Archive for December 2012 - Page 8

NoahJames Guitars has introduced JENZ Machine Heads, a new type of bass tuning machine that the company says alleviates several issues in bass guitar design by the string to anchor at the lowest point on the machine head post. The channel automatically wraps the string neatly to avoid sticking and slippage from winding error. It also removes tension from the...

We first featured bassist Ted “Blyss” Gould back in September, with his all bass cover of the Stylistics tune, “People Make the World Go Round”. It was a hit. Now Ted shares his story in this week’s bassist spotlight. We love how he measures his experience in days, not years (though we’re pretty sure it is out-of-date now. Or will...

Due to bassist interest during Summer NAMM, Amptweaker is now offering a bass version of their new TightFuzz pedal. The Bass TightFuzz is tweaked for bass players with extended lower range of the Tight and Tone controls and an added Dry Low knob that blends dry low end into the signal. As with most of the company’s pedals, the pedal’s...

Here’s a sweet jam from Warwick’s Fuss on the Buss 2012 DVD. Robert Trujillo and Steve Bailey set an interesting groove between Trujillo’s gnarly distorted bass and Bailey’s bell-like tone and lyricism on top. 311’s Aaron “P-Nut” Willis jumps in around the 3-minute mark to add some slap to fill the jam out.

Rotosound has upgraded their Steve Harris Signature Bass Strings by using a new burnishing process to give them a smoother finish. The company explains the change facilitates fast playing as well as reduces string noise. The Iron Maiden bassist’s signature strings are flatwounds that are described as slightly brighter than traditional flatwounds. Available only as a 4-string set, the custom...

Warwick has unveiled the Corvette $$ NT Special Edition 68, a custom shop bass inspired by the General Motors 1968 Model Corvette Stingray. The hot-rodded bass shares the car’s style with a Candy Apple red finish and an airbrushed aluminum center section while the Corvette name is inlaid into the tigerstripe ebony fingerboard. Available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions,...

Last time we talked about playing fourths across strings using two adjacent fingers, a concept sometimes called “forked fingering.” For example: We can, of course, use the same exact concept in the upper registers of the bass, or thumb position. For example: As mentioned before, this can be easier to execute effectively in the upper registers than in the lower...

Laura Palumbo sent in this great video of Stefano Francazio playing a cool solo bass piece entitled “Assenza Di Gravità”. The title translates to “Absence of Gravity.” Enjoy!

Of all our bass gear coverage in November, here is your complete list of top 10 gear stories for the month. As always, we base these lists on readers. And as always, these lists come with a warning: may cause GAS. 1. La Bella Strings Launches First Bass Guitar: The Olinto With nearly 100 years in the string manufacturing business,...

Here are the most read bass stories, lessons, videos and more, for the week of November 25 – December 1, 2012. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing! 1. Bass of the Week: MechBass Science just got a whole lot cooler thanks to Victoria University of Wellington engineering student James McVay. As part of Bachelor’s degree, McVay designed and built the...

Here’s an hour-long performance by The Aristocrats, from a live stream back in October. (Hey, it’s Sunday… you have time. Especially for this.) This is one epic trio, with Bryan Beller on bass, Guthrie Govan on guitar and Marco Minnemann on drums. Look for that band’s new DVD coming out on December 10th.

Rage Against the Machine are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first album with Rage Against the Machine – XX, an expanded reissue of the landmark effort that launched the band into the spotlight with tracks like “Killing in the Name,” “Wake Up,” and “Bombtrack.” In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, guitarist Tom Morello revealed he had written the...