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Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 341


Cort Guitars Now Shipping A5 Plus SCFF Bass
Basses

Cort Guitars Now Shipping A5 Plus SCFF Bass

Cort Guitars has expanded their Artisan Bass Collection to include a fanned-fret design. The A5 Plus SCFF is a five-string bass that has a scale that spans from 34 inches on the G string to 35.5 inches on the B string. “This design modification and a corresponding single-string hardtail bridge improve tension and enhance the tonal response of each string,”...

Casey Abrams Releases “Put A Spell On You”
New Albums

Casey Abrams Releases “Put A Spell On You”

Casey Abrams has returned with Put A Spell On You, a 13-song album that ranges from originals to covers and jazz standards. The singer/bassist, who famously competed on American Idol, lays it down on the double bass while belting out lyrics. The album was recorded as part of Chesky Records’ Binaural+ series and as such was recorded with a Theoretica...

BackBeat Wearable Subwoofer Available for Preorder
Accessories & Strings

BackBeat Wearable Subwoofer Available for Preorder

Bassist Yerko Sepulveda has introduced a new device for bassists called the BackBeat. The wearable, portable unit straps to the back of your strap and acts as rumble pack to let you feel the your notes as vibrations. This is especially helpful for modern bassists who use in-ear monitors and players who have to keep a low stage volume. “Designed...

The Melvins: The Bit
Bass Videos

The Melvins: The Bit

If you love huge, nasty bass sounds then you’re going to like this. The Melvins stopped by Australian radio station 3RRR for a live-to-air set including this performance of “The Bit.” Steven Shane McDonald conjures up a bass tone that sounds like it could be used to smash boulders. He anchors the song with sludgy riffs punctuated with gnarly fills,...

Thundercat’s “Drunk” Remixed to Create “Drank”
New Albums

Thundercat’s “Drunk” Remixed to Create “Drank”

Thundercat’s 2017 release, Drunk, was a groundbreaking, genre-bending album that featured tons of guest artists from Kendrick Lamar to Michael McDonald. Now the bassist has released Drank, a “chopped ‘n’ screwed” remix by DJ Candlestick and OG Ron C. The remix style, which originates from Houston, slows the tempo and skips beats for a syrupy, dreamlike atmosphere. “It messes with...

Songbird FX Releases USB to 9V Pedal Power Cable
Accessories & Strings

Songbird FX Releases USB to 9V Pedal Power Cable

Songbird FX has released the Birdcord, a USB to 9-volt adapter cable that allows you to power your pedals with a USB socket. Simply plug the USB end into your computer or a USB power bank and the 2.1mm DC plug into your effect. The cord can also be used to power mini amps. The company writes that it converts...

Ortus: An Interview with Jon von Boehm
Interviews

Ortus: An Interview with Jon von Boehm

Bassist Jon von Boehm has returned with his sophomore solo album, entitled . As opposed to his self-titled debut that featured a large cast of musicians, the new release focuses on the bassist’s unique compositions in a trio format with Michael Green on drums and John Gallo on guitar with guest spots by vocalist Jesse Rose Brassfield and bass guru...

Pat Torpey and Billy Sheehan: Big Drums Jam
Bass Videos

Pat Torpey and Billy Sheehan: Big Drums Jam

Last month we lost the great Mr. Big drummer, Pat Torpey, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. His music, of course, will live on forever. Here’s an incredible jam taken from the drummer’s instructional video, Big Drums, featuring bandmate Billy Sheehan tearing it up. It’s no wonder the duo’s musical connection helped propel Mr. Big into stardom. Their groove locks...

In Memoriam: Peter “Mars” Cowling
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Peter “Mars” Cowling

More sad news to report today: Peter “Mars” Cowling has passed away. He was 72 years old. Fellow bassist Rodney O’Quinn helped break the news on his Facebook page. “On behalf of The Cowling/Clark Family, with a heavy heart, the music world, and especially the bass community has lost another great one,” he wrote. “Peter “Mars” Cowling, best known as...

MOD Kits DIY Unveils the Rock Bottom Bass Fuzz Pedal Kit
Pedals & Effects

MOD Kits DIY Unveils the Rock Bottom Bass Fuzz Pedal Kit

Bassists interested in building their own effects have a new option with the MOD Kits DIY Rock Bottom Bass Fuzz pedal kit. Designed for novice and experienced musicians, the kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions as well as all the necessary parts. “The Rock Bottom is a bass fuzz kit that delivers all the sizzle you’d expect from a vintage fuzz...

Nicole Row Joins Panic! At The Disco
News

Nicole Row Joins Panic! At The Disco

Earlier this year we reported that longtime bassist Dallon Weekes left the ranks of Panic! At The Disco. The band is back in action again with a new bass player: Nicole Row. Row made her debut with the band on March 19th at a secret show in Cleveland. Row is no new-comer to the music scene. She’s performed alongside Troye...

In Memoriam: Buell Neidlinger
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Buell Neidlinger

Sad news to report today: bassist Buell Neidlinger has passed away after a heart attack. He was 82 years old. Born in New York City, Neidlinger’s family moved to Westport, Connecticut when he was two years old. He was a prodigy on the cello, switching to bass at 13. He was a student of Count Basie Orchestra bassist Walter Page,...