Ibanez Unveils Gerald Veasley Signature GVB36 Bass Guitar
In 2010, Ibanez unveiled the Gerald Veasley Signature GVB1006 Bass. Built by the company’s master luthiers in Japan, it comes with a price point that not everyone can reach. For 2012, Ibanez has introduced the GVB36, which shares many of the same attributes while making it more affordable. Similar to the 1006, the GVB36 is a 6-string with a string...
Big Sir Releases “Before Gardens After Gardens” and Announces Tour Dates
Big Sir has released their fourth album, Before Gardens After Gardens. Part electronica and part indie rock, the band is a collaboration between Mars Volta bassist Juan Alderete and vocalist Lisa Papineau who provide the foundation for the music. Before Gardens After Gardens deals with life and death, as the both Alderete and Papineau were diagnosed with serious illnesses around...
Genz Benz Introduces Focus LT Series Bass Cabinets
Genz Benz expanded their cabinet offerings with the introduction of the Focus LT series at NAMM this year. The lineup includes a 1×12, a 2×10, a 1×15, and a 4×10. Designed to be compact and high-powered, the Focus LT series have a smaller stage footprint to save space during performances. Each of the cabinets carries speakers with ceramic/ferrite magnet structures,...
Earth, Wind and Fire: “That’s the Way of the World”, Live (1981)
Of all the great EWF songs out there, “That’s the Way of the World” might be my favorite. Here’s the band performing that tune live at a 1981 concert in Oakland, and they are in top shape. Of course, the legendary Verdine White is helping to lay down the “almighty groove.” As one commenter reacted, “Verdine on bass. It just...
Metallica Presents the Orion Music + More Festival
Metallica has announced the Orion Music + More Festival, a two-day event full of music, entertainment and culture named in part as a tribute to bass legend Cliff Burton. (“Orion” was the instrumental hit penned by Burton featured on the group’s Master of Puppets album.) The band itself will be headlining each night’s festivities with performances of their classic albums...
Boulder Creek Introduces JB and RB Series Electric Basses
Boulder Creek launched two new lines of electric basses at NAMM this year with the JB and RD series. The two models are aimed at jazz and rock styles, respectively. This new line of solid body basses is a first for Boulder Creek, who is known for their acoustic basses. Available in 4-string, 5-string and fretless configurations, the JB series...
Hipshot Products Unveils FreeRange Xtender for Upright Bass
Hardware manufacturer Hipshot unveiled an interesting product aimed at double bassists called the FreeRange Xtender at NAMM this year. The new gadget allows you to quickly change the tuning of an upright bass string at the switch of a lever, and lets you drop down as far as a low A. Using several together can be handing for changing the...
Or Lubianiker: Interactive Bass Licks Video Lesson
Or Lubianiker (aka “Rule of Thump”) is on to something cool in the world of bass lessons. He’s posted his first experiment with interactive bass lessons on YouTube in which he plays simple licks in E minor and you choose how to mix and match them to create your own licks. Or provides links to each little lick and breaks...
Opeth and Mastodon to Co-Headline Heritage Hunter Tour
Opeth and Mastodon will be teaming up to bring metal to the masses on a North American trek scheduled from April to May. Rooted by bassists Martín Méndez and Troy Sanders, the “Heritage Hunter” Tour kicks off April 4th in Portland, Maine and works its way between the U.S. and Canada until the closing show on May 12th at the...
Kala Introduces Five New U-Basses for 2012
Kala increased their U-Bass lineup with the addition of five new models of the 21″ scale basses. The new models include Sunburst, Gloss Black, Solid Spruce Top HH (Hutch Hutchinson Model), Spalted Maple, and Exotic Mahogany. The Sunburst, Gloss Black, and Solid Spruce Top HH basses all feature solid spruce tops with mahogany back and sides. The Hutch Hutchinson model...
Steve Vai with Billy Sheehan: “The Crying Machine”, Live
Billy Sheehan is usually known for blazing riffs and absolutely ripping solos, but the man knows how to really get down, too. Sheehan presented Steve Vai with the Les Paul Award at this year’s TEC Awards, and afterwords they jammed out the guitarist’s tune “The Crying Machine.” Sheehan lays down a funky groove that just won’t quit. As much of...
Schecter Introduces Dale Stewart Avenger Bass
Seether bassist Dale Stewart’s Signature Avenger Bass was released by Schecter this year at NAMM. Sporting a black finish, the bass features a contoured mahogany body, 3-piece maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and a reverse headstock. The bass has creme binding on the neck and headstock while the fingerboard is adorned with tribal bug inlays and a dragon inlay at...