Here at Westside we are delighted to now be distributing Jim Dunlop here in the UK. The Dunlop range of products is massive and encompases everything from plectrums to slides to the infamous range of Cry Baby wahwahs. In addition JD also manufacture the fantastic range of MXR and Way Huge pedals, not to mention Custom Audio Electronics… the list goes on. There was some pretty tasty new bits of kit at NAMM, some highlights below (Click on images to enlarge)…
Joe Bonomassa Signature Wah
Whether it’s with his bluesy solo career or with the rocking Black Country Communion, Joe Bonamassa’s playing is fiery, deep, and powerful. And when he really wants to express himself in a solo, he steps on a Cry Baby wah. That’s why we at Dunlop worked with Joe to develop the Joe Bonamassa Signature Cry Baby, specially engineered to fit in perfectly with Joe’s system, from the way it looks to the way it sounds. On the outside, it sports a classy copper top with a smooth-finish black body. On the inside, it features large, vintage-style thru-hole components, a Halo inductor (for added harmonic content), an output buffer (to prevent impedance imbalance with vintage fuzz pedals), and a switch for true-bypass or non-true-bypass operation (Joe prefers non-True Bypass as it darkens the high end). With its huge vocal sweep range, this is one of the most expressive CryBabys ever, and it’s Joe’s tool of choice to accentuate every soulful bend and bluesy wail.
Way Huge Red Llama:
The often imitated but never duplicated thunder of the Red Llama is back! This is not a reproduction, but a continuation of where the groundbreaking archetype left off in 1999. Every single feature that made the Red Llama so mighty is still in place, right where Mr. Huge left them. Season to taste any amp, big or small, clean or dirty the Llama is the perfect compliment to them all, with a rich harmonic palette available on the austere control panel. Spin the drive knob and go from a gentle grind all the way up to massive distortion. Use lower settings for defined open chording or juiced clean tones. Go a little higher for crunchy power fifths, and crank it up for buttery lead tones and tight, bottom-heavy riffage. The volume control sets the desired amount of overall level, but be forewarned: The output capabilities of the Red Llama are legendary, with more than enough gain to force even the cleanest, most stubborn amps to submit their headroom
M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe
The MXR research lab dug up a rare vintage fuzz and have modified it for the modern bassist. The resulting stompbox delivers a cutting and bold fuzz tone without degrading the punch and clarity of your original signal. With separate Dry and Wet level controls, the Bass Fuzz Deluxe sounds like you’re running two different amps. Blend to taste, from subtle crunch to thick shaggy fuzz, with Fuzz and Tone controls affecting only the Wet signal.