Boss

Win $1,000 in Boss gear and pedals autographed by pro guitarists by entering the Big Boss Giveaway. Just listen to the featured riff on the Boss site, and pick out the Boss Distortion or Overdrive pedal that is used to make that particular tone. Easy!  

The new BOSS eBand JS-8 combines digital audio playback of songs and backing tracks with a suite of real BOSS guitar effects for the most enjoyable practice / rockstar role-play sessions ever.  

They've dominated the stompbox effects field for decades, so it should come as no surprise that they've been at work at a stompbox-style live voice processor. The Boss VE-20 Vocal Performer is announced today.  

Often touted as the "classical hip hop artist," Emily Wells feels comfortable with a violin, a glockenspiel, all manner of "typical" rock instruments... and the BOSS RC-50, which helps her integrate her diverse sources. And when your entire set is based on live loops, you want a looper that backs you up.  

If you're a serious electric guitarist, I'm quite sure that you've always cherished the sound of the 1963 Fender Reverb. The problem is that you really can't bring it with you always, with vintage gear being heavy. The Boss FRV-1 is now shipping to bring this classic in a tight small package with the blessings of Fender.  

If you've found yourself ignoring your old Boss MT-2 Metal Zone because it just didn't live up to your expectations, you'll want to hear about the Monte Allum mod that'll reignite your love for gain. GW Guest Blogger Scott Wilcox reports.  

No surf guitarist or country picker worth their sex-wax or salt-lick (respectively) would gig without a Fender Reverb Unit, or at least a spring reverb that sounded sufficiently Fender-y. Now you can get that classic, dirty, spongy tone in the COSM-powered BOSS FRV-1 Fender Reverb Pedal.  

Luke Mulholland is nineteen, he's already toured with Bon Jovi and Dicky Betts, and he hasn't yet received his bachelor's degree. Um. Well, maybe you can take solace in using one of the same pedals that he does, the venerable Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner. Hear about that useful item, and prepare for jealousy as Luke talks about playing video games on his tour bus.  

We at Gearwire are mostly used to mutlieffects processor demos that involve men of a certain age and hairstyle playing every pedal emulation known to man in the middle of a crowded, florescent cattle call in the middle of some faroff city we never actually get to see.

But this is different. Willis P. Jenkins once again treats us to his earnest, optimistic one-man-band stylings, all while seated in front of a Pegasus quilt. No, really -- look for it.

 

We met Rob Marcello at Winter NAMM '08 last year where he was demoing the BOSS GT-10, and at Winter NAMM '09, he's back to put his foot down on the ME-70. Though its not BOSS' flagship line of pedals, don't go saying "Oh, how the mighty have fallen" just yet. Rob shows off some of his favorite sounds, and maybe he'll show you that you don't have to plunk down the dough for a GT-10 when the ME-70 might have what you need.  

Though necessary, a guitar tuner isn't usually the most interesting piece of equipment in a guitarist's rig. BOSS tries to change that a little bit with the TU-88, which boasts dual functionality as a headphone amp and practice tool as well.  

We asked Boss "how big a tuner is TOO big a tuner?" to which Boss replied "shut up!" Then they showed us the new Boss TU-1000 guitar and bass tuner, and truly, we were silenced. As will your output be when you activate this massive tuner!  

The popular TU series of tuners from Boss gets a little brush-up for Winter NAMM 2009. We see the TU-12EX, the successor to the TU-12 and hear about its updates.  

Oh, baby
I dedicate this demo to all the pretty bass distortion pedals (to all the pretty bass distortion pedals)
And the ugly bass distortion pedals, too

 

Not all of us are the John Baptiste Philouzas of drum programming. For those of you who aren't (or those of you just looking for a simple groove to get your creative juices flowing) the BOSS DR-880 has EZ Compose mode.  

Sarah Welder (violin) and Noah Hewett-Ball (vox, keys, guitar) of the band Cabin feel about the Boss GT-6 basically the same way Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock felt in Speed about their harrowing, near-death experiences with respect to its effect on their relationship. Here's hoping Noah isn't replaced by Jason Patric in Cabin 2.  

Using the big kahuna of BOSS' Dr. Rhythm series, Bill Holland gets you going on beat-making. The DR-880 is a suitable replacement for Octopus Man, your band's dream drummer that got away, citing artistic differences.  

Back at Proletarian Production's HQ, Tristan James manipulates a Boss RC-50 Loop Stations in much the same way that corporate-controlled media manipulates the middle class's view of world events.  

With the ability to overdub in studio, sometimes bands have to be selective on which parts and instruments they can bring to the stage. Juan Dies shows us the Boss Super Shifter used in Sones De Mexico's "Four Sticks," which adds another imaginary member to the band.  

The AfterLies, a new rock n roll act based in the North Central metrpolis of Bartow, talk about guitars, amps, effects and marriage.  

Sam Bevan, like most of the players in Aram Danesh And The Superhuman Crew, is a long-time multi-genre musician from the San Francisco Bay area. He talks a little about bass gear and pedals.  

Owen O'Malley concludes his look at the Boss RC-50 Loop Station with an a cappella set of single loops featuring:

Owen O'Malley: Backup Vocals
Owen O'Malley: Backup Vocals
Owen O'Malley: Backup Vocals
Owen O'Malley: Backup Vocals
Owen O'Malley: Backup Vocals
Owen O'Malley: Backup Vocals
Owen O'Malley: Backup Vocals

And of course,
Owen O'Malley: Lead Vocals  

In our last video, Owen O'Malley broke out his beatboxing skillz. After honing his skills, he's beatboxed his way into a fully fledged funky ditty with bass, vocals and guitar thrown in. Here, he shows how to weave each part in and out on stage.  

Owen O'Malley breaks out his beatboxing skills in this video with the Boss RC-50 Loop Station. He challenges himself to a beatboxing match and ends up winning and losing by referee's decision.  

Owen O'Malley continues his look at the Boss RC-50 Loop Station pedal, this time examining the top panel, the footswitches and the process of getting things done on one of the most complex-to-operate effects in the normally stomp on, stomp off guitar world.  

Owen O'Malley pays homage to Wilson from Home Improvement. Why not head over to the backyard to get some neighborly advice about the Boss RC-50 -- or about how to raise your three sons and their vaguely mullet-like haircuts.  

Bill Holland has a secret. He doesn't like to talk about it, and doesn't really like people to know about it, but the Boss SL-20 Slicer pedal inspired to Bill to make a moving pronouncement at Summer NAMM: he plays the guitar.  

Shoegaze outfit, Dead Leaf Echo, talk about their live gear set up.  

Currently, Alison Chesley is performing live as Helen Money, a solo cello act like you've never heard before. The BOSS RC-20XL Loop Station makes this possible, but it's not without its pros and cons.  

David Schwartz demonstrates some of the many timbres, tones and effects that can only be created on a fretless instrument, like the Godin Multiac Fretless Nylon guitar he's brought in. Microtones and Glissandos are only the beginning!