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Create your EquipboardAmplifiers 3
I have now had this amp for nearly four years. It is built like a tank but is not so heavy as to make moving it around difficult.
The built-in "Scrambler" effect is marginal and (at least to my way of thinking) best used with a Precision bass with the "Tone" control backed off. Then it sounds extremely cool.
There are enough buttons and knobs to keep the OCD crowd occupied, I tend to have everything at 12:00 with some minor fiddling about with them occasionally.
Since being discontinued by Ampeg, I have seen them second-hand for as little as $250, making this combo an EXTREMELY GREAT deal for anyone looking.
I can recommend this for ANY bass player, and ANY style of music. It is a wonderful amplifier.
Ampeg has always been my favorite brand for bass amplification. This little 8" 30-watt guy is no exception. The SGT circuit is usable but not outstanding.
It's well-made and loud enough for practice without disturbing your entire household. The headphone jack is a definite plus.
It's not fancy but it's solid.
I have never been big on "modeling" amplifiers. I've tried two different Fender Mustangs and a BOSS Katana and found them lacking.
Despite this being a modeling amplifier, the fact that it is a hybrid puts it in a different class, at least in my book it does.
The three best "amp models" are 1 (early Fender "Tweed"), 4 (vintage Fender Blackface), and 15 (Fender JazzKing).
The built-in effects of note are the Tremolo with three (3) rate settings and the Vibratone with two (2) speed settings.
I replaced the Fender OEM speaker with a Jensen C8R, and it was a huge improvement.
This is now discontinued but worth seeking out if you want a quality bedroom or practice amplifier with no menu diving. Far better than Mustang or Katanas in my view.
Basses 4
For many years, I had a nearly incurable itch for a Stingray. Unfortunately for me, they have been out of my price range for just about as long.
Two years ago, I got a Ray24CA and did not get along with it. It was nicely made, however, the sound was far too bright and the two-band EQ did not shape the tone nearly enough.
Thanks to the information that the website TalkBass provided, it turns out that the older generation of Ray34s was most likely what I was looking for; slab body, alnico pickups, two-band EQ. It was widely reported that those particular axes were much closer to the more expensive USA Stingrays.
My initial impression is that this thing is a beast! I am used to passive instruments so I need to learn how to use the active features. But there is an incredible range of sounds this bass is capable of producing.
As well, I don't know if it's the alnico as compared to the ceramic pickups, or if the active electronics are significantly different but the tone is far more customizable when compared to the Ray24CA. It can be incredibly bright or more mellow and low.
If you have been Jonesing for a Stingray but do not want to shell out +$2,400 for a new one, check this ax out. It may be just what you are looking for.
In the distant past, Squier received very justified criticism. Moving forward, the brand made great leaps in terms of quality and overall value.
Today, Squier's Classic Vibe basses are (mostly) outstanding, and this Fender Special Run (FSR) is a prime example. I do not know if Squier is paying more attention to their FSR stuff, but this bass is flawless. The fretwork was perfect. Compare that to a non-FSR 70s Squier P that I picked up last year, where the frets were miserably sharp and it took a ton of effort to get them close to "OK".
The "Fender-designed" alnico pickups produce the Precision Tone that ONLY a Precision bass can make.
Cosmetically, this is a gorgeous bass and the Surf Green color is striking. In my opinion, nothing compares to a bound and blocked bass neck. This Precision really stands out.
Finally, I want to give Guitar Center kudos for honoring their Price Match policy, as I originally picked mine up for $399 on sale ($479 list), then, 30 days later, Musician's Friend had it as their Stupid Deal of the Day for $348.
I presented my local GC with my receipt, and they handed me $54 cash. Making this one of the best prices I've ever gotten on new gear.
I can recommend this to any player looking to add a Precision to their collection or to a beginner who wants a bass that can last them for years and years and will not be "outgrown".
I've always fancied myself a Fender "Passive Only" kind of guy, and for quite some time now, I have been looking for a Jazz bass to replace the Vintera '70s I came to regret selling.
The Player II Active Modified with 18-volt electronics *and* noiseless pickups was quite the unexpected instrument for me. Sweetwater had an open-box bass listed at $260 below "Street Price", and I jumped on it.
This color is what Fender calls "Dusk", which is the deepest metallic purple that "reads" as black 99% of the time. It's subtle, and I think it's amazing.
