Edmond Gilmore: “Double Presto” from Bach’s Partita No. 1
We’ve posted plenty of bassists performing Bach, but this one takes the cake. Edmond Gilmore displays unbelievably fluid technique as he plays along violinist Arthur Grumiaux on the “Double Presto” movement from Bach’s Partita No. 1 in B minor.
Rocco Prestia Issues Health Update, East Coast Benefit Events Announced
Last year, we reported that Tower of Power bassist Rocco Prestia was once again battling serious health issues. The bassist has now issued an update about his condition on the band’s website. “First off I’d like to thank everyone who has either donated to my medical fund or given their time and energy,” he stated. “It is greatly appreciated to...
Peavey Announces MiniMax and MiniMega Compact Bass Amplifier Heads
Peavey announced a pair of new compact bass heads at NAMM this year with the MiniMax and the MiniMega. The amps are rated at 400 and 1000 watts, respectively, and weigh in at five and eight pounds. The 400-watt MiniMax’s preamp is loaded with a 3-band EQ accented by Punch, Mid-shift, and Bright controls for further tonal shaping as well...
Seventh Annual Rocky Mountain Bass Slam Set for May 18
The Rockies will be rumbling this spring at the 7th Annual Rocky Mountain Bass Slam. The day of bass celebration is set for Sunday, May 18th from 1pm to 6pm at the historic Oriental Theatre in Denver, Colorado. The Bass Slam will include solo bass and bass duo performances with a jam session at the end of the show. Performers...
Phish Announces Summer 2014 Tour Dates
Phish has announced their summer 2014 tour agenda. The iconic jam band will spend the season covering the East Coast from Massachusetts to Georgia from July to August. They’ve also stated that there will be no more East Coast dates for the rest of the summer and fall. The band will be playing at several new venues along the way...
ESP Introduces LTD RB Series Design with Rocco Prestia
ESP has introduced the RB Series of basses to their LTD line. Designed over the course of a year with Tower of Power’s Rocco Prestia, the bass is built to offer tonal flexibility. The RB comes in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions in either Natural or Honey Natural finishes. Each bass is fitted with Aguilar PJ pickups and an Aguilar...
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra with Cody Wright: Mississippi
The innovative Jonathan Scales Fourchestra is releasing a new album in May called . They’ve just released a video of the first movement from the record, “Mississippi.” If it’s any sign of the rest of the album, it’s going to be a killer. Ironically, the Fourchestra is a trio made up of Jonathan Scales on steel pans, Phill Bronson on...
Fender Announces Online Configurator with American Design Experience
Ever wanted to mix and match your favorite parts of a Fender? Now you can with the company’s new American Design Experience. Originally introduced in 2011 at the Fender Visitor Center in Corona, California, the direct-to-consumer program now has an online presence to allow you to customize your own instrument via an online configurator tool. The configurator lets you start...
Bass of the Week: Nick Schendzielos’ Warwick Custom Shop Infinity 5
Nearly every bassist loves to plan out their dream bass, and a lucky few get to see that dream come to fruition. This week we check out a beautiful Warwick Custom Shop Infinity that Job for a Cowboy/Cephalic Carnage bassist Nick Schendzielos pieced together. Based on the company’s Infinity body shape, Schendzielos picked out every aspect of the instrument, which...
Hacking Spotify: Vulfpeck’s Brilliant Idea to Fund a Tour
Touring can be a real financial headache for bands these days, not to mention the rising cost of ticket prices for concert-goers. Vulfpeck has found a brilliant solution for both sides in the form of their new album, Sleepify, which is available for streaming on Spotify. Vulfpeck’s Jack Stratton describes Sleepify as “the most silent album ever recorded.” That’s because...
Ashdown Launches Rootmaster Series Bass Amplifiers
Ashdown Engineering unveiled a new range of amplifiers in their Rootmaster Series at this year’s NAMM Show. The lineup includes two bass heads, five speaker cabinets, and three combo amplifiers offered at an affordable price. The Rootmaster amplifiers and combos come in either 220 or 420 watts with the combos offering 1×15″, 2×10″, and 1×12″ speaker configurations. Each of the...
Ampeg Revamps BA Series Bass Combo Amps
Ampeg’s iconic BA series of bass combos is getting a facelift this year, the company announced for Musikmesse 2014. The lineup has been completely re-envisioned with new versions for the BA-108, BA-110, BA-112, BA-115 and BA-210 models. Each of the models now has front-facing controls and a true sixty degree monitoring angle so they can be set up as a...