In Memoriam: Joe Byrd
Jazz bassist Joe Byrd has passed away at the age of 78, following injuries from a car accident. Byrd was best known as the bassist for his brother Charlie Byrd’s trio and was featured on the album Jazz Samba with Stan Getz, which is credited as the first major bossa nova album on the American jazz scene. Born in Chuckatuck,...
Oktober Introduces Production Version of DevilWing Bass
After first introducing it a year and a half ago, Oktober Guitars is now making a production model of their DevilWing bass guitar in addition to the U.S. Custom Shop version. The bass was designed by Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein and is aptly part of the company’s Von Frankenstein line. The DevilWing features set neck construction with a...
New School: Armin Metz
Armin Metz really caught some attention when we posted the video for his solo bass composition “Sanskar Valley” (see below). As bassist for Imogen Heap, Metz has done his share of playing stages as a sideman, but the spotlight has been moving to him with his expansion into the realm of solo bass. How did you discover your new school...
Bass of the Week: Kristall Solid Electric Bass
German builder Andreas Kristall makes a host of impressive basses, including this week’s bass of the week: The Kristall Solid. Available in 4, 5, and 6-string models, the Solid sports a singlecut design with bolt on construction. Kristall says the bass was built for “Rock character, sound, look, and feel.” As each piece is made to order, options vary from...
Rocking Steady: An Interview with Jack Casady (Part 2)
Ever wonder how a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer writes bass lines? How can somebody stay in the industry for over 50 years and still stay fresh? What’s the key to musical growth? In part 1 of our interview with Jack Casady, we talked with the legendary bassist about his influences, his achievements, and some of his views on...
Bass Battle: Live Looping Session #3
Iuliu-Bogdan Diaconeasa, aka Bass Battle, sent us this cool bass looping video. We thought it was an awesome, chill song, and his note explains it. “The song is still in progress and this is a looping version that I made on a beautiful Sunday morning at home,” he said. “I [think of] this as a love song [though] I didn’t...
Epifani Unveils UL3 Series Bass Cabinets
In addition to the AL Series, Epifani has introduced the next incarnation of their flagship UL series cabinets with the UL3 line. The UL3’s differ from the previous generation in that they have ceramic drivers, lighter weight enclosures, and textured paint finishes. The series includes 4×10, 3×10, 2×10, and 1×12 models, as well as a DIST 112 model, which features...
Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi Sextet: Toys, with Buster Williams (1972)
About a week ago, we shared an awesome video of Herbie Hancock & The Headhunters (anchored by the awesome rhythm section duo of bassist Paul Jackson and drummer Mike Clark), performing “Spank-A-Lee” in 1974. This time around, we’re going back two years earlier, to feature Herbie’s “Mwandishi Sextet”, anchored by bassist Buster Williams. In between his time with Miles Davis...
Revolver To Honor Gene Simmons with Golden God Award, Name Best Bassist Nominees
Revolver Magazine has announced the nominees for their 4th Annual Golden Gods awards show, which honors members of the hard-rock and heavy-metal community. The Golden God award, which is given to one special honoree each year, will be presented to KISS bassist Gene Simmons for “embodying the spirit of hard rock and metal.” “It’s an honor and privilege to accept...
Legendary Reggae Duo Sly & Robbie Release “Blackwood Dub”
The legendary Jamaican rhythm section duo of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare have released Blackwood Dub. The 10-track collection of instrumental songs was written by the Sly and Robbie and has a sense of groove that just won’t quit. The duo, who have helped to shape the face of Reggae and rock/pop music, recorded the album at the...
Traveler Guitar Unveils the Ultra-Light Bass
New for 2012 is the Traveler Ultra-Light Bass, an extremely lightweight and compact bass guitar. The whole instrument measures 33 3/4? in length and weighs in at a mere three pounds and 6.5 ounces. Built from a solid piece of Eastern American Hard Maple, the Ultra-Light Bass features a removable metal lap-rest and a built in thumb rest for comfort....
Genz Benz Introduces Contour 500 Series Combo Bass Amps
Genz Benz has introduced the Contour 500 series of combo amplifiers, including a 1×15″ model and a 2×10″ model. Built with power and weight in mind, the CTR500-115T and CTR500-210T push out 300 watts at 8 ohms while weighing 48 pounds and 52 pounds, respectively. The line also includes a pair of matching extension cabinets that raise the power output...