Alex Bershadsky: Ma’oz Tzur
In celebration of Hanukkah, we’ve got an incredible bass-only version of the traditional Jewish liturgical poem performed by Alex Bershadsky. The Israeli-raised bassist layers a lyrical fretless line on top of his chordal fretted work to create a rich and introspective arrangement of the song. This arrangement can be found on the new Zon Guitars Holiday Rumblings album.
Mike Lull Unveils Jeff Ament JAXT4 Signature Bass
Mike Lull Custom Guitars has announced the Jeff Ament JAXT4 Signature bass, to be available starting in January 2012. The Pearl Jam bassist worked closely with Lull on the specifications of the bass, which is a modified version of Lull’s T4. One of the key features to the JAXT4 is it’s oversized body, which is 20% larger than Lull’s regular...
Hyunmo Kim: “The First Noel” for Solo Bass
Editor’s note: we’re celebrating the holidays this week with some awesome (and sometimes funny) holiday videos. Be sure to check back every day for some holiday cheer, bass-style. Get your egg nog ready. Arthur Baucour sent in this video of Korean bassist Hyunmo Kim playing a jaw-dropping rendition of “The First Noel.” As a gift to all of you who...
Fuchs Announces Bruiser Bass Amp Models
After nearly a year of product testing since displaying a prototype at the last Winter NAMM Show, Fuchs Audio Technology has announced three final models of their Bruiser Bass Amp: The Bruiser, the Bruiser-I, and the Bruiser-II. The main difference between each head is power, as the original Bruiser is rated 500 watts into 4 ohms while the Bruiser-I is...
Uxia Martinez Botana: Persichetti’s Parable XVII for Double Bass
Twentieth century American composer and music educator Vincent Persichetti is well known for his collection of works entitled Parables, a series of works for unaccompanied instruments which he wrote between 1965 and 1987. “Parable XVII” (our favorite) was written for solo double bass. Here’s a clip of Uxia Martinez Botana performing the piece in recital. The amount of control she...
Iron Ether Debuts Polytope Pedal
Iron Ether has released the Polytope, a quad-voice pitch detuner. The pedal creates up to four identical copies of the input signal that can then be detuned in pitch to create sounds from “subtle thickening to huge multi-voice detuned synth sounds.” The voices are added and faded in by raising the Voices knob with each new voice alternating above and...
Tool Announces North American Tour Dates
With over five years since their last album and a little over a year since their last performance, Tool has confirmed that they will be playing a handful of shows in 2012, starting in Reno, Nevada on January 14th. The band, consisting of bassist Justin Chancellor, singer Maynard James Keenan, drummer Danny Carey and guitarist Adam Jones will be making...
Squier James Johnston Signature Jazz Bass Available Worldwide in 2012
Squier announced this week that Biffy Clyro bassist James Johnston’s signature Jazz Bass would be available worldwide in 2012. First announced in Fall of 2009, the instrument has thus far only been available only in Europe. Johnston’s signature axe is based on his personal Fender USA Jazz and has a basswood body finished in Lake Placid Blue with a matching...
New School: Simon Fitzpatrick
UK-based Simon Fitzpatrick caught the attention of bass lovers around the world last year with his jaw-dropping solo bass arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody. Since then, the Carl Palmer Band bassist has been continuing to push himself to adapt new songs to the instrument with techniques and technology. What makes you new school? I first started taking solo bass seriously about...
Marcus Miller Working on New Album
It appears Marcus Miller is in the studio working on his new album, according to his Facebook page. Though details are still slim, the iconic bassist announced a few artists that he’s working with. “Working on my new album,” he posted. “In the studio with Sean Jones, Federico Gonzalez Pena, Adam Rogers, Alex Han and Louis Cato. Time to make...
Bass of the Week: Chillbass Pantera
This week we take a look at Chillbass Guitars’ Pantera, a sleek fretless bass that takes its cues from minimalism. The bass has a medium, 32″ scale, which the French bass builder explains lowers the string tension and ultimately aids upper register tones, playability, and adds to a “fat low end.” The Pantera has a swamp ash body, maple neck...
Custom Shop: An Interview with Mike Lull
As one of the world’s most respected bass luthiers, Mike Lull’s work has been heard around the world. His Seattle, Washington-based shop has allowed Lull to work on nearly all of the instruments used by bands from the area known as “the grunge capital”, including Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and others. His story began as many do, with youthful rebellion,...