AC Guitars Introduces J-Type Models
Alan Cringean of AC Guitars has unveiled the J-Type series, a line of basses that gives a nod to classic bass design. “This range of basses offers a more traditional body shape but still has features that are typical of the ACG ethos,” the luthier explained. Available in 4- and 5-string versions, the J-Type is built to order and therefore...
FuzzHugger FX Releases Bass Bloom Fuzz Pedal
Fuzzhugger FX has released the Bass Bloom, a bass-oriented version of their Algal Bloom fuzz. The new adaptation accounts for bass lovers by adding more low-end response and a clean blend to retain their original tone. The Bass Bloom has five controls: Gain, Bloom, Starve, Fuzz Level, and Clean Level. The Bloom knob controls the amount of fuzz added, while...
Whirlwind Introduces OC Bass Optical Compressor Pedal
Whirlwind kicked off the year right by debuting the OC Bass Optical Compressor at NAMM. Voiced specifically for bass, the pedal switches between a compressor and a limiter and features three pre-programmable attack speeds: Fast, Slow, and Medium. Input and Output knobs control the level and gain to help you hone in on the amount of punch and sustain you...
Ben Harper, Stanley Clarke, and Stewart Copeland: So Fool For Love
Drummer Stewart Copeland has a great habit of putting together random jam sessions and recording them. (Check out this one with Les Claypool, Neil Peart, and Danny Carey). This time he posted a jam with bass legend Stanley Clarke and guitarist/vocalist Ben Harper playing the tune “So Fool for Love.” As if the bass/guitar unison groove isn’t cool enough, it...
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...