Janek Gwizdala Publishes “All The Good Stuff – How I Practice” Instructional eBook
Janek Gwizdala has a new instructional book out. All the Good Stuff – How I Practice revolves around his practice regimen, and the book is full on getting the most out of your instrument, your hands and your ears. Gwizdala dives into more than practicing with tips on getting focused, inspiration, pacing, and finding solutions to musical problems. It’s filled...
Fishman Now Shipping Platinum Pro EQ and Platinum Stage Acoustic Preamps
Fishman is now shipping the Platinum Pro EQ and Platinum Stage acoustic preamps. The all-analog preamps have been redesigned with a discrete, high-headroom Class-A circuitry as well as a new switchable guitar/bass EQ that the company says makes them more musical for bass instruments. The Platinum Stage preamp has a four-band EQ with a sweepable mid-frequency and low frequency filter...
Chick Corea and Friends, with Eddie Gomez: Humpty Dumpty
Steve Bailey recently sent me a cool video of bass players congratulating Eddie Gomez on his recent honorary doctorate from Berklee School of Music. A recurring theme in everyone’s praise was Eddie’s playing on the song “Humpty Dumpty,” which led me to revisit the song and find a few versions. Here’s a clip of Eddie playing it alongside Chick Corea,...
Overwater Basses Announces J Series Scott Devine Bass Model
After releasing the Scott Devine Series bass in 2011, Overwater Basses has announced the J Series “Scott Devine Model.” The new model is based on the 4-string bass he uses in the majority of his YouTube bass lesson videos. “Based on the original custom 4 string bass we built for Scott back in 2010, encompassing all the physical attributes associated...
Maktub Project: The Sound of Silence
Bassist Davide Medicina shared this video of his band Maktub Project performing a reimagined version of Simon and Garfunkel’s classic hit, “The Sound of Silence.” Medicina describes their band as influenced by R&B, jazz and neo-soul, and it shows. The trio reharmonizes the song and adds a healthy dose of modern groove. Medicina lays a thick foundation while taking time...
Latin American Double Bass Workshop Celebrates 10th Anniversary
The 10th annual Encuentro Latinoamericano de Contrabajos will take place Saturday, November 22nd through Thursday, November 27th at the Tijuana Cultural Center in Tijuana, Mexico. The week-long Latin American bass workshop is presented by the Contrabajos de Baja California and will include quartets, group classes, masterclasses, a bass orchestra, and much more. This year’s guest artists include world-renowned bassists Catalin...
Reed James Engineering Introduces RJ Neo Buckers Bass Pickups
Reed James Engineering has expanded their line of neodymium pickups with the RJ Neo Bucker, a split coil design built in a soap bar shape with a reverse P-bass format. Utilizing the company’s Vintage Vibe Neo technology, the pickup boasts noiseless operation. The pickup is constructed with pole pieces powered by neodymium magnets. Other features include ABS plastic covers, a...
Dream Studio Guitars Unveils M5 Bass
Dream Studio Guitars has released a 5-string version of their Maverick Bass called the M5. The bass retains many of the same features as its predecessor while adding a low B string. The M5’s body is built from a single piece of swamp ash that is given a vintage offset shape with extra contouring. Its bolt-on, hard maple neck is...
Bass of the Week: UNICORNbass Ozellman Master
UNICORNbass is a boutique bass company out of Sweden that’s making some pretty slick instruments. The Ozellman Master is a flexible, performance-driven bass with the added touch of customizable looks. Built with either bolt-on or set-neck construction, the bass features a 7-ply neck of maple and purple heart matched to a bookmatched mahogany body topped with a choice of exotic...
Nenad Vasilic: Vranjanka
Bassist Nenad Vasilic has a new album out this month called The Art of Balkan Bass, and this preview track has been stuck in my head for a week. “Vranjanka” is a traditional Balkan folk song that Vasilic tackles by himself with his upright. He perpetuates the groove with some perfectly laid ghost notes and light string slapping. Check out...
Napalm Death Announces New Album Release Date, North American Tour
Next year will be a big year for Grindcore legends Napalm Death, as the group have announced a new album and tour for January. Apex Predator – Easy Meat, will be the band’s 16th album, hitting stores on January 27, 2015. Of course, the album will feature the ripping bass lines of Shane Embury. “Some in power like to declare...
Alusonic Announces David Caraccio Hybrid Signature Bass
Bassist David Caraccio – better known as YouTube’s DavidSinRocks – has teamed up with Alusonic to create a signature bass in their Hybrid series. As part of the series, the bass is built with an alder body fitted with a gold anodized aircraft grade aluminum top. The Alusonic David Caraccio Hybrid Signature bass also features a hard maple neck reinforced...