TC Electronic Announces the Polytune Mini
TC Electronic has announced their newest polyphonic tuner, the Polytune Mini. The device is a more compact version of their original Polytune. The Mini is a polyphonic tuner, but for tuning bass, the device only works in chromatic mode. The company says that the polyphonic setting is for guitar only, and that it is a technical trade-off for the size....
Dingwall Unveils Super P Bass at NAMM 2012
Dingwall Guitars showcased a modern take on a classic design at the NAMM Show this year with the introduction of the Super P. Sporting the Novax Fanned-fret System, the bass features a multi-laminate neck for increased stability and decreased dead spots while the body is balanced by thickness for better weight distribution and increased resonance. The Super P includes Dingwall’s...
Evan Brewer: “A Climate For Change,” Live at NAMM 2012
It’s been a few days, but I’m still reeling from all the bass greatness that was NAMM 2012. One of my highlights was meeting solo bassist Evan Brewer while cruising the halls. Here’s a terrific clip of Evan performing his song “A Climate for Change” during his clinic at the ESP booth. The mellow tune is the closing track from...
Nikki Sixx: “Mötley Crüe’s Las Vegas Residency to be an Extravaganza”
Mötley Crüe will the first hard rock band to have a residency in Las Vegas after their 12-date stay at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino next month, running from February 3rd to February 19th, 2012. Entitled “Mötley Crüe in Sin City,” the residency will include an even larger scale production from their regular shows, the band says. “We’ve been...
Radial Engineering Introduces Firefly Tube Direct Box
Radial Engineering was showing off their new Firefly DI box at their booth at the NAMM Show this year. Built for for both live and recording purposes, the Firefly features a Class-A tube preamp with dual inputs that allow for quickly switching instruments. The Firefly’s signal path goes straight to a tuner output that stays on. It features a 12AX7...
Alfred Music Releases Bryan Beller’s “Mastering Tone and Versatility”
Bryan Beller’s first ever instructional DVD, Mastering Tone and Versatility, has been released by Alfred Music Publishing. Beller is a bassist known for both his tone and versatility, with playing credits ranging from extreme metal to fusion to R&B and plenty in between. To help teach that sort of diversity, the bassist calls upon some of his cohorts. The DVD...
Peavey Unveils Cirrus Rudy Sarzo Signature Bass
Peavey’s NAMM product announcements included the all-new Cirrus Rudy Sarzo Signature Bass, incorporating elements of the rock veteran’s original signature bass and their Cirrus line. The 35″ scale bass features neck-through construction with maple neck and mahogany stringers. Graphite reinforcement and a dual expanding truss ensure a sturdy neck, while Rudy’s signature snake-eye inlays serve as fret markers in the...
Alex Bershadsky: Groove Move
Here’s an intense jam by bassist Alex Bershadsky, whose incredible groove is matched equally by his impressive technique. The clip features Gal Gershovsky on drums. When you groove it, you gotta move it!
Lakland Reintroduces Darryl Jones Signature Bass
Lakland has reintroduced the Darryl Jones Signature bass in both US and Skyline models. Jones, who originally commissioned a bass in 1985, has played with the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Sting, and many more. While the bass’s body shape is similar to the company’s Vintage J 44-60 and 55-60 models, the new signature model offers more curve to its contouring...
Washburn Expands on Stu Hamm Signature Series Line of Basses
Last year’s NAMM Show brought the debut of the Washburn Stu Hamm Signature Hammer bass, and as a follow-up this year the company has introduced a fretless version of the bass as well as the rest of the Stu Hamm Electric Bass Series. The SHBH3FLTSS completely follows suit with the fretted version and features a double cutaway designed alder body...
Red Hot Chili Peppers Add Dates to North American Tour
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have added 16 new dates to the North American leg of their ongoing world tour in support of their August release of I’m With You. The leg builds upon the six previously announced shows and will take the funk rock quartet from Canada into the United States, where it will mostly visit the East Coast...
Matthew Garrison’s 4-Finger Technique How-To
Here’s one to keep you in the woodshed for a while. Bassist Matthew Garrison posted this great video explaining his 4-finger right hand technique, which he developed during his time with Joe Zawinul’s band. While he says that the 2-finger technique creates a fatter sound, the 4-finger technique allows for playing lines at mind-boggling speeds.