Ampeg Adds 1×12 and 2×12 Cabinets to Classic Series
Along with the reissue of the V-4B, Ampeg has announced two new SVT bass cabinets: the SVT-112AV and the SVT-212AV. Both models are stocked with 12? Eminence LF drivers, making it the first time the company has released cabinets housing 12-inch drivers in over a decade. The cabs also include a 1? compression driver with a 3-way level control. The...
Flying Colors Announce Live Album and DVD
Prog rock supergroup Flying Colors is gearing up to release a new live album and accompanying DVD of their performance from Tilburg, Netherlands on September 20th, 2012. Flying Colors – Live In Europe captures the band at the toward the end of their fall European tour and just months after their debut album was released. Anchored by bassist Dave LaRue,...
In Memoriam: Tim Wright
Tim Wright, original bassist for the experimental rock group Pere Ubu, has passed away. The cause of death was not announced. Wright helped to form Pere Ubu in Cleveland, Ohio in 1975. Blending punk and art rock, the band’s sound was underpinned by the bassist’s growling tone on early tracks including “30 Seconds Over Tokyo” and “Final Solution.” Wright also...
George Duke with Byron Miller: “Dukey Stick”, In the Studio 1978
The music community was rocked this week with the passing of the legendary keyboardist George Duke. The phenomenal musician had a long and varied career including work with Cannonball Adderley, Frank Zappa, and more. The list of bassists he worked with is equally inspiring: Stanley Clarke, Christian McBride, John Heard, Alphonso Johnson, Tom Fowler, Louis Johnson, Doug Rauch, Byron Miller...
Newsted Releases Heavy Metal Music
Newsted has built upon their Metal EP with the release of their first full length album, entitled . Fronted by bassist Jason Newsted, the band’s raw grooves and genuine attitude shine through on eleven tracks of unadulterated metal. “I’m doing this because I want to do this,” Newsted told us in an interview earlier this year. “I only do what...
Misa Introduces Tri-Bass MIDI Controller
Australian company Misa is all about enabling live bands to play electronic music, and their new Tri-Bass is a great example of that. The Misa Tri-Bass is a MIDI controller built for use with synthesizers or computers while fundamentally feeling like a bass. It has two main parts: a touch sensitive neck with three “strings” and a touch screen on...
ACT: Emin Köklü’s Bass Play-through of “You Owe Us Blood”
Turkish bassist Emin Köklü sent in this video of his recording session for his band ACT’s song “You Owe Us Blood,” and am I glad he did. The hard-hitting metal is underpinned by the bassist’s cutting tone, solid groove and wicked tapping and sweeping techniques. Make sure you check out the breakdown section starting at 2:39 for some cool melodic...
Bass of the Week: Adam “Nolly” Getgood’s G-Spot Basses Temptress
Hold on to your hats. Periphery’s Adam “Nolly” Getgood shared the details of his newest axe from G-Spot Basses called the Temptress, and the name fits the bill. The handmade six-string bass was built by luthier Steve Gammon out of Hollywood, Florida and recently got its debut at one of Periphery’s concerts. Based around a swamp ash body, the Temptress...
Stories Behind the Songs: Will Lee
As a part of the CBS Orchestra, Will Lee’s bass playing is heard by millions of people every week on The Late Show with David Letterman. Millions more listen to him every day thanks to his prolific recording career that spans nearly 40 years and over 1,700 albums of nearly every genre. “What I’ve always loved about my career is...
Derrick Hodge Releases Solo Debut, “Live Today”
Derrick Hodge is stepping out front with his debut album as a leader, entitled Live Today. The bassist, who has worked with artists ranging from Mulgrew Miller to Jill Scott, is probably best known for his genre melding work with pianist Robert Glasper. It’s this blend of jazz, hip hop, and R&B that shines through on the effort, which offers...
Pedulla Announces Rapture NPG Bass
M.V. Pedulla Guitars has introduced the Rapture NPG, a take on their Rapture model that omits the pick guard to reveal more of the body’s figure. The new bass is described as a full featured version of their “modern vintage” model and comes in single soapbar, J/J, or P/J pickup configurations. A low mid boost/cut switch is also included to...
Star & Dagger, Featuring Sean Yseult: FreakTrain
Sean Yseult’s new band Star & Dagger has released a music video for their new song “Freaktrain.” Described by LA Weekly as “the perfect blend of Black Sabbath and Valley of the Dolls,” the groove-heavy band is anchored by Yseult’s huge bass tone that fills out the bottom end while cutting through the mix at the same time.