Demeter Amplification Unveils Bass-400D Hybrid Bass Amplifier
Amplification guru James Demeter was at NAMM this year to introduce the prototype of the Bass 400-D bass amp. Based on last year’s VTBP-M-800D, the 400-D matches Demeter’s classic VTBP-201 tube preamp circuitry with a 400-watt class D power amplifier. The amp starts with a quarter-inch input and active/passive switch to match the preamplifer to your bass’s output. Its tone...
Vulfpeck: Poinciana
It’s always a good day when Vulfpeck sends us a new video. The creative quartet decided to tackle the classic standard “Poinciana” with some influences and a twist. “[It’s a] minimal rendition,” Jack Stratton tells us. “The Four Freshmen were one of the first vocal groups to not sing the root in the harmony. All it needs is someone holding...
ESP Introduces LTD EC-154 Bass Guitar
ESP has expanded their LTD bass range with the EC-154, an affordable model based on their Eclipse body shape. Available in black and white, the bass is built with a basswood body, a bolt-on maple neck, and a rosewood fretboard. The EC-154 is loaded with a pair of ESP Designed SB-4 pickups matched to an active ABQ-3 preamp. It has...
Mark Lettieri Trio, Featuring Wes Stephenson: Slide Rule
Wes Stephenson has one of the deepest pocket grooves I’ve ever heard. Here’s a clip of the Funky Knuckles bassist holding it down for guitarist Mark Lettieri on “Slide Rule,” live at the RBC in Dallas, Texas. Stephenson forms a tight bond with drummer Mike Mitchell for the song’s main riff as they back Lettieri up, and his solo at...
Perri’s Leathers Limited Announces The Beatles Licensed Gear
Perri’s Leathers Limited has launched a new line of straps, gig bags and picks honoring The Beatles. The series includes eighteen strap designs with themes from the band’s whole career including Yellow Submarine, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road, and Revolver. The lineup includes a polyester webbing strap design and a leather effect vinyl design. The polyester straps...
John Ferrara: Two-Handed Tapping Lesson and Playalong
We recently got to interview Consider the Source’s John Ferrara, who gave us the scoop on the band’s latest album, World War Trio, Pt. 1. It’s made up of a six-part epic song called “Put Another Rock in That Bag” that the bassist kicks off with some blazing two-handed tapping. Ferrara shares some insight on this new playalong and lesson...
Bass of the Week: Ruokangas Steambass Deluxe
This week we check out the Ruokangas Steambass Deluxe, a specialized version of the company’s flagship bass model. Hand-made in Finland, the bass is set apart by a 2-piece Spanish cedar body with a thermo treated arctic birch top. Its rock maple neck is also topped with a thermo treated Indian rosewood fingerboard. “From the guitar maker’s point of view,...
Spector Introduces Legend Neck-Thru Basses for 2015
Spector has expanded their Legend series with a new neck-thru model. Available in four- and five-string versions, the Legend4 and Legend5 Neck-Thru basses feature the company’s NS body shape with maple wings and either a bubinga top with natural matte finish or a figured maple top with a faded blue gloss finish. The 3-piece maple neck is reinforced with graphite...
Dominic “Forest” Lapointe: Teramobil’s “Molecular Spectrometry” Playthrough
Dominic “Forest” Lapointe‘s playing never ceases to amaze me. Today’s featured video is the bassist’s latest face-melting playthrough for the song “Molecular Spectrometry” from his instrumental technical metal band Teramobil. Not one to simply play roots, Lapointe’s lines are a great example of a bass player taking the lead while still supporting the song. He rips through the track with...
Kala Introduces 5-String Solid Body U-Bass
This year marks Kala’s 10th anniversary, and they’re celebrating in part by introducing a 5-string version of their SUB solid body U-Bass. The ukelele-sized bass comes in four finishes – Sunburst, Cherryburst, Red, and Black – with a 2+3 tuner layout. The 5-string SUB bass features many of the same characteristics as the 4-string, including Kala’s polyurethane strings, a Hipshot...
Sharay Reed: What’s Going On Bass Solo
We often feature solo bass tunes, but this one is a little different. Sharay Reed channels the spirit of James Jamerson by playing a solo bass line to the Marvin Gaye hit “What’s Going On” in this clip from the One Mic show. Reed weaves his own bass line for the song while keeping the groove in the Motown vein....
FF KING: 4’33”
Skill. Courage. Raw talent. This is only half of what it takes to attempt John Cage’s masterpiece “4’33” on the bass guitar. Here’s a great performance of the piece by YouTube bassist FF KING, who bravely tackles the song in the wild. The anticipation that builds as he prepares to play will leave you on the edge of your seat.