Gamut Music Announces Red Diamond Gut Double Bass Strings
Gamut Music has expanded their line of double bass strings with the Red Diamond series. The gut strings are described as having a strong bottom end and a full tone. “The G-1 and D-2 strings are made of the finest beef serosa from the green fields of Ireland, twisted in our famous Lyon gut style, then wrapped with nylon to...
Niodel: 21
Niodel released their debut album, 1-13, in November and kicked off the release with a special show. The duo, featuring Paolo Cipollini on bass and Mattia Bellotti on drums, explore the relationship between electronic and live music with their instruments and sample pads. The result is a killer mix of ambient and driving music. Check out this clip from their...
Eric Clapton Announces 2017 U.S. Performances with Nathan East
Eric Clapton has announced a four-date run in the U.S. for 2017 that will include two nights each in New York City’s Madison Square Garden and the Forum in Los Angeles. The former Cream guitarist has previously stated he will not be touring much anymore due to his health issues and age, making these concerts a special treat. Clapton has...
New Rush Documentary Available Now
Rush’s Time Stand Still documentary is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray. The film documents the band’s 40-year history, centered on the band’s final R40 tour. Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson share personal stories about the band’s career while much of the film focuses on the trio’s fans, as well. “A lot of people pat us on the...
Bass of the Week: Zon Guitars Zemi Acoustik Bass
Meshuggah’s Dick Lovgren has gotten a crazy new bass from Zon Guitars, and it’s our bass of the week. The one-of-a-kind Zemi Acoustik is based on Zon’s Sonus body style but has a thicker, hollow mahogany body with a stunning flame maple top. Its set neck is made of a composite, while the phenowood fingerboard holds 24 frets. The pickups...
Brandi Disterheft Releases “Blue Canvas”
Brandi Disterheft has returned with her fourth album as a leader, entitled Blue Canvas. With veteran pianist Harold Mabern and drummer Joe Farnsworth in tow, the jazz bassist/vocalist goes deep on a mix of classic and original tunes. “Aside from an array of classic standards from Clifford Brown, Bobby Timmons, and Tadd Dameron, I chose four out of thirty songs...
Mike Watt Releases Historic Live Album
A special piece of history has been released with Mike Watt’s Ring Spiel Tour ’95 album. It was a special time for Watt, who was just beginning his solo work after years of working with The Minutemen and fIREHOSE. His first solo album, Ball-Hog or Tugboat? was released in February 1995, and he took the show on the road in...
Sadowsky Unveils Vintage Style Single Cut Bass
Roger Sadowsky and crew have introduced a vintage version of their Single Cut model, which was introduced earlier this year. The bass retains the specs of the original bass with two key differences: different pickups and the inclusion of a pickguard and control plate. Sadowsky gave us the scoop on the new pickup set, which includes a single J-style pickup...
Jason Heath Releases “Winning The Audition”
Bassists looking to get orchestral jobs have a new resource thanks to Jason Heath’s new book, Winning the Audition. Heath, who hosts the Contrabass Conversations podcast, interviewed musicians from the world’s top orchestras to get the scoop on what it took to get their gigs. “This book is broken down into eight chapters covering the evolution of the modern audition...
Lake Street Dive Announces U.S. Tour Dates
Lake Street Dive have announced an extensive US tour slated to start in February. The tour will kick off February 16th in Boston, Massachusetts before covering the East Coast and heading west to end up in Los Angeles, California on March 21st. The band, anchored by bassist Bridget Kearney, will be continuing their trek in support of their latest release,...
Erik Scott Releases “In The Company Of Clouds”
Erik Scott has released his fourth solo album, In The Company of Clouds. The former Alice Cooper and Flo & Eddie bassist has expanded on his own personal style that mixes his past rock influences in with new age, jazz, and world styles. Scott weaves ambient soundscapes that highlight his sweet fretless bass as the center point. “The CD you’re...
Strictly 7 Guitars Announces Python, Copperhead, and Sidewinder Basses
The extended range specialists at Strictly 7 Guitars have officially launched a new line of bass guitars. The series includes three models: the Copperhead, the Sidewinder, and the Python. “The Copperhead was the original bass model we started in 2013 with Simone Bertozzi of Mnemic,” the company writes. “We needed it to produce a low F frequency with some balls...