Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 705

Mastodon is one of my favorite bands to see live, mostly due to bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders’ incredible, raw energy and beastly tone. Here’s a great clip of the group on Later… with Jools Holland, performing “Black Tongue” from The Hunter.

Demeter Amplification has introduced VTBP-201-800D and HBP-1-800D, a pair of powered preamplifiers that take the company’s existing HBP-1 and VTBP-201 bass preamps and match them with 800 Watt Class D amplifiers. The units feature Jensen transformers to completely isolate the pre and power amp sections, which they say allow for noiseless operation. The preamp can also still be used on...

Spector has reintroduced the NS-5 to their USA Neck-Thru Series of basses. First made between 1987 and 1990 during the company’s Kramer era, the new NS-5 retains the same features while offering current Spector build options. Its neck is a 3-piece laminate of Rock Maple fitted with AAAA figured maple body wings or optional exotic top wings (Buckeye Burl shown)....

Few names are as ubiquitous in the jazz community as John Clayton. As a prominent bassist, arranger, and composer, Clayton’s incredible musicianship has kept him busy since he was a teen with artists like Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, Queen Latifah, DeeDee Bridgwater, and Dr. John, just to name a few. Most recently he collaborated with Paul McCartney for Macca’s Kisses...

The holidays will be getting a little funkier with the release of Merry Christmas from the Jayme Lewis Band. The four-song EP is the bassist’s offering to spread a little cheer. “We through this fun little project together for you to enjoy this holiday season!” Lewis wrote. “We hope you like these classic Christmas tunes that we took a few...

Adam Nitti recently shared this video on his Facebook page from a concert with the Tom Hemby Band at Nashville’s Third & Lindsley. Nitti and drummer Keith Carlock add all the grease to the tune with a laid back yet compelling groove. The rest of the band is filled out by guitarist Hemby, saxophonist Mark Douthit and keyboardist Michael Whittaker.

NoahJames Guitars has introduced JENZ Machine Heads, a new type of bass tuning machine that the company says alleviates several issues in bass guitar design by the string to anchor at the lowest point on the machine head post. The channel automatically wraps the string neatly to avoid sticking and slippage from winding error. It also removes tension from the...

Due to bassist interest during Summer NAMM, Amptweaker is now offering a bass version of their new TightFuzz pedal. The Bass TightFuzz is tweaked for bass players with extended lower range of the Tight and Tone controls and an added Dry Low knob that blends dry low end into the signal. As with most of the company’s pedals, the pedal’s...

Here’s a sweet jam from Warwick’s Fuss on the Buss 2012 DVD. Robert Trujillo and Steve Bailey set an interesting groove between Trujillo’s gnarly distorted bass and Bailey’s bell-like tone and lyricism on top. 311’s Aaron “P-Nut” Willis jumps in around the 3-minute mark to add some slap to fill the jam out.

Rotosound has upgraded their Steve Harris Signature Bass Strings by using a new burnishing process to give them a smoother finish. The company explains the change facilitates fast playing as well as reduces string noise. The Iron Maiden bassist’s signature strings are flatwounds that are described as slightly brighter than traditional flatwounds. Available only as a 4-string set, the custom...

Warwick has unveiled the Corvette $$ NT Special Edition 68, a custom shop bass inspired by the General Motors 1968 Model Corvette Stingray. The hot-rodded bass shares the car’s style with a Candy Apple red finish and an airbrushed aluminum center section while the Corvette name is inlaid into the tigerstripe ebony fingerboard. Available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions,...

Laura Palumbo sent in this great video of Stefano Francazio playing a cool solo bass piece entitled “Assenza Di Gravità”. The title translates to “Absence of Gravity.” Enjoy!