Archive for November 2011 - Page 9

Providence has introduced the Provolt 9, a compact power supply with six 9 volt outputs, each output giving up to 100mA. The box features an auto voltage controller, which supplies the ideal output for each device you connect to it. Providence says even a brand new battery can vary from 9.4 to 9.8 volts, causing noticeable, albeit small change in...

Veillette has introduced a cutaway version of their acoustic bass, which itself is designed after their acoustic guitar line. Available in 4 or 5-string models, the Veillette Cutaway Acoustic Bass has a 34” scale, with a body that measures 17” wide and 5.5” deep. The instrument is described as “clear, big and strong-sounding.” Each Veillette is handmade in Woodstock, New...

The Gigantour is returning in 2012 for a fourth North American offering, and the first since Gigantour 3 in 2008. Organized by headliners Megadeth, this year’s lineup includes metal icons Motörhead, Lacuna Coil and Volbeat. The tour kicks off January 26th, 2012 in Camden, New Jersey, then snakes around the Northeast before heading to Canada and the Northern U.S. and...

Magnus Sjoquist sent us these impressive jams featuring his UBass. Hard to believe that little bass could produce that sound! Magnus, who is joined by Johan Edin on Hammond B3 and Daniel Björnmo on guitar in this recording, offers video lessons for UBass/bass players on his website. Have a video to share? Send it to [email protected].

Freekbass has released a new instructional video with a whopping 273 minutes of lessons. 50 Freekbass Licks You Must Know includes jam tracks, text commentary, tab and notation as well as power tab files. Aimed at intermediate students, the licks are designed to teach new techniques as well as build upon common ones. Freekbass also gives you tips on how...

This week we look at the Spalt Instruments vViper, a custom built bass with a unique pickup design that pivots. The idea for the “wiper” arm pickup is the brainchild of proprietor Michael Spalt, a luthier who started building after studying film, photography and painting in San Francisco. After consulting on it with Bill Bartolini, the end result allows infinite...

The evolution of heavy metal has presented a plethora of extreme subgenres: thrash metal, death metal, tech metal… the list goes on and on. But while the term extreme metal covers lots of territory, you can’t talk about extreme metal bass playing without talking about Alex Webster. As a founding member of the iconic band Cannibal Corpse, Webster has spent...

Rule of Thump (aka Or Lubianiker) covers all the bases in this nifty solo bass piece he wrote and shared with us. Love the harmonics, love the slap, love the finger-style funk. Or said, “The bass guitar is the most beautiful instrument conceived by man, a true ambassador of Groove, Harmony and Melody.” Well said, Or! Keep the videos coming.

Roger Waters has announced North American tour dates for his production of “The Wall” for 2012. The 36-stop tour begins May 1st, 2012 in Houston, Texas and will include several outdoor stadium concerts at venues including Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Waters, who revived the show in 2010 and has performed it over 120 times since then, says...

Q: I mean this in the most respectful of ways but, when I listen to six string bassists who play a lot of chords and solo. I can’t help but wonder why they don’t just play guitar. A: I’ve heard this question before, and thanks for being respectful. I’m a 6-string player, so I’ll share my views on the subject....

Here’s a ripping bass performance by Brazilian bassist Joel Moncorvo. Moncorvo, who is a well rounded player with styles ranging from jazz to extreme metal, displays some awesome technique including a three-finger style and some incredible tapping.

Megadeth’s highly anticipated thirteenth studio album, one which marks the return of bassist Dave Ellefson, has been released. TH1RT3EN follows Endgame, released in 2009, and blends the works of Megadeth’s previous twelve albums, says guitarist Dave Mustaine. “There are moments on TH1RT3EN that capture my every emotion,” Mustaine said. “…and other moments where I am releasing feelings I never knew...