Bobby Vega Releases “Matters of the Heart” EP
Bobby Vega has a reputation, or maybe several. He’s known for his incredible knowledge of bass gear. He’s known for being the go-to bassist in the Bay Area. He’s also known for grooving his ass off with a pick, but that’s not all there is to his playing. Now fans who know his funk and rock playing can get a...
Free The Tone Announces the PA-1QB Programmable 10-Band EQ Pedal
Japan’s Free The Tone has released the PA-1QB, a programmable 10-band EQ pedal for bass. The device’s signal path is analog with a digital parameter control section for storing and processing your settings. The pedal revolves around the Holistic Tonal Solution, or HTS, circuit that has been revamped for 2018. “It holistically manages high-quality guitar/bass signals from input to output...
Bass of the Week: Fleeting Guitars Tsukanoma
This week we’re checking out the Tsukanoma bass built by luthier Jim Fleeting of Fleeting Guitars. Taking a cue from Japanese design, the hand-built instrument features striking aesthetics. “The Tsukanoma bass is designed as a tribute to the incredible woodworking and modern design in Japanese woodworking,” Fleeting writes. “The use of sharper corner bevels make this a departure from the...
Moe’s Rob Derhak Declared Cancer Free
Back in July, Moe. announced that they were going on hiatus after Rob Derhak was diagnosed with cancer. Now the bassist has some good news to share. “After being scanned, poked, and prodded my Dr.’s have given me a green light,” he wrote on Facebook. “Did I kick cancers ass? No, it beat me up pretty good. But I just...
Z. Vex Effects Introduces Vertical Vexter Fuzz Factory Pedal
Z. Vex Effects has introduced a new vertical version of their Vexter Fuzz Factory pedal. Formerly configured as a horizontal pedal, the new VFF will feature the same effects and circuitry in a more pedalboard-friendly setup. It utilizes two new old-stock ’60s germanium transistors, but that doesn’t mean it’s a vintage sound. “The circuit is not modeled after any classic...
David Ellefson Brings Back Combat Records
Megadeth bassist David Ellefson is reviving the legendary thrash label Combat Records through his EMP Label Group. Combat was founded in 1983 and was known for representing bands like Exodus, Circle Jerks, Death, Agnostic Front, and more. It also signed Megadeth and released the band’s debut album, Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!, in 1985. “So excited and...
Seymour Duncan Unveils La Super Rica Fuzz Pedal
Seymour Duncan has a new pedal called La Super Rica. Translated to mean “super rich,” the silicon fuzz pedal is “inspired by iconic fuzz sounds” with a classic parametric midrange for versatility. “First we brought [the classic fuzz circuit] up to modern standards by adding a true-bypass switch, an LED, and a standard 9v power connection,” the company explains. “We...
Julian Lage Trio Announces 2018 Tour Dates
Modern jazz bass master Scott Colley will be joining guitarist Julian Lage for his upcoming European and North American tour dates. Lage’s trio, filled out by drummer Kenny Wollesen, will be trekking in support of their new album, Modern Lore, due out next year. The group will begin the year in Italy, winding through Europe until January 20th. They’ll hit...
GHS Strings Announces Pressurewound Bronze Bass Strings
GHS Strings has introduced a new line of strings called the Pressurewound Bronze Bass for acoustic/electric bass. The newly designed strings aim at eliminating harsh tones associated with bronze strings. “Many acoustic/electric bass players know that the traditional bronze strings that come standard on these basses have harsh overtones and a lot of string noise,” the company writes. “GHS created...
Elevator Man: An Interview with Lorenzo Feliciati
Like much of his music, Italian bassist and composer Lorenzo Feliciati’s new album, , blends his loves of jazz and rock together in an amazing and eclectic way. However, the new release has a decidedly prog-rock flavor that evokes the likes of King Crimson and Allan Holdsworth while remaining entirely fresh. That’s not an accident. “While a varied stylistic approach...
Sting: Message In A Bottle, Live in Paris
Sting recently released a new concert video called Live at the Olympia Paris, and it’s just more proof that he’s still on top of the game. Filmed in April 2017, the performance includes plenty from his latest release, 57th and 9th, but it also goes back to the hits. “Message In A Bottle” has always been a great song –...
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Returns with “Who Built The Moon?”
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds has released their third studio album, entitled Who Built the Moon? The release is anchored by two bassists: Samuel Dixon and Jason Falkner. Each lays down muscular, driving bass lines to make the rock album danceable. That makes sense especially for Dixon, who has also played for and produced artists like Adele, Sia, Christina Aguilera...