Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 752

Höfner has reintroduced the Shorty Bass, a model they ran in the 1980’s featuring an extremely short scale and body. The updated version bumps the scale up from 28″ to 30″ for easier playability, as well as utilizing better string spacing, similar to that found on their trademark Violin Bass. Available in black, the Shorty Bass has a basswood body,...

Jens Ritter has introduced the R8-Singlecut, a new design featuring a single cutaway and bolt-on construction. The new instrument also introduces the luthier’s new C-3-S electronics, an active/passive switchable 3-Band EQ with custom adjustable frequencies and integrated boost, all controllable by the bassist. The new model was debuted with four pieces, and though each has different woods and finishes, there...

GoGo Tuners has expanded their lineup with the debut of The GoGo, the brand’s first pedal tuner. Housed in a metal chassis, the stompbox is colored the orange for better visibility on dark stages. The large, high-definition display follows the company’s signature “Green you’re in, Red you’re Out,” meaning that the display turns green when you’re in tune. The GoGo...

Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee” is just one of those tunes that act as a benchmark for skill. Ever since Jaco’s take on it from his debut album, bassists have been giving it a shot. Here’s a mind-blowing version by University of South Carolina double bass professor Craig Butterfield, playing along with Parker’s original recording. Not only does he nail the...

IK Multimedia will be showing off their new iRig STOMP at NAMM, which the company says is the first stompbox interface for iOS devices. Based on the Amplitube iRig, the interface is compatible with any iOS instrument app and can be used inline with other effects or sent direct to a PA system. The iRig STOMP features an aluminum-cast housing...

Luthier Paul Lairat will be debuting a new model at the NAMM Show, named the Sirya. The radically designed body incorporates five types of wood, as the sides are made of walnut, mahogany, maple and ebony while the body itself can be either wenge, maple and mahogany or maple, walnut and mahogany. The laminate neck then contains four types of...

Here’s one to chill out to on a Saturday afternoon (or whatever time you’re watching this). This video features Turkish singer Birsen Tezer performing “De?irmenler”. Bassist Mümtaz Solmaz sets up the groove with some high-register playing, then takes a solo at the 2:34 mark.

After picking up on some of Victor Wooten’s techniques, Sylvain “Sly” Audet slowly began his own style. While experimenting with double thumbing, the Canadian bassist began what he calls thumbpicking. Audet also incorporates a Kahler tremolo bridge in for some cool effects. Not relegated to being a sideman, Audet has released his own CD, with half of the proceeds going...

Not one to bow to standards, Stanley Clarke and his band made a funked up version of the typically solemn Mingus tune “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat,” which was originally written in memory of saxophonist Lester Young. This clip was taken from the Heineken Jazzaldia in 2010 and features world-class pianist Hiromi, drummer Ronald Bruner Jr. and keyboardist Ruslan Sirota.

This week we’re taking a look at the Laurus Quasar T900-XR, a bass that takes a step away from the norm without losing its style and sensibility. Hand-made in Italy, the T900-XR is available in 4, 5, and 6-string models as well as fretted or fretless. One of the bass’s most identifiable features is it’s unique headstock and “end of...

In 1975, Mark Evans took the opportunity of a lifetime and joined an Australian pub band that would go on to be one of the greatest rock bands of all time: AC/DC. Just a week after joining, the band was gigging regularly, and within a year they were making the rounds in Europe. Evans’ turbulent years in the band included...

Check this awesome video of Ojay, a bassist from Newcastle in the UK. Armed with a pair of looping pedals and a couple more effects, Ojay takes it to the streets to bring the funk to the people. It really begs the question: Why can’t more street performers be like this?