In Memoriam: Alan Longmuir
More sad news this week: Bay City Rollers founding bassist Alan Longmuir has passed away after a short illness. He was 70 years old. The news was announced by his family on Twitter. “We are devastated to share the news that Alan has passed away peacefully surrounded by family. He was an extraordinary man with an extraordinary heart. He brought...
Bass of the Week: Frederiek de Vette P-Style Bass
We featured two basses by Frederiek de Vette last year, and now she’s shared her third ever build with us. This time she took a bit more straight ahead approach, although it’s no less beautiful. “This build is loosely inspired on the Precision bass,” she explains. “I aimed to capture the simplicity, tonal and aesthetical character of the original, and...
The Gorillaz Return with “The Now Now”
The Gorillaz have always had great bass lines for their songs, and that doesn’t change on their new album The Now Now. The album, which leans more on dance and electronica, features James Ford laying down much of the instrumentals including bass. Jamaican roots/reggae bassist Junior Dan returned to the fold to play on the song “Sorcererz”. He was a...
Massive Unity Unveils the Dirty Boy Preamp Pedal
Massive Unity attended the Summer NAMM Show this year and introduced the Dirty Boy preamp. Designed for guitar and bass, the unit is powered by T.A.E. technology, which is a proprietary tube amp emulation developed by engineer Danny Gomez. “Based on the classic amplifier, the Dirty Boy is a full analog amplifier simulator for line connection, a highly detailed preamp...
Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy Releases Live CD/DVD
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer helped to push the boundaries of what rock musicians could do. Sadly, Emerson and Lake have passed away, but drummer Carl Palmer is still carrying the torch of their musical legacy. His latest release, Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy – Live, is a 2-CD and DVD package dedicated to his fallen friends. “I am so pleased to...
Reverend Guitars Announces Meshell Ndegeocello Fellowship Bass in New Finish
Four years ago, bassist Meshell Ndegeocello teamed up with Reverend Guitars to unveil a signature instrument called the Fellowship Bass. Now the jet black instrument will be available in a new red, black, and green color scheme. Ndegeocello chose the design in honor of Lumumba, the African leader credited with freeing The Congo from Belgium in 1960. A portion of...
In Memoriam: Steve Soto
Sad news to report today: punk rock mainstay Steve Soto has passed away. The Adolescents and Agent Orange bassist was 54 years old. A cause of death has not been announced. Bandmate Tony Reflex shared the news via Twitter. “With heavy heart I share the passing of Steve Soto, my friend and bandmate since 1979,” he wrote. “I don’t know...
Mattoverse Electronics Announces the Inflection Point Modulation Pedal
Mattoverse Electronics has released the Inflection Point, a modulation pedal designed for guitar, bass, or synths. The stompbox features eight waveforms, onboard tap tempo, clock/sync input, resonant ambience (space) control, and true bypass. It also has a toggle for selecting between tremolo or vibrato modes. A dry/wet blend control allows for retaining your tone and creating a more subtle use...
Pantera Releases “Live At Dynamo Open Air 1998”
A new live Pantera album has been released as part of the Dynamo Concerts series. Released just days after the untimely death of drummer Vinnie Paul, Live at Dynamo Open Air 1998 captures the band during their tour cycle behind The Great Southern Trendkill. Rex Brown’s distinct bass holds down the low end as the band tackles fan favorites ranging...
G&L Unveils the CLF Research L-1000 Bass
After launching the CLF Research series earlier this year, G&L has expanded the range with the CLF Research L-1000. The new model revives the passive G&L bass from 1980 while updating some aspects. “The new CLF Research L-1000 brings back the best of the iconic passive G&L bass from 1980. Fans of the vintage G&L “wunkay” know,” the company writes....
Kamasi Washington Releases “Heaven and Earth” with Miles Mosley, Thundercat, and More
Saxophone giant Kamasi Washington has returned with another massive album. Following The Epic and his Harmony of Difference EP, Heaven and Earth pushes the boundaries of jazz with huge soundscapes filled out by an orchestra and choir. Washington made it a double album based on perception. “The Earth side represents the world as I see it outwardly, the world that...
Guild Introduces the B-240E and B-240EF Basses
Guild is bringing back some of their vintage acoustic bass guitar designs with two new models introduced to the Westerly Collection. The B-240E and B-240EF recall the B-50 of the mid-1970’s, which was a “boomy jumbo with an arched mahogany back and 30 3/4? scale length.” Each of the new models carries those features as well as a solid Sitka...