Scott Varney: Slow Down
Here’s an example of a singer/songwriter doing it right. The very talented Scott Varney builds his song “Slow Down” all by himself with a bass, a djembe, his voice and a looper. After getting a serious groove and sweet backup vocals going, Varney adds his lyrics overtop while comping chords on his bass. Make sure to check out the Sublime...
Seymour Duncan Announces NYC Bass Pickups
Seymour Duncan has announced a new line of pickups. Similar to pickups found on the city’s handcrafted basses, the new NYC Bass Pickups use a dual coil J-type pickup design with a double row of exposed Alnico pole pieces. They are also made for flexibility with a four conductor cable that allows for three wiring modes: parallel, series, or single-coil....
Digital Audio Labs Adds Expansion Products to Stompblox Pedalboard Line
Digital Audio Labs has extended their line of Stompblox modular pedalboards with the Stompblox Riser and the Stompblox Extend. The new products are the first two modular expansion products that connect to the Stompblox system to expand its functionality. Intended to make the back row more accessible, Stompblox Risers are designed to snap into the pedalboard to raise certain sections....
Andrew Workman: Playthrough of Taken By The Tide’s “Long Pig”
Here’s another great metal bass play-through from Taken by the Tide’s Andrew Workman, who demonstrates how to play their song “Long Pig.” The track comes from their latest EP, Hands of Spite. Workman uses a healthy mix of fingerstyle, slapping, and tapping to get lots of textures out of his 7-string AC Guitars bass.
Ed Breckenridge Joins Angels & Airwaves
Blink 182 guitarist Tom DeLonge took to his Instagram page to announce that his band Angels & Airwaves has recruited former Thrice bassist Ed Breckenridge to join their ranks. “We welcome Ed Breckenridge to the gang- Formerly of the post-hardcore band #Thrice,” he wrote. “He is a perfect fit for this group of punk rock Gymnasts. A daily surfer, and...
In Memoriam: Charlie Haden
American jazz bassist Charlie Haden, who made waves with artists like free jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman and pianist Keith Jarrett, has passed away after a prolonged illness, according to a statement from ECM Records. He was 76. Born in Shenandoah, Iowa in 1937, Haden was raised on a farm and started on bass at an early age. His family had...
Dean Markley Introduces Blue Steel Nickel-Plated Bass Strings
After keeping them to limited to artists and exclusive dealers, Dean Markley has launched a nickel-plated version of their Blue Steel bass strings. Similar to the stainless steel set, the Blue Steel Nickel-Plated strings are cryogenically frozen with liquid nitrogen to improve their lifespan. The company describes the strings as gentler to the touch. Nickel also creates less distortion for...
Rufus Reid’s Out Front Trio: Come Rain or Come Shine
Rufus Reid has a vibe on bass that will fill an entire room. Check out this video of his Out Front trio performing the jazz standard “Come Rain or Come Shine” live at Dizzy’s and you’ll see what I mean. Reid’s distinct tone and cooler-than-cool phrasing sets the tone as he plays the melody and supports pianist Steve Allee before...
Bass of the Week: Paul Belgrado Stringed Instruments Custom AG #1
This week we check out the Custom AG by Belgian luthier Paul Belgrado. Finished in a root beer color nitrocellulose finish, the bass gives an air of classic ideas with a modern approach. The AG is built with an alder body, maple neck, and madagascar rosewood fingerboard. It gets its meaty sound from a pair of Lindy Fralin double coil,...
Carol Kaye Gives Gene Simmons a Bass Lesson
Here’s something I never thought I’d see. Studio legend Carol Kaye gave KISS bassist Gene Simmons an impromptu bass lesson at Sunset Sound studios in Hollywood, and luckily cameras were rolling to catch it.
Deltron 3030 Continues U.S. Tour with Juan Alderete, Announces European Dates
Hip hop supergroup Deltron 3030 is continuing to tour in support of their latest release, , which dropped in September. The group, featuring the core of Dan the Automator, Del the Funky Homosapien and Kid Koala, features bass extraordinaire Juan Alderete laying down the low end. The North American leg of their tour wraps up this month with dates in...
Dirty Loops: Wake Me Up (Avicii Cover)
Dirty Loops has just released a new cover video, this time tackling Avicii’s “Wake Me Up.” Taking a more laid back feel than their previous covers, the clip has bassist Henrik Linder taking a more chordal approach. And no, your eyes do not deceive you. The bassist is using his Mattissonbass that features true temperament frets, making the frets uneven...