Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 329

Metal bass legend Steve Harris has released a new album with his band British Lion called “The Burning.” It’s the second release from the group, which keeps Harris busy when he’s not on the road with Iron Maiden.

EMG has expanded its lineup of signature bass pickups with the Robert Trujillo Signature “Rip Tide” Set. The Metallica bassist’s new pickups are described as a first with “stainless steel, black chrome caps to the world of the jazz bass.”

Genzler Amplification was at NAMM 2020 to unveil a new bass cab in their Bass Array line. The BA15-3 is fitted with a 15-inch driver with a vertical array of four 3-inch drivers, and more.

Though he’s known for leading the Marcus King Band, Marcus King has released his first solo album. “El Dorado” was produced with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, who performed many of the instruments, as well as seasoned Nashville ace Dave Roe.

This week we’re checking out the BlueLotus Basses BLSC4, a singlecut neck-through design built by Matt Scarpa. The luthier crafted it around a five-piece quarter-sawn hard maple and wenge neck.

The virtuoso group Sons of Apollo has returned with “MMXX,” which marks their second studio album. The band has the incredible lineup of Mike Portnoy, Derek Sherinian, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Jeff Scott, and Billy Sheehan.

Sandberg Guitars was on hand at the 2020 Winter NAMM Show to display several new products, including a new short-scale passive bass called the Lionel. Featuring a 30-inch scale, the bass is based on the company’s California VS model.

Mac Miller tragically passed away in 2018, but we’re now getting to hear what he was working on before his death. “Circles” is the first posthumous release of Miller’s work. Dywane “MonoNeon” Thomas, Jr. played on one track and shares the story.

Ashdown has unveiled a new and impossibly small 200-watt bass amp called The Ant. Weighing in at just two pounds, the unit measures 8 inches wide, 4.6 inches deep, and 2.4 inches tall including its feet and knobs.

After the first version sold out almost immediately, Earthquaker Devices has unveiled the Life Pedal V2. The circuit is in a new, more traditional housing and has all the sounds of the original with a few more features.

Fodera doesn’t have a booth at the Winter NAMM Show this year, though they’ll be on hand. That isn’t stopping them from revealing the new Yin Yang Standard, which will come in two color/wood options: Purple Heart or Mahogany.

Zac Brown Band will be performing across North America in 2020 on a trek the bandleader is calling the “Roar With The Lions Tour.” The band is anchored by bassist Matt Mangano, who joined the group in 2014.