NEWS: Boss pedal giveaway – Guess The Riff, Get The Gear
Check out this awesome contest by Boss. Hey can I move to the US so I can participate?
Grand Prize Wins Four Autographed Pedals and $1,000 in BOSS Gear
Los Angeles, CA, November 2, 2009 — BOSS is giving the tone freaks everywhere the chance to win autographed BOSS pedals by top guitar heroes and $1,000 in BOSS gear with The Big BOSS Giveaway.
To enter, contestants should visit www.BossUS.com/BigBossGiveaway, listen to the featured riff, and pick out the BOSS Distortion or Overdrive pedal that is used to make that particular tone.
The riff will change every two weeks, and a different signed BOSS pedal from a famous guitar hero will be given away, as well as $1,000 in BOSS gear. In addition, a grand prize of $1,000 in BOSS gear and one signed pedal from each of the four guitar heroes will be given to any contestant who enters the contest between November 1 and December 31, 2009. Contestants can enter once every two-week period, giving them up to five chances to win.
The Big BOSS Giveaway Prize Lineup:
Grand Prize
11/1/09–12/31/09
One signed pedal for each guitar hero (four in all) and $1,000 in BOSS gear
Biweekly Prizes
11/1/09–11/14/09 Dave Navarro signed DS-1 and $1,000 in BOSS gear
11/15/09–11/30/09 Frank Gambale signed TU-2 and $1,000 in BOSS gear
12/1/09–12/15/09 Yngwie Malmsteen signed NS-2 and $1,000 in BOSS gear
12/16/09–12/31/09 Lincoln Brewster signed DN-2 and $1,000 in BOSS gear
Contest eligible in the U.S. only. For more information, visit www.BossUS.com/BigBossGiveaway.
NEWS: My pedalboard on Tonefreq.info
NEWS: Boss eBand audio player for guitarists, VE-20 Vocal Performer
Got a couple of very interesting press releases from Boss the other day. Of particular interest to we guitar geeks is the eBand JS-8 Audio Player with Guitar Effects. I could see this showing up in teaching studios, bedrooms and tour busses all over the place quite rapidly indeed!
BOSS UNVEILS eBAND AUDIO PLAYER FOR GUITARISTS
The Ultimate Jam-Along Companion for Guitarists
Los Angeles, CA, September 1, 2009— BOSS is pleased to reveal the eBand JS-8 Audio Player with Guitar Effects, the portable audio player designed for guitarists who play and practice at home.
eBand is the audio player that combines playback of full songs, backing tracks, or rhythm loops with high quality BOSS guitar effects and a built-in stereo speaker system. This all-in-one solution is ideal for guitarists who want to learn songs, solos and riffs, practice new songs outside of band practice, play along with any of their own collection of music, or create new songs while jamming with audio tracks.
Loading music onto eBand couldn’t be easier, with direct playback from any standard USB memory stick or SDHC memory card up to 32GB. eBand also has the ability to import songs from any audio CD using the included utility software.
Unlike traditional audio players, eBand lets guitarists interact with their music by changing the pitch and tempo independently, or using the advanced Center Cancel function to remove guitar or vocal parts. eBand comes with 300 backing tracks and rhythm loops which also include pre-programmed guitar effects.
eBand is loaded with powerful COSM® preamp technology, authentic BOSS-quality guitar effects derived from the BOSS GT-10, and over 100 preset guitar sounds from every musical genre. To help navigate the possibilities, eBand includes the EZ TONE function, providing an intuitive, easy-to-use approach to sound creation based on graphic icons. In addition, tuner and metronome functions are built in, keeping guitarists on time and in key.
Not only can players jam along with eBand, they can record their musical ideas as well using the included USB audio interface. Pressing the Record button during a jam-along session will create and save a new audio file with the entire performance.
The eBand JS-8 will be available in November 2009.
BOSS ANNOUNCES VE-20 VOCAL PERFORMER
Quality BOSS Effects Designed Specifically For The Vocalist
Los Angeles, CA, September 1, 2009— BOSS is pleased to bring quality effects processing to the performing vocalist, all in the compact design and simplicity of a twin-pedal stompbox with the VE-20 Vocal Performer.
The new, easy-to-use VE-20 has been designed from the ground up for singers and features some of the finest vocal-effects technology on the market. The VE-20 is ideal for all types of vocal expression, including traditional singing, narration, and beat boxing.
