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Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 651


Tool Announces North American Tour Dates
Concerts & Tours

Tool Announces North American Tour Dates

With over five years since their last album and a little over a year since their last performance, Tool has confirmed that they will be playing a handful of shows in 2012, starting in Reno, Nevada on January 14th. The band, consisting of bassist Justin Chancellor, singer Maynard James Keenan, drummer Danny Carey and guitarist Adam Jones will be making...

Squier James Johnston Signature Jazz Bass Available Worldwide in 2012
Basses

Squier James Johnston Signature Jazz Bass Available Worldwide in 2012

Squier announced this week that Biffy Clyro bassist James Johnston’s signature Jazz Bass would be available worldwide in 2012. First announced in Fall of 2009, the instrument has thus far only been available only in Europe. Johnston’s signature axe is based on his personal Fender USA Jazz and has a basswood body finished in Lake Placid Blue with a matching...

New School: Simon Fitzpatrick
New School

New School: Simon Fitzpatrick

UK-based Simon Fitzpatrick caught the attention of bass lovers around the world last year with his jaw-dropping solo bass arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody. Since then, the Carl Palmer Band bassist has been continuing to push himself to adapt new songs to the instrument with techniques and technology. What makes you new school? I first started taking solo bass seriously about...

Marcus Miller Working on New Album
Player News

Marcus Miller Working on New Album

It appears Marcus Miller is in the studio working on his new album, according to his Facebook page. Though details are still slim, the iconic bassist announced a few artists that he’s working with. “Working on my new album,” he posted. “In the studio with Sean Jones, Federico Gonzalez Pena, Adam Rogers, Alex Han and Louis Cato. Time to make...

Bass of the Week: Chillbass Pantera
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Chillbass Pantera

This week we take a look at Chillbass Guitars’ Pantera, a sleek fretless bass that takes its cues from minimalism. The bass has a medium, 32″ scale, which the French bass builder explains lowers the string tension and ultimately aids upper register tones, playability, and adds to a “fat low end.” The Pantera has a swamp ash body, maple neck...

Custom Shop: An Interview with Mike Lull
Custom Shop

Custom Shop: An Interview with Mike Lull

As one of the world’s most respected bass luthiers, Mike Lull’s work has been heard around the world. His Seattle, Washington-based shop has allowed Lull to work on nearly all of the instruments used by bands from the area known as “the grunge capital”, including Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and others. His story began as many do, with youthful rebellion,...

JackTight USA Now Shipping JackTight Tool for Repairing Output Jacks
Accessories & Strings

JackTight USA Now Shipping JackTight Tool for Repairing Output Jacks

For all you do-it-yourselfer’s out there, JackTight USA released the JackTight, a tool for fixing loose output jacks on basses and guitars. The JackTight works by gripping and stabilizing the jack from the inside, allowing for users to tighten the nut without the jack spinning. In addition to being handy on instruments the JackTight works on any jack, including effects...

Philosophy Amplifiers Launches Flagship All-Tube Bass Amp
Amps

Philosophy Amplifiers Launches Flagship All-Tube Bass Amp

Philosophy Amplifiers has entered the bass amplifier scene with the launch of their flagship Philosophy amp, a 200-watt all tube bass amp. The class AB amplifier utilizes three JJ 12ax7 preamp tubes and four JJ KT-88 power tubes for it’s all-tube signal path, which the company explains is capable of both clean and overdriven sounds without the aid of pedals....

Phish Releases Hampton/Winston-Salem ’97 Box Set
New Albums

Phish Releases Hampton/Winston-Salem ’97 Box Set

Phish has released a 7-CD box set called Hampton/Winston-Salem ‘97, which documents the entirety of their three shows from November 21-23, 1997. The collection includes 45 songs coming in at over 8 hours of music, as well as previously unheard material from soundchecks at both venues. The trio of shows are among the most requested for release from the Phish...

Le Fay Introduces Fan Fret Version of Pangton Headless Bass
Basses

Le Fay Introduces Fan Fret Version of Pangton Headless Bass

Le Fay has released a new fanned fret version of their Pangton headless bass. The bass has a unique bridge, head piece and pickups to accommodate the multi-scale lengths, which range from 35.24” for the B-string and 33.46” for the G-string. Though the design is quite unique, the German bass company says it’s easy to adjust to. “Soon this bass...

Jason Newsted Reunites with Metallica for 30th Anniversary Celebration
Player News

Jason Newsted Reunites with Metallica for 30th Anniversary Celebration

During the first night of their 30th Anniversary concerts last week, Metallica brought Jason Newsted back for a special guest appearance. Newsted, who left the band in 2001, was introduced by singer James Hetfield as “someone who lived with us, and toured with us and did stuff with us for 14 years.” The band then kicked into “Harvester of Sorrow,”...

Electro-Harmonix Now Shipping Switchblade+ Channel Selector
Pedals & Effects

Electro-Harmonix Now Shipping Switchblade+ Channel Selector

Electro-Harmonix has unveiled the Switchblade+ Channel Selector, a flexible stompbox that allows you to route your input signal to either two different locations (Channel A or B) or both simultaneously. The Switchblade+ then picks up where the company’s original Switchblade left off with the inclusion of a dedicated Tuner out, which EHX explains is hardwired to the input. This provides...