Höfner Unveils the H500/5 “Reeperbahn” Bass
Höfner has reissued another part of their history with the H500/5 “Reeperbahn” bass. Based on the 500/5 that was produced between the ’50s and ’70s, the instrument features a large hollow body and short scale neck. It was famously used by a Beatle, though not the one you’re thinking of. “Although used by many players none is quite so famous...
The Who Release “Live at the Fillmore East 1968”
A unique performance from The Who is now available in a three-LP or 2-CD set. Live at the Fillmore East 1968 captures the band in New York City nearing the end of a long tour, but more importantly, the shows took place one day after the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King. “America was already a country...
Fodera Unveils the Madrone Burl Monarch 5 Standard Special Bass
Fodera has expanded their Standard Specials line of instruments with the Madrone Burl Monarch 5 Standard Special. Built around the Monarch model, the bass has a new combination of woods with a mahogany body, Madrone Burl top, a three-piece maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard. Fodera says the real difference is in the pickups as it is the first Standard...
Sting and Shaggy Release “44/876”
In a somewhat unlikely pairing, Sting and Shaggy have teamed up to release 44/876. The album’s title is taken from the area codes for the U.K. and Jamacia, respectively, to represent each musician’s background. “I think on paper it’s pretty unlikely. We have very different vocal styles,” the former Police bassist admits. “Yet when we actually do sing together, it’s...
IK Multimedia Now Shipping the iRig Stomp I/O USB Pedalboard Controller
IK Multimedia’s iRig lineup has gotten a little bigger with the iRig Stomp I/O. The USB pedalboard controller is designed for live and studio use with a built-in audio interface featuring 24-bit audio and up to 96kHz sampling rate. It also has a combo input jack for use with line, instrument, or mic input with phantom power. The controller connects...
WristGrips Now Available
Playing a lot of bass can lead to some serious issues with your hands and wrists. Ryan Sollee and Gabe Castro are combatting those issues with WristGrips, a one-size-fits-all compression wrap that aims at preventing health problems. “WristGrips help prevent and heal tendonitis, arthritis, and carpal tunnel issues, by compressing and supporting the wrist, increasing oxygen and blood flow to...
Nolabass: An Interview with James Singleton
New Orleans is a city steeped in tradition, but a big part of their culture is constant evolution. That may be why James Singleton is one of the busiest bassists in town. He’s been a mainstay of the scene for over four decades by playing a myriad of styles with tons of music legends: John Scofield, Ellis Marsalis, Stanton Moore,...
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Announce 30th Anniversary Tour Dates
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are celebrating 30 years of music this summer with a handful of North American tour dates. The band will feature the original lineup of Fleck, Roy “Future Man” Wooten, Howard Levy, and Victor Wooten. The outing revolves mostly around festivals in late June, kicking off with the Rochester Jazz Festival on June 26th followed by...
Vovox Releases Sonorus XL Cables
Vovox has announced the Sonorous XL series of cables, which they describe as a “top-of-the-line cable series is designed for both musicians and studios.” The Swiss cable company explains their new line is set apart from their Sonorous line by a crystalline structure of the large, solid-core copper conductors. “As a consequence of their exceptional construction, the ‘sonorus XL’ cables...
Walrus Audio Announces Luminary Octave Generator V2 Pedal
Walrus Audio has revamped their Luminary Quad Octave Generator for 2018. The pedal, which offers four blendable octaves with filters, has been tweaked while retaining the same platform. “With several tasteful updates, the brains of the Luminary V2 are still built on the Sharc DSP platform for crystal clear tracking and high-resolution A/D and D/A conversion,” Walrus writes. Those updates...
Janek Gwizdala Releases “The Bass Player’s Ultimate Chop Builder”
Janek Gwizdala has expanded his line of educational bass books to beef up your technique. The Bass Player’s Ultimate Chop Builder is split into two books: one for major and one for minor. “Having chops is about being able to play anything you hear and seamlessly communicate that with your audience,” Gwizdala states. “The Ultimate Chop Builder series goes deep...
Darkglass Electronics Unveils Limited Edition Microtubes 900 Bass Amp
Darkglass Electronics is continuing their tradition of limited edition models with a decked out version of the Microtubes 900 bass amp. The amp has a new black chassis with artwork on its top. “We have collaborated with Christopher Lovell, a true social media sensation as of late with some of the most epic, dark artwork we have seen in the...