Joe Dart, Ian Martin Allison, and a Punk-Inspired Bass: This Week’s Top Stories for Bassists

This week’s Top 10 celebrates the full bass spectrum, from punk-ready gear to how to play a soul-infused bass line. Our latest Bass of the Week spotlights Ferner Guitars’ Cadet Bass—a short-scale model built for attitude, comfort, and custom flair. Meanwhile, Ian Martin Allison’s new Grez signature bass merges vintage style with modern clarity, and it’s already turning heads.

Joe Dart brought both style and soul to the North Sea Jazz Festival with Vulfpeck, featuring a bass solo, an interview, and even a cameo from his own bobblehead. Primus also grabbed attention with their first new track in years, bringing Tool’s Maynard James Keenan into the mix during their joint tour.

Scroll down for this week’s reader favorites.

1. Built for Punk Players: Ferner Guitars’ Cadet Bass is Our Bass of the Week

Ferner's Cadet Bass blends short-scale comfort with punk attitude, featuring custom options and vintage flair.

2. Vintage Look, Modern Edge: Ian Martin Allison’s New Grez Bass Delivers on All Fronts

Ian Martin Allison partnered with Grez Guitars to design a semi-hollow bass that combines classic tonewood aesthetics with modern performance. See the full specs and demo video.

3. Joe Dart Shines in Vulfpeck’s North Sea Jazz Performance – and So Does His Bobblehead

Vulfpeck's North Sea Jazz set includes fan favorites, a Joe Dart solo, an interview segment, and even a cameo from Dart's signature bobblehead.

4. How to Play Bass in 6/8 Time: A Soul Bass Groove Inspired by “Bring It On Home to Me”

Explore how to groove in 6/8 time on bass, using triads, transitions, and timing inspired by Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home to Me."

5. Catalinbread Wake Chorus: An Eight-Voice Pedal with Octave Depth for Bassists and Shoegaze Fans

Catalinbread's Wake pedal brings an eight-voice chorus and octave-down blend, delivering subtle, always-on tone for bassists and guitarists alike.

6. From “Six Degrees” to “Systematic Chaos”: Dream Theater’s New Box Set Revisits a Pivotal Era

Dream Theater’s Volume 2 box set collects four albums from their 2000s era, showcasing the band’s evolving sound and progressive metal legacy.

7. Tool’s Maynard James Keenan Guests on Primus’s First New Song in 3 Years

Primus returns with their first new song in three years, teaming up with Tool's Maynard James Keenan during their joint Sessanta V2.0 tour.

8. HAIM Drop New Single, Reveal Tour Dates for Upcoming Album “I quit”

HAIM announce their new album "I quit" and a fall tour, with Este Haim featured on the bass-driven single "Down to be wrong."

9. How Motherhood and Jackson Browne’s Mentorship Inspired Mai Leisz’s Vocal Debut

Mai Leisz opens up about motherhood, returning to vocals, and creating her most personal music yet, with help from Jackson Browne.

10. From Viral Covers to National Stages: Aneesa Strings Launches Tour Behind New EP “The Calm”

Aneesa Strings hits the road for a national tour, bringing her empowering new EP "The Calm," a soulful mix of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop, to the stage.