Phil Jones Announces Limited Edition Briefcase Ultimate Bass Amp Combo
It’s been ten years since the Phil Jones Briefcase was introduced, and the company is celebrating the milestone with a limited edition version of the compact bass amplifier. The Phil Jones Briefcase Ultimate will be a modified version of the original, bumping up output from 100 watts to 160 watts. Other upgraded features include new higher power Pirhana speakers with...
Peter Hook and The Light to Perform New Order Albums on North American Tour
Peter Hook and The Light are gearing up for a special North American tour this fall in which the group will play the first two albums from the bassist’s previous band New Order. The band will perform both 1981’s Movement and 1983’s Power, Corruption & Lies in their entireties at nine cities across the U.S. and Canada, starting September 10th...
Bass of the Week: KR Guitars Ursa
This week we check out the Ursa from KR Guitars, a striking multi-scale bass that’s handmade by luthier Kevin Robertson in Vallejo, California. While the bass can be built with whatever woods are requested, this particular bass caught our eye with its 5A California Claro Walnut top and 5A flame maple back. The rest of the bass’s body is The...
Custom Shop: Revsound
Started in 1983, Revsound is a company that offers handmade bass cabinets. Proprietor David C. Luke’s deep interest in sound and sound production has driven his work to create powerful cabinets with an emphasis on staying lightweight. Luke builds all of the cabs to order in his Effingham, New Hampshire workshop. The RS series includes a 1×10, 2×10, and 4×10...
Alex Bershadsky: Via Dolorosa
Here’s a cool tapping tune from Alex Bershadsky, who employs a constant pulse in his left hand with arpeggios while bringing out a beautiful melody with his right hand.
In Memoriam: Trevor Bolder
Trevor Bolder, who played with David Bowie’s backing band Spiders From Mars, has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 62. Born in Kingston Upon Hull, England, Bolder was a prominent member of the local R&B scene in the ‘60s before replacing Tony Visconti in Bowie’s band. He appeared on the albums Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall...
Bobby McFerrin Releases “Spirityouall”, Featuring Esperanza Spalding and Larry Grenadier
Master vocalist Bobby McFerrin has released Spirityouall, a thirteen track album compiled of classic spirituals as well as original compositions. Integrating many of McFerrin’s musical influences, the effort pays homage to the legacy of the singer’s father, the late baritone Robert McFerrin, Sr., who was the first African-American to sign a contract with the Metropolitan Opera Company. He was also...
Deftones’ Final Album with Chi Cheng Closer To Being Released
The Deftones were nearly finished with their album Eros in 2008 when tragedy struck and a car accident left bassist Chi Cheng in a coma. After some time, the band decided to shelve the project out of respect for Cheng and recruited bassist Sergio Vega to start a new album, Diamond Eyes. Eros turned out to be Cheng’s final recording...
Atoms For Peace Announces 2013 Tour Dates
Atoms for Peace have announced a world tour for 2013 in support of their debut album, AMOK. The group, which is comprised of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, producer Nigel Godrich, drummer Joey Waronker and percussionist Mauro Refosco, will be in full force as they take the stage starting in Europe. The tour continues in the Fall...
Höfner Violin Bass History Detailed in New Book
Höfner’s iconic Violin Bass is getting a thorough examination in the new book Höfner – The Complete Violin Bass Story, written by Höfner aficionado Steve Russell and the company’s own Nick Wass. The 320-page book chronicles the bass’s history from its inception to the present using photos and information from Höfner Company Archives as well as the expertise of Gerhilde...
Goby Labs Introduces “Thingy” Series Accessories
Accessories company Goby Labs has introduced the Thingy Series, consisting of the Goby Labs Guitar-hook Thingy and the Stand-top Thingy for iPad. The whimsically-named gadgets attach to microphone stands to provide simple, portable solutions for gigging musicians The Guitar-hook Thingy is an instrument hanger which attaches to a tripod microphone stand with a patent-pending grip that forms a closed loop...
Mike Mills: No R.E.M. Reunion
Fans of the defunct alternative rock band R.E.M. shouldn’t hold their breath for a reunion. Though the group decided to “call it a day as a band” on good terms, bassist Mike Mills recently told Rolling Stone that the chances of them getting back together is likely not in the cards. “We said we’re done and we’re done,” he said....