Jeff Ament Makes Appearance on “Sweet Relief III” Charity Album
Pearl Jam bassist and all-around good guy Jeff Ament is lending his playing talents to the new Sweet Relief III: Pennies from Heaven charity album. Ament joins Joseph Arthur for a cover of the Townes Van Zandt song “If I Needed You.” The album is a compilation of artists playing cover songs with appearances by She & Him, Jackson Browne,...
Paul McCartney Announces New Album, Releases First Single
Sir Paul McCartney has released a teaser to a brand new album to be released October 14th in the UK and October 15th in the US. New will be Macca’s first album of brand new solo material in six years and features 12 songs created with four producers for a varied sound. He’s posted the first single, “New,” on YouTube....
Murray Grodner Releases “A Double Bassist’s Guide to Refining Performance Practices”
Veteran double bassist Murray Grodner has just released his latest educational book, A Double Bassist’s Guide to Refining Performance Practices. Written as a guide for any bassist seeking a professional career, the book goes over many fine details of being a successful performer. The 168-page book is broken into five parts focusing on different aspects of playing. Part I addresses...
Fernando Molinari: “Taffontry 20mg” Country/Fusion Slap Bass
Yes, you read that right: Country/Fusion slap bass. Brazilian bassist Fernando Molinari posted this play-along of the song “Taffontry 20mg” from his album Identidade, which is kind of like a honky tonk song on speed. More of the fusion part of the equation comes out at 1:55 when Molinari plays some blazing tapping lines in unison with the guitar. I’m...
BC Bass Relay Raises Money For Cancer Research
Here’s another reason why the bass community is the best: bassists in the United Kingdom are donating to a good cause as part of the BC Bass Relay. Started in mid-January by James Ryan, a member of the online forum BassChat, the relay includes a single Stagg BC300 Fusion bass being used as a “baton” for gigs to raise money...
Bass of the Week: Lipe Guitars Lupara
The Lipe Guitars Lupara bass is handmade in California by veteran luthier Mike Lipe. Based on his guitar models, the Lupara comes in 4- and 5-string versions with a choice of P/J, J/J, and humbucker pickup configurations. The bass comes standard with an alder body that’s contoured for comfort. Several choices for exotic tops are available including mango, quilted maple,...
Seeing the Light: An Interview with Peter Hook
Peter Hook is a man who marches to the beat of his own drum, and that beat will lead him on a world tour this year as he and his band The Light present New Order’s Movement and Power, Corruption, & Lies in their entirety. The group will dig deep to play all the singles and B-sides in order as...
In Memoriam: Chris Friedrich
Chris Friedrich, bassist for post-rock outfit Caspian, has passed away. The band made the announcement on their website. “We write to you today with heavy hearts and indescribable sadness to tell you that our bass player, Chris Friedrich, died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon,” they wrote. “We have lost a close friend, a true brother, and a presence that can never be...
Fender Custom Shop Introduces Sean Hurley Signature 1961 Precision Bass
The Fender Custom Shop has unveiled the Sean Hurley Signature 1961 Precision Bass, available in Three-color Sunburst, Olympic White and Charcoal Frost. The model replicates the renowned session bassist’s own vintage Precision bass down to the piece of foam he stuffed under the strings in front of the bridge to deaden the strings. That led the company to create a...
Linda Oh Releases “Sun Pictures”
Jazz bassist Linda Oh has returned with her third solo album, entitled Sun Pictures. While the effort’s title is taken from an historic outdoor movie theater in her sister’s hometown of Broome, Australia, its concept is based on the bassist’s journeys abroad. “Each one of these tunes is a tiny snapshot of my recent travels and of my experiences playing...
Aguilar Announces New Precision and Precision/Jazz Bass Pickup Sets
Aguilar has announced the AG 5P-60 Precision Bass pickup and the AG 5P/J-HC Precision/Jazz Bass Pickup Set. Built for 5-string basses, both pickup sets are wound in Aguilar’s New York City factory with heavy formvar wire. The AG 5P-60 delivers a vintage ’60s P-bass tone and uses period correct parts including Heavy Formvar wire and Alnico V magnets. The AG...
Testament: Souls Of Black, Live in 2005
“Souls of Black” has one of my all time favorite metal bass intros. Greg Christian lays it down with a big, round tone on Testament’s 2005 DVD Live in London. Have a favorite metal bass line? Post it in the comments!