
Blues-Rock Superstar Joe Bonamassa and Fender Release Rare ’48 Dual Pro Amplifier
In partnership with Fender, Bonamassa lives up to his mission with the release of a special edition original 1948 Dual Professional guitar amplifier, an extremely rare and collectible model that has never been reissued—until now. Three-time GRAMMY-nominated Joe Bonamassa is celebrating his 26th #1 Billboard Blues album “Tales Of Time” this week. Joe is known for “keeping the blues alive” through his adventurous albums, stellar live performances, and his Keeping The Blues Alive foundation, which provides scholarships to schools and artists in need. Another creative way he does this is by collecting and preserving important, historic musical gear. Now, in partnership with Fender, Bonamassa lives up to his mission with the release of a special edition original 1948 Dual Professional guitar amplifier, an extremely rare and collectible model that has never been reissued—until now. Honored by Guitar World magazine with its Platinum Award of Excellence, the 1948 Dual Professional guitar amplifier is the first Fender amp with two speakers, boasting a striking “V-front” appearance, an early-era Fender classic, and a throaty growl, which can be leveraged for its original lap steel purpose or for blues, rock, or country guitar.An avid collector of the world’s greatest vintage guitars and amplifiers with a deep knowledge of the technical side of his craft, Bonamassa partnered with Fender to revive this classic amp, which otherwise would have been lost to the guitar community. This is Bonamassa’s second piece of vintage gear that Bonamassa has helped bring back to life in partnership with Fender, following the ‘59 Twin-Amp JB Edition released in 2018. “This is an amp that, for a Fender connoisseur, goes back 74 years,” Bonamassa said. “It was one of Leo Fender’s first professional amps made for the stage and they’re extremely rare.” He continues, “Sitting next to it, it just feels like you’re going back in Fender’s history books.”Bonamassa loaned his own prized ’48 Dual Pro to Fender, who, at his request, developed this hand-wired reissued model, which delivers the amazing look, tone, feel and overall vibe of that special vintage tube amp. The amp includes two 6L6 power tubes, two EF806 preamp tubes, and one 12AU7 phase inverter tube to replicate the sound and feel of the unavailable octal tubes in the original. Hand-made in Corona, Calif., the 1948 Dual Professional JB Edition is designed and built to Joe Bonamassa’s specifications and is sure to appeal to his fans, collectors, and pro guitarists everywhere. Priced at $3,499.99.The announcement of the 1948 Dual Professional guitar amplifier comes just after the release of ‘Tales of Time,’ Bonamassa’s sprawling and expansive live concert film and album, shot at the breathtaking Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Joe’s latest #1 Blues album, out now in CD/DVD, CD/BR, vinyl, and digitally, captures a stratospheric performance by the blues-rock titan, as his virtuoso guitar style and unique technique and flair elevate the evening to an almost heavenly high. This incredible undertaking was produced by long-time collaborator and producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Journey). “This live show represents our most progressive and largest production to date, focusing on my most ambitious studio album to date,” commented Bonamassa. “My band was a force of nature on this show, and it truly was a special night.”For more information, please visit jbonamassa.com.Fender Amplifiers Artist Signature Joe Bonamassa Dual Pro Amplifier Demo Video
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Hylight UK Unveils New Handmade Fuzz Pedals
No machines, solder baths, or PCBs, honoring the traditional way pedals were labor-intensively constructed in the ’60s.Hylight Electronics’ designers turn their hands to productions of HyFuzz MK I, HyFuzz MK II, and GENX MK I.We at Hylight UK are proud to announce the production of 3 x fuzz pedals based on a combination of classic fuzzes infused with modern touches. All the pedals are point-to-point hand-wired, with the very best quality components. No machines, solder baths, or PCBs, honoring the traditional way pedals were labor-intensively constructed in the ’60s. This ensures reliability, attention to detail, and military precision in building a truly road-worthy pedal.GenX MK I A modern take on a classic toneVariable bias filter allows for greater soundscapes of tones: from a lagging breakup to ultra-smooth fat sustained fuzz.The Generation X fuzz is housed in a large, robust casing, reminiscent of today’s Moogerfooger pedals, just without wooden sides. Three controls are on the top, labeled Fuzz Sustain, Output Level, and Filter. Generation X pedals will produce distorted fuzz tones based on the sound of the grunge bands of the 90s. Its edgy and smooth sustain will cut through any song. GENX MK I features 3 x handpicked NOS OC81 transistors. The added Filter control varies the voltage fed into the transistors thus changing the tone from smooth to a more aggressive character. Made in zinc-plated Wine Red powder finished case withHyFuzz MK IMk I fuzz uses original germanium OC81D transistors specifically selected by Hylight to offer the correct output frequency and consequently the ideal fuzz tone. Everything is here from a slight ‘push’ in guitar output to all out sustained fuzz. Use the guitar or the pedal’s Output to dial back the signal and bring out the real nuances of your playing and tone. The sound will likely be authentic and akin to the old Original 1965 Fuzz mixed with Studio 2 stompbox as used by The Beatles at Abbey Road. This fuzz will work amazingly with the dialed drive of a Hylight amp to produce in-your-face distortion with a classic sustain found on well-known records. Made in a zinc-plated Gold Green powder finished case with diagonal gold Hylight Logo and function descriptions. MK I features 3 x handpicked NOS OC81 transistors. Powered by a 9V battery or by 9V Power Adapter.HyFuzz MK IIThe re-designed model of the HyFuzz MK II pedal provides constant sharp-dressed suppa fuzz with endless smooth sustain which would work great with guitar harmonics. MK II features 3 x handpicked NOS OC75 transistors. Again, using original germanium transistors, the MK II uses OC75 model Q’s to give a highly saturated output level of fuzz that is both thick and defined. As with all the Hylight Fuzz series, these pedals are designed for the player in mind, be it in the studio, at home, or live. The MK II offers the player a kaleidoscope of potential sounds. Made in a zinc-plated Dark Grey powder-finished case with silver Logo and function descriptions. Powered by 9V battery or by 9V Power Adapter.For more information, please visit hylight.co.uk.
