Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 508

The cello/bass/drums trio You Bred Raptors? is getting ready to release their new album Grant, and we’ve got an exclusive on the first full song from the release. Accompanying the single release of “Boomerang” is a play-through video by bassist Peat Rains, who utilizes the full range of his 8-string Conklin bass. The bassist shares that he actually wrote the...

Back in May, Robert “Bubby” Lewis discussed his tone with us, and he dropped us a few clues about his upcoming album, 1UP. “It’s got a lot of interesting stuff happening with some cool collaborations,” he said. “I’m trying different stuff and experimenting. If it feels good, then I’m good.” Now he’s released its first single, “Gold Rush,” and it’s...

Things have really shaken up for technical death metal outfit The Faceless with the departure of bassist Evan Brewer and drummer Alex Rudinger. After nearly four years with the band, Brewer took to social media to announce that he was leaving. “After almost four years of good times with The Faceless I’ve decided to leave the band,” Brewer wrote on...

This week we check out the Sciatt bass by the new Italian company Assi Guitars. Bringing together modern and retro vibes, the bass is built with an Akatio body finished in a catching green that’s accented with a black pickguard. Its Balkan Maple neck is topped with an Indian Rosewood fingerboard. Assi fitted the bass with Gotoh hardware and Magnetics...

Federico Malaman has been impressing us with his playing for years. Now he’s teamed up with Laurus to create the new Federico Malaman Signature Quasar Bass. Based on the company’s Quasar, the instrument is a 5-string fretless with its tuning machines at the bridge. One of the most striking features of the model is its chambered body, which has three...

Vox has upgraded their amPlug line of headphone amplifiers including a bass-specific version. The amPlug G2 Bass plugs into your bass’s output jack and allows you to plug in headphones for silent practicing. Among the new features, the amPlug G2 Bass has had its analog circuit improved with the company’s Bassilator circuit, which Vox says reproduces the low punch distinctive...

bnd Products has introduced the bnd/one, a flexible bass and guitar stand that bends to fit inside a bass or guitar case. The stand, which can support both basses and guitars, features a three-piece design. Its bendable neck snaps onto the base and neck support. The neck support also bends to cradle your bass’s neck. The bnd/one comes in black...

If you haven’t caught on, I’m a big Jonathan Scales Fourchestra fan. The combination of steel drummer Scales, bassist Cody Wright and drummer Phill Bronson gets such a tight yet exploratory sound. Here’s the band performing “Lone Wolf” at a concert in Fairfield, Connecticut earlier this year. Wright kicks things off with some beautiful artificial harmonics before moving into the...

Here’s something you’ve probably never seen. The Jackson Steel Guitar Company has introduced the SlideKing Bass, an instrument that blends a bass guitar with a pedal steel guitar. Introduced at Summer NAMM this year, the bass is set up horizontally with pedals and comes in 4- or 5-string models. It’s built with a solid hard rock maple body and neck...

Here’s a video that will get you moving in your seat. Bassist Larry Williams drives the bus in this clip of the Mike Wheeler Band performing “That’s What Love Will Make You Do.” His enormous energy propels the group’s groove, but it’s his ferocious solo at the 4:18 mark that steals the show. After he builds from fingerstyle to slap,...

Edmond Gilmore has spent lots of time studying the fantastic playing of Jaco Pastorius. We’ve featured his take on several Jaco songs, and now he’s back with a gorgeous version of “Continuum,” from the bass master’s self-titled album. Check it out:

Creation Audio Labs has unleashed the Grizzly Bass pedal, which combines boost, overdrive/distortion, and tone shaping effects. Likening it to a tube preamp without the tubes, the pedal draws from the company’s other effects while being tailored for bass. “Grizzly Bass borrows analog wave-shaping technology from the [Creation Audio Labs] Holy Fire to re-shape the waveform and achieve tube-like FX...