In Memoriam: John Levy
Bassist and talent manager John Levy has passed away at the age of 99. In addition to Levy’s own career of playing with artists like Stuff Smith, Billie Holiday, Don Byas, Lennie Tristano and George Shearing, Levy managed a host of jazz legends including Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, and Wes Montgomery. He’s often credited as the first African-American personal manager...
Bass of the Week: CB Basses D-Bass 4-String
This week we take a look at the D-bass by CB Basses, a custom shop run by luthier Cliff Bordwell. Featuring a Jazz style neck and pickups, the bass is an exquisite example of craftsmanship with its diverse mix of exotic woods. The body is built around a Spanish Cedar core with an Amboyna burl top and Birdseye maple back,...
Snoop Dogg, Featuring Bubby Lewis: Get The Funk Out Of My Face
Here’s a cool clip of Robert “Bubby” Lewis getting down with Snoop Dogg on The Late Show with David Letterman. The band performs Snoop’s take on the classic Brothers Johnson tune “Get the Funk Out of My Face” while Lewis lays down a solid low end with some really tasteful runs. The tune of course was co-written by Quincy Jones,...
TC Electronic Announces the Polytune Mini
TC Electronic has announced their newest polyphonic tuner, the Polytune Mini. The device is a more compact version of their original Polytune. The Mini is a polyphonic tuner, but for tuning bass, the device only works in chromatic mode. The company says that the polyphonic setting is for guitar only, and that it is a technical trade-off for the size....
Dingwall Unveils Super P Bass at NAMM 2012
Dingwall Guitars showcased a modern take on a classic design at the NAMM Show this year with the introduction of the Super P. Sporting the Novax Fanned-fret System, the bass features a multi-laminate neck for increased stability and decreased dead spots while the body is balanced by thickness for better weight distribution and increased resonance. The Super P includes Dingwall’s...
Evan Brewer: “A Climate For Change,” Live at NAMM 2012
It’s been a few days, but I’m still reeling from all the bass greatness that was NAMM 2012. One of my highlights was meeting solo bassist Evan Brewer while cruising the halls. Here’s a terrific clip of Evan performing his song “A Climate for Change” during his clinic at the ESP booth. The mellow tune is the closing track from...
Nikki Sixx: “Mötley Crüe’s Las Vegas Residency to be an Extravaganza”
Mötley Crüe will the first hard rock band to have a residency in Las Vegas after their 12-date stay at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino next month, running from February 3rd to February 19th, 2012. Entitled “Mötley Crüe in Sin City,” the residency will include an even larger scale production from their regular shows, the band says. “We’ve been...
Radial Engineering Introduces Firefly Tube Direct Box
Radial Engineering was showing off their new Firefly DI box at their booth at the NAMM Show this year. Built for for both live and recording purposes, the Firefly features a Class-A tube preamp with dual inputs that allow for quickly switching instruments. The Firefly’s signal path goes straight to a tuner output that stays on. It features a 12AX7...
Alfred Music Releases Bryan Beller’s “Mastering Tone and Versatility”
Bryan Beller’s first ever instructional DVD, Mastering Tone and Versatility, has been released by Alfred Music Publishing. Beller is a bassist known for both his tone and versatility, with playing credits ranging from extreme metal to fusion to R&B and plenty in between. To help teach that sort of diversity, the bassist calls upon some of his cohorts. The DVD...
Peavey Unveils Cirrus Rudy Sarzo Signature Bass
Peavey’s NAMM product announcements included the all-new Cirrus Rudy Sarzo Signature Bass, incorporating elements of the rock veteran’s original signature bass and their Cirrus line. The 35″ scale bass features neck-through construction with maple neck and mahogany stringers. Graphite reinforcement and a dual expanding truss ensure a sturdy neck, while Rudy’s signature snake-eye inlays serve as fret markers in the...
Alex Bershadsky: Groove Move
Here’s an intense jam by bassist Alex Bershadsky, whose incredible groove is matched equally by his impressive technique. The clip features Gal Gershovsky on drums. When you groove it, you gotta move it!
Lakland Reintroduces Darryl Jones Signature Bass
Lakland has reintroduced the Darryl Jones Signature bass in both US and Skyline models. Jones, who originally commissioned a bass in 1985, has played with the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Sting, and many more. While the bass’s body shape is similar to the company’s Vintage J 44-60 and 55-60 models, the new signature model offers more curve to its contouring...