The VE-20 comes with all the effects you need to add unique flair to your vocal performance. With the click of a footswitch, lush vocal doubling and harmonies, real-time pitch correction, delay, reverb, limiting, and special effects — such as Distortion, Robot, Chromatic, Radio, and Strobe — can be added. Layers and loops can also be created in real time with the onboard Phrase Looper.
The tough BOSS construction of the VE-20, as well as its ability to run for hours on six AA batteries, makes the VE-20 the ultimate portable pedal for vocalists. With stereo XLR outputs, ¼” and XLR inputs, and a simple user interface, the VE-20 is perfect for serious live-performance or recording.
“More and more bands are incorporating vocal effects into their live and studio performances,” says Paul Youngblood, President of BOSS. “We’re pleased to bring high quality BOSS effects to vocal performers everywhere.”
The VE-20 will be available in November 2009.
NEWS: Boss Fender Reverb pedal now shipping
Middle of the week, which means I’m too busy with other stuff to do any serious hardcore blogging, so here’s a press release for ya!
1963 Fender Spring Reverb Returns as a Modern Stompbox
Los Angeles, CA, August 11, 2009 — BOSS® and Fender® USA have collaborated to create the FRV-1, a stunning recreation of the 1963 Fender Reverb®. A staple sound of rockabilly, country, blues, surf rock and even grunge rock, this tube-driven reverb sound is now available in an affordable, rugged compact pedal.
The FRV-1 recreates the classic spring-reverb sound of the 1963 Fender Reverb via patented COSM® technology. Three classic controls for Dwell, Tone, and Mix allow players to refine their tone, adding buttery warmth or sparkling twang.
The FRV-1 is now available with an MSRP of $206.50.
Boss FBM-1 Fender Bassman Pedal
Boss FDR-1 Fender Deluxe Reverb Pedal
NEWS: Boss releases Windows Vista 64-bit driver for GT-10
Since I use a Mac and don’t have a GT-10 (I have a GT-8) I guess I’m not the target market for this press release, but it’s still awesome news – I wish I could integrate my GT-8 with my computer but alas, it’ll never be. The closest I’ll get is reamping prerecorded tracks through it. However, PC-totin’, GT-10-ownin’ players rejoice!
BOSS RELEASES WINDOWS VISTA 64-BIT DRIVER FOR GT-10
New Custom GT-10 Patches Now Also Available For Free Download
Los Angeles, CA, July 22, 2009 — BOSS® is pleased to announce the availability of 64-bit drivers for Windows® Vista for the GT-10 Guitar Effects Processor.
The GT-10 is BOSS’ flagship floorboard multi-FX unit, driven by the latest custom-made DSP and proprietary sound-modeling COSM® engine. This new-generation processor offers advanced effects, amp models, and an innovative user interface that includes EZ Tone, so guitarists can obtain the exact sound they desire in the most intuitive way imaginable.
“The evolution of 64-bit processing technology allows musicians to experience faster PC audio processing than ever before,” says Paul Youngblood, President of BOSS US. “Now our customers can integrate the GT-10 with any cutting-edge PC on the market.”
BOSS is also pleased to announce new custom GT-10 patches, created by Paul Hanson, author of the top-selling book “Shred Guitar” from Warner Bros. and BOSS Product Marketing Specialist.
To download 64-bit drivers or the new custom patches for the GT-10, please visit:
http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=941
CLICK HERE to buy a Boss GT-10 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal from Musician’s Friend for $499.
COOL GEAR ALERT: Boss RE-20 Space Echo
Today I interviewed Dave Wyndorf from Monster Magnet for Mixdown magazine. The interview will be in the next issue, out in the first week of August, and there’ll be an extended version on I Heart Guitar a few weeks later. The conversation turned to pedals, and Wyndorf was particularly enthusiastic about the Boss RE-20 Space Echo, and how faithfully it reproduced the sound of the old Roland RE-201 Space Echo. Sounded cool to me so I thought I’d do some digging around. First of all, check out this cool demo video by Boss (especially the wild self-oscillating sounds at the end).
The Roland website says:
One of the most beloved echo effects ever made, the Roland RE-201 Space Echo, has been reborn as the BOSS RE-20 Twin Pedal! Roland and BOSS have recreated every sonic detail and nuance of the original. Experience the legendary tape-echo sound of the RE-201, and get “lost in space” with this retro-modern marvel.
