Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen: Autumn Leaves
Every time I watch or listen to NHØP, I have to stop everything else I’m doing. His jaw-dropping virtuosity and sheer technicality is unmatched. Here’s an awesome clip of the Great Dane ripping up the jazz standard “Autumn Leaves”. He starts the song off with a tip of the hat to Jaco Pastorius by playing part of the electric bassist’s...
dUg Pinnick Releases “Naked”
Hot on the heels of his new trio’s debut album, bassist and King’s X frontman dUg Pinnick is stepping out on his own again a solo effort entitled Naked on RockArmy Records. The deeply personal album is nothing but Pinnick, who wrote, played, recorded, and produced the entire album in his Los Angeles home studio. Naked is packed with 11...
DBZ Guitars Releases Barchetta Bass Series
DBZ Guitars has introduced the Barchetta Bass, a model based on DBZ’s flagship guitar. The bass follows the company’s trend of blending modern and traditional styles for unique instruments. The Barchetta Bass comes in three versions based on their tops: Standard (ST), Flame Maple (FM), and Spalt Maple (SM). Common features include a maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and a matching...
Levy’s Leathers Creates New Line of Hemp and Denim Guitar Straps
Levy’s Leathers has announced a new line of hemp and denim guitar straps. Featuring six “70’s-inspired” designs, the straps have frayed edges and are finished with suede leather backing. The straps are 2-1/2? wide and are adjustable from 41? to 54? in length, though they’re also available in XL, which adds 12? to their overall length. The Levy’s Leathers Hemp...
The Police: Live at The Old Grey Whistle Test
Here’s some old school Police for you. Recorded in 1978, Sting and the boys bring their raw energy (and awesome sunglasses) to “Can’t Stand Losing You” and “Next To You” on this taped performance for The Old Grey Whistle Test. The show was The Police’s first ever TV appearance in the UK.
Mission Engineering Introduces VM-PRO Volume Pedal
Mission Engineering has added a new volume pedal to their line up with the introduction of the VM-PRO. The pedal offers up an integrated buffer to maintain frequency response whether you’re using long cables or multiple effects pedals. The VM-PRO is available in standard and PZ versions to accommodate for standard pickups or piezos. The device takes different instrument levels...
Audix Releases Cabi5 and Cabf5 Microphone Mounting Kits
Audix has introduced the Cabi5 and Cabf5, a pair of kits that bundle their i5 or f5 microphones with their CabGrabber microphone mounting systems. The CabGrabber mounting system is a spring-loaded mic support that grips onto bass or guitar cabinets for easy mounting. The system mounts without the use of tools and has a curved arm with a locking choke...
Fender Custom Shop Introduces Limited Relic 1955 Precision Bass
The Fender Custom Shop has rolled out its Spring 2013 offerings, including the Limited Relic 1955 Precision Bass. Mimicking the look of an aged bass, the new model is the Custom Shop’s first to feature a special Black over Three-color Sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The bass is created by Fender’s master builders with a lightweight ash body and a quartersawn...
Pinnick Gales Pridgen: Collateral Damage
Earlier this year, the badass power rock trio of dUg Pinnick, Eric Gales, and Thomas Pridgen teamed up and released their self-titled debut album. Now they have a music video for “Collateral Damage,” which is underpinned by Pinnick’s ballsy bass tone. Dig it.
Andrew Seward Leaves Against Me!
Bassist Andrew Seward has parted ways with Against Me!, according to a post on the band’s website. Comments from each of the bandmembers suggests that there’s no love lost between the three of them. “No drama here,” Seward wrote. “I reached a point where I need to focus on other things. Respect to [vocalist Laura Jane Grace] and [guitarist James...
Dean Introduces USA Jeff Berlin Basic Bass
Dean Guitars has released a new bass to their Signature Series with the USA Jeff Berlin Basic. Made in the USA, the new model scales things back from the Patchwork bass while keeping the design’s strengths in place. The Jeff Berlin Basic features bolt-on construction with an alder body, a maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. It’s fitted with a...
Josh “Bass Mountain” Townsend: For My Father
Josh “Bass Mountain” Townsend sent in this very personal performance of his original song, “For My Father.” He wrote the song without understanding what it was about until his father passed away. “I always knew that it was a special song, but I could never figure out why,” Townsend wrote. “I could never pick a name for it, and I...