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Archive for April 2019

Reader Spotlight: Pedro Zappa
Reader Spotlight

Reader Spotlight: Pedro Zappa

Last year, we shared what turned out to be a very popular video of ZYkR performing “Only Human,” with Pedro Zappa on bass. Now we get to learn more about him in this edition of Reader Spotlight.

Maxon Unveils the Limited-Edition 40th Anniversary OD808-40 Overdrive Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Maxon Unveils the Limited-Edition 40th Anniversary OD808-40 Overdrive Pedal

Maxon has announced a new limited edition pedal called the OD808-40 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their original OD808 overdrive. It was originally created by former Maxon engineer Susumu Tamura in Japan.

YYNOT: “By-Tor and the Snow Dog” Rush Medley
Bass Videos

YYNOT: “By-Tor and the Snow Dog” Rush Medley

YYNOT is keeping busy, from recording to touring. Here’s a great clip from their recent show at The Sherman Theater in Pennsylvania, where they take on Rush’s “By-Tor and the Snow Dog” (and more). As always, Tim Starace and the band are bringing it!

The Cranberries Release Their Final Album, “In The End”
New Albums

The Cranberries Release Their Final Album, “In The End”

The Cranberries were already in the process of making their next album when Dolores O’Riordan tragically passed away in January 2018. Now the remaining members have finished and released what will be their final album, called “In The End.”

Bass of the Week: Urbaniak Not Pear 003
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Urbaniak Not Pear 003

It’s always refreshing to see bass builders thinking outside the box. This week we’ve got a great example of that with the Not Pear by Wes Urbaniak. The thin-bodied acoustic bass takes on a violin-esque shape, but every single Not Pear is different from the next.

Talking Technique: Applied Permutations – Chromatic Groove
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Applied Permutations – Chromatic Groove

Episode 61 of Talking Technique is all about using chromatic approaches to liven up a bass line. Ari also covers how to use different fingerings to come up with these sorts of situations in your playing.

Michael Manring: Selene (Live)
Bass Videos

Michael Manring: Selene (Live)

Michael Manring’s “Selene” is a musical masterpiece. So it was a thrill to discover this clip of Michael performing it live at the 2011 Canadian Guitar Festival.

Born Of Osiris Release “The Simulation” with Bassist Nick Rossi
New Albums

Born Of Osiris Release “The Simulation” with Bassist Nick Rossi

The metal titans in Born of Osiris have returned with their fifth studio album, which marks the first album since longtime bassist David Da Rocha left the band. “The Simulation” instead features the bass work of Nick Rossi, who joined the group late last year.

Electro-Harmonix Now Shipping Switchblade Pro Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Electro-Harmonix Now Shipping Switchblade Pro Pedal

Electro-Harmonix is now shipping the Switchblade Pro, a pedal for switching that has features including true mechanical bypass, soft switching, and high quality/low noise buffers. It also has volume controls for all input signals.

Bill Withers: Use Me
Bass Videos

Bill Withers: Use Me

Time for some classic soul on this lazy, rainy Sunday. Here’s a great clip of Bill Withers and his band performing “Use Me” in 1972. Melvin Dunlap is laying back and laying it down.

Eddie Gomez Featured on Unearthed Bill Evans Trio Recording
New Albums

Eddie Gomez Featured on Unearthed Bill Evans Trio Recording

Fifty years after it was recorded, Resonance Records has unearthed yet another live album from the Bill Evans Trio. “Evans in England” features Evans’ longest-running trio, including bassist Eddie Gomez, live at Ronnie Scott’s in 1969.

Doner Designs Selling Time Machine Bass For Charity
Basses

Doner Designs Selling Time Machine Bass For Charity

Back in January, we featured a unique instrument by Doner Designs as our bass of the week. Now the Time Machine bass is up for sale as part of a charity to benefit Parkinson’s Disease research.