Alissia Benveniste: Get Down
One of our favorite musical discoveries this year was Alissia Benveniste, a bassist and bandleader who is reviving the classic funk style with catchy hooks, uplifting lyrics, and awesome bass lines. She just sent us her latest video, and it’s got the same great recipe. “Get Down” is bursting with energy with an even larger ensemble than her previous songs....
Bass of the Week: R.Hyde Guitars Soul Machine
This week we check out the R.Hyde Guitars Soul Machine, an instrument Ryan Hyde calls a blend of traditional and modern values. Hyde honed his skills in Ken Smith’s shop before starting his own in Philadelphia. “The Soul Machine is meant to be a work horse instrument of the highest caliber,” he states. “It exudes the classic vibe of yesteryear,...
Megatar Relaunches with Redesigned 12-string Extended Range Bass
Megatar Touchstyle Basses has been reborn with a change in ownership and the launch of redesigned instruments, including the Megatar 12-string extended-range bass. Optimized for two-handing tapping, the Megatar’s strings are divided into two sets with space in between to eliminate crosstalk. The first half is strung like a six-string bass tuned BEADGC, while the second half is tuned closer...
Freekbass & The Bump Assembly: Never Enough
Freekbass has released the second video from his latest album, Everybody’s Feelin’ Real, for the song “Never Enough.” The track is full of gritty tone and envelope filter goodness. “Lots of groovy bass tones on this one, and a cameo from Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band) who sings on the track,” the bassist shares.
Mountain: Beside The Sea, Live at Woodstock
While looking for some videos of bassist Felix Pappalardi, I ran across this clip from Woodstock ’69 of Mountain performing “Beside the Sea.” Pappalardi’s insanely overdriven tone really grabbed my attention, but his tasteful playing in backing up guitarist Leslie West drove it home for me.
Back to the Shack: An Interview with Scott Shriner
Weezer fans have rejoiced at the band’s latest release Everything Will Be Alright In The End for many reasons. It’s the group’s first release since 2010’s Hurley, which ended a prolific period of releasing an album every year. It’s also a return to the early sound that earned them a diehard following. Lead singer Rivers Cuomo spells out the return...
Fender Announces Dee Dee Ramone Precision Bass Guitar
Punk bass icon Dee Dee Ramone will have his legacy honored with a new signature Precision bass from Fender. The new model, which is based on the bass he used with Ramones, will debut at the “Dee Dee Ramone Exhibition” in New York City’s Chelsea Hotel from December 10th to January 1st. “Punk bass starts with Douglas ‘Dee Dee Ramone’...
Stanley Clarke and Sidiki Diabaté: The Meeting
We love it when different styles come together to make something new. Here’s a unique and beautiful clip sent to us by our Facebook friend “Ladyblue Utrecht” of bass master Stanley Clarke performing with Malian kora player Sidiki Diabaté. The kora is a traditional west African harp-like instrument with 21 strings. Clarke meshes with Diabaté’s rhythms perfectly to create a...
In Memoriam: Paul “Cuzo” Mancuso
Paul “Cuzo” Mancuso of the Canadian Celtic punk band The Mahones has passed away. The cause of death has not been announced. Mancuso was with the band off and on since 2012 and played on their albums Angels & Devils and A Great Night On The Lash: Live in Italy. Prior to his time in The Mahones, the bassist was...
Bass of the Week: SiC Instruments Madness 6-String Fretless
We get a lot of great basses shown to us on our Facebook page, but when Italian luthier Simone Calabrese sent a picture of his SiC Instruments Madness 6, I needed more. The combination of its poplar burl top and gorgeous green satin nitro finish makes this bass mesmerizing. Built with neck-through construction, the bass’s top covers ash body wings...
Korg Introduces PitchHawk G-2 Clip-On Tuner
Korg has updated their PitchHawk clip-on tuner series with the PitchHawk G-2 for bass and guitar. The tuner now has a high-contrast color LCD display for better visibility while its frame has been slimmed down. The PitchHawk G-2 has dedicated guitar and bass tuning modes with flat and capo settings for alternate tunings. It also has a warning function to...
N-Audio Announces Powerbox Mk2 Pro Power Supply
N-Audio has introduced the Powerbox Mk2 Pro stompbox power supply. Available for European or worldwide voltages, the unit features twelve individually separated power outputs with multiple output voltage options. The Powerbox Mk2 Pro adds to their original Powerbox Mk2 with two more high current AC outputs. It has four outputs rated for either 9 or 12 volts, while output five...