Fender Launches Four New Micro-Sized Pedals
Fender has announced a new line of micro-sized pedals including an ABY switcher, a compressor, a DI, and a graphic EQ. Each of the compact pedals weighs about 5.6 ounces and measures 93.5 millimeters deep, 42 millimeters wide, and 52 millimeters tall. Fender Micro ABY Pedal The Micro ABY allows for players to switch between amplifiers or combine two signals...
Atom: Balinica
Bassist Nikola Bocvarov sent in this video of his fusion band Atom getting down on their tune “Balinica.” The piece brings together a lot of influences. Bocvarov shares that it is “an instrumental music piece with elements of jazz rock fusion and a touch of traditional Macedonian melody. The song is interpreted with 13/8, 5/8 and 5/4 time signature.” Wrap...
Simon Goulding Releases “Bass Workshop” Instructional Book
Fusion jazz bassist Simon Goulding has published a new instructional book. Bass Workshop features over 100 pages of instruction and exercises as well as a glossary of scales, clavé patterns, chart geography, and a section entitled “Using Music to Develop Technique.” “In Bass Workshop I simply offer the facts of music and the essential skills you need to know in...
Bass of the Week: Keybass 3.0
We love innovative basses, so when Jonathan Dauphinais announced the Keybass 3.0, we were pumped. The instrument is a bass guitar with a keyboard synthesizer mounted to its lower half so that each can be played simultaneously. Dauphinais first started experimenting in 2007. This is the third model of his concept, which was completely custom made. “I did major modifications...
Bass Remix: An Interview with David Pastorius
David Pastorius has been smashing expectations for as long as he’s been playing bass. The last time we talked with him, Pastorius told us about the impact of being the nephew of legendary electric bassist Jaco Pastorius, notably that his influences and style come from another place with an edgier rock sound. Now he is wowing everyone with a set...
Sean Martinez: Omnipotent Dream
Sean Martinez has just released the title track from his upcoming EP, Omnipotent Dream, and it’s killer as usual. The song features an array of tapping, slapping, and fingerstyle to change up the texture throughout. The bassist shares that the album will be available to purchase online after August 15th or you can get a hard copy from him during...
Steve Lawson and Jon Thorne Release “Diversion”
Two basses are better than one, but an even better treat is when an electric bassist teams up with a double bassist for a duo album. Luckily for us, Steve Lawson and Jon Thorne have done just that. Diversion is a album comprised of two long duo pieces that the bassists performed live at the London Bass Guitar Show back...
Nordstrand Pickups Introduces Bigman Bass Pickup
If you’re looking for a replacement Music Man-style pickup, Nordstrand Pickups has introduced a new model they describe as “not for the faint of heart.” The Bigman is actually two of the company’s Big Single pickups housed under a Music-Man-style cover. “Don’t bother using shorter magnets or less wire – just go for it!,” Nordstrand shares. “The result is a...
Corrosion of Conformity Releases Ninth Studio Album
Sludge metal outfit Corrosion of Conformity has released , their second album since their 2010 reunion of the band’s original 1982 lineup. The trio, which consists of guitarist Woody Weatherman, drummer Reed Mullin and bassist Mike Dean wanted to follow up 2012’s self-titled album sooner, but Dean says being forced to wait added to the album’s potential. “The making of...
Crazy Horse Bassist Billy Talbot Suffers Stroke
Crazy Horse bassist and longtime Neil Young collaborator Billy Talbot has suffered a mild stroke, the band released in a statement. Thankfully, doctors say Talbot is expected to make a full recovery, but they also say he must take time off from the band’s upcoming summer tour. Rick Rosas, who played on many of Young’s albums as well as toured...
PRS Announces SE Kingfisher and SE Kestrel Basses
PRS Guitars has introduced the first bass models of their SE line: the SE Kingfisher and the SE Kestrel. The basses, which are designed in Maryland and built overseas, are both described as traditional character with modern upgrades. SE Kingfisher Bass The SE Kingfisher is a neck-thru design built with a swamp ash body, a 24-fret maple/walnut neck, and a...
Dwarfcraft Unveils Memento Kill Switch Pedal
If you’re looking for a creative solution to having a kill switch, Dwarfcraft has got you covered with the Memento. The compact stompbox takes the concept of a kill switch and expands on it with a “re-kill” switch that can remember your kill pattern and repeat it back in a loop. Or in Dwarfcraft’s words, “give [the kill switch] a...