Metallica: Moth Into Flame
Metallica has given another preview of their upcoming album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct, due out November 18th. Similar to “Hardwired“, “Moth Into Flame” is another thrasher anchored by bassist Robert Trujillo, who also handles backup vocals. Trujillo recently said that the albums sounds crushing. “Sound-wise, it’s got a lot of firepower,” he said. “I’m excited about the songs, but I’m also...
No Treble Founder Featured on Contrabass Conversations Podcast
Ever wonder how No Treble came to be? Founder Corey Brown shared the details in the latest episode of the Contrabass Conversations podcast, hosted by Jason Heath. Starting with his beginnings in music, Corey chronicles his journeys with the bass and the web. Get the scoop on his work with the Jaco Pastorius website, No Treble, and more by listening...
Steve Harris’ British Lion Announces European Tour and Live Album
Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris is taking his band British Lion on a European tour throughout November and December. The trek, which is their most extensive outing to date, will focus on the club circuit while visiting countries they’ve yet to play. It will also include new music from the band. “It’s been great fun taking British Lion out on...
The Bassmonsters: Live in Prague
The 2016 BASSEUROPE convention just wrapped up, and it was quite a week of bass goodness. Held in Prague, the event included tons of double bass performances and clinics. Here’s a clip of The Bassmonsters performing during the convention. The song is the group’s theme song, written by the talented bassist and composer Simón Garcia. This lineup of the Bassmonsters...
Bass of the Week: J Ferro Basses Escalon
This week we’re checking out the J Ferro Escalon bass. The model is part of a new series created by industry veteran Jose Ferro, who spent 17 years as Executive Vice President of ESP Guitars. Available in four- and five-string versions, the Escalon features neck-through construction with a five-piece maple and mahogany neck matched to mahogany body wings. Its top...
Darkglass Electronics Launches Microtubes 900 Bass Amp
After showing a prototype at the NAMM Show this year, Darkglass Electronics is now shipping their first bass amplifier. The Microtubes 900 offers several upgrades from the prototype including extra power and an intuitive footswitch. Its design includes an all-analog preamplifier matched to a Class D Power module that dishes out 900 watts. Darkglass explains that the amp has an...
Fender Introduces T-Bucket 300E Bass
Fender has revamped their T-Bucket series for 2016, including the introduction of the 300E Bass. The medium-scale, acoustic-electric bass is fitted with a Fishman Isys III pickup system. It comes complete with an active preamp and built-in tuner as well as volume and tone controls. The T-Bucket 300E Bass is constructed with mahogany back and sides with a figured maple...
Cliff Williams Officially Retires from AC/DC
After announcing it earlier this year, Cliff Williams has officially retired from AC/DC after a nearly 40 year run. The bassist joined the band in 1977, just two years after their debut album, and played on every subsequent release. “I’m just ready to get off the road,” Williams stated in a video interview. “[I need] family time now and just...
Peter Hook and the Light Embark on North American “Substance” Tour
Peter Hook and the Light are returning to North America this Fall to perform the works of Joy Division and New Order. The trek will have the bassist revisit his former bands by performing Joy Division and New Order’s compilation albums Substance live, sequentially and in their entireties. “Released in August 1987, New Order’s Substance was originally conceived as a...
Jens Ritter Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Coffee Table Book
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of Jens Ritter Instruments, and the bass maker is celebrating with a commemorative book of his work. “I started my career as an instrument maker in 1996. Now in September 2016 I am celebrating my 20th anniversary with a coffee table book with pictures of my favorite instruments from the last 20 years,” Ritter...
Alex Bershadsky, Oz Noy, Nathaniel Townsley & Kama Kamila: POP-001
Alex Bershadsky has teased his upcoming album with a new video for the song, “POP-001”. Besides the bassist’s incredible strumming and slap playing, the tune features heavyweight musicians with guitarist Oz Noy, drummer Nathaniel Townsley, and vocalist Kama Kamila. If this is any indicator of its direction, we’re really looking forward to the new album!
Ibanez Unveils Limited Edition SR Premium Bass
Ibanez is making a special run of heir SR Premium bass for 2016. The SR5SMLTD Premium is a five-string model that will sport a spalted maple top, birdseye maple fingerboard, and birdseye maple pickup covers to exude what the company calls a rare exotic charm. As a member of the Premium line, the bass carries several other upgrades from standard...