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WHO IS BRUCE EGNATER?
Bruce was born & raised in Detroit, Michigan and started playing guitar at age 13. Through years of playing in local rock bands, he found himself constantly tinkering with his gear to get new sounds. After attending the University of Detroit Engineering School, he opened a guitar and amplifer repair shop in 1975. Bruce's shop (The Amp Lounge) still operates in the Detroit (Berkley) area.
He is known for his TOL (Tone of Life) MICA series of amplifiers as well as for his collaboration with Rocktron. The latter resulted in the TOL100 and TOL50 head-and-combo amplifiers, the IE4 preamplifier, and the Vendetta 100W head and combo.
Bruce's most recent amplifiers (MOD50/MOD100) and preamplifiers (M4) use a modular architecture, which supports 2-4 vacuum tube-based modules in a footswitchable configuration. By changing out the modules, a wide variety of classic guitar tones can be achieved. There are 12 modules currently available, covering amplifier styles from classic Fender/Marshall/Vox tones through modern high gain tones.
Bruce's collaboration with Randall Amplifiers resulted in the Randall MTS series of guitar amplifiers and preamplifiers, which follow the same modular design but use less expensive parts than amplifiers Bruce builds and sells himself. The Randall models include the RM100 head & combo, RM80 combo, RM50 head & combo, RM20 head & combo, RM4 preamplifier, RT2/50 power amplifier, and close to 20 modules. Several endorsees of the Randall modular system include Ty Tabor of King's X, George Lynch, Dan Donegan of Disturbed, Brad Delson of Linkin Park, and recently Kirk Hammett of Metallica. Bruce has also contributed to the designs of the Randall RG50TC, RH50T, V2, and T2 amplifiers.
Ernie Ball Strums in 2008 with New Titanium-Coated Slinky Acoustic
In a revolutionary movement sure to uplift plain strings from problematic weakness and breakage, Ernie Ball is proud to introduce its new Slinky Acoustic sets, featuring patented coated Titanium RPS Technology that resists rust and grime to produce a bright and powerful tone time after time.
A long-awaited development, Ernie Ball’s coated titanium Slinky Acoustic sets are stronger and longer-lasting than traditional coated and uncoated strings thanks in part to an exclusive protective coating on both the wrap wire and the plain strings as well as a patented winding of titanium wire around the lock twist of the ball end. Staying true to Ernie Ball’s heritage of superb craftsmanship and sound quality, the Slinky Acoustic sets are also made with the finest and freshest raw materials, resulting in a crisp ringing sound with pleasing overtones.
“As far as we’re concerned, plain strings need the same protection as wound strings, and this is the long-awaited solution,” said Brian Ball of the Ernie Ball Company. “These strings are resistant to corrosion and dirt and are stronger all around than any we’ve seen.”
Enhancing the inherent string quality and freshness is Ernie Ball’s new string packaging – the company’s first new string packaging concept in more than 45 years. Produced and now hermetically sealed into their packages at Ernie Ball’s desert headquarters in Coachella, CA, the Slinky Acoustic strings are exposed to minimal moisture and humidity from factory to retailer – ensuring that all strings are as fresh upon opening as they were the day they were made.
Ernie Ball Unveils New Hermetically Sealed Protective String Packaging
New this year, Ernie Ball’s modernized packaging methods ensure that your new string sets sound factory-fresh from the moment you open the package – and will retain their just-opened tone and appeal for even longer than before.
A recognized pioneer in the world of strings, Ernie Ball has revitalized its more than 45-year-old packaging concept, utilizing a new process that hermetically seals the strings into their packaging for increased resistance to moisture and impurities. Produced and packaged at Ernie Ball’s desert headquarters in Coachella, CA, the strings are exposed to minimal airborne pollutants and humidity from factory to retailer – ensuring that all products are as fresh upon opening as they were the day they were made.
“This is the first time we’ve redesigned our packaging in over 45 years – and we’ve done ourselves proud,” said Brian Ball of the Ernie Ball Company. “New technologies are allowing us to take string preservation to the next level, and what better place to start than with the packaging? This is yet another way for us to ensure that your strings play the same and last as long as if you snagged them right off the factory floor.”
The new packaging also employs use of a high-gloss foil and Ernie Ball’s signature color coded system, making the right Ernie Ball strings easy to find and impossible to ignore under bright store lights – plus, the company has put an end to counterfeit strings through the application of a genuine Element Shield Hologram.
Looking to bolster your collection of fine Ernie Ball strings, equipment and accessories? These previously introduced products will be available from May 2008:
- Ernie Ball Wah Pedal – Combining a classic Wah sound with Ernie Ball's unmatched engineering, precision and strength
- Ernie Ball Straplocks – Mechanically engineered with a quick-release, 360-degree connection for instrument protection
- Ernie Ball Ultraflex Cables – Flexible, heavy duty instrument, speaker and microphone cables for purity all around
Two years after introducing its most popular amplifier, the ultra-light Little Mark II, De Virgiliis and his team have now taken the company’s state-of-the-art technology to new heights.
The F1 is a 500-watt amplifier that is half the size of the Little Mark II (one rack space) and weighs a mere 4.6 lbs. Its digital power amp and solid-state preamp offer incredible clarity and astonishing power for such a tiny unit. The amp also includes four bands of EQ, VLE and VPF filters, balanced line out and effects loop.
The Markbass Classic Series takes its inspiration from the amps that defined the rock bass sound, but upgrades the tone with an infusion of Markbass core values (loyalty to the source!) and updates the design using top-quality components and the latest lightweight technologies. Central to this undertaking are tubes in the amplifiers, and closed (or sealed) cabinets.
The Classic 300 is an all-tube amplifier that includes a microprocessor that rebiases the tubes every time the amp is turned on, and diagnoses tube failure. This amp will be a cause for celebration among tube amp aficionados, who will appreciate the combination of vintage tone with modern quality and reliability.
The R500 is built for those who like to rock, with a gritty tube preamp and a very loud 500W solid state power amp.
The Classic Series cabinets, the CL 104 (4x10), CL 106 (6x10) and CL 108 (8x10), are all closed cabinets (no bass ports, no tweeters) with B&C 10” neodymium woofers that were designed especially for these models.
A new and shining example of the Markbass philosophy: the Minimark.
AC101 - acoustic musicians finally have an amp to celebrate! This compact combo is powerful and versatile, featuring two channels (one of which accepts a mic input), so you can use two pickups, two instruments, or an instrument and a microphone! Bonus: onboard digital reverb and chorus.
In the short five years since its founding, Markbass has quickly established itself as an industry-leading bass amp manufacturer, renowned for its high quality, light weight, superior reliability and great value. Already well-known around the world, Markbass was launched in the US at Guitar Center in August of 2006. More than 30 GC stores are stocking the brand so far, with more are being added every month.
