Sire Guitars Unveils 2nd Generation Marcus Miller Basses
Sire Guitars has announced several major upgrades to their Marcus Miller line of bass guitars ranging from the pickups to the serial number system. Nearly every bass they make has been upgraded in some way. The biggest change is in the second generation pickups, which applies to the V7, V7 Vintage, V9, P7, M7, and V3 models. Sire writes that...
The Beatles Celebrate “The White Album” with Deluxe Packages
It’s been fifty years since the release of the Beatles’ self-titled album, better known as The White Album, and now it is being celebrated with special anniversary versions. The album’s thirty tracks have been remixed and remastered by producer Giles Martin and Sam Okell in stereo and 5.1 surround audio. It will also include 27 early acoustic demos and 50...
Fender Introduces Limited Edition Midnight Hour Precision Bass
Fender recently produced a short film called “Artform” with producers Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge, also known as The Midnight Hour. The mini-doc highlights the duo’s musical journey through the lens of hip-hop. To celebrate the collaboration, Fender also released the Limited Edition Midnight Hour Precision Bass. The new bass takes its cues from the ’60s era with a...
Al Turner Releases “This Is”
Al “The Burner” Turner has released his fifth solo album, entitled This Is. The new album is described as full of “upbeat, joyful and melodic tunes” while being centered on the groove. That’s because Turner, who has worked with artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to Ron Isley, taps into his influences for the eight-song album. “Earl Klugh, Bob James, and...
Andrew Gouché Releases Book of 20 Groove Lessons
Andrew Gouché’s online “Grooves From The Soul” bass lesson series is now available in a book format. The Andrew Gouché Bass Method compiles 20 grooves ranging from ’90s R&B to a Sade-inspired jam in standard music notation plus tab. Just as important as the physical book is the access it gives to online content including full speed and half-speed video...
Bass of the Week: DTC Bass Guitars 5-String Multiscale Singlecut
This DTC Bass Guitars instrument caught my eye for its intense purple finish over the burl top, which looks like you’re staring into space. However, it’s got loads of other great features, too. Built with a mahogany body, the bass is a singlecut and multiscale design for a modern approach to bass playing. The stabilized burl top almost hides its...
Iron Maiden Announces “Legacy of the Beast” North American Tour Dates
Up the irons! Iron Maiden has announced that their Legacy of the Beast tour will be coming to North America for 34 concerts next summer. The tour, which just wrapped up in Europe, features the metal legends playing songs spanning their entire catalog. Of course, that means loads of great bass lines. “We gave a lot of thought to the...
Hal Leonard Publishes “Jazz Bass” Method Book
Hal Leonard has published a new book for acoustic and electric jazz bassists. Jazz Bass by Matthew Rybicki covers everything you need to know to start learning jazz bass. Lessons in the book include walking basics, chords and scales, blues, rhythm changes, string raking, soloing, chord substitution, and more. The 138-page book is complete with standard music notation plus tab...
DSM Noisemaker Announces the OmniCabSim Mini Pedal
DSM Noisemaker has announced the OmniCabSim Mini, a compact pedal that continues their line of cabinet simulators. It has controls for amp gain, level, texture, resonance, and cab size. “The Cab Size switch options are Combo and Stack for guitar use, while Fridge is selected for bass use to get that tight and punchy low-end response for any situation or...
Prophets of Rage: The Ballot or the Bullet
Prophets of Rage have released a new video called “The Ballot or the Bullet” that teases their upcoming album with a mashup of three unreleased tracks plus the new single “Heart Afire.” Taken from a Malcolm X speech about black voter rights, the video is a reminder of the importance of voting. “There are people trying to keep many of...
Bob Daisley Releases Gary Moore Tribute Album
Bob Daisley has just released a new tribute album to guitarist Gary Moore, with whom he had worked for many years. Moore Blues for Gary features a host of incredible guitarists and vocalists paying respects to Moore with Daisley laying down the bass all along the way. “In my opinion, Gary was one of the best guitarists who ever lived....
Earthquaker Devices Unveils the Black Ash Endangered Fuzz Pedal
Earthquaker Devices has unveiled a new pedal called the Black Ash Endangered Fuzz. Limited to 1,500 units worldwide, the fuzz is a take on the “three-knob” Tone Bender that is built with rare components. “It uses a highly curated selection of premium components including paper-in-oil capacitors and half-watt carbon composition resistors from EarthQuaker Devices president Jamie Stillman’s personal collection to...