Bass of the Week: Skjold Design Drakkar
Pete Skjold has been wowing bassists with his incredible instruments for nearly two decades. Last year he introduced a trio of new models based on his most popular body shapes, and this week we’re checking out the singlecut Drakkar bass. “The Drakkar is the modern version of the classic Whaleback,” Skjold explains on his website. “A focus on ergonomics took...
Larry Kimpel Teams with Combe-Luthier for Signature Bass
Bassist Larry Kimpel has teamed up with French luthier Mathieu Combe to create LK5 Signature Bass. Kimpel, a seasoned session and touring bassist, worked closely on the bass’s design. The LK5 is built with a French ash body, three-piece hard maple neck, and compound-radius maple fingerboard. The light maple and ash motif is accented by a walnut pickguard as well...
Brad Russell and Aquiles Priester: Metal Improved
Brad Russell sent in this killer duo with Brazilian drummer Aquiles Priester for the bassist’s song “Metal Improved,” and it’s a bombshell. Russell has an absolutely gnarly tone to complement his face-melting licks, while Priester adds his own flair to the metal groove. If you’re a fan of heavy grooves and bass fireworks, you’re sure to dig this one.
Rock N’ Roll Relics Announces Thunders Bass
Rock N’ Roll Relics has unveiled the Thunders Bass, a short-scale bass oozing with old school flavor. The instrument is their first set-neck bass model and comes in a variety of colors and aging. Made in the USA, the Thunders is created with a two-piece, lightweight African mahogany body, an African mahogany neck, and a rosewood fingerboard fitted with Jescar...
Kyser Introduces Instrument Cleaning Wipes
Some people keep their basses dirty, standing by James Jamerson’s sentiment that the “gunk keeps the funk.” If you’re not one of those people, Kyser has introduced a new line of instrument care products to clean up your axe. The lineup includes three types of disposable wipes – String Cleaning, Polish, and Lem-Oil – to freshen up your bass. Each...
G&L Unveils USA JB-5 Bass
G&L has been making made-in-Fullerton jazz basses for about 10 years, but they’ve now expanded the US-made line to include a five-string. The G&L JB-5 adds a low B-string with a fast neck featuring a 1.775″ nut width and slim rear profile. The bolt-on bass is built with an alder body for standard and solid finishes or a swamp ash...
B’ANG Duet: Teen Town
The B’ANG Duet, comprised of double bass monsters Petros Klampanis and Or Bareket, have unleashed their second offering with their take on the classic Jaco Pastorius song “Teen Town”. It’s already a feat to play the blistering melody on upright, but the two bassists make it look easy while using a shaker and loop pedal to fill out the whole...
Providence Introduces Vitalizer BF VZF-1 Bass Pedal
Providence has unveiled the Vitalizer BF VZF-1, an active impedance converter designed specifically for bass guitars. The compact pedal acts as a buffer to convert high impedance signal, which the company says is more likely to degrade the sound quality by picking up noise, to a low impedance signal that is less likely to be affected by those issues. “It...
Mr. Talkbox, MonoNeon and Vulfmon: Back Pocket
I love it when my favorite players collaborate, and this clip is a great example of why. First, Mr. Talkbox covered Vulfpeck’s “Back Pocket” and posted it online. Then the unbelievably talented Dywane “MonoNeon” Thomas, Jr. added his own distinct style to it. Finally, Vulfpeck’s own Jack Stratton took the video and added a bit of his own funky self...
Ibanez Introduces Adam Nitti Signature ANB306 Bass
After launching the Adam Nitti Signature series last year, Ibanez introduced the ANB306 model. The bass is a production model of the ANB1006, carrying many of the same features at a lower price point. “In terms of concept, you’re looking at somewhere from 80 to 90% of the specs from his custom shop bass to this bass,” says Ibanez’s Ken...
Bill Wyman Diagnosed with Cancer
Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman has revealed he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Wyman reported the news on his website, saying the disease was caught early. “Bill has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is undergoing treatment and is expected to make a full recovery as it was caught in the early stages,” the statement read. Wyman left the...
Bass of the Week: Enfield Guitars Lionheart English Rose
This week we’re checking out the Enfield Guitars Lionheart English Rose, a rosewood-themed bass with tons of tonal flexibility. The UK-made bass takes the company’s Lionheart design and upgrades it with a solid rosewood neck and fingerboard for feel as well as tone. “There’s no denying the natural feel of solid rosewood. It really is so inspiring to handle,” company...