Amazing simulation of the famous Roland RE-201, with the spacious, analog tone of the original Space Echo
Faithful modeling of the RE-201’s tape flutter and magnetic head sound saturation
Tap input pedal allows delay time to be set by foot
Longer delay time than the original RE-201
Control parameters such as REPEAT RATE, INTENSITY, and more via Expression pedal.
MODE SELECTOR knob with 12 placements just likes the original Space Echo
CLICK HERE to buy the Boss RE-20 Space Echo delay/reverb pedal from Musician’s Friend for $249.
NEWS: Boss launches Fender Reverb pedal
Neat! Here’s a cool option for those who wish they had an old school spring reverb tank to get their Hank Marvin licks sounding all authentic-like, but can’t spare the big bucks required to snag such a lusted-after piece of vintage guitar history. Fender and Boss are obviously pretty happy with their recent collaborations, the 65 Deluxe Reverb and 59 Bassman pedals, so they’ve partnered up once again with the FRV-1 Fender Reverb.
Boss Announces FRV-1 Fender Reverb Pedal
1963 Fender Spring Reverb Returns as a Modern Stompbox BOSS® and Fender® USA have collaborated to create the FRV-1, a stunning recreation of the 1963 Fender Reverb®. A staple sound of rockabilly, country, blues, surf rock and even grunge rock, this tube-driven reverb sound is now available in an affordable, rugged compact pedal.
The FRV-1 recreates the classic spring-reverb sound of the 1963 Fender Reverb via patented COSM® technology. Three classic controls for Dwell, Tone, and Mix allow players to refine their tone, adding buttery warmth or sparkling twang.
The FRV-1 is expected to be available in late July.
For more information, visit their web site at http://www.bossus.com/.
Boss FDR-1 Fender Deluxe Reverb Pedal Standard
Boss FBM-1 Fender Bassman Pedal
NEWS: New Boss tuners
Aaah, Boss tuners. Who hasn’t flung one of these into their gigbag and later had it save their life?
Press release:
Boss Ships New Line Of Professional Tuners
BOSS is proud to announce the availability of a new full line of tuners for every price range and level of musician with the TU-1000, TU-12EX, TU-12BW, and TU-88 digital tuners.
TU-1000: Professional Stage Tuner
Featuring a huge, striking, high-intensity LED meter for visibility on dark stages or outdoors, the flagship TU-1000 offers ultra-smooth, accurate motion and superior brightness to make tuning fast and easy. Its unique floorboard design powers up to six effects processors and includes two audio outputs. The TU-1000 is the new tuner of choice for the professional touring guitarist.
TU-12EX: Chromatic Tuner for Guitar and Bass
The TU-12EX features the famous BOSS needle-type meter and LED tuning guide in a sleek thin-line body and compact size. New features include a flat tuning function, reference tone, auto-off, and Accu-Pitch???, which helps musicians verify their tuning by sounding a beep when the correct tuning is reached.
TU-12BW: Chromatic Tuner for Brass and Wind
The TU-12BW features an expanded tuning range to correspond to a wide range of brass and wind instruments. Featuring the famous BOSS needle-type meter and LED tuning guide, the TU-12BW also includes a Contact Mic and dedicated Holder to attach on music stands.
TU-88: Micro Monitor and Tuner
The BOSS TU-88 brings stylish, portable, and accurate LCD tuning to musicians at an affordable price. In addition to authentic BOSS’ tuner and metronome features, the TU-88 features a built-in headphone amplifier, so players can directly monitor or record sounds from stomp boxes or electric guitars with the built-in speaker simulator. Guitarists can also jam along with songs from a CD or MP3 player with the new mix input function.
For more information, visit their website.
NEWS: Mod your DS-1
Here’s something cool Mrs I Heart Guitar stumbled across on Make. Ever wanted to mod your Boss DS-1 like all the cool kids but didn’t know where to start? This story on Make points to this page on Instructables.com which shows you how. I have a beaten up old DS-1 which I call The Awesomizer for its effect on my old Crate amp head, but it doesn’t sound so great with my Marshall DSL50, so I might consider modding it with these instructions.
The Boss DS-1 is a common and in many ways classic guitar effects pedal, but surprisingly enough, it just doesn’t sound very good. Because of this, you’re likely to find used DS-1s for cheap. Instructable author James Haskin wrote up a step-by-step on how to implement the well-known Keeley Seeing Eye and Ultra mods to enhance the lackluster sound -
Every guitarist at some point has at least tried Boss’s DS-1 distortion pedal. Most People are immediately disappointed. This over hyped pedal sounds really thin with no punch. Sales people at guitar center will say something like its a “great beginner distortion pedal”. Its been my experience that most of the people that work at guitar center are useless. So, always research and get information from multiple sources.
