Bass of the Week: Adamovic Basses SuperNova 5
Adamovic Basses recently posted a set of photos on their Facebook page that made me want to look up some more. The bass was SuperNova 5 featuring a one-piece African padouk top, and it’s our bass of the week. The SuperNova one of the company’s first models and features a three-dimensional hand-carved body. While the Netherlands-based company builds the model...
Robert Glasper Experiment, Featuring Derrick Hodge: Say Yes
Derrick Hodge is a monster bassist. Adept at both electric and upright bass, his style brings together the best elements of jazz, R&B, and gospel. Here’s a clip of Hodge laying it down with the Robert Glasper Experiment during a performance at The Exchange LA in Los Angeles, California. The bassist pours his soul into an extended bass solo that...
In Memoriam: Mike Porcaro
Mike Porcaro, who played bass for the seminal rock band Toto, has passed away after a long battle with ALS. He was 59 years old. Porcaro came from a musical family. His father is jazz drummer Joe Porcaro, and he is the middle brother of drummer Jeff Porcaro and keyboardist Steve Porcaro. Though Mike played on several unofficial sessions since...
Spector Introduces NS-2 CT-B Carved Top Bass
Stuart Spector was showing off his latest creation at NAMM this year with the Spector NS-2 CT-B, a carved top take on the company’s flagship NS-2 model. Handbuilt in Spector’s U.S. workshop, the bass features a chambered alder body with a redwood top that’s carved on both the inside and outside surfaces. The top also fits their Helium series and...
DR Strings Introduces Pure Blues Bass Strings
DR Strings has introduced a new set of bass strings called Pure Blues. The strings utilize a Quantum-Nickel wrap, which the company describes as combining the best characteristics of steel with a nickel feel. “Pure Blues bass strings combine a fat, warm punch with an edge especially designed for the modern bassist,” DR writes. “Pure Blues strings provide more output,...
Mark Michell: Scale The Summit’s “The Dark Horse” Playthrough
Here’s another great metal playthrough by Scale the Summit’s Mark Michell. The bassist tears through “The Dark Horse” from the band’s album The Migration at EMG Pickups TV studios. The song’s creative rhythmic variations tied with Michell’s tone make for a great bass part. Be sure to check out the bass break at the 3:48 mark.
Consider the Source: An Interview with John Ferrara
As we become more connected, a deeper mixing of culture and ideas is creating some innovative music. One example is Consider the Source, and a style they call “Sci-Fi Middle Eastern Fusion”. Check out our interview with bassist John Ferrara, who talks about that and more
Monster Truck: Sweet Mountain River & Old Train, Live
I’m not sure how I got onto this band, but I’m glad I did. Monster Truck is a gritty rock band informed by classic ’70s metal riffage. While the group is based out of Ontario, there’s a certain southern rock groove to it, too. The band is fronted by bassist Jon Harvey, who unleashes some solid grooves while handling lead...
Eden Amplification Launches the World Tour Pro Series
Eden has announced the World Tour Pro Series, consisting of the WTP900, the WTP600, and the WTPPRE. Eden calls the series their new flagship line and steps things up from their existing World Tour amps. Each of the models is loaded with the same features but differ in the power sections. The WTP900 is rated at 900 watts with stereo...
Josh Cohen: Solo Bass Arrangement of “Chameleon”
Here is a video that will freak you out musically and visually. Josh Cohen created a beautiful, funky arrangement of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon,” and decided to do something a little different for the video. The bassist is clad in an all white suit and moves erratically to emphasize parts of the song. While the visual dynamic may be bizarre, the...
ESP Guitars Introduces Bunny Brunel Signature Basses
Fusion bassist Bunny Brunel teamed up with ESP Guitars to unveil a new signature line at the 2015 Winter NAMM Show. The basses comes in two models: the BB-1004/QM, which is a four-string with a See-Thru Black Sunburst, and the BB-1005FL/QM, a fretless five-string with a Burnt Orange finish. Both editions carry many of the same features, including an alder...
Rinat Ibragimov: Bach Cello Suite No. 3, 5. Bourrée
Bach may have written suites for cello, but they sound just as fantastic on the bass. In fact, this third suite is often used as solo material for classical bassists. Here’s the London Symphony Orchestra’s principal bassist Rinat Ibragimov performing the fifth movement of Bach’s Cello Suite No. 3. His mastery of the instrument is obvious as he plays the...