ESP Introduces Classic Styled LTD AP-204 Bass
ESP unveiled the LTD AP-204 at this year’s NAMM Show, calling it a “modernized update of a classic shape for contemporary music styles.” The bass, which comes in Charcoal Metallic and Burgundy Burst finishes, is fitted with a set of ESP-designed P/J pickups. The bass is built with bolt-on construction featuring a mahogany body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard. The...
Bass of the Week: Wreck Guitars W Minor 5
This week we’re checking out the W Minor 5 by Wreck Guitars. Introduced late last year, the model can be fitted with a number of woods and pickup configurations. “This is a modern bass for light right arm playing with bridge moved more to the end of an instrument,” the company writes. “[The W Minor 5’s] balance is perfect for...
Gracie and John Patitucci: I’ve Just Seen A Face
I love bass and vocal duets, but this one is special. John Patitucci sat down with his daughter Gracie, who goes by Gra Music, for a gorgeous cover of the Beatles classic “I’ve Just Seen a Face.” Patitucci lays down the perfect groove and fills to flesh out the arrangement while allowing Gracie to sing it out. The musical connection...
TC Electronic Introduces K-115 Bass Cabinet
TC Electronic has expanded their new K-series bass cabinets with a new 1×15″ model. The K-115 Bass Cab is fitted with a custom-made 15-inch driver and a one-inch titanium tweeter to pump out up to 400 watts. Similar to the rest of the lineup, the cab is built as a lightweight design for gigging musicians. Its sturdy plywood construction includes...
In Memoriam: Joe Skyward
Joe Skyward, born Joe Howard, has died after a two-year fight with cancer. He was 57. The former Posies and Sunny Day Real Estate bassist’s passing was announced on the Posies Facebook page. “Joe Skyward, aka Joe Bass, left us last night,” the post read. “He had been fighting cancer for the last 2 years. Positive to the end, he...
Dwarfcraft Introduces Necromancer Fuzz Pedal
Dwarfcraft’s latest offering is the Necromancer Fuzz, a pedal molded out of their Silver Rose model with several mods. “The Necromancer started as the Super Fuzz style circuit from the Silver Rose v2,” the company shared. “We added a middle band was added to the EQ. The Mids knob is tuned to the deepest frequency dip created by flipping the...
Christian Sturgess: Brutai’s “Onyx” Bass Playthrough
Brutai’s Christian Sturgess just released a playthrough video for their song “Onyx,” and it’ll melt your face. The song, which appears on their 2013 self-titled EP, features a killer bass part with intricate rhythms using slap, strumming, and three-finger techniques. The bassist’s snarling bass tone is also something to marvel. Sturgess gave the low down in the YouTube comments section....
TWA Now Shipping WR-3 Wah Rocker Pedal
TWA is now shipping the WR-3 Wah Rocker, a pedal based on the discontinued Guyatone Wah Rocker. While the pedal retains the original’s Threshold and Decay controls, it also brings a host of updates. Foremost for bassists, the WR-3 includes the circuitry from the Bottom Wah Rocker for extra low end. It’s activated via the Guitar/Bass switch. It also has...
GHS Announces Limited Edition Infinity Steel Bass Strings
GHS Strings has unveiled the Limited Edition Infinity Steels, a set of coated roundwound strings for bass. The set revisits their Infinity Steels with updates for modern players. Each string is coated using a process called MST, or Metal Surface Treatment, that coats the outer wires, which are then wrapped around the core. GHS also tweaked the core to cover...
Scott Varney: Carry On
Bassist singer-songwriter Scott Varney is back with a video for his song “Carry On.” Besides stellar bass playing, the song has poignant lyrics that he dedicates to “all those who have lost.”
B&G Handmade Guitars Announces Big Sister Bass
B&G Handmade Guitars has unveiled the Big Sister, a bass to support their Little Sister guitar model. The semi-hollow bass, which comes in fretted or fretless, was designed for old school flair. “This Big Sister idea was born with the release of the Little Sister guitar,” B&G writes. “We wanted to apply the same traditional materials & techniques, unique chambered...
Derek Blakley: Haji’s Kitchen Medley Bass Playthrough
Our friend David Piggott shared this awesome clip of Haji’s Kitchen bassist Derek Blakley playing through a medley of his band’s tunes, and I’m glad he did. Blakley brings real tenacity to his bass lines. The clip was put together to show the “flashiest” parts in the songs as a demo to play at the NAMM Show. “This medley is...