Bass of the Week: Moses Vertical Jump Bass
Known for making graphite necks, Moses Carbon Graphite Guitars has always been into making forward-thinking products, and the Vertical Jump Bass is no exception. Built to be played vertically or horizontally, the bass has a swiveling bout horn for proper balance when wearing it with a strap. The Vertical Jump Bass has a polycarbonate body that comes in three options:...
Bassist Redefined: An Interview With Juan Alderete
Juan Alderete is a man who stays busy. After getting his break with thrash metal outfit Racer X, Alderete now contributes the low-end to progressive rock giants The Mars Volta, whose new album Noctourniquet hit stores this week. The record marks the band’s sixth effort anchored by Aldererte, who joined their ranks in 2003. Additionally, Big Sir released its third...
Iron Maiden Releases “En Vivo!”
Iconic metal band Iron Maiden has released En Vivo!, a new live performance on Blu-Ray, 2-DVD Set, and a double soundtrack album. Filmed on April 10, 2011 in Santiago, Chile, the performance was part of their Final Frontier World Tour. “For The Final Frontier Tour, it was really important to me that we filmed in South America as we’re always...
Snarky Puppy Releases “groundUP”
Brooklyn-based instrumental group Snarky Puppy has released their sixth album, groundUP, on Ropeadope Records. Led by bassist Michael League, the collection of musicians recorded the album live in fellow bassist Matt Garrison’s Shapeshifter Lab in front of a 40-person studio audience. As with 2010’s Tell Your Friends, the release is a CD/DVD combo that includes video of the group’s funky,...
John Paul Jones: “What Is And What Should Never Be” Isolated Bass Track
If you’re looking for vintage tone and a melodic groove, look no further. Zach McFatridge shared this clip of John Paul Jones’s isolated bass from the Led Zeppelin classic “What Is And What Should Never Be” from their second album. With some bleed from the drums, it’s easy to hear Jones and drummer John Bonham locked in tight.
Ampeg Expands Portaflex Series With New Cabinets
Ampeg has unveiled a new pair of bass cabinets in their Portaflex series called the PF-115LF and the PF-410LF. While the series previously had a 1×15? cabinet, the 4×10? is a first for the series. Both of the new cabinets are built with a 15mm poplar ply enclosure, covered in black diamond tolex with a vintage B-15 grill cloth. The...
Digitech Unveils iStomp Configurable Stompbox
Digitech has released the iStomp, a configurable stompbox pedal that can be changed to different effects. Different effects ranging from reverb to distortion can be downloaded from the new Digitech Stomp Shop and can then be loaded into the iStomp via an iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad and a proprietary cable. All effects processing takes place in the actual stompbox,...
Fender Upgrades American Standard Series for 2012
Fender has raised the bar for 2012 by upgrading their American Standard series of instruments, including the Precision and Jazz basses. The main change is the inclusion of Fender Custom Shop pickups for each model, while other slight adjustments and a new finish also help to update the line. First up, the American Standard Precision basses now feature Fender Custom...
Nathan Navarro: Chemical (Dubstep Bass Guitar 2)
Nathan Navarro has been turning heads since he started incorporating electric bass into more electronic styles, most notably Dubstep. He sent us his second dubstep bass guitar video of his original song “Chemical.” Nathan uses a lot of “wobble” technique, though things take a heavier turn at about 1:37 that sounds more reminiscent of Meshuggah.
Duff McKagan Speaks on Upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Duff McKagan opened up about his thoughts on his upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Guns N’ Roses. “I don’t [know what’s going to happen]. I know I’m going to go. I can’t, at all, speak for anybody else. And won’t. I’ll be there with...
TC Electronic Unveils BG250 Combo Amp at MusikMesse 2012
TC Electronic announced their new BG250 bass combo, a 1×15? that pumps out 250 watts of power while weighing in at 35 pounds. The combo is the first to have TC’s innovative new TonePrint concept built in, which allows for interchangeable and customizable effects to be loaded into the amp. Coupled with the iPhone app, TonePrint lets you change effects...
New School: Olivier Babaz
Olivier Babaz is a bassist who pushes his technique to expand his musicality, even if it means playing several instruments at once. The bassist first caught our attention in a video where he plays bass, kalimba, and shaker all at the same time. Born and raised in Paris, Babaz moved to Canada in 2010. Besides working on his own music,...