Updated Edition of “Rock Bass 101” Available Now
Ed Friedland’s instructional book Rock Bass 101 has been updated for 2018 by publisher Hal Leonard. The 50-page book covers essential bass lines, techniques, theory, and grooves for the working bassist. It includes full-length songs that are available for download or streaming via Hal Leonard’s website. Specific topics include tips on playing position and posture, warm-up exercises, essential scales, and...
MXR Releases the Vintage Bass Octave Pedal
MXR has announced the Vintage Bass Octave, a pedal they say gives the classic octaver circuit with modern upgrades like superior tracking, cleaner headroom, and versatility. The new stompbox is also housed in a compact chassis to save room on your pedalboard. “The voice of the Vintage Bass Octave is rich and throaty, and it comes in two forms—one octave...
Thundercat Announces December Tour Dates, New Song
Thundercat, aka Stephen Bruner, has announced a handful of tour dates around the world for December. Starting with two dates in Denmark, the bassist will head to Germany and the UK before performing five days in a row in California. He’ll be rounding the year out by performing at Afro Punk Fest in Johannesburg, South Africa on New Year’s Eve....
Rougarou Pedals Releases The Umibozu Fuzz Pedal
Rougarou Pedals has unveiled their latest creation called The Umibozu. The fuzz box, which is suited for bass and guitar, is inspired by a mythical beast. “The Umibozu is a yokai, a supernatural Japanese folklore creature, known to capsize ships of sailors that anger or insult them, and it inspired a unique fuzz pedal that can cover all the ground...
Bass of the Week: Ele Basses Naga
This week we’re taking a look at the Naga from Ele Basses. Named after the serpent creature found in Hindu mythology, the singlecut bass’s body shape was inspired by the curves in the body of reptiles. This particular example of the Naga is a four-string built with an ash body, buckeye burl top, and a five-piece maple and padauk neck...
Jason Raso Publishes “Bass Line Continuum”
Bassist Jason Raso has just released Bass Line Continuum, a book that examines the world of bass with interviews of dozens of the world’s best players. The 180-page book is centered around four topics: influences, practice, developing your style, and positivity. “Although people enter the bass-playing continuum at different times, their stories are comparable,” the author states. “Players study their...
David DaRocha Leaves Born of Osiris
Born of Osiris has announced a lineup change as bassist David DaRocha has left the band. They made the announcement on Facebook. “We want to officially state that our brother, David, has decided to take time away from the band to pursue other endeavors,” they wrote. “We’re all family and wish him the very best. We are on great terms...
Island Instruments Announces The Traveller Bass
For bassists on the go, Montreal’s Island Instruments has introduced the Traveller Bass, a four-stringer that’s pared down to the essentials. Built with size in mind, the bass was designed with a short 31-inch scale and a headless design. “The goals were to design a lightweight, compact bass that blends modern features and ergonomics with vintage feel and tone. The...
Dallon Weekes and iDKHOW Release “1981 Extended Play”
Former Panic! At the Disco bassist Dallon Weekes is back in action with his new band, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me (aka iDKHOW). The group, which also features ex-Falling in Reverse drummer Ryan Seaman, has just released their debut EP called 1981 Extended Play. The band’s name is taken from a Back to the Future quote. Add...
Eastwood Custom Shop Unveils the Backlund Rockerbox Bass
Eastwood Guitars has unveiled the latest bass from their custom shop, which is the Backlund Rockerbox bass. Designed by John Backlund, the bass carries the same “retro-futuristic” design as the artist’s guitars that are already in production. The medium-scale, semi-hollow basses are built with maple for the body and fingerboard while the neck is mahogany. They come in red, blue,...
Whose Hat Is This? Releases “Everything’s OK”
Whose Hat Is This? has just released their second album, Everything’s OK, on Ropeadope Records. The band’s completely improvised style has gotten even stronger than their self-titled debut, which was also their first ever show. Everything’s OK is also a live recording, this time from their performance at The 8×10 in Baltimore, Maryland during their Scorch Your Shorts tour with...
Mike Gordon Announces Solo Band Tour Dates
Phish bassist Mike Gordon is taking his solo band back out on the road for a spring 2019 tour. His group will once again include guitarist Scott Murawski, keyboardist Robert Walter, drummer John Kimock, and percussionist Craig Myers. Gordon’s touring repertoire as of late has included songs from his latest album, OGOGO, as well as new covers ranging from Spencer...