bass in the modern era. To celebrate his
enduring influence, Fender recreated his
cherished Shell Pink ’61 Jazz Bass that he Korg TM-50TR Tuner/Metronometer
received from a fan and used with super
With cooperative research from
group Atoms For Peace, to record the Barcelona’s Pompeu Fabra University, and
Peppers’ Stadium Arcadium and their latest expanding on Korg’s popular practice tool
album The Getaway, which was released (the TM-50) Korg releases the TM-50TR, a
last month and debuted at Number 1 compact high-precision tuner, metronome
around the world.
and tone trainer with the ability to analyze
“Flea is a hugely influential and inno- and improve the players sound and techvative musician and icon of the modern nique. Featuring a state-of-the-art Tone
bass,” Fender's Justin Norvell Vice Trainer function, which detects and disPresident, Category, Electric Guitars and plays in real time not only the pitch, but
Basses, told IE. “We are
also the volume and
honored to have such an
brightness of the users
incredible talent as part
tone, as well as the staof the Fender Signature
bility of these aspects,
Series, and to capture
making practice more
and share his unique
efficient.
vision through this
In addition to visual
incredible bass.”
tuning using the meter,
Handcrafted
in
the TM-50TR also proEnsenada, MX, the Flea
vides Sound Out and
Jazz Bass possesses an
Sound Back functions.
offset alder body and
The Sound Out function
Korg's TM-50TR
eye-catching Road Worn
produces a reference tone
faded shell pink nitrocellulose lacquer fin- from the internal speaker or headphones,
ish, perfectly replicating his personal allowing the user to tune by ear. The
instrument as it exists today—complete Sound Back function generates the referwith playing wear. This signature bass ence tone that’s closest to the input sound,
plays fast and easy with a 20-fret “C”- letting the user check the pitch simultaneshaped maple neck, 7.25” radius rosewood ously by eye and ear, enabling the user to
fingerboard, and 1.5” wide nut. Dual tune accurately and develop a stronger
Pure Vintage ’64 Jazz Bass single-coil pick- sense of pitch.
ups provide classic tone with clear articuThe TM-50TR lets users choose from fiflation, clear low end definition, up-front teen metronome rhythms, allowing for
midrange punch and singing high end. training in a diverse variety of styles includThe model is completed by a special 4-bolt ing classical, rock, and jazz. The TM-50TR
neck plate with engraved artwork by Flea. and will be available in two colors: silver or
MSRP is $1199.00. Fender.com offer details black. It's available now for a $59.99 MSRP
and a demo of Flea's new Bass.
Visit www.korg.com for info.
Metromanometer
By David Gedge
GIVE 'EM A FLEA BASS
Flea and his
Fender Flea
Jazz Bass
Flea Flicker
Fender Flea Jazz Bass
Fender has announced its collaboration
with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ innovator and
bassist Flea for the launch of the Flea Jazz
Bass, as part of the popular Fender
Signature Series. Fender and Flea have
crafted a uncanny recreation of his classic
Shell Pink ’61 Jazz Bass, focusing on every
last detail of his most beloved instrument.
“The ’61 Fender Jazz Bass is magic. It's
truly the greatest bass I’ve ever played,”
says Flea. “Fender embodies everything I
love about music and individuality. It
reflects the soul of rock, punk, R&B and
funk. It's this bass that pushes me to give
more each time I play. The Flea Jazz Bass is
a true resurrection and possesses that
wave of energy a bass should give you
when it’s in your hands.”
Flea’s funk and jazz-influenced bass
lines helped propel the Red Hot Chili
Peppers to rock and alternative chart
heights while redefining the role of the
54 illinoisentertainer.com august 2016