Active Band Man Chats - 2024 New Gear Predictions

So, what’s on the topic this time?

Let’s do the usual thing!

The usual thing?

It’s time for this year’s "My New Gear Predictions – Puff Puff!"

It’s already February though… but yeah, let’s do it.

That said, my pedalboard is pretty much complete, so there’s not much I want right now.

Hmm? Haven’t I heard you say that before? (laughs)

Oops! If I had to say, I’d like to upgrade my home equipment!

I see.

First, the amp! I’m torn between these two:

Positive Grid / Spark GO


NUX / Mighty Air

Oh. I bought a NUX last year, and it’s great. I got it for home use, and it’s been really handy. Positive Grid looks good too, but personally, I’d recommend the NUX.

Yeah, you mentioned that. The wireless feature is really tempting... Moving on,

ZOOM / R4 MultiTrak Recorder

Oh, an MTR. They make them that small now? It’s the size of a handy recorder.

Exactly! It’s the successor to the ZOOM R8 we’ve been using! It even has a color screen and a built-in mic in this compact size!

The R8 had 8 tracks, but this one only has 4?

I’ll be using it for demo recordings, so 4 tracks are plenty for me. Vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, and backing vocals.

Got it. For simple demo recordings, that should be more than enough.

Yeah! And if needed, I can bounce the tracks.

You mean ping-pong recording? Do people even use that term anymore?

Ding ding!

(ignoring the comment) But still, it’s amazing that you can get all that for under 20,000 yen. Technology has come a long way.

Totally! Next up is this:

PLAYTECH / GSH1 Hanging Guitar Stand

A guitar stand?

Yeah, one of my stands at home is starting to wear out.

One of them? How many do you have?!

I have one hanging stand, one that supports just the body, a multi-guitar stand, and one I keep in the van for gigs.

That’s quite a collection.

But the part that holds the headstock on the hanging stand is starting to loosen.

Really? I’ve never had that problem.

Oh, that’s probably because all your guitars are headless!

True! (laughs)

Nailed it! (laughs) As expected from a fan of headless guitars.

Anything else?

Well, every year I’ve been wanting this one:

VALENCIA / VC304CE

Ah, the electric nylon-string guitar! You say that every year (laughs).

I just can’t get over it… Maybe this year I’ll buy it and finally move on (laughs).

You say that like you’re planning to regret it! (laughs) Well, you won’t know until you try, right?**

Exactly! Next on my “can’t let go” list:

SHURE / BLX14J/P31 Wireless Headset

Here we go again! Haven’t we heard this a few times already? (laughs)

This is more of a long-term plan.

And by that, you mean?

I’m going to use it for a live performance in 2025! I want to get it this year and get used to it.

Oh, you’re making a bold declaration!

I’m just saying it for now!

You’re just saying it? (laughs)

It’s been a dream of mine for a long time, so I want to take my time with it.

I’m rooting for you (sarcastically)

Also, I can’t stop thinking about this Jazzmaster-style guitar I tried at a music shop in Sendai...

Is there something special about it?

Yeah. It’s got an F-hole, it’s semi-hollow, and really light. The grip felt perfect, like it was made for me! The sound was right up my alley too.

That sounds like a must-buy.

It’s a bit pricey though… I keep thinking about it, so I might go back and try it out again.

Good luck with that!

I’ve been wondering why I want it so much, and then I remembered that the guitar kind of looks like the signature model I sketched out during that signature model brainstorming session we did.

Active Band Man Chats - Signature Model Part 4

The Jazzmaster with the F-hole, right?

Future vision!

I think that’s just a coincidence (laughs). But seriously, you’ve still got some gear lust.

Of course! Now, let’s hear about what Horry wants.

Hmm… do I have anything?

You must!

Let me think… As far as live gear goes, I’m pretty satisfied. But for home use, maybe?

Oh?

I’ll keep it vague, but that ZOOM R4 MultiTrack you mentioned earlier sounds interesting...

Oh, Horry too? Are we going to match again?

Yes, as I mentioned before, I’ve been spending a lot of time at my parents' house recently. Last year, I ended up buying quite a bit of gear for use there, but now I’m thinking of adding an MTR (multi-track recorder) as well. Carrying around an MTR can be a hassle, right? A handy recorder is fine, but there aren’t many compact options when it comes to more advanced recorders.

Yeah, it can be a bit of a hassle.

That’s why having a simple one at my parents’ place would be great. I could easily record quick ideas, and for transferring files, I could just use an SD card or send them digitally. It’s really become so convenient these days.

Totally. Anything else?

Hmm… oh yeah, I’d like some sort of distortion pedal to use as a booster when I play EUB or fretless bass.

So you do want live gear (laughs).

You’re right (laughs). I’ve been using the PGS MONOLITH and the EWS Stormy Bass Drive, but I think it’s time for a change. Boost pedals tend to make the sound too sharp, so maybe I’ll try an EQ instead.

EWS / Stormy Bass Drive

Yeah, you can boost specific frequencies or the overall sound. An EQ gives you more flexibility.

(Looking through a list of bass EQs on Soundhouse) **Hmm? Sonic Stomp Pro? When did BBE release a new version of the Sonic Stomp?

Horry, you love the Sonic Stomp, don’t you?

Yeah. I already have two BBE MS92s, but this one has piqued my interest. Turns out it’s been out for about a year… I had no idea. This looks great. The old Sonic Stomp only had two knobs—“Lo Contour” and “Process” for adjusting lows and highs—but this new one has a “Focus” knob for the mids.

BBE / SSPRO Sonic Stomp Pro Peda

I definitely want to try this out. It says delivery takes about four months, but I’ll probably buy it this year, for sure (laughs). Besides that, I’ll take my time looking for something to replace my booster.

Anything else? There’s gotta be more, right?

You really want me to dig deep, huh? (laughs) Well, last year I started playing 5-string bass, so maybe I should look into gear for that.

It’s different from 4-string gear?

I’m not sure yet. Right now, I’m using the same gear I use for my 4-string, but I feel like it’s not bringing out the full sound of the 5-string. I’ll need to explore options, maybe a preamp? I wish someone would recommend something to me (laughs).

Sorry, I’ve got no ideas.

I figured (laughs). Oh, and another 5-string bass.

Wait, don’t you already have one?

Yeah, but I play an Ibanez headless 5-string at gigs, and I keep a Yamaha TRBX305 at my parents' place. But playing them has made me curious about other 5-strings.

That’s how it starts…

I started with the Ibanez, but the Yamaha feels totally different. Now I’m wondering what else is out there. So I want another one (laughs). Probably not a headless one this time, though. I’m leaning towards a more traditional design.

Not a headless one?

And that’s about it… A recorder for my parents’ house, a 5-string bass, gear for the 5-string, a booster for the EUB and fretless bass, and the Sonic Stomp Pro… I guess I do want quite a bit (laughs).

There it is (laughs). And the reason for it all?

Because of love!