Archive for May 2011 - Page 6

Rotosound have expanded their Swing Bass line of strings to include a set of 45-100 gauge nickel strings. The company says the new set of nickel strings have a more muted and smoother tone than its stainless steel brethren, which make up most of the Swing Bass series, and that they offer a softer feel. As with the rest of...

Stanley Clarke turns 60 years old on June 30, 2011, and he’s starting the celebration early. Starting tonight, Clarke is holding a number of birthday celebration performances, with shows in Los Angeles and New York “featuring good friends and surprise special guests”. The L.A. shows will be held at Catalina’s tonight through May 14th at 8pm and 10pm each night....

Bassist and Twitter friend Joshua Pickenpaugh shares this unique video with us, with him playing a 4-part version of “The Chicken”, the Pee Wee Ellis tune made popular by Jaco Pastorius. What makes this especially cool is that Joshua recorded each part in a different country: France, Spain, Italy and Greece, during his gig on the Navigator of the Seas...

Gov’t Mule frontman Warren Haynes has released a new soulful solo album, Man in Motion. For the project, Haynes explains he made a “wishlist” of band members, including the Meters’ George Porter Jr. on bass. The legendary New Orleans bassist’s groove permeates the album’s 10 soul-laden tracks, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the group. Besides the Meters...

LeCompte Electric Basses has announced the Charlie Padilla Maqueo Signature Model, available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions. The single cutaway bass features solid body construction with a choice of woods and a slim, 24-fret set-neck. Standard features include a Nordstrand pickups, Hipshot hardware and a satin finish. Charlie Padilla Maqueo is the bassist for the Mexican rock band ELAN,...

Bassist Scott Mulvahill first wrote this tune, “Leaving Home”, five years ago when he left for college. He recently added a bit to the composition and shared the update. Thanks, Josh, for sharing this one with us!

Guitarist Steve Khan has released his latest effort, Parting Shot, a percussion-driven album recorded with the help of bassist Anthony Jackson. Khan, who began his musical career in the 70’s, formed a quartet in 1981 dubbed “Eyewitness”, including himself, Jackson on bass, Manolo Badrena on percussion and Steve Jordan on drums. This recording features the latest line-up for Eyewitness, with...

Meet Carol Moxley a bassist from Fort Worth, Texas and our player in the spotlight for May 10, 2011. Bio: I’ve studied music since age 5 – piano and later guitar, acoustic and classical. My first ‘gig’ was in kindergarten, when I played in church. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t performing in one capacity or another, one...

Common injuries that rob bassists of stage time Let’s start with an overview of the most common types of injuries bassists experience, the dreaded tendonitis, also known as repetitive stress injury, which will usually be felt in the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, or neck and shoulder. As repetitive stress injury suggests, overuse is the cause of symptoms which can include...

Stu Hamm shared this new video of Gretchen Menn’s “Oleo Strut”, where he lays down a solid groove with drummer John Mader. Stu really lets it rip at the 1:30 mark when he trades some smokin’ solos with the guitarist.

Gibson has released another short scale bass this year, following the announcement of the short scale Thunderbird. The new LP Junior DC Bass features a 30.5” scale, which the company explains is perfect for players with shorter arms and smaller hands. Designed to mix elements of the Les Paul Junior guitar and the 1960 EB-0 bass, the body is solid...

Steve Bunker, a rockabilly player, recently asked me about the “best way to record the upright bass.” While I don’t think there is any one single way that is the best to record every upright bass in every style of music, I have noticed a few things over the years. Get your sound before you walk into the studio This...