Rocking Steady: An Interview with Jack Casady (Part 1)
As a member of the generation-defining bands Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, the impact Jack Casady’s bass playing cannot be overstated. His unmistakable tone and melodic bass lines have been the foundation for countless songs, not to mention the inspiration for countless bassists. While his previous accomplishments are nothing short of incredible, Casady isn’t one to rest on his laurels....
Aguilar Introduces AG 4P-60 P-Style Pickup
Aguilar Amplification has unveiled the AG 4P-60 P-bass pickup, modeled after company president Dave Boonshoft’s personal 1964 Fender Precision Bass. The vintage-style pickup is described as having just the right amount of “mid-range nose” to cut through a band while retaining hefty low end. Designed as a direct replacement for Fender Precision and other P-style basses, the pickup is built...
Ashdown Unveils ABM-1000 and ABM-2000 Amps at NAMM
Ashdown has expanded their ABM line of amps with introduction of the ABM-1000 and ABM-2000. The pair couples the company’s ABM Evo III preamp with Class D amplifiers to pump out 1000 and 2000 watts, respectively. Ashdown ABM-1000 bass amp head Both amps carry a unique EQ that combines rotary knobs with a pair of dual sliders. The knobs cut...
Epifani Introduces AL Series Aluminum Combos and Cabinets at NAMM
Epifani has announced the AL combo and speaker line, utilizing hybrid aluminum enclosures. The new models have a pure aluminum shell paired with wood front and rear baffles, with the combos containing the company’s Piccolo 600 amplifier and DIST speaker technology. DIST allows for the combos to run at 4 ohms on their own and switch to 8 ohms when...
Dean Introduces Updated Ashley Purdy Signature Basses
Black Veil Brides bassist Ashley Purdy had a new pair of Dean Signature basses debut at the NAMM show this year, with the Spire “War Paint” and Cadi “Outlaw” models. Co-designed by the bassist and the company, the basses are revamps of the existing models, with special graphics added to suit Purdy’s style. When Purdy first joined up with Dean,...
Chickenfoot Announces “Different Devil” North American Tour
Since the release of their second studio album ironically entitled III, Chickenfoot has only given a handful of performances in the U.S. and Europe. That’s about to change as the group has announced the “Different Devil Tour”, with 20 dates spanning the U.S. and a single date in Canada. Originally formed in 2008, the band consists of former Van Halen...
Spock’s Beard: Crack the Big Sky
Here’s one for the prog-rock fans. This clip features Spock’s Beard playing their tune “Crack the Big Sky,” off their 2008 DVD Live. Bassist Dave Meros underpins the tune with an awesome snarly tone, though he knows how to sweeten it up during the bass melodies.
Dunlop’s MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe Debuts At NAMM
New for 2012 from Jim Dunlop is the MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe, a stompbox with “vintage fuzz modified for the modern bassist.” In addition to the Tone and Fuzz knobs, the new pedal features both dry and wet controls for dialing in the perfect mix without losing any low end. The Bass Fuzz Deluxe can be powered by a...
New School: Viaceslav Svedov
Viacelsav Svedov has been catching the attention of the YouTube world with his inventive and entertaining solo bass covers of popular rock tunes, including “Purple Haze,” “Master of Puppets,” and “Tom Sawyer.” With an infectious sense of energy and enthusiasm, the bassist’s videos have been averaging around 100,000 views while his “Around the World” cover hit nearly 225,000. Hailing from...
Bass of the Week: Adamovic Eric Czar Signature 7
Eric Czar’s Signature bass from Adamovic is a thing of beauty. With a monstrous 7-strings and 30 frets, the instrument gives Czar an incredible range. Strung E to A#, bass was designed between Czar and Nikola Adamovic to allow for easy chord playing and fast tapping while combining “the unique voices and timbres of a bass and a baritone guitar...
Custom Shop: An Interview with Michael Pedulla
Passion trumps all. That’s what master luthier Michael Pedulla learned after building his business to greater and greater heights. Starting as a one man shop in 1975, Pedulla reached a pinnacle in production during the mid-1990’s, putting out close to 750 basses each year. Michael was forced to work more on running the company than building basses, and since then...
Steampunk Band BB Blackdog Releases “No. One”
BB Blackdog is a band that defies the norm. Comprised of two bassists and a drummer, the Steampunk rock outfit has been spreading their own brand of catchy riffs and low-end goodness for several years with tours across Europe and the U.S. John Ferguson is the band’s rhythm bassist and Dale Rowles is the lead bassist and vocalist. The trio...