bassists in mind, not just engineers. Built for Any Workflow The Aguilar Plugin Suite works seamlessly across major platforms, supporting VST, AU, and AAX formats, and runs flawlessly in all major DAWs. For those who want a quick practice session or tone exploration without booting up a DAW, the suite also runs as a standalone app. Compatible with both Mac and Windows, it ensures bassists can take Aguilar tone anywhere—from professional studio setups to bedroom rigs. Aguilar Tone, Anywhere For years, Aguilar gear has set the standard for bass amplification and effects. With the new Plugin Suite, that sound is now more accessible than ever—portable, flexible, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re chasing a vintage warmth, modern punch, or experimental textures, Aguilar has put their entire sonic legacy at your fingertips.

Boss PX-1
News

Boss has just unveiled the PX-1 Plugout FX

A Bass Players First Look Boss has just unveiled the PX-1 Plugout FX—a compact, multi-effect stompbox housing 16 classic Boss tones in a single deliverably flexible pedal platform. It hits stores in September 2025, priced at around $249.99 USD (approx. £229). Check the Price at Amazon –> Design & Interface The PX-1 retains the iconic Boss compact pedal chassis but adds a modern twist: three blue rotary knobs, a clear LCD for real-time parameter feedback, and a “Swap” function that lets you toggle between two effects. Connectivity includes stereo I/O, tap-tempo, TRS-MIDI, USB-C, and Bluetooth MIDI, allowing both flexible control and easy effect loading via the BOSS Effect Loader app. Quick Specs You Can’t Miss Highlights Tailored for Bassists As a bass player, you’re after depth, clarity, and low-end integrity. Here’s what stands out: OC-2 OctaveAn analog-favorite among bassists, the OC-2 delivers rich sub-octave textures and synth-like low foundations, ideal for thickening your tone or carving a unique sonic niche. CS-1 Compression SustainerBoss’s first optical compressor offers a warm, smooth sustain with a slower attack—perfect for mellowing slap, evening dynamics, or holding long, rounded low notes. SP-1 SpectrumThis rare EQ-centric pedal boosts a selectable frequency band, letting you bring forward your bass’s presence or add focal coloration—a subtle but powerful tone-shaping tool. DD-2 Digital DelayThe vintage 12-bit delay adds a gritty, analog-styled echo texture—beautiful for spaced-out bass lines or ambient fills without muddying the low end. Final Take for Bass Players The Boss PX-1 Plugout FX is an inspiring nod to Boss’s legacy, repackaged for modern versatility. For bassists, the standout effects are OC-2, CS-1, SP-1, DD-2, and DF-2—each sculpting or expanding your low-end character in creative yet thoughtful ways. At $249.99, this pedal is a cost-effective gateway to a wide palette of tones, with future expansion baked in via Model Passes. Its compact footprint, intuitive controls, and rich DSP modeling make it a compelling footboard staple—for practice, studio, or stage. Ready to expand your bass tone? Get the Boss PX-1 Plugout FX!!! Want to See More Boss Products? Check out our other reviews of standout pedals from the Boss lineup:

JHS 424
News

JHS Pedals Unveils the 424 Gain Stage

Classic Portastudio Tone in a Compact Pedal JHS Pedals has announced the 424 Gain Stage, a preamp/fuzz pedal that faithfully recreates the character of the TASCAM® Portastudio® 424 cassette recorder. Using the same UPC4570 and NJM4565 op-amps found in the original unit, it delivers the lo-fi, “elastic” tones heard on classic home recordings and popularized today by artists like Mk.gee. The control layout mirrors the Portastudio’s mixer section with Volume, Gain 1 (trim), Gain 2 (channel), Bass, Treble, and footswitch. It features both 1/4″ in/out and a balanced XLR output with ground lift, making it equally at home as a DI, fuzz box, or tonal enhancer in a traditional rig. From rubbery cleans and high-headroom tones to fully smashed fuzz, the 424 Gain Stage offers a wide dynamic range of textures. Compact and pedalboard-friendly (2.6” x 4.8”), the pedal runs on standard 9V DC power and offers buffered bypass. JHS emphasizes that it’s not about amp-like breakup but about capturing the quirky, lo-fi magic of the original cassette recorder’s preamps—textures that range from glitchy cleans to bubbling, saturated fuzz. The JHS 424 Gain Stage is available now from JHS and authorized dealers. If you enjoyed checking out this JHS pedal, here are more JHS products worth exploring — all tested and reviewed here on BassGearReviews: – JHS Colour Box V2 – The Neve-Inspired Swiss Army Knife for Bass Players