Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 108

Aguilar has updated its product lineup with a new generation of the Tone Hammer and AG series amplifiers. The revisions include the introduction of the Aguilar Cabinet Suite, dual XLR outputs, expanded connectivity, and power section upgrades.

Back in March, longtime Styx bassist Ricky Phillips announced his departure. It was just before a tour, and the group had Terry Gowan sit in, and now they’ve made him an official member.

Meeting other bassists is one of my favorite things about being on the road. Sometimes, I’m even lucky enough to try out their basses, which is exactly what happened after a show when I got my hands on the MBJ Guitars “Chewy” Bass.

Another jazz bass giant has left us with the passing of Palle Danielsson. He is perhaps best known for his stint as a member of Keith Jarrett’s “European Quartet.”

At NAMM this year, we got a sneak peek of Doug Wimbish’s signature basses from the Spector USA Custom Shop. Now, the DW-4 and DW-5 have been officially launched.

Alberto Rigoni has teamed up with luthier Gaetano Costanzo to create a signature bass called the VPR5. Handmade in Italy, the bass is a five-string with 30 frets and a Seymour Duncan MM-style pickup.

Broughton Audio has introduced the Fliptop, a pedal that combines the magic of the B15 amplifier with a more portable unit. The JFET preamp is modeled after the iconic amp, with gain staging and EQ sections that give the feel and response of a vintage tube amp.

Orlando le Fleming has a new album coming out on June 21st with his band Romantic Funk called “Wandering Talk.” The bass guru has shared a studio video for the first single that has us excited for the rest of the record.

Actor and bassist Jason Momoa has a knack for collecting incredible instruments. On his show On the Roam, he visited craftsmen of all sorts, including instrument makers. He’s now offering a selection of instruments from the show in an auction to raise money.

Soften the Glare, featuring Mudvayne bassist Ryan Martinie, has just released their third EP, aptly entitled “EP III.” The three-song collection sees Martinie, guitarist Bon Lozaga, and drummer Mitch Hull continuing their progressive songwriting with unique compositions and soundscapes.

John Ferrara’s newest project, Mono Means One, has just released its debut album, entitled “Listless Playthings of Enormous Forces.”

Music Man has revamped the DarkRay for 2024 with two new finishes for both the four- and five-string models. The bass, crafted in partnership with Darkglass Electronics, will come in Dark Rainbow and Gold Bar colorways.