Carvin Unveils PB4 and PB5 Basses
New for summer 2013, Carvin has added to their bolt-on basses with the PB4 and PB5 Classic Bolt-Neck Basses. The new designs take cues from a classic design while adding a few of Carvin’s own touches, like Carvin’s locking bass bridge, a sculpted neck heel, and newly designed pickup. Specifically, the passive SCP split coil P-type humbucking pickup utilizes a...
Mogami Cable Introduces Gold Series Instrument Silent Series
Mogami Cable announced the Gold Instrument Silent Series of cables at Summer NAMM in Nashville. Offered in straight and 90° angle plugs, the line of cables feature Neutrik Silent Plugs that allow for hot-swapping instruments without causing a pop in the signal. The plugs have an internal switch that automatically silences the cable when unplugged. Cable features include an oxygen-free...
Toto, Featuring Nathan East, Announces First Full North American Tour in A Decade
Toto has announced their first full North American tour in almost a decade as part of a worldwide trek in celebration of the band’s 35th anniversary. Kicking off July 26th in Belleville, Ontario, the veteran rockers will skip across Canada and the United States before wrapping up on September 14th in Chandler, Arizona. The band’s current lineup includes Steve “Luke”...
Pigtronix Introduces Gatekeeper Noise Gate Pedal
Pigtronix has introduced the Gatekeeper, a new noise gate pedal that utilizes J-FET circuitry to eliminate unwanted sounds from your signal path. The pedal is built for simplicity with a Threshold knob and a Release knob to dial in the gate’s settings. Pigtronix states the threshold control offers a wide range combined with superior headroom to offer smooth transient response,...
Esperanza Spalding: Precious, Live at Amoeba
My friend Dos was the first person to introduce me to the music of Esperanza Spalding, and this was the first tune that made me realize her genius. Taken from her 2008 release, Esperanza, “Precious” is a gorgeous groove that is a perfect blend of jazz and R&B. The bass line is infectious – and fun to play – and...
Headway Music Audio Announces EDB-2 and EDM-1 Preamps
Headway Music Audio has expanded their range of acoustic preamps with the EDB-2 and EDM-1, a pair of preamps that will replace the company’s flagship EDB-1 EQ Direct Blend Preamp. Both of the new preamps are designed for acoustic instruments, including upright bass and acoustic bass guitar, and are housed in a metal chassis with belt clips, rubber feet, and...
Payson Introduces Fanned Nickel Steel Medium Light Bass Strings
Payson has introduced a new Medium Light gauge set to their fanned nickel steel bass strings. As with the rest of the series, the Payson Fanned Nickel Steel Medium Light Bass Strings are designed specifically for Dingwall basses, or any other boutique builders using fanned multi-scale lengths from 34 to 37 inches. The set’s gauges are .130T, .100T, .078T, .058,...
Bass of the Week: Odyssey Basses Calypso
This week, we’re checking out the Calypso from Odyssey Basses, a bass that’s handmade in Greece by luthier Iannis Ioannides. The slick design comes in 4-, 5-, and 6-string configurations with options for lefties, as well. The Calypso comes standard with a lightweight swamp ash body, an American maple neck, and an Indian Rosewood fingerboard, though several upgrade options are...
Bass With a Voice: An Interview With Danielle Schnebelen
Trampled Under Foot is making a big splash with their first major label release, Badlands, a thirteen track collection of soulful and gritty blues tunes that groove like no other. The sibling power trio is fronted by singer/bassist Danielle Schnebelen, who pours her soul out in heartfelt lyrics and low notes. “All I really want to do is inspire goodness...
Bart Soeters: Bass Sounds
There’s so much to like about this video, it’s hard to figure out where to begin. Bart Soeters made this video to showcase the diverse sounds of the bass. Accompanied by Joris Holtackers on drums and keys, Soeters uses 19 (!) basses throughout the jam to show the wide variety of tones and feels that each bass achieves. If you...
Thundercat Releases Sophomore Album, “Apocalypse”
Thundercat, aka bassist Stephen Bruner, has returned with his second full-length album, Apocalypse. Continuing Bruner’s unique hip hop meets jazz meets indie rock style, the effort centers on the cycle of life and all its ups and downs. The topic has been heavy on the bassist’s mind since the passing of his close friend and fellow musician, Austin Peralta, who...
Alain Caron Awarded Oscar Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award
Bassist Alain Caron was honored at the Montreal International Jazz Festival this past week with the prestigious Oscar Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a “Canadian musician who has made outstanding contributions to jazz in his country.” The occasion marked the first time a musician won the award twice, as he first won the award as a member of UZEB...