Archive for March 2015 - Page 2

Barefaced Audio has introduced the Retro Two10, a 2×10″ bass cabinet that the company says puts out the vibe and power of a sealed 4×10″. Weighing in at 30 pounds, the cab is loaded with a pair of 10CR250 drivers for a vintage tone and power handling up to 400 watts. “We’re excited that the new Two10 is, in many...

We’ve shared videos of David Pastorius adding some high octane bass to Tech N9ne tunes before (including “Questions” and “Worldwide Choppers”). This time around, David adds nothing but straight up groove on “Stop the Sailor”… and some Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, thanks to special guest Brittany Reneé Grant.

Although Chic bassist Bernard Edwards died in 1996, new music featuring his bass prowess is available again on the Chic song, “I’ll Be There.” The 12-inch vinyl single from Chic, featuring Nile Rodgers (Edwards’ Chic bandmate) and The Martinez Brothers is based on an old “lost” analog practice take of for a Chic song called “Love Somebody Today,” according to...

If you’re a fan of Stuart Clayton’s work on No Treble, his book, Advanced Studies for Bass Guitar from Clayton’s Bassline Publishing, should pique your interest. The book, featuring 10 study pieces, teaches players how to master techniques like slapping, fingerstyle and plectrum playing and the use of harmonics. It’s the fourth title in Bassline’s Bass Techniques series, and each...

Warwick is updating the Corvette $$ this year with a version topped by a 3/8-inch piece of colored AAA flamed maple. The bass, which is defined by its dual humbucker pickups, is offered through the Warwick Custom shop. The bass’s body is a solid piece of USA swamp ash paired with a wenge neck and fingerboard. It comes in four,...

When you put a song together with just bass and voice, beautiful things happen. Here’s a great example with the duo of Nastja Nina and Anton Davidyants performing the bassist’s original song “Sokunthea.” The song was first written as a solo bass piece, but Davidyants decided to redo it with Nina doubling the melody. The phenomenal bass playing and blend...

Jazz/hip-hop band BadBadNotGood, featuring Chester Hansen on bass, has teamed up with rapper Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan) to produce the album Sour Soul. The combination of the Canadian jazz trio with a legendary rapper is one that has prompted positive reviews since the CD’s February release. Now, the album, pairs live instrumentation and highly cinematic sound with Ghostface Killah’s raw,...

Every year, Fender announces a new lineup from their Custom Shop that includes at least one bass. The 2015 series includes four basses: the Limited Edition 1955 Precision Bass, the Postmodern Precision Jazz Bass, the 1959 Journeyman Relic Precision Bass, and the 1960 Journeyman Jazz Bass. As part of the Limited Edition series, the Limited Edition 1955 Precision Bass is...

Here’s a clip that will get your foot tapping. Christian McBride and his trio of pianist Christian Sands and drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr. recently visited Seattle’s KPLU for a small set including their take on the classic Wes Montgomery tune “Fried Pies.” The group is firing on all cylinders as they quickly get into a heavy groove. After laying down...

Scott Clendenin, who played bass with Death, has passed away at the age of 47. A cause of death has not been released, though former band manager Eric Greif stated he had been facing health challenges. Clendenin joined the band in 1996 and was featured on 1998’s The Sound of Perseverance. The bassist continued with Death until frontman Chuck Schuldiner’s...

Q: I’d like to ask something about right hand endurance. I’m playing in two metal bands, so some of our songs are rather fast-paced (I play 95% of the time with a pick). When rehearsing, everything seems just okay – no problems. But when playing live, my right tends to get this irregular muscular tension, and after a short bit...

James Brown had tons of hits, and nearly every one of them was driven by an outstanding bass line. This clip from 1969 on The Hollywood Palace proves just that. After being introduced by Sammy Davis, Jr., Brown and his band tear through a medley of “I Got the Feelin,” “Cold Sweat,” “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m...