Cody Wright Featured on “Toejam and Earl” Soundtrack
Old school gamers got super excited in 2016 when it was announced that the classic Sega Genesis game “Toejam and Earl” was going to get a new chapter called “Back in the Groove.” The game is still being finished up, but the super funky soundtrack performed by Cody Wright is now available. Wright recreates some of the original grooves while...
Fender Unveils Limited Edition Parallel Universe ’51 Telecaster PJ Bass
Fender presented a retrospective line of instruments this year with the American Original Series, but they also imagined some axes from another dimension that blurred timelines. The Parallel Universe lineup was revealed to include several guitars and one bass: the ’51 Telecaster PJ Bass.
Ozzy Osbourne Reveals North American Tour Dates With Blasko on Bass
Ever since Ozzy Osbourne announced he will stop touring after a massive farewell tour, we’ve been waiting for the North American dates. Now the first set has been revealed. Ozzy, who will be joined by longtime bassist Rob “Blasko” Nicholson, will first hit two festivals in Florida in April before heading out at the end of August. The trek will...
Tensor Updates Classic Series Basses for 2018
Tensor Basses is updating their Classic series of basses for 2018. Described as a “complete ground up redesign,” the new basses offer a deeper cutaway for access to the top frets, Nordstrand J-series pickups, and a new finish. It also updates the company’s main bass feature, the Force Balance System, which replaces the need for a truss rod. “As an...
EBS Reveals ReTracer Delay Workstation Pedal
EBS is celebrating 30 years in the business this year. While they have tried and true products, that doesn’t mean they aren’t innovating. This year at the NAMM Show they previewed the ReTracer Delay, a compact pedal that utilizes new hardware and software from the company. The ReTracer offers twelve distinct engines to produce different effects. “Benefit from useful features...
Chris Hillman’s First Solo Albums Reissued As “The Asylum Years”
Chris Hillman’s first two solo albums have been reissued on a new CD called The Asylum Years. The country-rock pioneer started his solo career with 1976’s Slippin’ Away, with Clear Sailin’ following the next year. Though Hillman laid down the low end for the iconic bands The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, he only played bass on two tracks...
Spector Introduces the Bantam 4 Short-Scale Bass
Spector was showing off several new models at the 2018 Winter NAMM Show including the new Bantam 4, a short-scale bass with a chambered alder body. The combo of features helps to keep the bass’s weight down to just seven pounds. The basses are built with a carved NS-style body topped with quilted maple in black cherry or black stain...
Frank Zappa’s Complete The Roxy Performances Now Available
Attention Frank Zappa fans: the complete Roxy performances are now available in a seven-CD box set. Recorded in December 1973, Zappa’s concerts at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood are considered a high-water mark of his career with his band The Mothers in top shape. The lineup for The Mothers at the time included keyboardist George Duke, bassist Tom Fowler, trombonist...
Warwick Announces Idolmaker Bass
Warwick unveiled a bass counterpart to the Framus Idolmaker at the Winter NAMM Show. Produced in the custom shop or as part of their German Pro Series Teambuilt line, the Warwick Idolmaker Bass is built with a carved mahogany body and a bolt-on wenge neck. It comes in four or five-string versions as well as fretted or fretless. Warwick uses...
Bass of the Week: Ergon Guitars Cintra
Instrument builders always bring their best gear to the NAMM Show. As we were wandering the halls of the Anaheim Convention Center we found the Boutique Guitar Showcase, which brings builders from around the world to show off their work. We saw tons of great instruments, including the jaw-dropping Cintra bass from Portugal’s Ergon Guitars. Luthier Adriano Sérgio was on...
Consider The Source Announces Spring Tour Dates
Consider the Source has announced they’ll be bringing their brand of sci-fi Middle Eastern fusion across the U.S. on a massive spring tour. The trio, anchored by bass guru John Ferrara, will be pregaming with a date at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York before heading to the Ardmore Music Hall in Pennsylvania on March 2nd. Their concerts...
Marco Bass Guitars Unveils The N1 Bass Guitar
One of the booths at the NAMM Show that always has tons of buzz is the Marco Bass Guitars display. This year they introduced the N1 bass, which they describe as a game changer. Although the bass is their entry-level model, it’s still made in the USA in the Marco shop. “Marco Cortes has spent over three decades perfecting his...