Weekly Top 10: February 17-23, 2024
This week’s top 10 reader favorites include four bass gear stories, our interview with Jonas Hellborg, a couple of exciting new albums, and a great how-to video by Julia Hofer. There’s even a bonus top 10 list inside.
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1. Sire Announces GB Series Acoustic/Electric Basses
Sire has introduced the GB Series, which they designed as an electric bass that produces an acoustic sound. The lineup includes four and five-string models available in fretted or fretless versions.
2. Jazz is Dead, Featuring Alphonso Johnson, Announces June 2024 Tour
Alphonso Johnson and Jazz is Dead have confirmed a June outing called the “Right Outside This Lazy Summer Home” tour. The band reimagines Grateful Dead songs in a jazz context.
3. Eastwood Unveils the Hooky Viking Bass PRO
Eastwood teamed up with Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook to launch the Hooky Bass 6 PRO back in early 2020, and now they’re introducing a four-string model.
4. Bass of the Week: Z Bass Guitar EV2 Custom Exotic Woodpecker
This week, we’re checking out the Z Bass Guitar EV2 Custom Exotic Woodpecker. The bass is built with a Marupá body marked with Ambrosia Beetle holes, giving an organic and unique look.
5. Julia Hofer: Three Tips to Adapt Synth Bass Lines for Electric Bass
Synth bass lines are common, and many bass players are adding synth bass to their arsenal. However, when you only have a bass guitar, Julia Hofer has some advice on how to mimic a synth bass line on a gig with your bass.
6. ESP Announces the LTD Signature Series Mike Leon MLB-4
ESP introduced the MLB-4 bass at NAMM this year in collaboration with Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy bassist Mike Leon. His signature bass is based on the LTD B Series basses that he’s used for years.
7. The Concert of Europe: An Interview with Jonas Hellborg
In the 1980s, Jonas Hellborg had a trio with Ginger Baker and Bernie Worrell. Over 30 years later, Hellborg has released an album by the group, “The Concert of Europe.” We caught up with him to get the scoop in this interview.
8. Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (January 2024)
Here’s your monthly playlist, full of all kinds of bass goodness. This list is comprised of the top 10 reader-favorite videos for the month of January 2024.
9. The Aristocrats Release “Duck”
The Aristocrats have returned with their fifth studio album, entitled “Duck.” Each member of the trio contributed three compositions to the effort, which is their first concept album.
10. Leland Sklar and The Immediate Family’s “Skin in the Game” Out Now
The Immediate Family crafted the sound of the ’70s by backing up nearly every important musician of the era in the studio. Now the band has dropped a fresh studio album, “Skin in the Game.”
