Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 367

Freekbass has announced a new tour in support of his latest record, “All The Way This. All The Way That.”

Jackson has expanded its JS Series basses with two new models: the JS Series Spectra Bass JS3Q and JS Series Spectra Bass JS3QV. The basses are four- and five-strings, respectively, and feature a quilted maple top and a new body shape.

Underground Brooklyn music legends The Giraffes have returned with a new album called “Flower of the Cosmos.” The album serves as a turning point for the band. Last year, bassist Josh Taggart left the group and was replaced by Hannah Moorhead.

Spiral Electric FX unveiled the new White Spiral Boost at Summer NAMM this year. The pedal, designed by former DOD/Digitech creative Tom Cram, is a light JFET boost “with a few tricks up its sleeve.”

Guitarist Robben Ford and saxophonist Bill Evans teamed up to record a new album, “The Sun Room.” The duo, which has often worked together over the years, recruited drummer Keith Carlock and bassist James Genus to round out the record.

Foxgear has expanded their pedal lineup with the Ballade, a chorus pedal that revives the sound of the ’80s.

Back in 2016, longtime Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band bassist Garry Tallent struck out on his own with his first-ever solo album, “Break Time.” Now he’s keeping the momentum up with his second album, entitled “More Like Me.”

Ibanez has expanded their BTB line with two new fretless basses: the five-string BTB845F and the six-string BTB846F.

Volbeat has returned with their seventh album, called “Rewind, Replay, Rebound.” It’s the first studio release from the Danish rock band to feature their new lineup with Kaspar Boye Larsen on bass, who officially joined the group in 2016.

BASS OF THE WEEK: Eastwood Guitars has a knack for recreating vintage basses in a modern format while retaining all their glorious mojo. That’s evident in their take on the Airline Pocket Bass, which was introduced two years ago.

Northern Lutherie has introduced a new upright bass pickup called Da Crusher. Named in honor of the wrestler “who made Milwaukee famous,” the pickup is a stacked 20mm piezo system that is fitted into the bridge.

Blackstar Amplification has unveiled the amPlug 2 FLY, a compact headphone amplifier that comes in versions for guitar and for bass. Each features a fully analog circuit that’s been reworked for a clearer and more present sound, the company says.