Bass of the Week: Line 6 Variax Bass 700
This week we take a look at the Line 6 Variax Bass 700, an interesting bass that was produced during the 2000’s. It included special modeling software to reproduce tons of classic bass sounds, ranging from a ’61 Jazz Bass to a ’03 Thumb to bass synths. The Variax used piezo bridge saddles to capture each string’s vibrations, then signals...
Bass Dynasty: An Interview with James Jamerson, Jr.
It’s not easy to fill the shoes of a man regarded as one of the most influential pioneers of the electric bass, but it’s something that comes naturally to James Jamerson, Jr. After all, his father – who subsequently changed the face of popular music – was the one who taught him to play. He practically grew up in the...
Rinat Ibragimov: Vanhal Double Bass Concerto in D Major
Here’s a great video of Rinat Ibragimov playing Vanhal’s Concerto for Double Bass. Ibragimov, who is principal bassist for the London Symphony Orchestra, tackles the piece with incredible finesse and agility. The video description shares the background for this piece: “This popular piece of double bass repertoire is commonly called for in auditions, and here Rinat demonstrates its performance using...
Trent Reznor Reinvents Nine Inch Nails, Promises Touring
Trent Reznor has announced the return of Nine Inch Nails after a four year hiatus with the promise of extensive touring for the next two years. The band’s revival includes an interesting lineup, including former Jane’s Addiction bassist Eric Avery and King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew. “I was working with Adrian Belew on some musical ideas, which led to some...
Pigtronix Introduces Three New Bass Effects Pedals
Pigtronix debuted three new bass-centric effects pedals at NAMM this year: the Bass Fat Drive, the Philosopher Bass Compressor, and the Bass Envelope Phaser. Each is a tweaked version of one their existing products that have been fine-tuned for bassists. Bass Fat Drive The Bass Fat Drive features Pigtronix’s CMOS clipping concept and responds by breaking up based on how...
Rybski Introduces Sean O’Bryan Smith Signature Basses
Rybski Custom Bass Guitars has introduced the Sean O’Bryan Smith Signature Bass. Currently available in Deluxe and Standard versions, the Nashville bassist’s new bass brings together classic elements of a traditional P/J bass with modern craftsmanship and a 21-fret J-profile neck. “Sean’s career incorporates a successful solo career and also a highly successful recording career with artists worldwide,” a press...
Adam Duce Splits from Machine Head
Bassist Adam Duce has left the ranks of Machine Head, according to a statement on the band’s website. Though he’s hinted at thinking of leaving before, the news comes as a surprise considering Duce founded the band with guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn in 1991. The group released seven albums with over 2.4 million copies sold during his tenure. “Machine Head and...
NS Design Announces CR5 Radius Bass Guitar
NS Design excited the bass community at last year’s NAMM show by unveiling the NS Radius Bass Guitar. This year, the company has introduced a production version of the headless bass. Made in the Czech Republic, the CR5 Model shares all the same dimensions as its U.S. counterpart. The CR5 Radius Model is a 5-string bass that comes in three...
Jackson Introduces Quilted Maple Top Concert Basses
Jackson’s Concert Bass series has grown this year with the introduction of the JS3QM and JS3VQM models. The new versions take all the features of their brethren and add a quilted maple top. Four and five-string basses, respectively, the JS3QM and JS3VQM Concert Basses feature basswood bodies, bolt-on maple necks, and 24-fret, compound-radius rosewood fingerboards. The four-string model sports a...
Milt Hinton: Old Man Time
I recently picked up Milt Hinton’s book Bass Line, and it just reinforced what a wonderful life he led. Known for his incredible slap technique, “The Judge” was also known for his great sense of humor, and here’s a great clip that shows off his personality and playing. The recording comes from the 1992 Mid-America Jazz Festival in St. Louis,...
In Memoriam: Kevin Ayers
Kevin Ayers, who co-founded the 1960s British psychedelic band The Soft Machine, has passed away at the age of 68. The cause of death has not be released. Ayers formed The Soft Machine in 1966, naming the group after the classic novel by William S. Burroughs. The group became an influential force as part of the “Canterbury scene” and was...
Ernie Ball Introduces Classic Sabre Bass
After a limited release for their Premier Dealer Network, Ernie Ball has reissued the Music Man Sabre as a standard model. The original Sabre, first introduced in 1978, was Music Man’s first dual humbucking bass. The new Classic Sabre is the first production of the instrument in twenty years and brings back the vintage design with updated electronics, classic mini...