Tensor Updates Classic Series Basses for 2018
Tensor Basses is updating their Classic series of basses for 2018. Described as a “complete ground up redesign,” the new basses offer a deeper cutaway for access to the top frets, Nordstrand J-series pickups, and a new finish. It also updates the company’s main bass feature, the Force Balance System, which replaces the need for a truss rod. “As an...
EBS Reveals ReTracer Delay Workstation Pedal
EBS is celebrating 30 years in the business this year. While they have tried and true products, that doesn’t mean they aren’t innovating. This year at the NAMM Show they previewed the ReTracer Delay, a compact pedal that utilizes new hardware and software from the company. The ReTracer offers twelve distinct engines to produce different effects. “Benefit from useful features...
Chris Hillman’s First Solo Albums Reissued As “The Asylum Years”
Chris Hillman’s first two solo albums have been reissued on a new CD called The Asylum Years. The country-rock pioneer started his solo career with 1976’s Slippin’ Away, with Clear Sailin’ following the next year. Though Hillman laid down the low end for the iconic bands The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, he only played bass on two tracks...
Spector Introduces the Bantam 4 Short-Scale Bass
Spector was showing off several new models at the 2018 Winter NAMM Show including the new Bantam 4, a short-scale bass with a chambered alder body. The combo of features helps to keep the bass’s weight down to just seven pounds. The basses are built with a carved NS-style body topped with quilted maple in black cherry or black stain...
Frank Zappa’s Complete The Roxy Performances Now Available
Attention Frank Zappa fans: the complete Roxy performances are now available in a seven-CD box set. Recorded in December 1973, Zappa’s concerts at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood are considered a high-water mark of his career with his band The Mothers in top shape. The lineup for The Mothers at the time included keyboardist George Duke, bassist Tom Fowler, trombonist...
Warwick Announces Idolmaker Bass
Warwick unveiled a bass counterpart to the Framus Idolmaker at the Winter NAMM Show. Produced in the custom shop or as part of their German Pro Series Teambuilt line, the Warwick Idolmaker Bass is built with a carved mahogany body and a bolt-on wenge neck. It comes in four or five-string versions as well as fretted or fretless. Warwick uses...
Bass of the Week: Ergon Guitars Cintra
Instrument builders always bring their best gear to the NAMM Show. As we were wandering the halls of the Anaheim Convention Center we found the Boutique Guitar Showcase, which brings builders from around the world to show off their work. We saw tons of great instruments, including the jaw-dropping Cintra bass from Portugal’s Ergon Guitars. Luthier Adriano Sérgio was on...
Consider The Source Announces Spring Tour Dates
Consider the Source has announced they’ll be bringing their brand of sci-fi Middle Eastern fusion across the U.S. on a massive spring tour. The trio, anchored by bass guru John Ferrara, will be pregaming with a date at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York before heading to the Ardmore Music Hall in Pennsylvania on March 2nd. Their concerts...
Marco Bass Guitars Unveils The N1 Bass Guitar
One of the booths at the NAMM Show that always has tons of buzz is the Marco Bass Guitars display. This year they introduced the N1 bass, which they describe as a game changer. Although the bass is their entry-level model, it’s still made in the USA in the Marco shop. “Marco Cortes has spent over three decades perfecting his...
John Ferrara: Ben Franklin’s Hair
Consider the Source bassist John Ferrara has just released his second solo song, entitled “Ben Franklin’s Hair.” What does the title have to do with the incredible two-handed tapping melody? Not much. “I don’t know why I named it that, don’t think about it too much,” Ferrara admits. “The song was inspired by Romance era composers like Franz Liszt and...
David Pastorius and Christian Fabian Release “No Tricks”
Bassists David Pastorius and Christian Fabian have teamed up to release No Tricks, a 10-track album of electric bass duos. At first glance, the pairing may seem an unlikely fit. Fabian is a member of the Lionel Hampton Big Band while Pastorius, who is the nephew of bass legend Jaco, has performed alongside artists like Tech Nine. However, after a...
NS Design Adds NXTa Radius to Bass Guitar Line
Ned Steinberger and NS Design unveiled the latest in their Radius bass guitar series with the NXTa Radius. The headless bass carries many of the same features of the lineup while adding their NXTa battery-free active electronics. “The new NXTa brings together the brilliant ergonomics of the headless neck and body configuration, the NS self-clamping tuning system, custom NS/EMG™ pickups,...