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Archive for March 2012

Taranaki Basses Introduces Acrobat 32 Bass
Basses

Taranaki Basses Introduces Acrobat 32 Bass

German boutique company Taranaki Basses recently unveiled their Acrobat 32, a medium scale bass featuring their own custom pickups. The passive pickups have individual coils for each string, resulting in 8 coils per humbucker. Taranaki describes it as “the most active sounding pickups ever.” Though the bass is open for customization, standard features include a khaya body, walnut top with...

Albert Collins’ “Live From Austin, TX” Finally Released on CD
New Albums

Albert Collins’ “Live From Austin, TX” Finally Released on CD

On October 28, 1991, Albert Collins took the stage in Austin, Texas, performing in front of an audience for Austin City Limits. Collins and his band really tore it up that night, and 17 years later, a DVD of the performance was released. The man holding down the grooves behind the Ice Man was his long-time bassist, Johnny B. Gayden....

Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock and Billy Cobham: “Walkin'”, Live (1983)
Bass Videos

Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock and Billy Cobham: “Walkin'”, Live (1983)

Holy smokes, this is the definition of greatness. In 1983, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock and Billy Cobham took the stage at the Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano, Switzerland to perform as part of town’s annual summer jazz festival. Here, the three legends are performing “Walkin'”, written by Richard Carpenter for Miles Davis. This clip comes from the World of Rhythm...

Lorenzo Feliciati Releases “Frequent Flyer”
New Albums

Lorenzo Feliciati Releases “Frequent Flyer”

Described as “one of the best kept secrets on the European modern jazz scene,” Lorenzo Feliciati‘s influences cover a lot of ground, from jazz to prog-rock and funk. The bassist released his third solo album, Frequent Flyer. Feliciati’s band Naked Truth, which includes King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto, inspired Feliciati to explore Crimson’s music, and even cover the prog band’s...

Dingwall Adds Super P Standard 4 To Super P Series
Basses

Dingwall Adds Super P Standard 4 To Super P Series

Dingwall unveiled the 4-string version of their new Super P model at Musikmesse this year as a follow-up to the SP5 from NAMM. Sharing many of the same features, the Super P Standard 4 is built with a carbon fiber reinforced 5-piece maple neck and 2-3 piece alder body with a high gloss finish. Of course, the morado fingerboard is...

Food for Thought: A Guide to Healthy Eating for the Working Bassist
I Wish I Knew That

Food for Thought: A Guide to Healthy Eating for the Working Bassist

We all know that it’s important to eat right, get exercise, have a healthy lifestyle, and stay away from fried foods and candy, but what does that have to do with playing music? The fact is, playing an instrument is both a mental and physical endeavor that requires a certain amount of fuel. It may not be as strenuous as...

Victor Wooten and Carter Beauford: Zynergy
Bass Videos

Victor Wooten and Carter Beauford: Zynergy

A couple of days ago, we re-shared a video of bassist Victor Wooten and drummer Carter Beauford in studio, recording “Resolution“. Here’s another great video from the duo, this time performing the tune “Zynergy”, from the DVD. The video includes some nice interviews with the guys.

Rocket Juice and the Moon Release Debut Album
New Albums

Rocket Juice and the Moon Release Debut Album

Rocket Juice and the Moon, the super group comprised of Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, Gorillaz/Blur guitarist/vocalist Damon Albarn and Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen have released their debut album, Rocket Juice and the Moon. The new album features 18 tracks by the group, and includes guest appearances by Erykah Badu, Hypnotic Brass and others. As we reported in...

Bass of the Week: Moses Vertical Jump Bass
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Moses Vertical Jump Bass

Known for making graphite necks, Moses Carbon Graphite Guitars has always been into making forward-thinking products, and the Vertical Jump Bass is no exception. Built to be played vertically or horizontally, the bass has a swiveling bout horn for proper balance when wearing it with a strap. The Vertical Jump Bass has a polycarbonate body that comes in three options:...

Bassist Redefined: An Interview With Juan Alderete
Interviews

Bassist Redefined: An Interview With Juan Alderete

Juan Alderete is a man who stays busy. After getting his break with thrash metal outfit Racer X, Alderete now contributes the low-end to progressive rock giants The Mars Volta, whose new album Noctourniquet hit stores this week. The record marks the band’s sixth effort anchored by Aldererte, who joined their ranks in 2003. Additionally, Big Sir released its third...

Stu Hamm: Live Bass Solo at the Montreux Jazz Festival (1988)
Bass Videos

Stu Hamm: Live Bass Solo at the Montreux Jazz Festival (1988)

I sometimes forget how long bassist Stu Hamm has wowing audiences. This is a good reminder: Stu taking a solo during the Montreux Jazz Festival with Joe Satriani, on July 15th, 1988. Fans of Stu will recognize many of his now classic solo pieces here. Stuuuuuuuuuuu!

Flying Colors Release Debut Album
New Albums

Flying Colors Release Debut Album

Drummer Michael Portnoy is making the most of his time since leaving Dream Theater in late 2010. Portnoy, who recently released an album and announced a tour with Adrenaline Mob has another album out, the solo debut by rock supergroup Flying Colors. Flying Colors is the combo of Portnoy teaming up with bassist Dave LaRue, guitarist Steve Morse, vocalist Casey...