Roks Instruments Unveils the Nardis Bass
Luthier Axel Roks of Roks Instruments is known for his unique, minimalist designs. (Check out his Microtonal Futura model.) But now he’s added his flair to a more traditional design to create the Nardis, a hand-built bass that mixes vintage and modern. “Nardis is a bass inspired by tradition, but is infused with the Roks flair and engineering,” the bass...
Led Zeppelin’s How The West Was Won Remastered for 2018
Led Zeppelin’s iconic How The West Was Won live album was released in 2003 and is now getting a remastered version for its 15th anniversary. The album documents Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones at the height of their powers from two concerts at the Los Angeles Forum and Long Beach Arena in 1972. This reissued...
Nektar Technology Introduces the Pacer MIDI Footswitch Controller
Nektar Technology has introduced the Pacer, a MIDI footswitch controller that comes preconfigured for the most popular DAWs and MIDI guitar products. It also offers standard amp switching. “The sturdy metal case features 10 programmable footswitch controls with RGB LEDs and an additional Preset footswitch for recalling presets and navigation,” Nektar writes. “Additionally, Pacer allows the connection of 2 expression...
Yes Announces 50th Anniversary Tour
Yes will be back on the road in 2018 to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The legendary prog-rock outfit, which was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year, will feature the lineup of Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, and bassist Billy Sherwood. Sherwood, of course, was personally chosen by founding bassist and bandleader Chris...
Anthony Wellington Announces Bassology At Sea
Renowned bass educator Anthony Wellington has announced Bassology At Sea, a six-day cruise that will be both a vacation and an education. The cruise will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on November 10th and return November 15th. “This camp will be open to all electric bassists. It’ll also be open to other musicians who want to learn more about music...
Warwick Introduces RockBass Alien Deluxe Thinline Hybrid Acoustic Bass Guitar
Warwick has expanded their Alien Bass series of acoustic bass guitars with a new thinner model aimed at the touring musician. The Warwick RockBass Alien Deluxe Thinline Hybrid will be available as a 4-string or 5-string in both fretted and fretless versions. “[The bass was] designed to be thinner for more ergonomic comfort,” Warwick’s Marcus Spangler writes. “When listening to...
John Ferrara: Opening
When I was in college, one of my best friends turned me onto the composer Philip Glass and I was hooked. His minimalist style entranced me with its use of repeated themes and overlapping rhythms. It seemed mind-bending to be performed on the piano, which is why my jaw hit the floor when John Ferrara sent me this video. The...
Spirit Fingers, featuring Hadrien Feraud, Releases Debut Album
The amazing bass playing of Hadrien Feraud is featured on the debut album from Spirit Fingers, a jazz supergroup led by pianist Greg Spero and filled out by drummer Mike Mitchell and guitarist Dario Chiazzolino. The band’s unique and intense sound is forged by Feraud’s bass. “Hadrien’s technical and harmonic capabilities are beyond any other living bass player that I...
Dwarfcraft Devices Announces Ghost Fax Phase Computer
Dwarfcraft Devices has expanded their line of modulation pedals with the Ghost Fax Phase Computer. They call it “a digital powerhouse that adds exciting new abilities along with the tried and true phaser effects.” The Ghost Fax has four modes – Standard, Manual, Envelope Up and Envelope Down – with three knobs to control the phase sounds: Action, Feedback, and...
Bass of the Week: Ash Instruments Singulus
This week we’re checking out the Singulus by Ash Instruments. Russian luthier Andrey Shevchenko made the bass with a 30-year old pine body capped with a beautiful slab of poplar burl in a “Flying Blue” frosted transparent finish. The five-string bass’s three-piece padauk neck is also topped with padauk for its fingerboard, which holds 24 frets. For electronics, Shevchenko opted...
Petros Klampanis: Pes Mou Mia Lexi
Double bassist Petros Klampanis is back with another groove with a view. “Pes Mou Mia Lexi” is the third video in his Rooftop Story series. This time he’s above the bustling streets of Havana, Cuba. “I have always been fascinated by the music and culture of this part of the world. The way that Western and African civilizations merge in...
Victor Wooten Announces Fun & Funk Xplosion Tour with Sinbad
Bass master Victor Wooten has announced the Fun & Funk Xplosion tour. The outing promises to be a good time as Wooten will be joined by his brother Regi on guitar, his brother Roy (aka Future Man) on percussion, saxophonist Bob Franceschini, and comedy legend Sinbad. The comedian is also an avid funk lover and musician. The tour will kick...