PRS Gary Grainger Signature. With credits that include John Scofield, Dennis Chambers, and Frank Gambale, Gary Grainger is no stranger to the studio or stage. PRS’s new Gary Grainger Signature ($11,700 list and street) is a custom Private Stock 5-string featuring four single-coil pickups combined into two separate hum-canceling pickups. The maple neck has a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and the body’s carved, curly-maple top looks magnificent in purple. PRS Guitars, (410) 643-9970, www.prsguitars.com.

Ibanez ATK. Ibanez heralds the return of the beast! The big-body, big-neck ATK bass, which enjoyed popularity during the ’90s, returns in three models: ATK700 ($933 list, $700 street), ATK300 ($665 list, $500 street) and the ATK305 5-string ($706 list, $530 street). All three have light ash bodies. The 700 boasts a quilted-maple top and a five-piece maple/walnut neck, while the 300 and 305 have a three-piece maple neck with maple fingerboard. Ibanez, 800-669-8262, www.ibanez.com.

Gretsch “Billy-Bo” Jupiter Thunderbird Bass. Deep space and the deep south converge via two guitar greats to take form as the Gretsch G6199B Jupiter Thunderbird Bass ($3,450 list, $2,760 street). The odd shape is based on the original Jupiter Thunderbird guitar that Bo Diddley designed and gave to ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons. The G6199B bass features dual TV Jones Thunder’Tron pickups and a newly designed Space Control bridge. Who do you love? Gretsch, www.gretschguitars.com.

Squier Affinity Jazz Bass V. Players with an affinity for genuine 5-string Jazz Bass flavor—but lacking in a genuinely generous budget—might consider the Squier Affinity Jazz V ($332 list, $265 street). Its one-piece maple neck has a rosewood fingerboard, and the alder body is of classic design. Squire, 800-488-1818, www.squierguitars.com.

Daisy Rock Candy Custom Bass. Mmmm, custom candy. Actually, the new Daisy Rock Candy Custom ($639 list, $450 street) is not unlike the regular Rock Candy Bass, but it does have upgraded electronics including a Duncan-designed humbucker, and it’s available in the far-out Dark Star finish, one of the company’s most popular guitar finishes. Spacey and tasty. Daisy Rock, (818) 891-5999, www.daisyrock.com

Randall RB Series. The respected guitar amp guys at Randall are now in the bass business. The model names of the RB750 ($1,499 list, $1,160 street), RB500 ($1,149 list, $900 street), and RB300 ($949 list, $760 street) reflect their wattages at 4ž. Each solid-state head is built with tube-emulating Valve-Dynamic power; they have similar features, including footswitchable overdrive with level control, compression, and xlr direct out. RB Series cabinets include the RB810XLT ($1,349 list, $1,075 street), RB412XLT ($1,099 list, $880 street), RB410XLT ($949 list, $760 street), and RB115XLT ($649 list, $500 street). The XLT cabinets have a powder-coated metal grille, while the XL cabinets are have a black grille cloth. Randall Amplifiers, 800-877-6863, www.randallamplifiers.com.

Ashdown Classic Series. The name of this high-end series from the British manufacturer sounds, well, Classic—but a progressive twist on neodymium speaker technology was instrumental to its development. The full line (prices unavailable at press time) consists of two heads, the Klystron 500 and 1000; three 500-watt combos, the 115, 210, and 410; and four cabinets, an 810, 410, 115, and 115/410. Ashdown claims its new neo drivers deliver tonal consistency over a wide volume range with minimal distortion. The heads and combos include a 4-way footswitch that controls the compressor, sub-harmonic generator, tube grind, and EQ pre-shape. Ashdown Music, www.ashdownmusic.com

Electro-Harmonix Clone Theory. This new clone of the classic Clone Theory chorus pedal won’t take up as much room on the floor as its former incarnation. The Clone Theory Stereo Chorus Vibrato (prices unavailable at press time) is compact and simply designed to deliver lush chorus and vibrato that can be spatially maximized in stereo. Three modes include chorus 1, chorus 2, and vibrato. Electro-Harmonix, www.ehx.com.

Dean Markley PT-13 Chromatic Pedal Tuner. Dean Markley’s new PT-13 Chromatic Pedal Tuner ($119, $90 street) looks truly stompworthy and easy to read. Made of die-cast metal, it has a large, stage-friendly display with 15 LED pitch-indicator lights. Accurate within ±1 cent, the PT-13 goes down to 27.5Hz, which covers the low B on a 5-string bass. Dean Markley, 800-800-1008, www.deanmarkley.com.

Electro-Voice REV Wireless System. Many wireless systems are designed primarily to accommodate the human voice, but E-V’s REV system includes a setting optimized for bass and guitar. A complete professional system consists of a REV-BP bodypack transmitter, REV-S single receiver, and MAC-G2 cord ($2,695 list, $1,900 street). In guitar mode, the transmitter adds a 20dB pad, moves the low-end response down to 30Hz to accommodate a 5-string’s low B, and changes the audio compander settings to respond like an actual instrument cable. Electro-Voice, 877-863-4166, www.electrovoice.com.