Geddy Lee: Rush is Taking a Break From the Road
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Geddy Lee has revealed that Rush is taking a break from their constant touring schedule. The trio just finished their year-long Clockwork Angels World Tour, and according to Lee, will be taking 2014 off, without discussing their future. “Our manager is talking all the time about the future and we’re choosing to ignore...
Bass of the Week: Mensinger Cazpar
Featuring a 30-inch scale, Mensinger describes their Cazpar bass as designed with players with smaller hands in mind. It also works nicely in both piccolo and standard tuning for versatility. Available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions, the Cazpar is built with a body consisting of an alder or mahogany core sandwiched between two pieces of maple as well as...
King Crimson Returns With New Lineup
Progressive rock fans rejoice! Guitarist Robert Fripp has announced that King Crimson is back with a new lineup. Originally formed in 1968, the iconic band has gone through several incarnations, the last of which disbanded in 2009 after a cancelled tour. The eighth incarnation of King Crimson will be anchored by bassist Tony Levin. “King Crimson will be back in...
Nathan Navarro: Bass Effects Demonstration
Nathan Navarro is a total beast of a bassist who really knows how to make effects sound good. Here’s a demo he made to show some of what he can do. Things start out pretty ambient and serene up until the 1:30 mark when all hell breaks loose. Check out those sweeps at 2:00! For the brave, Nathan has the...
Megadeth Releases Countdown To Extinction: Live
Last year, Megadeth celebrated the 20th anniversary of their iconic album Countdown to Extinction with a reissue and tour during which the band played the the whole thing in order. One year later, the group has released Countdown To Extinction: Live, a snapshot of the anniversary tour that was captured at the Fox Theatre in Los Angeles in December 2012....
Osiamo Introduces Dr. J Effects Pedal Series
Osiamo has launched the Dr. J line of effects pedals, which the company describes as bringing reasonable prices to the “boutique” market. The series includes three stompboxes aimed at bassists: the D-55 Aerolite Comp, the D-53 Sparrow Driver & DI, and the D-52 Soloman Bass Overdrive. All of the pedals feature true bypass switching, a metal housing, and DC power....
Music Theory – Chords in Minor Keys App Released for Android
Stuart Bahn has just released the second in his Music Theory Toolkit Series of apps for Android devices, entitled Music Theory – Chords in Minor Keys. The app trains you to learn all the minor, major, and diminished chords found in all 12 minor keys. Your theory is tested as the app displays a minor key and a roman numeral,...
Cody Wright: How to Play Funk Bass with a Pick
Last month we featured a burning track by the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra entitled “TNFJ“. The song really caught readers’ attention with sick drumming, other-worldly steel drums, and of course, the extra funky bass line by Cody Wright. Wright, who uses a pick to play, also wowed us with a driving and percussive solo. Here is his new video tutorial on...
Elvis Costello and The Roots Release “Wise Up Ghost”
At face value, it may not seem like Elvis Costello and The Roots would be a natural pairing, but their new collaborative album Wise Up Ghost is proof that their musical visions sync up in a special way. The project started on the set of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, where drummer Ahmir ”?uestlove” Thompson and The Roots are the...
Cort Unveils Artisan 20th Anniversary Basses
Cort has announced a line of 20th Anniversary editions of their Artisan basses, including the Artisan A-Custom 20th and the Artisan B 20th. Each of the models are limited edition and come in four and five-string versions with a 20th Anniversary logo on the electronics cover plate. The Cort Artisan A-Custom 20th bass features neck-thru construction centered around a 9-piece...
Fender Unveils Deluxe and American Deluxe Dimension Bass Models
After introducing the Dimension Bass as part of their Modern Player Series, Fender has revealed that the bass is now available as part of their Deluxe and American Deluxe instrument lines. Available in 4- and 5-string versions, the Fender Deluxe Dimension Bass is built with an ash body in the model’s new body shape, the Black-finish model is made with...
Cryptopsy: Two-Pound Torch Bass and Guitar Playthrough
Prepare to have your face melted. Here’s an insane video of Cryptopsy bassist Olivier Pinard and guitarist Chris Donaldson ripping through the song “Two-Pound Torch” from the band’s self-titled album. Pinard proves to be just as nimble as Donaldson and employs several techniques to spice up the bass line.