Skip to main content

Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 420


Aidan Hampson Publishes Best of Coldplay, The Police, and The Eagles Bass Transcription Books
Sheet Music & Instruction

Aidan Hampson Publishes Best of Coldplay, The Police, and The Eagles Bass Transcription Books

Aidan Hampson has added three new books to his library of bass transcriptions with The Best of Coldplay, The Best of The Police, and The Best of The Eagles. “Both Coldplay and The Police use a combination of electric and synth bass, and I’ve endeavored to detail their use of each in as much detail as possible,” Hampson writes. “The...

Mesa Adds 2×10 Cabinet and DI/Preamp Pedal to Subway Series
Amps

Mesa Adds 2×10 Cabinet and DI/Preamp Pedal to Subway Series

In addition to introducing the Subway D-800+ bass amp, Mesa/Boogie has added to the Subway series with a 2×10 Ultra-Lite Cabinet and a Bass DI-Preamp. Both new products are made in Petaluma, California. The Subway Ultra-Lite 2×10 joins the existing 1×12 and 1×15 cabs in the series. It features a pair of 10-inch custom neodymium speakers matched with a high-frequency...

Chemistry Design Werks Introduces the Holeyboard Dragonfly Pedalboard
Accessories & Strings

Chemistry Design Werks Introduces the Holeyboard Dragonfly Pedalboard

Chemistry Design Werks has introduced an innovative new pedalboard called the Holeyboard Dragonfly. Building on their original Holeyboard design, the Dragonfly can be set up in 10 configurations without the need of additional parts. It extends from 26 inches all the way up to 42 inches and has a moveable top shelf for flexibility. Built from aircraft grade 6061 series...

Ear Trumpet Labs Introduces Nadine Upright Bass Microphone
Pickups

Ear Trumpet Labs Introduces Nadine Upright Bass Microphone

Double bassists have a new option for amplifying their instrument with the Ear Trumpet Labs Nadine microphone. The medium-large diaphragm condenser mic is specifically designed for upright bass with its low end tuned to give a flat response at the mounting distance. Its cardioid pickup pattern is designed to pick up as much of the bass’s top as possible while...

In Memoriam: Bob Cranshaw
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Bob Cranshaw

Sad news to report today: bass legend Bob Cranshaw has passed away after battling stage 4 cancer. He was 83. Born in Evanston, Illinois in 1932, Cranshaw picked up the bass in high school. He played in several groups in his youth, eventually starting his more than a 50-year musical relationship with saxophonist Sonny Rollins in 1959. He became a...

Emily Zuzik and Tim Lefebvre Release “Angelenos”
New Albums

Emily Zuzik and Tim Lefebvre Release “Angelenos”

Vocalist Emily Zuzik has teamed up with bassist Tim Lefebvre to release Angelenos. The six-song EP was created by the Los Angeles-based collective as a sort of homage to the city. Zuzik describes it as “the soundtrack for driving at night in Los Angeles.” The EP also features Gary Novak on drums with a host of special guests: Tyler Greenwell,...

Bass of the Week: Höfner Guitars Gold Label Paisley 500/2 Club Bass
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Höfner Guitars Gold Label Paisley 500/2 Club Bass

Höfner’s Gold Label series gives the company a chance to make limited runs of special designs created by their master luthiers in Hagenau, Germany. This week we’re checking out a version of their 500/2 Club bass that’s finished in a retro, 60’s paisley top. “Introduced in 1964 the Club bass has for many years only been available in Sunburst,” Höfner...

BBE Introduces Mini Sonic Stomp MS-92 Pedal
Pedals & Effects

BBE Introduces Mini Sonic Stomp MS-92 Pedal

BBE’s Sonic Stomp now comes in a compact pedal called the MS-92. The stompbox is a pedalboard-friendly version of their Sonic Maximizer, which is designed to improve clarity and definition in your signal. It features the same all-analog processor as the larger SS-92 with a new circuit board and control layout for a smaller chassis. It has two controls: Process...

TC Electronic Introduces Black Polytune Clip-On Tuner
Accessories & Strings

TC Electronic Introduces Black Polytune Clip-On Tuner

TC Electronic has introduced a black version of their Polytune Clip-On Tuner. The discreet device, which works for bass and guitar, has strobe, chromatic, and polyphonic tuning modes up to +/-0.02 cent accuracy. The polyphonic mode allows for strumming all strings at once to see their tuning. The tuner also features an ultra-bright display with an adaptive screen, a stainless...

Epifani Now Shipping Piccolo 999 Bass Amp
Amps

Epifani Now Shipping Piccolo 999 Bass Amp

Amp builder Nick Epifani has beefed up his Piccolo bass amp series with the Piccolo 999. The 1,000-watt head utilizes Epifani’s UL series preamp including a new Vintage circuit that adds a tube-like tone to the overall output. The Class D amp and switch-mode power supply keep the amp down to just 4.5 pounds and small enough to fit in...

Phil Collins Taps Leland Sklar for New Tour
Concerts & Tours

Phil Collins Taps Leland Sklar for New Tour

Phil Collins has revealed he is coming out of retirement to perform in a tour he’s calling “Not Dead Yet Live!” next summer. The title, which is a play on concerns about his health, is also the title of his new autobiography that comes out this month. Collins has once again tapped bass master Leland Sklar to handle the low...

Positive Grid Unveils the BIAS Distortion Pro Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Positive Grid Unveils the BIAS Distortion Pro Pedal

Positive Grid has expanded their BIAS amplifier processing technology into the BIAS Distortion Pro Pedal. The tone-matching distortion pedal works for guitar and bass by emulating the circuitry of any distortion. “With BIAS Distortion pedal, users can easily match their favorite distortion, overdrive, fuzz, and boost pedals’ tones,” the company writes. “BIAS Distortion integrates with BIAS Pedal’s Tone Match technology...