Shelby Means’ Solo Debut, Fender’s Free App, and More: This Week’s Top 10

Everyone loves a top ten list, and it doesn’t get better than a top ten list of exciting bass news. This week’s top stories included gear, grooves, and insight.

Our number one article for the week was the announcement of Fender’s new recording app, which features one-touch recording with built-in amp and effects modeling. The best part? It’s free. Bassist/vocalist Shelby Means has launched her solo career with a new self-titled album, and we interviewed her about it as well as bluegrass bass and women’s representation in music. (Be sure to check the article for her tour dates.)

Fans also got excited about the Bass of the Week: The Duke from Stoll Guitars. The archtop acoustic has a huge tone that belies its smaller body. Plus, get ready to groove with killer videos from Charles Berthoud, Paul Jackson, Kinga Glyk, and birthday boy Leland Sklar.

Scroll on and catch up on the best of bass for the week.

1. Fender Releases Free Recording App Featuring Rumble Bass Amp and Effects

Fender has released a free recording app with built-in guitar and bass amp models, effects, and editing tools for desktop and mobile devices.

2. Shelby Means on Going Solo: A Bluegrass Bassist’s Journey from Golden Highway to Center Stage

Shelby Means discusses her journey from Grammy-winning sideman to solo artist, writing and leading her debut bluegrass-focused album.

3. Small Frame, Huge Tone: Stoll Guitars’ The Duke Archtop Acoustic Bass Defies Expectations

Stoll Guitars’ The Duke combines a compact body with powerful low-end tone, electric-like clarity, and innovative bracing in a 4.6 lb acoustic bass.

4. How a Sponge and an 8-Bar Groove Capture That James Jamerson-Era Funk Bass Tone

Create a vintage funk bass tone using sponge muting in this 8-bar groove lesson with tone, rhythm, and technique tips.

5. LFSys Unveils Lightweight BlueLine Bass Cabs: Meet the Silverstone II and Goodwood

LFSys unveils the BlueLine bass cab series, featuring the lightweight Silverstone II and Goodwood models with powerful drivers and portable designs.

6. Empress Effects Introduces the Bass ParaEq MKII: A Parametric EQ Pedal Just for Bassists

Empress Effects has launched the Bass ParaEq MKII, a parametric EQ pedal built specifically for bass with tailored frequencies, piezo support, and a dynamic low shelf.

7. Charles Berthoud Anchors Shred Collab with Former Giacomo Turra Collaborators

Charles Berthoud joins forces with former Giacomo Turra collaborators in a shred-filled collab that doubles as a statement on artistic recognition.

8. Watch Paul Jackson Front The Headhunters on The Midnight Special in a Rare Live Take of “God Made Me Funky”

The Headhunters perform “God Made Me Funky” live on The Midnight Special, with Paul Jackson delivering the groove and vocals in a standout throwback clip

9. Live at Cavatina Hall: Kinga Głyk’s Subtle Mastery on “That Right There”

Watch Kinga Głyk lay down a deep groove in her live performance of “That Right There” at Cavatina Hall, recorded with Fender Jazz and BackBeat.

10. Leland Sklar’s Birthday Is the Perfect Reason to Rewatch This 1990 Live Cut of “Inside Out” with Phil Collins

Leland Sklar turned a year older yesterday. We’re marking the occasion with his stellar 1990 performance on Phil Collins’ live version of “Inside Out.”