ESO Releases Bass Strap
The ESO Strap line has been expanded to include a bass-specific strap. Available in seven colors, the straps are manufactured in Seattle, Washington. The ESO Bass Strap features a contoured “S” shape to avoid pressure points and digging into your neck. It’s built with a high-density foam core with interior heavyweight backing and reinforced stitching at critical points. The strap...
Ismael Alcina: Solo
Spanish bassist and composer Ismael Alcina recently released an album called Bass Life, featuring some really fantastic playing. Here’s a great video of the aptly entitled track “Solo”. Alcina creates a mysterious atmosphere before launching into a palm muted groove and building on it with a looper pedal.
Mark Dresser Seven Releases “Sedimental You”
Bassist/composer Mark Dresser has released Sedimental You, an exploratory album that teeters between free jazz and chamber music for a refreshing musical ride. The seven-song collection features his septet including flutist Nicole Mitchell, clarinetist Marty Ehrlich, trombonist Michael Dessen, pianist Joshua White, drummer Jim Black, and violinist David Morales Boroff. Each member of the group brings a special element to...
PHOS and Fortheloveofbass: Retrograde
Ivo Schot has released the fifth video in his Fortheloveofbass series, and it may be my favorite. This time the bassist teamed up with Dutch singer-songwriter PHOS (AKA Eveline Vroonland) to cover the James Blake song “Retrograde”. Schot covers the harmonic elements with his bass and a full pedalboard while PHOS pours her syrupy vocals overtop.
Bass of the Week: D’ARCO Shakti 5-String Bass
This week we’re checking out the D’ARCO Shakti 5-string bass by French Luthier Clément D’Arco. The striking bass has a host of beautiful, exotic woods to create a rich visual appeal. Its body is crafted from lacewood, purpleheart, wenge, and flamed maple while the 13-piece neck is made of flamed maple, wenge and a bubinga/wenge veneer. The neck is reinforced...
IK Multimedia Introduces MODO Bass Virtual Instrument
IK Multimedia has released MODO Bass, a physical modeling virtual bass instrument. The program recreates the response, feel, and tone of a real electric bass with accurate replications of 12 standard models. Beyond the models themselves, nearly every aspect of physically playing the bass can be dialed in, from playing technique (finger, slap and pick) to muting, to where you...
Epiphone Unveils Limited Edition Korina Explorer Bass
Epiphone has released a line of limited edition instruments featuring korina wood, including the Limited Edition Korina Explorer Bass. The bass sports the classic explorer body shape and comes loaded with a set of Epiphone’s XR and XT humbuckers. Both its body and neck are made of korina (also known as African Limba), while the fingerboard is rosewood. The glue-in...
Christian Sturgess: Brutai’s “Of Ashes” Bass Playthrough
Earlier this year, we were knocked out by bassist Christian Sturgess as he ripped through his band Brutai’s track “Onyx“. Now he’s back with another gritty play along for the song “Of Ashes” from their upcoming debut album, Born. Sturgess uses a gnarly overdrive, power chords, and tapping to keep the song super heavy.
Sadowsky Introduces 3-Knob Onboard Bass Preamp
Sadowsky has released a the 3-knob Onboard bass preamp, which is their first to be available as a prewired drop-in for J style basses without a side jack. No soldering is required to install it in your bass. “It has been designed for minimally invasive installation on most J-bass style instruments,” the company writes. “The only modification required is a...
The Last Hero: An Interview with Brian Marshall
Alter Bridge’s fifth studio album, , is a continuation of the band’s heavy-yet-melodic style. That sound is anchored by the thick bass work of Brian Marshall. The bassist, along with guitarist Mark Tremonti and drummer Scott “Flip” Philips, was a founding member of Creed before forming Alter Bridge in 2004. Vocalist Myles Kennedy rounds out the group, who spent this...
Prince’s Bassists: Musicology
Last month, musicians from throughout Prince’s career came together for an official tribute concert in Minneapolis. The star studded event was anchored by five of the Purple One’s bass colleagues: Sonny T from New Power Generation, Ida Nielsen from NPG/3rdEyeGirl, Andrew Gouche from NPG, Josh Dunham from NPG, and MonoNeon. In a beautiful moment, all five bassists performed together on...
In Memoriam: Victor Bailey
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that bass legend Victor Bailey has passed away from complications with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. He was 56 years old. Bailey was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania into a musical family. His father, Morris Bailey Jr., was a composer, arranger and saxophonist that wrote songs for R&B artists from the ’60s and ’70s...