Given the number of fiddly knobs, it definitely has a "learning curve", but that's okay. It also comes with Fender's high-mass bridge. A nice touch, I think.
18-volt active electronics. I don't know what that means exactly, other than I've doubled my battery costs. It does have a mini-toggle for active/passive modes. So, that's cool as well.
I've never had a bass with "Noisless" pickups before. There is no single-coil hum out of the box.
Everything feels top-notch; the fretwork polished and perfect. It plays very smoothly and is extremely versatile in the sounds it produces.
Effects Pedals 9
Another fantastic Electro-Harmonix pedal that's built to last.
This Phase Shifter is great. It produces more variations in sound than I'll ever need or use. But it's there "just in case".
I picked mine up because EHX had a great price reduction ($58 at the time of this writing) and did not want to spend a ton of money on a pedal I might not like. The good news is that I love this thing, and you probably will too.
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This is an extremely simple pedal that sounds great.
With one knob and one switch, you don't get a ton of options, but you do get outstanding sound.
Again, EHX makes (in my opinion) some of the best-looking pedals because they have a natural "Retro" non-flair about them.
They're currently (November 2025) being offered at $70, which makes them even sweeter.
I think you'll dig this one. I sure do!
Not being heavily into the "Pedal Scene", I don't understand the Klon-Mania, so that association with this pedal did not mean anything to me. I was looking for a reasonably-priced overdrive that sounded "vintage".
The Soul Food is exactly what I was looking for. Simple controls and excellent sound.
I have no complaints and would recommend this to anyone not wanting to spend a fortune on their rig.
Full disclosure: I am **NOT** a "Pedal Guy".
I barely understand them; I'm not clever enough to get out of them what they are capable of. But they are fun and make some really cool noise.
After reading about this pedal and looking at YouTube videos, I decided on the MXR Carbon Copy. It has enough controls to satisfy my curiosity. It's an awesome-looking pedal with a bass boat sparkle green finish that I love, and it is built like a tank. It's a very dense, heavy-feeling pedal.
If you're looking for an analog delay pedal, I think it's worth getting.
Yes! It truly is.
The reason is the additional "Volume" control knob. This single difference helps remove the "ice pick" in your ears that the Micro Q-Tron can produce. Every other control is the same.
If you're looking for classic funk or Jerry Garcia tones, this is the pedal that you absolutely MUST have.
It's built here in the U.S.A. and is solid. It works great with both guitars and basses.
Guitars 3
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True to form, I "discovered" the great Chet Atkins later in my life. And (apart from his stellar playing), one of the first things I noticed was that he used Gretsch guitars throughout most of his career.
Gretsch's Professional line is far too good and far too expensive for an amateur such as myself. But their Electromatics are, indeed, superior instruments. Thus, when I found one of these G5420Ts WITH an OEM Gretsch case for a mere $475, I jumped at the opportunity.
Now, I know having a Gretsch won't make me play like Mr. Atkins. But it feels great knowing that I'm using a spectacular guitar with an unmatched history.
Studio Equipment 4
I have several of these in various lengths. They are durable, classy-looking, and reasonably priced when compared to Fender, Ernie Ball, and others.
If you are looking for cost-effective alternatives to the "big names", you will NOT be disappointed with GLS cables.
I have been using the Kali Audio LP-6 monitors for four years now, and they have held up exceptionally well.
Excellent sound reproduction and clarity.
Apparently, Kali is onto "Version 2", but mine are the first version, and I have zero complaints.
This is the second product I have purchased from RØDE when equipping my home "Music Studio".
I got them to use as overheads for a drum kit and they work exceedingly well for my purposes. I would say that you could mic a guitar amp, keyboard amp, piano, indeed any instrument with them and be happy with the results.
Again, they are budget-friendly while being extremely well-made. And (as my experience with RØDE's NT-1) the hype is well-deserved.
If you have been considering them, go ahead and pull the trigger. You will be happy that you did.
Having used cheap microphones for most of my life, I can tell you that the minute you pick this guy up, you can tell it's the Real Deal.
Sold, heavy construction means it will last you a very, very, long time.
Perfect for voice-over work or any vocal application, you will not go wrong with this purchase. And it sells for a realistic price that anyone starting in the recording business can afford.
I was skeptical of all the hype surrounding these mics, but it turns out that said reputation is well-deserved. I can recommend this without any reservations.
Wishlist 0
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