Donny McCaslin with Tim Lefebvre: Faceplant
Donny McCaslin’s latest release, , recruited his dream team with Mark Guiliana, Jason Lindner and Tim Lefebvre. The group has just put out a new video for the track “Faceplant”, and it’s epic. Lefebvre lays down a ferocious line while the rest of the band gets wild.
Mastro Valvola Introduces the Millibar Mk2 Compressor
Italy’s Mastro Valvola has unveiled the Millibar mk2, a studio-grade optical compressor designed for both bass and guitar. The new version takes their retro-styled pedal and adds a new feature. “Inspired by the performance of the Universal Audio 1176 and Teletronix LA2A, we have managed to recreate and implement their characteristics in the Millibar, in terms of both, transparent compression...
Dominic “Forest” Lapointe: B.A.R.F.’s “Leader” Playthrough
Dominic “Forest” Lapointe is one of my favorite metal bassists. His unique bass lines bring out his voice in the music and his killer chops make it impressive to watch. Here’s a great clip of Lapointe tearing through “Leader” by B.A.R.F. Although he typically plays fretless, his monster playing translates perfectly to a fretted six-string. He kicks things off with...
Earthquaker Devices Announces the Space Spiral Delay
Earthquaker Devices has launched the Space Spiral Modulated Delay, which they describe as an analog-voiced digital delay. The stompbox offers 30ms to 600ms of delay time with a variable waveshape LFO that affects the repeated signal. “[The Space Spiral] is a dark and dreamy modulated delay designed to take you across the highways of fantasy. If you are a fan...
Nine Inch Nails, featuring Pino Palladino: Sanctified
One thing that never ceases to amaze me is Pino Palladino’s insane versatility. He’s played with The Who, John Mayer, D’Angelo, Paul Simon, Oleta Adams and more. Here’s a great clip of the bassist bringing his slick fretless chops to Nine Inch Nails on the song “Sanctified.” It’s the perfect groove for the industrial-tinged song.
ESP Announces John Campbell Signature Bass
Lamb of God bassist John Campbell has a new signature bass from ESP called the LTD JC-4FM. Based on the company’s Stream model, the bass is customized to Campbell’s liking, including a flamed maple top with a smooth satin black finish on its swamp ash body’s back and sides. It’s also built with a five-piece maple and bubinga neck topped...
Bass of the Week: AJR Guitarmods Piccolo Bass
Last year we featured a gorgeous singlecut bass from AJR Guitarmods that wowed readers. Now, builder Andy Rogers has finished a new instrument in a different direction: a semi-hollow piccolo bass. The elegant model was built for his band’s bassist, Pete. “Pete wanted a bass that he could practice with, and sort new riffs out, on the settee without risking...
Warwick Launches Leland Sklar Signature Bass
After introducing a prototype at NAMM last year, Warwick has launched the Sklar Bass I Signature bass. Made with legendary session bassist Leland Sklar, the hollowbody four-stringer is based on the Star Bass with modifications for Sklar’s liking including an arm support built into the body. The German master-built instrument is built with a carved body crafted from mahogany with...
Marleaux Basses Unveils the Tiuz
Master luthier Gerald Marleaux unveiled a brand new model at the NAMM Show this year called the Tiuz. Named after the mythological German god, the bass is designed to be lightweight, customizable, and flexible. That flexibility is due in part to Marleaux’s new pickups and preamp. “The heart of the TIUZ lies in a brand new electronics package,” the Marleaux...
RJM Music Technology Introduces the Mastermind LT MIDI Foot Controller
RJM Music Technology has introduced the Mastermind LT, a MIDI foot controller they describe as low coast yet very capable. It’s a more attainable version of their Mastermind GT for working musicians. “The trick was to reduce the cost substantially without compromising quality,” a press release states. “Building the Mastermind LT with a single LCD and a multi-color LED over...
Bruno Tauzin: Funky Slap Bass Solo
Bruno Tauzin is back with another short and sweet bass video. This time he lays down a thick slap groove filled out with some nice double stops.
Ibanez Introduces the SRH Semi-Hollow Bass
Besides celebrating the 30th anniversary of the SR this year, Ibanez also introduced a new semi-hollow body model called the SRH. The bass comes in four and five-string versions with the option of fretted or fretless fingerboards, all of which all built with a mahogany semi-hollow body and a spruce top. The body has a single f-hole with a special...