The DS-1 is actually used by many artists including Joe Satriani, Kurt Cobain, John Petrucci, and Steve Vai to name a few, BUT most of the big artists don’t use the stock one. Why? Cuz it sucks!
The good news is this pedal is simple enough to modify!! In this instructable I will show you step by step, with lots of pictures, how to perform Robert Keeley’s DS-ULTRA Mod.While not the simplest of mods, the process involves replacing 3 resistors, 4 caps, and an LED – the resulting improvements seem quite worthwhile for pursuers of “ultimate tone”. Check out the instructable for all the deets.
NEWS: News for March 16, 2009
Ibanez Paul Gilbert PGM100RE 
This one was launched at NAMM but orders are now being taken for the Ibanez Paul Gilbert PGM100RE reissue, celebrating 20 years of Pablo Gilberto’s endorsement of Ibanez guitars.
Available for order now is the limited edition PGM100RE with its unmistakable combination of metallic blue body complemented by pink painted F-holes and pink DiMarzio pickups. The PGM100RE is limited to just 300 worldwide, with approximately just 150 of those slated for the United States. The Japanese-made PGM100RE features U.S.A.-made DiMarzio pickups, a lightweight basswood body fitted with the Ibanez new Super Wizard (same thin, fast and flat dimensions as the original 1987 Wizard, but even stronger), the original Edge locking trem and a deluxe hardshell case. The list price is $2666.65.
To see the previous Paul Gilbert signature models, and vote for which one should be the next Ibanez Paul Gilbert signature reissue go to http://www.ibanez.co.jp/PGM20_u/. Voting will be accepted until March 20, 2009. The results will be announced at the Frankfurt Germany Messe musical instrument trade show in April 1 – 4, 2009 and will be available on ibanez.com
Source: Ibanez http://www.ibanez.com
Buy: eBay stores (Bookmark it cos they aren’t showing up yet but they will!)
Tregan shipping SyrenXT guitar
The new bold look of the XT features a two tone paint job, Floyd Rose licensed tremolo, Grover tuners, black hardware and a more comfortable tapered back. A Passive/Active switch, along with the built in powered Preamp, offers great flexibility when playing. In passive mode the alnico humbuckers give you smooth tones for strumming to your favorite songs. The active mode adds more bite and enhances tone and harmonics, turning the XT into a shredding machine.
Like the rest of the Syren series, the XT is a guitar to behold, and to be held. It has Tregan’s super fast neck with twenty-four frets, Syren Wing inlays and deep cutouts for easy access to all twenty-four frets. The smaller headstock and the unique body shape were designed to give the guitar a comfortable feel and perfect balance.
Source: Tregan Guitars
Boss ME-70 ships
The new Boss ME-70, which kinda looks like a little brother to my multi-effect unit of choice the GT-8, is shipping now.
In addition to its superb Overdrive/Distortion section, the ME-70 now features a new Preamp section with the latest sound-modeling COSM engine for the most natural response and sound quality. The ME-70 is made to play, and the hardware now adds a fourth footswitch for even more real-time effects control.
The ME-70′s dedicated knobs for each effect section allow full, fast control over sound creation, just like a stompbox. The knobs make the ME-70 incredibly easy to use compared to traditional multi-effects units. Users will also love the new Phrase Loop function for sound-on-sound creation, with up to 38 seconds of recording time. Its EZ Tone function allows for fast and easy tone creation via simple effects presets, so players of any level can create superb tones of any genre within seconds.
Source: Boss
Buy: $299.99 from Guitar Center.
Hi! I'm Peter Hodgson. I write for Gibson.com, Australian Guitar, Australian Musician, Mixdown Magazine (including my instructional column, 'Unleash Your Inner Rock God,' which has been running since 2007), Blunt, Beat (including their weekly hard rock/metal column Crunch) and The Brag. And I'm Assistant Social Coordinator with Seymour Duncan.
I've been playing guitar since I was 8 years old, and I've been writing for magazines since I was 18. I've also worked as a guitar teacher (up to 50 students a week), a setup tech, a newspaper editor, and I've also dabbled in radio a little bit. I live in Melbourne, Australia, and my hobbies include drinking way too much coffee, and eating way too much Mexican food.
You can check out my guitar playing at Bandcamp or on YouTube, and feel free to email me at iheartguitarblog@gmail.com