1. Dunlop Cry Baby Q Mini 535Q Auto-Return
The Cry Baby Mini wah-wah has received yet another update from Dunlop, adding in a nifty auto-return feature, a range selector and a variable Q control to take their beloved funk box further into the modern age. This Q Mini 535Q wah now automatically cocks back into heel position for ease of use, while maintains the classic Red Fasel Inductor to provide that classic wah sound we all know and love.
The range selector on the CBM535AR offers four unique voice-shaping controls, letting you flick between clinical funk sweeps and warm vintage-inspired filtering. The Q control lets you flex the intensity of the way effect itself, while a volume and boost control let you tweak your tones even further to make for one of the freshest Dunlops we’ve seen in a minute.
2. Neon Egg Planetarium 2
Neon Egg’s Planetarium is one of the funkiest pieces of hardware we’ve seen hit the market in a while, and their sequel looks like it’ll make just as much of as a fuss at the first one did. For those out of the know, this quirky unit is a stereo reverb and chorus that runs into a tape delay and ends up with a compressor, all packed into a wooden-sided chassis that looks like a relic from the Cold War.
Thankfully, the Planetarium 2 doesn’t stray far from Neon Egg’s winning formula, only adding a few tweaks to make it all the more musical. The unit features improved modulation and a new modulation shape switch, as well as a short/long switch for the compressor. It’s also now true stereo instead of dual mono with an auto-detecting input jack, as well as a pad switch for reverb/delay, increased headroom, new LEDs and crispy oak wood sides. Hear how it sounds in the demo below – if you’re as smitten as I am, join the wait-list for yours here.
3. G&L Tribute Fallout Short-Scale Bass
It’s no secret that we’ve got a soft spot for short-scale basses here at Mixdown, so we’re definitely liking what we’re seeing with the Tribute Fallout from G&L. This new 30” scale marks the first time G&L have made the Tribute outside of the US to make it affordable for the average player, yet the hardware and appointments ensure that it’s still everything you’d expect from the G&L name.
The body of the G&L Tribute Fallout is made from basswood and all models feature a slick maple neck, and ships with with either roasted a jatoba or maple fretboard depending on the finish. The single MFD humbucker also lets you tap into three different switching modes – parallel, split and ‘OMG’ mode, which sounds just as bumping as you’d think it would. If you’ve been looking to explore the world of short-scale basses but don’t want to blow out on your budget, the Fallout’s an option worth exploring.
4. Bad Cat Paw Desktop Amplifier
Bad Cat have been a dominating name in the boutique amp game for a minute now, and their latest product looks to put the cherry on top of all they’ve conquered in recent years. The Paw is a boutique desktop amplifier with an all-tube preamp section that uses EF86 and two 12AX7 tubes, while the power amp is a 60-watt Class D for raw power. The unit features a two-band EQ, gain, reverb, fat and cut knobs for tone and Bad Cat’s K Master volume circuit, letting you play at low volumes without losing tone.
Elsewhere, the Paw is fitted with two 6” speakers and also features an external cab out, and even features 16 onboard impulse responses, with a USB-c connection letting you add more if you wish. Finally, Bad Cat’s newest model offers two XLR outputs and a stereo effects loop for direct recording, wrapping up the bow on what looks set to become one of the most desired bedroom amps on the market.
5. Kiesel Guitars Leia
If your life motto is shred till you’re dead, you’ll froth this. Kiesel have introduced a new headless model called the Leia, fusing a neck-thru design with a single-cut body, essentially acting as a fusion of Kiesel’s previously released Vader, Zeus and SCB models.
Kiesel are known for the wide range of customisable options they offer with their guitars, and as such, there’s plenty of different ways you can get the Leia. It’s available in six and seven string variants, as well as fixed or tremolo bridges and 24.75” and 25.5” scales, as well as a whole heap of woods, finishes and pickup options. Of course, custom-fitting a guitar is always going to be a costly affair, but if you’re dead set on a premium US-made shredder, these ones could be worth checking out.
Never miss a story – sign up to our mailing list.
