Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 586

Daring Audio has upgraded their Laser Cannon with an HD version of the bass distortion pedal, which builds on the model’s functionality. New features include a state variable filter that allows low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass before and after the distortion circuit, two filters for separate pre and post gain filtering, expansion of the gain control, and a boost switch with...

Tech 21 has unveiled the Private Stock Formula 21, an exclusive vacuum tube bass preamp. The limited edition preamp is hand-built at the company’s U.S. factory and is housed in a solid mahogany cabinet with a cherry finish. Custom designed by Tech 21 president Andrew Barta, the Formula 21 came as a vision of an all-tube version of the SansAmp...

Evan Brewer has a new solo album in the works, and he took a little time out to preview some of it with a new video. The new effort will stray from his first album, Alone, which he created entirely with only bass. “This album is coming out a lot different than the first one,” Brewer explains. “What we’re doing...

Bryan Beller and The Aristocrats have announced an extensive U.S. Tour in anticipation of their second studio album, tentatively titled Culture Clash, which is due out July 16th. The trio will hit the road for six weeks from mid-July to late August in support of the effort. The trio, made up of bassist Beller, guitarist Guthrie Govan, and drummer Marco...

G&L has introduced the MJ-4 Bass, a bass with a familiar feel that the company says is part of an evolution of bass features. The model sports a pair of G&L’s new Bi-Coil Alnico V pickups, which they say looks like a classic single-coil but actually contains two side-by-side coils configured in series-humbucking mode. The pickups are matched for a...

Today, we’re gonna throw it back with the 1980 music video for “Stomp!” by the Brothers Johnson. Bassist Louis Johnson is holding it down with a perfect grooving bass line. Dig it.

Chuck Goff, who played bass with country music superstar Toby Keith, died this week after sustaining injuries from a car accident. He was 54. Carl “Chuck” Goff Jr. played for Keith for over 25 years as both a bass player and band leader. He also cowrote “You Ain’t Much Fun” and “Upstairs Downtown” from the 1994 album Boomtown. Keith shared...

Here’s an outstanding video of Marcus Miller and saxophonist Alex Han going to town on a beat given to them by a DJ on Italy’s Rai Radio. Miller shared the story on his Facebook page recently while in the studio. “Been in the studio with Alex Han for the past couple weeks working on his album,” Miller said. “Here’s some...

A week after announcing a tour with his Duo De Twang, Les Claypool and Primus are gearing up for a new leg of their 3D Tour. The concert experience has audience members wear 3D glasses to enjoy a “one-of-a-kind psychedelic experience.” Performances also feature Quad Surround Sound, as well. The trek kicks off in Eureka, California on MAy 10th with...

This week we take a look at the Line 6 Variax Bass 700, an interesting bass that was produced during the 2000’s. It included special modeling software to reproduce tons of classic bass sounds, ranging from a ’61 Jazz Bass to a ’03 Thumb to bass synths. The Variax used piezo bridge saddles to capture each string’s vibrations, then signals...

It’s not easy to fill the shoes of a man regarded as one of the most influential pioneers of the electric bass, but it’s something that comes naturally to James Jamerson, Jr. After all, his father – who subsequently changed the face of popular music – was the one who taught him to play. He practically grew up in the...

Here’s a great video of Rinat Ibragimov playing Vanhal’s Concerto for Double Bass. Ibragimov, who is principal bassist for the London Symphony Orchestra, tackles the piece with incredible finesse and agility. The video description shares the background for this piece: “This popular piece of double bass repertoire is commonly called for in auditions, and here Rinat demonstrates its performance using...