Brian Eno, DarkRay II Bass, and a Vintage Store Remodel

Brian Eno’s decision to skip Roxy Music’s farewell tour is a reminder that guitar news is not just about gear and gigs. It also reflects the personal choices that shape how artists work now, especially when touring collides with bigger values.

This week also brings a mix of new products and store news that matters to players looking for tone, utility. And inspiration. From a new bass platform to a longtime vintage destination going dark for a remodel, the scene keeps moving.

Brian Eno and Roxy Music’s farewell tour plans

Phil Manzanera said Roxy Music had hoped to bring Brian Eno back for the band’s final run of shows in 2022. But Eno was not interested. His reason was simple and direct: he said he is not flying anymore for environmental reasons. It is a striking note from one of the art-rock era’s most influential figures.

For guitar players, the story is less about a missed reunion than the reality of how artists are navigating touring in a changed world. Farewell tours often promise nostalgia, but they also depend on travel, scheduling, and personal conviction. In this case, Eno’s stance outweighed the appeal of one last lap with the band.

Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay II bass expands the low-end toolkit

On the gear front, Ernie Ball Music Man has introduced the DarkRay II bass. The new model builds on the original DarkRay with fully integrated, polyphonic octave-up and octave-down effects. It also keeps the aggressive, modern feel that made the first version stand out.

The instrument pairs a true 4-string Music Man bass with two built-in distortion voices and a fast-tracking octave section. That combination points squarely at players who want one bass to cover heavyweight tones without adding more pedals to the floor. For bands chasing tight live rigs, that kind of integration can make a real difference.

Bad Cat Unleash V3 aims to tame amp volume without killing feel

Bad Cat Amplifiers has also unveiled Unleash V3, the latest version of its amplifier utility platform. The company says it is designed to give guitarists control over amp volume without compromising sound or feel. At its core, the unit combines a 150-watt reactive load attenuator with a 100-watt ultra-transparent setup.

That matters because volume control is one of the hardest problems in guitar rig building. Players want power-tube character, but they also need usable levels for rehearsal, recording, and smaller stages. A tool like Unleash V3 is aimed at exactly that gap, where tone, practicality. And loudness all have to meet in the middle.

Norman Harris pauses Norman’s Rare Guitars for a remodel

Norman Harris is closing Norman’s Rare Guitars for a remodel, with the store set to reopen in time for Black Friday. Harris said he has stayed in the prehistoric age for long enough, a blunt line that captures both the store’s legacy and the need to update it.

For players, the move is notable because Norman’s Rare Guitars is one of the best-known vintage guitar destinations in the country. A remodel can change the browsing experience, but it also signals that even the most iconic shops have to evolve. In a market where players still want to touch the real thing, the physical store remains part of the culture.