Bass of the Week: New York Bass Works Cremona 5
This week we check out a custom Cremona 5 by New York Bass Works. Built by luthier David Segal for bassist Sean Joynes, the instrument is based around a rare wood from central Africa called Moabi. Joynes gave us the scoop: “This new Cremona 5 bass is made of Red Alder with a Moabi Pommele (African Pearwood) top,” he wrote....
Tony Campos Joins Fear Factory
Metal bass mainstay Tony Campos has announced that he’s leaving the ranks of Soulfly to join Fear Factory. The bassist, who is best known for his time in the now defunct Static-X, made the announcement on Facebook while on the road with Ministry. “Big announcement time. Now that I’m back out on the road with Ministry, I can go ahead...
Tech 21 Boost Comp Pedal Now Shipping
After announcing the pedal at this year’s NAMM Show, Tech 21 is now shipping the Boost Comp. The all-analog compressor utilizes FET-based technology, which the company says is inherently warm, while simplifying the controls for easy tweaking. The pedal offers pre and post-effect tone shaping capability with its Presence and Tone controls. Presence adds a pre-compression tonal boost in the...
Bass Battle: Live Looping Session #7
Bass Battle has taken his looping sessions to a whole new level. The bassist, aka Bogdan Diaconeasa, sent us his latest looping session, which features his already stellar playing fleshed out with ambient effects and a backbeat. The jam creates a mesmerizing sonic atmosphere and a hook that will stick in your head.
Iron Maiden: Powerslave, Live 2008
Powerslave is one of Iron Maiden’s greatest albums, and the title track is just as killer. Here’s the band tearing it up during a performance in Costa Rica with Steve Harris laying it down like only he can. The clip is taken from a 2009 British/Canadian documentary called Iron Maiden: Flight 666, which followed the band during their Somewhere Back...
Warwick Announces German Pro Series Basses
Warwick is introducing a new lineup called the German Pro Series, which aims to offers their German-made instruments at an affordable price. All of the basses are produced in Germany by Warwick and a partner company. “The tone woods for the German Pro Series are naturally air dried, hand selected, and glued at Warwick in Markneukirchen, also the necks, and...
Levy’s Leathers Announces MGJ2 Straps
Levy’s Leathers has introduced the MGJ2 Strap Series, featuring nine textured jacquards. Each of the nine models is lined with a tucked edge leather backing and tri-glide adjustment. The straps are two inches wide and adjustable up to 56 inches in length. An XL version adds an extra 12 inches to the overall length. They are available now for $93.30....
Booker T and the MG’s: Melting Pot, Live 1989
Donald “Duck” Dunn is a legend for a reason. Here’s a great clip of the bassist laying it down with Booker T and the MG’s at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes back in 1989. The group played through many of their hits, including this version of 1971’s “Melting Pot.” Dunn’s rock solid groove lays perfectly in the pocket to...
Two Notes Audio Engineering Unveils Le Bass Preamp Pedal
Two Notes Audio Engineering introduced their new Preamplifiers series at Musikmesse this year including the Le Bass. Housed in a pedal format, the tube preamp features dual channels with a Fusion mode to blend them together. The company says it also runs internally at 200 volts to “preserve the interaction between you and your bass while working with your other...
Cody Wright and Chaisaray Schenk: Drum & Bass Groove
The connection between a bassist and a drummer is a special thing. Here’s a great example of that bond with Cody Wright tearing it up with Chaisaray Schenk on a drum and bass groove. Wright kicks things off with a killer bass riff that Schenk immediately syncs up with to form a tight pocket.
Bass of the Week: Brutal Guitars Egregore 5
Vitaly Ganya sent us a note suggesting we check out the Brutal Guitars Egregore 5, and I’m glad he did. The instrument is the first bass by Latvian luthier Andrew Schultz and was made in collaboration with Ganya for his band avant-garde band Theatrum. Ganya gave us the whole scoop: “The body of this five string instrument is made from...
Steve Lawson: Looping Improv
Steve Lawson is a master of looping and effects to create enormous soundscapes. He recently sent us this great clip of an improv session that turned out very musical. “[It] started out as a video test and ended up featuring some rather nice music, sort of by accident,” Lawson shares. “It starts out with an ambient loop using my toneprint...