Archive for January 2009

Michael Manring‘s tour continues. Check out his latest schedule: Manring/Kassin/Darter Sat. Jan. 31 at 8:15pm Noe Valley Music Series in San Francisco, CA (415-454-5238) Project M Mon. Feb. 16 at 10pm Elysium Arts Folk Club in Rollinsford, NH Project M Tue. Feb. 17 at 1pm Cafe 939 New Brew (lunch time series) Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA Project...

Okay, this is about the craziest thing we’ve seen all day, thanks to a link from Angela. Check out this guy and his one-string bass. Hey, it is probably pretty cheap to maintain.

After decades of producing revolutionary music electronics, TC Electronic debuted its entry into the bass amp market at the 2009 NAMM show in Los Angeles. Says Uffe Kjems Hansen, head of TC Electronics’ instrument amp section, and bass player since the early 80s: “I’ve always loved bass so much, so when opportunity knocked and we got a chance to do...

Former Pavement member Mark Ibold has been playing with Sonic Youth since the “Rather Ripped” tour, and he’s set to appear on their upcoming album, in a song with the working title “That’s What We Know.” The sixteenth SA album is being produced by John Agnello, who also produced Rather Ripped. Pavement debuted in 1989, and continued playing through the...

Tal Wilkenfeld is currently on tour with Jeff Beck, with upcoming dates in Australia. Jan 26th & 27th, 2009 at 8pm: the Palais Theatre in Melbourne, Victoria Jan 29th, 2009 at 8pm: Brisbane Convention Centre in Brisbane, Queensland Jan 30th, 2009 & 31st at 8pm: Enmore Theatre in Sydney, New South Wales Jan 31st & Feb 1st, 2009 at 8pm:...

We recently (gasp!) discovered Aladár Pege, an extraordinary double bassist. Here are a couple of videos to help you get through Monday. Sibiu Jazz Festival 2004 Solo: Performing “Donna Lee”:

Nine year-old Yannick Koffi is barely big enough to hold up a bass guitar. But when he’s on stage, his sound is as big as anyone’s. Born in 1999, Yannick was singing – in tune – before he was a year old. He got a drum kit for his fifth birthday, and six months later added keyboard. As soon as...

Les Claypool is gearing up for a new tour with percussionist Mike Dillon, drummer Paulo Baldi and cellist Sam Bass. 3/04/09: San Diego, CA at House Of Blues (with Yard Dogs Road Show) 3/06/09: Las Vegas, NV at House Of Blues (with Yard Dogs Road Show) 3/07/09: Los Angeles, CA at Palladium (with Mutaytor, Saul Williams, Yard Dogs Road Show)...

Citron unveiled their new 4-String J Bass at NAMM this year. The 2″ thick Jazz has a Maple top over a honeycombed Ash body, a three-piece laminated Maple neck and a pau ferro fingerboard. Electronics include a volume control for each pickup, a passive tone, and treble and OPB1 bass boost by Aguilar. The company reports that it’s “the most...

You can only lean so many basses up against a wall before they start falling. The new Session Guitar Rack by GuitarStorage.com solves that problem nicely. About 3 1/2 feet long and 2 feet deep, it cradles your basses (and the odd banjo or guitar) in felt-lined, cushioned comfort. It’s made with hardwood rails and melamine sides, and costs less...

In honor of the tenth anniversary of the Cirrus bass, Peavey has brought out a limited edition hand-crafted Rudy Sarzo signature model. The Cirrus series features exotic woods, resonant neck-through-body design, and studio-quiet active electronics that make it a showcase of craftsmanship and technology. The Sarzo model is a four-string, and has a glossy, hand-stained maple top on an alder...

Here’s a nice roundup of stories we missed during the NAMM show. The new Ashbory Upright is the “the tiny bass that thinks it is a giant upright. It does deliver that URB acoustic bass sound, but in a most unusual way.” MarkBass pedals give you foot-switched control over a single effect. These new boxes are discussed in a blog...