In Memoriam: Remembering the Bassists We Lost in 2016
2016 was a hard year for losses in entertainment, and it was no different for the bass community. Too many legends and lesser-known heroes of the bass passed away this year, but their memories will live on through the music they made and the lives they touched. Join us as we remember the lives and legacies of the bass players...
Ryan Martinie and Soften The Glare Ready Debut Album
Former Mudvayne bassist Ryan Martinie’s new band Soften the Glare is in the studio recording their debut album. Slated for a March release date, the band is currently crowdfunding the album through Pledge Music with rewards ranging from the album to a Skype conversation with Martinie all the way up to Executive Producer credit for the album. Soften the Glare...
Sadowsky Guitars Introduces Deluxe Satin Series Basses
After unveiling the Satin Series earlier this year, Sadowsky Guitars has announced the Deluxe Satin line. The basses are made in the company’s New York City shop in batch to keep costs down. The series will be available in their traditional vintage-styled 4-21 and 5-21 models as well as their more modern 4-24 and 5-24 models. The Deluxe Satin basses...
A/C Generator: Fire Farter
Alessandro Corsi’s band A/C Generator has released a new song called “Fire Farter”, which he describes as a funk-rock piece with a crazy drum solo and tricky bass grooves. The trio is rounded out by fellow bassist Alessandro Cianferoni and drummer Marco Calì.
Zorg Effects Introduces Oppressor Compressor
French pedal company Zorg Effects has unveiled the the Oppressor, an optical compressor they say packs tons of control into a small footprint. Alongside Volume, Gain, and Compression knobs, the pedal has a pair of three-way switches for attack and release to give up to nine combinations of values. It also has a “BAD” switch that offers up some grit...
Gary Willis Launches Groove A Day App
If you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution to start grooving more, bass master Gary Willis has you covered. He’s just released an app for iOS called “Groove A Day” that aims to help teach building grooves. The app includes grooves of various styles and difficulties performed by Willis and drummer Gergo Borlai. “In decades of teaching, Gary Willis has...
Linus Klausenitzer: Obscura’s “Akroasis” Bass Playthrough
Buckle up: Obscura bassist Linus Klausenitzer has posted a new playthrough for the title track to the band’s latest album, . Armed with a seven-string fretless, the Klausenitzer tears it up with blazing sixteenth-note runs alongside melodic counter lines. For those wanting to try it for themselves, Obscura has a bass transcription book on their website.
Victor Wooten Trio Announces 2017 Tour
After recently completing their European tour, Victor Wooten and his trio with drummer Dennis Chambers and saxophonist Bob Franceschini have announced a winter/spring U.S. tour for 2017. The trek will kick off with a six-night residency at The Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City before covering the East Coast and heading to the Midwest. Victor Wooten Trio Winter/Spring...
Bass of the Week: The Painted Player Yellow Submarine Bass
The Painted Player Guitar Company makes some fantastic finishes for their instruments, but they really went all out on this bass tribute to the Beatles. Their “Yellow Submarine” bass is a heavily modded Fender Mexican Precision that was crafted to resemble the psychedelic boat. “[The bass was created] in the UK using a stunning Fender Mexican Precision Bass as a...
NS Design Announces WAV5 Radius Bass
NS Design’s WAV Radius electric bass now comes in a five-string version. The WAV5 Radius Bass carries the same features of the WAV4 with the exception of the specs to accommodate the fifth string. Its scale is extended to 35 inches, while the string spacing is reduced to 18 millimeters. As part of the Radius series, the bass has a...
Dan Briggs Teases Nova Collective Album
Good news for prog-rock fans: Between the Buried and Me/Trioscapes bassist Dan Briggs has announced he’s got a new project called Nova Collective, and it’s getting ready to release an album. The quartet also includes fellow Trioscapes member Matt Lynch and Haken alumniRichard Henshall and Pete Jones. They originally started with Briggs and Henshall working out some arrangements before filling...
Bergantino Audio Introduces NV212T Bass Cabinet
Bergantino Audio has expanded their New Vintage series with a 2×12″ configuration. The 400-watt NV212T is a sealed cabinet design loaded with a pair of twelve-inch ceramic magnet woofers with vented pole pieces as well as a high intelligibility NV series tweeter. The level control allows for dialing the tweeter in and out. “A unique tweeter matched with a custom...