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FINGER ELEVEN Releases Music Video For First New Single In More Than Seven Years, 'Together Right'
Craft Recordings celebrates the enduring career of FINGER ELEVEN with the band’s first collection of hit singles. Spanning over two decades, the “Greatest Hits” album highlights the group’s diverse range with fan favorites, including multi-platinum hit “Paralyzer” and Juno-nominated “One Thing”, plu…
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ADRIAN VANDENBERG Says Former VANDENBERG Bandmates 'Started Six Lawsuits' Against Him Over Band Name
In a new interview with Neil Turbin (ANTHRAX) of The Metal Voice, Dutch guitarist Adriaan “Adje” Van Den Berg (a.k.a. Adrian Vandenberg) was asked if he would ever reunite with former VANDENBERG singer Bert Heerink for some live shows or a studio album. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.N…
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Empress Effects Unleases Heavy Menace
An evolution of their original Heavy, the Heavy Menace offers extended features in a smaller, pedalboard-friendly enclosure.Empress Effects today announced the release of the Heavy Menace, their newest high-gain distortion pedal. An evolution of their original Heavy, the Heavy Menace offers extended features in a smaller, pedalboard-friendly enclosure.“The Heavy Menace is our most versatile distortion pedal ever,” said Steve Bragg, President of Empress Effects. “It offers the essential capabilities of the Heavy, along with enhancements that make it a perfect fit sonically, functionally, and physically for even more high-gain players.”The Heavy earned accolades for its aggressive tones, flexible EQ, and adaptive gate. The 3-position Channel switch on the Heavy Menace selects between the original Heavy and Heaviervoicings for extreme saturation and a new Lite(ish) mode that offers a lower gain option for a more classic crunch. Advancing through the modes adds progressively more gain and high-frequency content.The new pedal retains the Heavy’s powerful tone shaping with a 3-band EQ and Weight control, which adjusts a filter in the distortion circuit to dial in thick, powerful lows or a tight response that’s perfect for palm muting or extended-range guitars. The midrange frequency, controlled by a 3-position switch on the Heavy, is now sweepable from 200Hz-2.5kHz.The adaptive gate clamps down quickly when it detects a fast stop but allows sustained notes to decay naturally. On the Heavy Menace, the gate is foot-switchable, can be used independently of the distortion, and can optionally be controlled by an external signal using the gate key input. This allows consistent operation regardless of changes at the main input, such as stacking pedals earlier in the signal chain.Key new features include: A new Lite(ish) mode in addition to the original Heavy and Heavier modesFootswitchable noise gate that can be linked to the distortion or switched independentlyGate key input to for controlling the noise gate with an external signalSweepable midrange frequencySelectable true or buffered bypassCompact form factorArtwork by Ottawa tattoo artist Kaylie Seaver9V-12V 250mA DC power supply required (sold separately)The Heavy Menace is now shipping. It is available from the Empress Effects website for$249.99 USD and from Empress dealers worldwide.For more information, please visit empresseffects.com.The Empress HEAVY MENACE Pedal! (Distortion & Gate)
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PAUL BOSTAPH Reflects On Worst Show He Ever Played As Member Of SLAYER
During a new appearance on “Put Up Your Dukes”, the podcast hosted by ex-EXODUS singer Rob Dukes, acclaimed San Francisco Bay Area drummer Paul Bostaph, who has toured and/or recorded with SLAYER, TESTAMENT, EXODUS and FORBIDDEN, reflected on the worst concert he ever played. He said (as transcribed…
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THE AGONIST Calls It Quits
Canadian metallers THE AGONIST have officially called it quits after a nearly two-decade run.
Earlier today (Wednesday, May 10), the band released the following statement via social media: “Dear friends, it’s time to make a very difficult but necessary announcement. We have decided that THE AGONIST…

The Top 10 Best Metal Movies Streaming on Thunderflix
Thunderflix app founder and director Samuel Douek list of 10 essential concert films and documentaries currently streaming on his metal-driven streaming app!
The post The Top 10 Best Metal Movies Streaming on Thunderflix appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

TED NUGENT Announces More Dates For 'Adios Mofo '23' Final Tour
Legendary rocker Ted Nugent has announced more dates for his last-ever tour, dubbed “Adios Mofo ’23”.
In a video message explaining his decision to retire from the road, the 74-year-old Nugent said: “This is ‘Adios Mofo’. This is my last tour. Now I’ll always play music. I’ve got new records I’m gon…

FATES WARNING Singer RAY ALDER Shares Music Video For 'Waiting For Some Sun' From Second Solo Album 'II'
Following the fantastic feedback for the first solo album by FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder, “What The Water Wants”, back in 2019, InsideOut Music will release the follow-up effort, “II”, on June 9.
Once again, just like for “What The Water Wants”, the new LP was written with guitarists Mike Abdow…