Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 763

Watson Guitars has just launched a new pickups company, specializing in a variety of bass pickups. Run by former Nordstrand employee Michael Cooper, Watson Pickups’ new line offers products ranging from vintage replacements to completely custom creations for extended-range instruments. Cooper designed the entire line. “My current favorite design is a tap-able modern P pickup,” Cooper explains, “which fits into...

Here’s something to help get you in the holiday spirit. Tri-Fi, featuring bassist Phil Palombi, have released a new holiday album entitled A Tri-Fi Christmas. The piano trio’s seasonal record contains their personal spins on twelve Christmas classics including “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Joy to the World.” “Even though we recorded it in the middle of summer, we...

Nordstrand has released the 2B-MM preamp, an accurate reproduction of an early pre-Ernie Ball Music Man 2-band preamp. The preamp comes prewired, and while it works as a direct replacement for early Music Man basses, the company explains it works well for many instruments. As with the original design, the 2B-MM’s bass control only boosts and the treble boosts and...

Steve Lawson is the epitome of new school. After beginning to play solo bass in the late 1990s, Lawson has been utilizing his love of technology and community to not only expand the scope of the instrument’s identity, but also to bring players together in discussions through social media. Steve’s advocacy for a “do-it-yourself” career, including releasing your own music...

Charles Mingus’ grandson Kevin Ellington Mingus has set out to make a film exploring his grandfather’s life. Mingus on Mingus will be a full-length documentary including interviews with the musicians from bassist/composer’s band and his family and friends, to get a deeper understanding of the jazz icon. Mingus, who passed away in 1979, had a reputation of being unpredictable and...

Luthier Jerzy Drozd’s Barcelona design was made in collaboration with famed flamenco bassist Carles Benavent, who spent time playing with Paco de Lucia, Chick Corea and Miles Davis. The bass, named after the city they both live in, is built after Benavent’s unique playing style. “With the help of Carles, I tried to design the instrument according to his previous...

Former Tool bassist Paul D’Amour’s new group Feersum Ennjin has released their debut self-titled album. Having stepped out of the heavy music scene after his split from Tool, D’Amour told Revolver that it was a matter of time before he came back to hard rock. “I don’t feel like it was a conscious decision but more of a natural progression,”...

Overwater Basses have unveiled the first of their new line of signature instruments- the Scott Devine Signature Series Bass. Devine, who has performed with Georgie Fame, The Four Tops, Spyro Gyra and more, worked with the UK-based company to design the 5-string bass, which is strung with a high C. Devine’s signature bass features bolt-on construction and a 33” scale...

Here’s an awesome clip of Gospel bass guru Andrew Gouche, getting funky in church with some serious talent including saxophonist Donald Hayes with Tim Carmon, Gorden Campbell, Vadim Zhilberstein, Jackie Gouche, Tracy Brown, Chris Bolton, Mavuto Carpenter and Theresa Jones. Gouche masterfully backs up each player, building their solos to incredible heights while getting his own licks in at all...

With over 40 years under their belt, the prog icons in Yes have released In the Present: Live From Lyon, a new live CD/DVD combo with footage taken from their December 2009 performance in France. The band plays hit songs from throughout their career, including “Roundabout” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” though with the fresh face of singer Benoit...

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced the first leg of North American shows since their August release of I’m With You. Mixed in among their European dates, the string of six shows hit Southern arenas starting January in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Fans can rest assured that more dates are coming soon, according to the band....

Bassist Nathan Navarro teamed up with singer Dylan Patrello to form the electronic duo Dot, even though the pair live in different parts of the world and come from different musical backgrounds. “Dylan and Nathan collaborate online while being thousands of miles away as Dylan is most often in Texas and Brazil while Nathan spends time in California and Massachusetts,”...