Catalinbread Introduces the NiCompressor Pedal
Catalinbread has expanded their line of pedals with the NiCompressor. Inspired by the vintage Loco Box “The Choker” compressor, the new stompbox is described as offering “exceptional compression dynamics while keeping higher-frequencies intact.” Alongside Gain, Compression, and volume controls, the NiCompressor has Bass and Treble knobs for extra tone shaping. Its all-analog design is FET based and offers 4.8ms of...
Metallica: To Live Is To Die, Live
Metallica is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their album …And Justice For All by posting live versions of each song from the album. They’ve just posted a clip of “To Live is To Die” from its first ever (and only) full-length live performance in 2011. The song is mostly instrumental and was written as a tribute to Cliff Burton, who...
Matt Ulery Releases “Sifting Stars”
Bassist and composer Matt Ulery has released a new album called Sifting Stars that expands his musical palette to include orchestral art songs. The music includes lush string arrangements plus a five-movement piece for brass quintet inspired by the Ivan Albright painting “Into the World There Came a Soul Called Ida.” Ulery admits the ambitious record is a step away...
Stanley Clarke Teases New Stratocaster Bass
In a new interview with Bass Guitar Magazine’s Joel McIver, bass legend Stanley Clarke revealed he’s working with Fender on a new four-string bass based on the Stratocaster guitar. The bass was designed with Clarke’s longtime collaborator Thomas Lieber, who builds his Spellbinder instruments. As it takes its cues from the Strat, they took it to Fender. Clarke is well...
Danny Ziemann Publishes “Topics in Jazz Bass Vol 1: Harmony”
Bassist and jazz educator Danny Ziemann has released a new instructional book called Topics in Jazz Bass Vol 1: Harmony. The 200-page book includes nearly 100 audio examples of its lessons in creating richer bass lines. “Bassists are on a mission to create hip bass lines, but don’t always have the right tools to do it,” Ziemann writes. “Topics in...
Bass of the Week: John Sullivan Custom Bass
I’m always impressed when people build their own bass. This week we’re checking out a cool four-string built by John Sullivan, who was looking to create an instrument for a variety of sounds. “I just wanted to share a bass I built this summer. I wanted it to be a versatile bass that a working musician could use for multiple...
Cleartone Redesigns Coated Bass Strings
Cleartone has revamped their line of coated strings with a new formula they say increases volume, sustain, and longevity. The entire line of guitar and bass strings now have a more refined winding and treatment process. “Cleartone’s new generation strings use a .5 micron coating that according to an independent acoustic lab actually increases volume and sustain from an uncoated...
Larry Grenadier Anchors Wolfgang Muthspiel’s “Where The River Goes”
Jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel has followed up 2016’s Rising Grace with Where The River Goes, an album captures the bandleader with the same group of musicians – Brad Mehldau, Ambrose Akinmusire and Larry Grenadier – with the exception of drummer Brian Blade being replaced by Eric Harland. Recorded at Studios La Buissonne in February 2018, the album features six Muthspiel...
IK Multimedia Introduces Ampeg Collection 2 for Amplitube
IK Multimedia has announced the Ampeg Collection 2 for their AmpliTube and AmpliTube CS apps for iPhone and iPad. The new set includes modeling software for three new matching amps and cabs: the SVT-VR amp with SVT-810 AV cab, the V-4B amp with SVT-212 AV cab, and the Heritage B-15N amp and matching 115 cab. Each model is made to...
MXR Unveils 10th Anniversary Carbon Copy Analog Delay Pedal
It’s been 10 years since MXR released their Carbon Copy analog delay pedal, and they’re celebrating with a 10th-anniversary edition. The pedal will come in a lightweight aluminum housing in a metallic silver finish. “It’s got all the same Carbon Copy goodness that made it famous,” they write. “Use the Delay and Regen controls to dial in the time between...
Missy Raines Releases “Royal Traveller”
Seven-time International Bluegrass Music Awards Bass Player of the Year winner Missy Raines has just released a new album that reasserts why she is so renowned. Royal Traveller features eleven songs that span bluegrass, indie folk, and jam grass with a jazz influence. The bassist and vocalist is joined by an incredible cast of guests including Tim O’Brien, Molly Tuttle,...
Neospectric: An Interview with Max Moran
As artists, we try to combine all of our influences to create something new. Bassist Max Moran has achieved that with his new album, . The forward-thinking jazz album, which is anchored by his band of the same name, blends styles and genres for a beautiful flow over tight grooves. His unique sound came naturally as he forged his musical...