Hartke Introduces TX300 Bass Amp and HyDrive 112b Bass Cabinet
Hartke launched a pair of new bass amplification products at NAMM this year: the TX300 bass amplifier and the HyDrive 112b cabinet. Both products are lightweight and a good match for each other, with the TX300 weighing in at just five pounds. The TX300 offers 300 watts with Hartke’s 3-band EQ and Shape circuit for tonal flexibility. “The Shape control...
The Wood Brothers Release “One Drop of Truth”
The Wood Brothers have returned with their sixth album entitled One Drop of Truth. The 10-song album deviates from their previous efforts by presenting each song as its own masterpiece, diving into a variety of styles and influences. “Often, when you’re making an album in the traditional way, there will be a unifying concept, whether that be in the approach...
Ibanez Unveils SRMS800 Series Basses
Ibanez has expanded their multi-scale bass lineup by adding the SRMS800, SRMS805, and SRMS806 to their Bass Workshop series. Each bass is built with a five-piece jatoba and walnut neck that has fanned frets for consistent tone across open strings, improved intonation, and comfort. The four-string SRMS800, five-string SRMS805, and the six-string SRMS806 all feature a gloss finish over a...
Cody Wright Featured on “Toejam and Earl” Soundtrack
Old school gamers got super excited in 2016 when it was announced that the classic Sega Genesis game “Toejam and Earl” was going to get a new chapter called “Back in the Groove.” The game is still being finished up, but the super funky soundtrack performed by Cody Wright is now available. Wright recreates some of the original grooves while...
Fender Unveils Limited Edition Parallel Universe ’51 Telecaster PJ Bass
Fender presented a retrospective line of instruments this year with the American Original Series, but they also imagined some axes from another dimension that blurred timelines. The Parallel Universe lineup was revealed to include several guitars and one bass: the ’51 Telecaster PJ Bass.
Ozzy Osbourne Reveals North American Tour Dates With Blasko on Bass
Ever since Ozzy Osbourne announced he will stop touring after a massive farewell tour, we’ve been waiting for the North American dates. Now the first set has been revealed. Ozzy, who will be joined by longtime bassist Rob “Blasko” Nicholson, will first hit two festivals in Florida in April before heading out at the end of August. The trek will...
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...