Robert Trujillo, Steve Bailey and P-Nut Bass Jam
Here’s a sweet jam from Warwick’s Fuss on the Buss 2012 DVD. Robert Trujillo and Steve Bailey set an interesting groove between Trujillo’s gnarly distorted bass and Bailey’s bell-like tone and lyricism on top. 311’s Aaron “P-Nut” Willis jumps in around the 3-minute mark to add some slap to fill the jam out.
Rotosound Updates Steve Harris Signature Bass Strings
Rotosound has upgraded their Steve Harris Signature Bass Strings by using a new burnishing process to give them a smoother finish. The company explains the change facilitates fast playing as well as reduces string noise. The Iron Maiden bassist’s signature strings are flatwounds that are described as slightly brighter than traditional flatwounds. Available only as a 4-string set, the custom...
Warwick Introduces Corvette $$ NT Special Edition 68 Bass
Warwick has unveiled the Corvette $$ NT Special Edition 68, a custom shop bass inspired by the General Motors 1968 Model Corvette Stingray. The hot-rodded bass shares the car’s style with a Candy Apple red finish and an airbrushed aluminum center section while the Corvette name is inlaid into the tigerstripe ebony fingerboard. Available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions,...
Stefano Francazio Solo Bass: Assenza Di Gravità
Laura Palumbo sent in this great video of Stefano Francazio playing a cool solo bass piece entitled “Assenza Di Gravità”. The title translates to “Absence of Gravity.” Enjoy!
Rage Against The Machine Release 20th Anniversary Edition of Debut Album
Rage Against the Machine are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first album with Rage Against the Machine – XX, an expanded reissue of the landmark effort that launched the band into the spotlight with tracks like “Killing in the Name,” “Wake Up,” and “Bombtrack.” In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, guitarist Tom Morello revealed he had written the...
Lava Cable Introduces the Lava Power Tube Pedal Board Snake
Lava Cable has introduced the Lava Power Tube Pedal Board Snake, a 7-cable snake that can be customized with a variety of connectors. The cables included are for AC Power, Amp In, Effects Send, Effects Return, Mono Footswitch, Stereo Footswitch or XLR, and CAT 5/MIDI 5 or 7-Pin. Each of the cables is color-coded, labeled, and shielded to prevent crosstalk....
Ernie Ball/Music Man Unveils Sledge Basses, Including Sabre Reissue
Ernie Ball/Music Man has unveiled the Sledge basses, a new special offering available through their Premier Dealer Network. Designed in conjunction with Tony Levin, the Music Man Sledge has a custom metallic flake finish that shifts colors depending on your viewing angle. Offered on Classic Stingray 4 and 5s, the Sledge is also available on the Music Man Sabre bass,...
New School: Mike Dimin
Mike Dimin is a bassist that focuses on stretching what he calls “The Chordal Approach.” Inspired in part by jazz guitarist Joe Pass, Dimin took his knowledge of melody, harmony, and rhythm to start making chord-melody arrangements of songs for bass. He also utilizes a looper to create “lush arrangements of everything from Jazz Standards to R&B and pop classics...
Steve Lawson Releases “Nothing Can Prepare” with Saxophonist Andy Williamson
Steve Lawson has released a new duo album with saxophonist Andy Williamson entitled Nothing Can Prepare. The album is taken from performances captured on tour in church venues and features Lawson’s beautiful, ambient improvisation with Williamson joining in, starting from the back of the church for a gorgeous effect. While the title is taken from one of Lawson’s compositions, it...
Bass of the Week: MechBass
Science just got a whole lot cooler thanks to Victoria University of Wellington engineering student James McVay. As part of Bachelor’s degree, McVay designed and built the MechBass, a 4-string robotic bass guitar. And yes, it rocks. Built with lasercut and 3D-printed parts, MechBass has four separate units for each string controlled with PCBs. The strings are plucked with picks...
Kinsman Announces New Bass Amplification Line
Distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd. have introduced a new line of Kinsman instrument amplifiers, including four bass combos. Ranging 15 to 100-watts, the amps all feature a built-in limiter and a headphone output but add features as they grow. The K15B sports a basic 3-band EQ, while the K25B adds another band to the EQ and a CD/Tape...
Steve Harris: Us Against the World
In late September, Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris released his first solo album entitled British Lion. Now he’s put out a music video for the first single, “Us Against the World”. The project is a bit of a step away from Iron Maiden, but Harris’ ballsy bass tone is still the center of the music.