Archive for October 2012 - Page 7

UK-based manufacturer FM Cables has launched their FM Pro Silent and FM Pro Standard Series cables. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the cables feature a 2-core cable made from high-grade copper covered with a hard-wearing transparent PVC jacket. The Pro Silent Series is set apart by utilizing Neutrik’s silentPLUG connectors, which automatically mute the cable when changing instruments. The...

This week we take a look at Pavel Musical Instrument’s flagship singlecut bass, the Aryel. Described as the “Roaring Lion” of basses, the bass’s upper horn section connects to the neck at the 12th fret, which the company says adds more tone transmission to the body. The Aryel is hand-built to order in Texas and comes in Deluxe and Signature...

With all the things to work on to improve ourselves, it’s easy to lose sight of why we play bass. That’s why we’ve been polling famous bassists and the community at large on what they think makes a great bassist. (Be sure to check out What Makes a Great Bassist? Part 1: Playing for the Song). For part two of...

Bassist Scott Varney shared a video with us of a new tune he’s recently completed for his upcoming CD. Love the bass/vocal combo. What else do you need? Scott said, “I would love to hear any feedback if you have any…” Let him know!

Killswitch Engage is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough album Alive or Just Breathing with a U.S. tour during which they’ll play the album in its entirety. The 20-date tour will feature support from Shadows Fall and Acaro. Anchored by bassist Mike D’Antonio, the group recently reenlisted their original singer Jesse Leach, who sang on the 2002 effort but...

Italian boutique builder Manne Guitars has expanded their bass offerings with the VibraBass. Inspired by the AcoustiVibe guitar, the new bass features a fully chambered body made of Korina with an Italian poplar burl top, a maple/beech laminate neck, and a thin, hard resin fingerboard. Besides a magnetic single coil pickup mounted in the bass’s sound plate, the VibraBass is...

Q: I’ve found myself in a situation where I can’t set up a musical connection with my drummer. It’s been three months of rehearsals, but I just don’t feel comfortable playing, the rhythm-sections suffers and we don’t sound good. In my other bands, the great, non-verbal communication came right after one or two rehearsals. I realize I am also responsible....

Andres Rotmistrovsky has a way with arranging songs for solo bass. Here’s his version of Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend In Me.”

In a recent interview with the BBC, rock legend Jack Bruce revealed that plans for a Cream reunion in 2013 have been halted due to a rift between guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker. The band, which was one of the first rock supergroups, last reunited in 2005 for four sold out shows. “There was supposed to be [a...

Meet Harrison Caruana, a bass player hailing from Hastings in the UK. Like many bassists in our spotlight, Harrison had an awesome parent supporting his love for music – and helping shape it. Harrison is our player in the spotlight for October 9, 2012. Bio: When I was seven my dad taught me the bass line to The Chain, by...

“Orion”, the classic Metallica track that features bassist Cliff Burton in a lead role, was an obvious choice for this month’s transcription. To this day – nearly thirty years after it was recorded – it’s a track that is studied and dissected by metal-loving bass players all over the world.

Last week we celebrated Sting’s birthday, and our Facebook friend Andrew Bennett reminded us of this great version of his hit “Englishman in New York” from the DVD …All This Time. Sting’s eclectic band is joined by double bassist Christian McBride, who kicks the group into a burning jazz trio at the 2:10 mark.