MJC Ironworks Launches New Bass Strings
Michael Connolly has launched a new string company called MJC Ironworks, which the industry veteran describes as a company with “geek-like intensity to detail.” Its first products are a line of strings for bass players. The lineup includes stainless steel and nickel-plated versions in a variety of gauges. Available in 4, 5, 6, and 7-string sets, the strings are shipped...
Adam Nitti Releases “Out of This World”
Sometimes you get the feeling that really great bass players might be aliens, and that may be the case with Adam Nitti. He’s just released Not of This World, an album that features jazz, funk, blues and rock songs tied together by the bassist’s astronomical playing. While his playing is consistently on point, his focus was on the overall songs....
Bass of the Week: Kristall Basses Home
This week we’re checking out the Kristall Basses Home, a bass the German company says makes you feel like coming home at first contact. Kristall writes that each bass is made to order, but they start with “tonewoods, hardware, pickups and electronics [that] are basically ‘traditional’ and [give] direct access to proven sounds and more.” The Home’s solid double-cut body...
La Vague: Sit Down
Bass and vocal duo La Vague, comprised of Alessandro Corsi and Francesca Pirami, is back with a new video for “Sit Down” from their self-titled 2009 album. Corsi sets up a tasty groove and keeps the bass line running while he plays fills and countermelodies for a mesmerizing jam. La Vague is working on their next album, which they say...
ObsidianWire Introduces J and P Bass Wiring Upgrades
Attention mod junkies: ObsidianWire has just unveiled a J and P-bass upgrade wiring harnesses. Utilizing solder-less connectors, the sets are designed to be drop-in replacements for American and Mexican series Fender basses. Both harnesses are built with hand selected and matched CTS pots that ObsidianWire says offers greater clarity and consistent response. Other features include NOS paper in oil capacitors...
Damian Erskine Releases “Within Sight”
Damian Erskine has released, Within Sight, an album that explores the boundaries of the bass in jazz fusion. The long-awaited followup to 2010’s So To Speak features the bassist’s unique voice on nine original compositions that vary in tone and texture for an intriguing listen. “This album is my attempt to put it all out there,” Erskine writes. “The chance...
Warwick Introduces 5-String Streamer CV Bass
Warwick’s Streamer CV bass is getting a little bigger with the introduction of a five-string model to the lineup. The model, which was originally debuted in 2013, combines the company’s Streamer model with a vintage aesthetic. The Warwick Streamer CV 5 is built with a US swamp ash body matched with a one-piece maple neck topped by a rosewood fingerboard...
Colin Trusedell: Amerika, The Beautiful
We’re celebrating Independence Day with a clip of U.S. Air Force bass player Colin Trusedell performing his take on “Amerika, the Beautiful,” as popularized in the bass world by Jaco Pastorius. The track comes from Trusedell’s latest recording, All By Myself. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
Tech 21 Introduces VT Bass 500 Bass Amp Head
Tech 21 has unveiled the VT Bass 500, a bass amp head that marries their all-analog SansAmp preamp with a 500-watt Class D power amplifier. The amp, which is adapted from the SansAmp Character Series, weighs in at 6.5 pounds. A key point to the amp’s circuitry is its Character control that alters the overall tone of the unit from...
Steve Harris and British Lion: Eyes of the Young, Live
Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris is getting ready to take his solo project British Lion out on the road for a month-long tour of the UK. For a teaser of what’s to come, the bass legend posted this live clip of “Eyes of the Young” from his 2012 album. Harris brings his signature snarling tone and driving bass lines to...
Truetone Unveils 1 Spot Pro Power Supplies
Truetone has expanded their 1 Spot series of power supplies with the 1 Spot Pro line including the CS7 and CS12 models. Each of the new power bricks offer a variety of voltages with seven and twelve isolated outputs, respectively. The 1 Spot Pro CS7 features three voltage options – 9Vdc, 12VDC, and 18VDC – for use with most effect...
The Stanley Clarke Band: No Mystery, Live
Today we’re celebrating the great Stanley Clarke’s birthday with a killer clip of his band live at Bimhuis in Amsterdam. The jazz legend and crew tackle the Return to Forever song “No Mystery”, which Clarke also released on his band’s 2010 self-titled album. Clarke pulls out all the stops with his signature bass lines, arco work, and a jaw-dropping percussive...