Amptweaker Introduces Bass Jr Distortion Pedal Series
After years of requests, Amptweaker recently added a Dry Low knob to their TightMetal and TightRock pedals. Now the feature is available in a new bass friendly range called the Amptweaker Bass Jr Distortion Series. Each of the models share most of the features of their guitar counterparts but with the new Dry Low knob to help maintain the bottom...
Bass of the Week: AC Guitars Über ART Recurve 4
This week we’re checking out the AC Guitars Über ART Recurve 4. Built in Scotland by luthier Alan Cringean, the bass features a proprietary finishing process called Acrylic Resin Treated (ART). “The process makes use of acrylic monomers and dyes in order to infuse the wood,” he writes. “This takes place in a vacuum oven and produces woods which have...
Ernie Ball Introduces Overdrive and Ambient Delay Expression Effects Pedals
Ernie Ball introduced a pair of expression pedals for bassists and guitarists at the Summer NAMM show this year. The Expression Overdrive and Ambient Delay pedals, which will be available later this year, offer dynamic foot control for on-the-fly tweaking. The Expression Overdrive is described as tonally versatile, delivering “everything from a hint of natural tube-amp-like overdrive and rhythm crunch...
Olivier Babaz: Paranoid Android for Bass and Kalimba
Olivier Babaz has done it again. The bass and kalimba king has transformed another rock gem onto the two instruments simultaneously. This time Babaz tackles Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android”, trading the song’s focus between each instrument while nimbly navigating them with his right hand. The result is an ethereal and intimate take on an already epic piece of music.
Genzler Amplification Expands Bass Array Cabinet Series with 2×10
Genzler Amplification’s Bass Array cabinet series has gotten a little bigger. Building on the 12-3 design, the BA210-3 features two 10-inch neodymium drivers in a vented bass reflex enclosure and four 3-inch neodymium drivers in a line array element. The company says the combo of drivers helps deliver full, deep, low frequency response from the woofers while a selective crossover...
Providence Releases the Brick Drive BDI-1
Providence has expanded their line of bass preamp pedals with the Brick Drive BDI-1. The comprehensive unit brings together a 3-band EQ with sweepable mids and Presence control, an overdrive, and a DI featuring their Vitalizer B circuit. The overdrive is engaged via footswitch and is blended with the clean signal with a mix knob. “By mixing the drive sound...
Prophets of Rage Announce Make America Rage Again Tour
Guitarist Tom Morello, drummer Brad Wilk and bassist Tim Commerford of Rage Against the Machine fame have teamed up with Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Cypress Hill’s B-Real to form Prophets of Rage. The politically themed band blends elements of each of the members’ respective groups. If you’re wondering what that sounds like, check this out: Now the five-piece machine...
Claus Freudenstein Introduces US Made Minibass
Claus Freudenstein has unveiled the US version of his Freudenstein Minibass, a miniature contrabass designed for teaching children as young as five years old. It has a 70cm string length and comes in multiple colors. The bass is made of plywood and is braced inside. Freudenstein also has an accompanying book, entitled “Mini Bass”, for getting youngsters started. The Freudenstein...
Rock Stock Pedals Introduces the Dark Horse Fuzz
Rock Stock Pedals have introduced the Dark Horse, a new silicon fuzz pedal for bass and guitar. With wide fuzz and gain ranges, the company says it has a wide palette from “cool lo-fi tones to all out saturated, high-gain fuzz.” The Pedal has three controls – Volume, Treble, and Sustain – for dialing in your tone. Rock Stock points...
Nutopia: Antares
Since Nenad Vasilic began sending his Balkan bass videos, I’ve taken more interest in the music from that region. That’s why I was excited to get an email from bassist Audun Ramo with the title “Balkan Slap”. “I’ve been working on slap techniques for the double bass related to world music – and more specific the music from Balkan –...
In Memoriam: Brian Rading
Brian Rading, who laid down the low end for Canada’s Five Man Electrical Band, has passed away after fighting throat cancer. He was 69 years old. Rading co-founded the band in 1963 in Ottawa. Originally called The Staccatos, the group changed their name after a handful of albums on Capitol Records of Canada. Rading was instrumental in choosing the name...
Cody Wright: Funk Funko Potamus
Cody Wright a real funkmeister, which is why it’s perfect that he’s helping to create the soundtrack to the new Toejam and Earl video game. Here’s a clip of the bassist getting down on the quacky “Funk Funko Potamus”.