DBZ Guitars Now Shipping Hailfire Basses
DBZ Guitars is now shipping the Hailfire bass, available in Standard and Flame Maple versions. The company describes the new model as “classic-meets-modern”, with an old school body shape that’s been reshaped with modern contours and balancing. The Hailfire features neck-thru construction with a 34? scale. Its body and neck are mahogany, while the fingerboard is rosewood with block inlays....
Gig Opportunity: U.S. Air Force Airmen Of Note Announce Bass Vacancy
The United States Air Force Band has announced an immediate vacancy for the bass chair in their premier jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note, as longtime bassist Paul Henry steps down from his tenure. The position requires that bassists play both acoustic and electric bass in a big band setting in a variety of styles, including swing, bebop, latin, and...
Squier Introduces Precision Bass PJ Model to Affinity Series
Squier is adding to their Affinity Series this year with a new Precision Bass PJ model. Building on a traditional P-bass style, the new bass includes a single-coil Jazz Bass pickup in the bridge position for further tonal variety. Other new features include a two-color headstock logo and a three-ply black/white/black pickguard. The Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ is built...
Jefferson Starship’s Pete Sears Reunited with Custom Bass After 35 Years
Any musician will tell you that stealing an instrument is one of the worst things you can do to someone. The bass community has seen its fair share of famous instruments gone missing, but fortunately we can report one more that’s found its way home. Former Jefferson Starship bassist Pete Sears took to his Facebook page to share the incredible...
Black Sabbath Announces Full North American Tour Dates
Black Sabbath has announced a full 20-city North American tour in anticipation of their upcoming album, 13. The outing will build on their current World Tour, which kicked off April 20 in New Zealand and takes the legendary act from Texas to Virginia to British Columbia to California and several spots in between. 13 will be the band’s first new...
Bass of the Week: Brett Wall’s “ThunderBacker”
Brett Wall has been making his own basses ever since he started playing. He dropped us an email with a couple of his latest creations including what he calls The ThunderBacker. The dual-course, 8-string bass brings together elements of a Rickenbacker, a Thunderbird and a Precision bass for a unique blend and stunning design. The Ric-inspired body is made of...
Kristin Korb Releases “What’s Your Story?”
Jazz bassist/vocalist Kristin Korb has released What’s Your Story?, a retrospective album that answers the same question it presents. Korb revisits twelve songs of personal significance with the aid of drummer Jeff Hamilton and guitarist Bruce Forman, creating a stellar trio that build organic and thoughtful grooves. Each of the tracks offers a fresh take on time-tested tunes, while “Always...
Jens Ritter Introduces R8-Concept Fretless Bass
Jens Ritter has expanded on the idea of his R8-Singlecut bass with the R8-Concept Fretless Bass. The new models set themselves apart by utilizing the Ritter Backside Tuning System, which puts the tuning machines on the back of the bass’s body while accepting standard single-ball strings. Another distinguishing feature is the R8-Concept’s extended fingerboard, which reaches all the way down...
D&A Introduces IceStand Collapsable Bass and Guitar Stand
D&A has announced the IceStand, a foldable stand for basses and guitars. Available in Acoustic and Electric versions, the IceStand is a take on the company’s flagship GigStand that features a clear material to unveil its structure. The IceStand opens in two steps to offer a cradle with a three-point base and non-slip polymer materials at all points of contact....
Fender Introduces Classic Series Precision and Jazz Basses with Lacquer Finishes
Fender has expanded their bass lineup with the Classic Series ’60’s Jazz Bass Lacquer and Classic Series ’50s Precision Bass Lacquer. In following with the series, the basses pay homage to their vintage counterparts and distinguish themselves with period-correct gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finishes. The Classic Series ’60’s Jazz Bass Lacquer is built with an alder body, an ultra-slim “C”-shaped maple...
Anthony Crawford Releases “Urban Jazz – My Story”
Anthony Crawford has released Urban Jazz – My Story, his second album as a leader. The effort follows up on 2010’s Urban Jazz and continues his style of combining hip hop, pop, and jazz. My Story takes a more lyrical approach and features a stacked list of personnel that includes Frank McComb, Dave Weckl, Eric Darius, Ruslan Sirota and others....
Rocco Prestia Facing Health Issues, Needs Kidney Transplant
Rocco Prestia is facing serious health issues again, according to reports shared on Tower of Power’s website and Facebook page. The bassist, who is famed for his unique 16th note finger-style funk playing, is in need of a kidney transplant. “As you know, our beloved Rocco Prestia has been a part of Tower of Power since the beginning,” the band...