Ear Trumpet Labs Introduces Nadine Upright Bass Microphone
Double bassists have a new option for amplifying their instrument with the Ear Trumpet Labs Nadine microphone. The medium-large diaphragm condenser mic is specifically designed for upright bass with its low end tuned to give a flat response at the mounting distance. Its cardioid pickup pattern is designed to pick up as much of the bass’s top as possible while...
In Memoriam: Bob Cranshaw
Sad news to report today: bass legend Bob Cranshaw has passed away after battling stage 4 cancer. He was 83. Born in Evanston, Illinois in 1932, Cranshaw picked up the bass in high school. He played in several groups in his youth, eventually starting his more than a 50-year musical relationship with saxophonist Sonny Rollins in 1959. He became a...
Emily Zuzik and Tim Lefebvre Release “Angelenos”
Vocalist Emily Zuzik has teamed up with bassist Tim Lefebvre to release Angelenos. The six-song EP was created by the Los Angeles-based collective as a sort of homage to the city. Zuzik describes it as “the soundtrack for driving at night in Los Angeles.” The EP also features Gary Novak on drums with a host of special guests: Tyler Greenwell,...
Bass of the Week: Höfner Guitars Gold Label Paisley 500/2 Club Bass
Höfner’s Gold Label series gives the company a chance to make limited runs of special designs created by their master luthiers in Hagenau, Germany. This week we’re checking out a version of their 500/2 Club bass that’s finished in a retro, 60’s paisley top. “Introduced in 1964 the Club bass has for many years only been available in Sunburst,” Höfner...
BBE Introduces Mini Sonic Stomp MS-92 Pedal
BBE’s Sonic Stomp now comes in a compact pedal called the MS-92. The stompbox is a pedalboard-friendly version of their Sonic Maximizer, which is designed to improve clarity and definition in your signal. It features the same all-analog processor as the larger SS-92 with a new circuit board and control layout for a smaller chassis. It has two controls: Process...
TC Electronic Introduces Black Polytune Clip-On Tuner
TC Electronic has introduced a black version of their Polytune Clip-On Tuner. The discreet device, which works for bass and guitar, has strobe, chromatic, and polyphonic tuning modes up to +/-0.02 cent accuracy. The polyphonic mode allows for strumming all strings at once to see their tuning. The tuner also features an ultra-bright display with an adaptive screen, a stainless...
Epifani Now Shipping Piccolo 999 Bass Amp
Amp builder Nick Epifani has beefed up his Piccolo bass amp series with the Piccolo 999. The 1,000-watt head utilizes Epifani’s UL series preamp including a new Vintage circuit that adds a tube-like tone to the overall output. The Class D amp and switch-mode power supply keep the amp down to just 4.5 pounds and small enough to fit in...
Phil Collins Taps Leland Sklar for New Tour
Phil Collins has revealed he is coming out of retirement to perform in a tour he’s calling “Not Dead Yet Live!” next summer. The title, which is a play on concerns about his health, is also the title of his new autobiography that comes out this month. Collins has once again tapped bass master Leland Sklar to handle the low...
Positive Grid Unveils the BIAS Distortion Pro Pedal
Positive Grid has expanded their BIAS amplifier processing technology into the BIAS Distortion Pro Pedal. The tone-matching distortion pedal works for guitar and bass by emulating the circuitry of any distortion. “With BIAS Distortion pedal, users can easily match their favorite distortion, overdrive, fuzz, and boost pedals’ tones,” the company writes. “BIAS Distortion integrates with BIAS Pedal’s Tone Match technology...
Donny McCaslin Releases Beyond Now, Featuring Tim Lefebvre
The team of Donny McCaslin, Mark Guiliana, Jason Lindner and Tim Lefebvre is a force to be reckoned with. Their musical prowess and ability to seamlessly morph grooves is so strong that David Bowie chose them to be the band for his final album, Blackstar. Now McCaslin and crew have released Beyond Now, an album dedicated to and inspired by...
Jason Scheff Leaves Chicago
After 31 years of playing in the band, Jason Scheff has left the ranks of Chicago. Scheff has been on a leave of absence since May due to family health reasons, but the departure seems permanent now as the band announced a new bassist. “Chicago would like to officially welcome bassist / vocalist Jeff Coffey to the band!” they wrote...
Fodera Unveils Victor Wooten Yin Yang Deluxe Series III Bass
Fodera has unveiled the Victor Wooten Yin Yang Deluxe Series III, a new take on the bass guru’s signature instrument. The bass, which is his third signature fretted Yin Yang, is designed to have a broader and unique range of tones with different woods and electronics. “Earlier this year Victor visited the shop to demo various possible tonewood combinations and...