Archive for 2012 - Page 67

We’d heard rumors about this, and now a report has come out via USA Today confirming what we’ve been hearing: a film about Jaco Pastorius has been in development, and it is being financed by Metallica’s Robert Trujillo. Trujillo, you may remember, has another tie to Jaco, having purchased Jaco’s Bass of Doom a year ago, years after it had...

Dean Markley has expanded their Helix series strings with a signature set for Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx. Used by the man himself, the Nikki Sixx Helix HD SS Bass Strings are made of a special stainless steel alloy that the company says has an “inherent bright and cutting timbre.” Following the line, the new set of strings is constructed...

I hope you’re enjoying your Sunday. Here’s something from bassist/vocalist Amy LaVere and her trio to make it even better.

Today, we celebrate the birthday of one of the greats: Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. NHØP, as we all like to call him, started out on piano but thankfully picked up the bass at age 14. He went on to have a major impact on the instrument, expanding on the work of another bass innovator, Scott LaFaro. From the 1960’s until his...

Amp guru Dave Hunter has released a new book dedicated to classic amps, offering up a history of the author’s picks for the 60 greatest guitar and bass amps in history. Amped: The Illustrated History of the World’s Greatest Amplifiers tells the stories of the 1937 Rickenbacher M11 all the way through the latest Matchless amp, and offers plenty in...

Since its announcement, the Black Sabbath reunion has had nothing but difficulty after difficulty. Plans for a world tour and new album were put on hold after lead guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with Lymphoma, while drummer Bill Ward recently declared his contract unsignable. There’s been no official statement on Ward’s departure, but bassist Geezer Butler weighed in on the...

Bass whiz Simon Fitzpatrick has done it again with a jaw-dropping version of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”. This clip comes from a May 22nd performance with the Carl Palmer Band at Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks, Kent. The bassist even covers the guitar solo with one handed tapping while keeping the bass line going, eventually wrapping up the big jam...

V-Moda has expanded their Ear Armor series with their new Faders VIP line of tuned metal earplugs. Available in four sizes, the new earplugs reduce noise levels by 12dB across the spectrum. The fittings are made of medical grade BLISS 3.0 hybrid-silicone to fit any ear extra small, small, medium, and large sizes. Each set comes with a detachable cord...

Carvin has added two new models to their BRX Series bass cabinets: the BRX15.3 and the BRX18.1. Made in the USA, the new cabs are built from Baltic Birch plywood covered in DuraTex and have recessed steel handles as well as caster inserts. The BRX15.3 is a 600-watt 3-way cabinet loaded with a 15? woofer, an 8? mid driver, and...

Welcome to Part 2 of “Learning the Song.” If you checked out the first part of this series, you’ll be familiar with some of the essential elements of learning a song, such as the key, the chord progressions, the form, and so on. Learning “the song” is a great exercise in ear training, adapting theory rules and being prepared for...

Ohhhhh yeah. Here’s guitarist Oz Noy’s band, with the awesome pairing of bassist Will Lee and drummer Keith Carlock performing the tune “Schizophrenic” live in Tokyo. The well-named tune switches from funky to rocking and back. Will is definitely laying it down and having fun on this one.

Kill Devil Hill’s long awaited self-titled debut is now available from SPV/Steamhammer. The band, comprised of ex-Pantera/Down bassist Rex Brown, drummer Vinny Appice, guitarist Mark Savon and vocalist Jason “Dewey” Bragg finalized its lineup in March of 2011 with the addition of Brown. “Vinny is a brilliant drummer, and of course, I was immediately interested when he asked me whether...