Bass of the Week: Stradi Symphony Stone Bass
A lot of times, basses with exotic burl tops look like they are made out of marble. The Stradi Symphony Stone Bass is a step in that direction. In addition to its unique singlecut body shape, this particular bass is built with a cedar body topped with a thin layer of natural stone. The result is stunning. The bass’s five-piece...
In Memoriam: Pete Overend Watts
Pete Overend Watts, who founded and played bass for Mott the Hoople, has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 69 years old. Born in Yardley, Birmingham, Watts started on guitar while at Ross Grammar School. He switched to bass when he was 18 and eventually started playing professionally with guitarist Mick Ralphs in The Buddies. The band...
Aguilar Amplification Unveils AG 700 Bass Amplifier
Aguilar Amplification has announced the expansion of their AG amplifier series with the AG 700. The company describes their latest creation as having the clarity, dynamic range and fast transient response of their AG 500 with a larger low end and headroom. It offers 700 continuous watts at four ohms while weighing just 4.9 pounds. Its tonal shaping controls include...
The Killers Reissue “Hot Fuss” on Vinyl
In 2004, The Killers took the pop and rock worlds by storm with their debut album Hot Fuss. Propelled by bassist Mark Stoermer’s catchy bass lines, the release garnered hits with “Mr. Brightside”, “Somebody Told Me”, “Smile Like You Mean It,” and “All These Things That I’ve Done.” Now the band has reissued their breakout album on vinyl. Hot Fuss...
Reverend Guitars Unveils Mike Watt Signature Wattplower Bass
Bass legend Mike Watt has teamed up with Reverend Guitars for a special signature bass called the Wattplower. The short-scale bass also features a smaller body and is reminiscent of vintage basses that Watt gravitated towards. “He was always modifying the vintage basses,” Reverend writes, “so Joe Naylor built the Wattplower with all of his favorite mods on board, some...
The Wood Brothers Release Live Album, Announce Tour Dates
The Wood Brothers are back with a new live album and tour for 2017. The trio of guitarist Oliver Wood, bassist Chris Wood, and drummer Jano Rix have just released Live At The Barn, which sees the band performing at a beautiful and bittersweet venue. Late drummer/vocalist Levon Helm regularly featured the Wood Brothers at his barn in Woodstock, New...
Aidan Hampson Releases Red Hot Chili Peppers “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” Bass Transcription Book
Aidan Hampson has once again expanded his library of bass transcriptions, this time focusing on the funk rock work of Flea. More specifically, the book has the bass parts written out for the entire Red Hot Chili Peppers album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. “There are some absolute classics in here, including ‘Give It Away’, ‘Under the Bridge’ and ‘My Lovely...
Geddy Lee Teams with Tech 21 for Signature SansAmp GED-2112
If you got to catch Rush in the past twenty years, you would have seen Geddy Lee on stage with household appliances in lieu of a bass amp. Going direct means relying on preamps for his sound, and now he’s helped to create a signature SansAmp with Tech 21. The Tech 21 Geddy Lee Signature SansAmp GED-2112 is a bass...
Nathan East Returns with “Reverence”
Two years ago and after forty years as first call bassist to the world’s top artists, Nathan East released his debut solo album. Now he’s back with Reverence. The 12-song album features many of the same artists he’s worked with over the years, including Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Kirk Whalum, Yolanda Adams, Chick Corea, and more. The track list includes...
Glockenklang Announces Steamhammer Amp
German amp manufacturer Glockenklang has released the Steamhammer, a 700-watt class D amplifier that sets itself apart from their other lightweight amps by using an ICE power module. Its Class A preamp features a four-band EQ as well as a drive section and effects loop. The amp’s input section starts with a 20 dB pad and a mute switch for...
Hot Tuna Announces Winter 2017 Tour Dates
Birds may fly south for the winter, but tuna flies west. Hot Tuna has announced a string of West Coast dates for February including stops in California, Oregon, and Washington. The legendary duo of guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady will be appearing mostly in their acoustic format with an electric date (featuring drummer Justin Gulp) at The Fillmore...
Hartke Grows HD Series With HD500 Bass Combo
Hartke is expanding their HD series this year with the HD500 Bass Combo. The 500-watt Class D amp weighs in at just 35 pounds and is fitted with a pair of the company’s 10-inch HyDrive speakers. The drivers blend paper and aluminum materials into their speaker cones that add warmth and attack. Its controls include a 3-band EQ plus Hartke’s...