Alexander Pedals Introduces The Defender
Alexander Pedals has expanded their Neo Series with the Defender, a pedal that packs multiple digital drives into a single pedal. The effects are controlled with a full panel of secondary effects. “The Defender is capable of anything from a transparent overdrive with slapback delay to a wall of synth fuzz made even more bodacious with octaves included,” the company...
Stanley Clarke Reveals New Album for 2018
45 years after his debut album as a leader, Stanley Clarke has announced his next release. The Message will feature the bass master alongside his longtime touring band of young innovators – Cameron Graves, Beka Gochiashvili, and Mike Mitchell – as well as several special guests like rapper Doug E. Fresh and trumpeter Mark Isham. Clarke collaborated with each of...
Bass of the Week: Nelson Instruments Paramount
This week we’re checking out the Nelson Instruments Paramount, a killer bass that’s oozing vintage appeal. Its funky maple body is matched to a quarter sawn hard maple neck and set with hot hide glue, which Nelson says offers extras sustain and rigidity. The secret sauce to the bass is in its pickups, Nelson adds. “The Paramount comes standard with...
Jeff Ament Releases “Heaven/Hell”
Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has released his third solo album, entitled Heaven/Hell. The album came about after writing several songs that didn’t fit into the rest of Pearl Jam’s style. “I usually end up having a group of songs that goes to the band, and then there are songs that don’t feel right, or they feel too personal,” he...
ENKI Unveils AMG-2 Electric Bass Guitar Case
ENKI has gotten into the bass protection business with the AMG-2 Electric Bass Guitar Case. Built to hold two basses, the case can handle extended and multi-scale instruments. “The ENKI AMG-2 Bass Case is built with an extremely tough lightweight Roto-Molded Polyethylene Shell and a luxurious EVA foam insert providing excellent impact resistance and travel convenience,” the company writes. It...
Rhonda Smith Joins Jeff Beck for Summer Tour
Rhonda Smith will be joining Jeff Beck once again on tour this summer for the “Stars Align” tour, which will have the legendary guitarist performing with Paul Rodgers and Ann Wilson. The outing will also include a handful of Beck solo shows. The tour will kick off July 18th in West Valley City, Utah at the USANA Amphitheatre before working...
Darkglass Electronics Upgrades Vintage Series Pedals for 2018
Darkglass Electronics has been introducing lots of new gear, but now they’re revamping some of their existing units. The company’s Vintage Series pedals have gotten an upgrade for 2018 including the Vintage Ultra v2 and the Vintage Deluxe v3. The Vintage Ultra v2 retains the features of the original but has been upgraded with their new cabinet simulation technology. It...
Dr. Dog Returns with “Critical Equation”
Dr. Dog has released their 10th studio album, Critical Equation. And although the psychedelic pop band has been at it for quite some time, that doesn’t mean they aren’t finding new music in themselves. “This band has been at work a long time and this record is about a concerted effort to push ourselves to grow with courage and confidence...
Leland Sklar To Join Phil Collins for North American Tour
Bass legend Leland Sklar will once again lay down the low end for Phil Collins on a new North American tour scheduled for this fall. The outing will mark the former Genesis member’s first tour on the continent in eight years. It will be a continuation of his “Not Dead Yet Live!” tour, which Sklar also anchored last year. The...
Mesa/Boogie Announces Switch-Track and Head-Track Pedals
Mesa/Boogie has expanded their product lineup with two new signal management devices: the Switch-Track and the Head-Track. Aimed at controlling dual amps, the Switch-Track allows for an “either-or-both ABY scenario,” which the company says lets users switch between two different amps, two identical amps with different settings, or combining amps for a fuller sound. Its input is buffered to prevent...
Yamaha Acquires Ampeg
There’s been another big shift in the music industry. Iconic bass amplification company Ampeg has been acquired by the Yamaha Guitar Group. The news was shared in a press release from Loud Audio, LLC, which sold Ampeg from its portfolio. “While saying goodbye to the Ampeg brand is like saying goodbye to an old friend, we are really excited by...
Fishbone Announce Tour With Classic Lineup
Fishbone has been been through it’s fair share of members, but they’re throwing it back to their classic lineup for their upcoming tour. They made the announcement on their Facebook page. “Fishbone is back to all original members minus Kendall Jones,” they wrote. “In the last year, drummer Fish and guitarist John Bigham returned and this month vocalist/keyboardist and trombone...