Phil Lesh’s “Eye of Horus” Bass Guitar Acquired by National Museum of American History
Phil Lesh’s “Eye of Horus” bass, built by Jens Ritter, has been acquired by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The modern-styled bass will be added to the museum’s extensive instrument collection, which also includes Prince’s and Eddie Van Halen’s guitars. Featuring Ritter’s Jupiter design with a solid silver “Eye of Horus” inlay at the 12th fret, the former...
Jeff Coffin & The Mu’tet Release Live!, featuring Felix Pastorius
Jeff Coffin has released a new live album with his Mu’tet, available for download and streaming. The tracks are taken from the band’s 2010/2011 tour stops at Space in Chicago, Illinois and Momo’s in Austin, Texas. The group is anchored by bassist Felix Pastorius, son of the late great Jaco Pastorius, whose funky and free-spirited playing propels the double-disc release....
Overt?n Introduces New Bass Cabinets
In conjunction with the release of the Flyweight 200 at Summer NAMM, Overt?n Amps is expanding their line of cabinets with the OB-110 and the introduction of the OBN series. Designed as the perfect match to the Flyweight 200, the OB-110 features a 10” speaker inside a tuned port design housing. The 250-watt cab is available in 4 or 8...
The Impossible Gentlemen Release Debut Album
The Impossible Gentlemen, consisting of bassist Steve Swallow, pianist Gwilym Simcock, guitarist Mike Walker and drummer Adam Nussbaum, have released their debut, self-titled album. With members from the UK and US, the quartet came together last year for a tour that inspired them to record their their improvisatory chemistry. The compositions on the album are lush environments with great grooves...
Heavy Electronics Releases El Oso Bass Distortion
Heavy Electronics has released a new bass distortion pedal named El Oso, which translates to “the bear.” The pedal is built for heavy tone and simplicity with only three intuitive knobs: Level, Mix, and Gain. El Oso’s distortion is blended with your dry signal via the Mix knob, which gives 100% dry or 100% distorted when turned either way to...
Fender Introduces Blacktop Series Basses
Fender has incorporated some low end into their Blacktop series with the introduction of the Blacktop Precision and Blacktop Jazz Bass guitars. The line of basses are made for a thick, heavy sound and are what Fender describes as “two of the most distinctive iterations of the instruments.” Built on an alder body, the Blacktop Precision has two humbucking pickups...
Simone Vignola and Alberto Rigoni: Obsession
After first meeting at EuroBassDay in 2010, Italian bassists Simone Vignola and Alberto Rigoni have teamed up for a new project called the BASStards. Featuring “fat riffs, hard grooves and catchy atmospheres,” the collaboration has released this music video to their first single, “Obsession.”
Sublime With Rome Releases Yours Truly
The reggae rockers of Sublime with Rome have released their first album, Yours Truly. The band of course consists original Sublime members Bud Gaugh and bassist Eric Wilson, with singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez filling the spot of the late Brad Nowell. Fans of the original lineup will get the same bass-heavy reggae/ska/punk fusion they’ve come to love. Wilson, whose fat bass...
Cort Introduces Sandberg Designed Arona Series Bass Guitars
Cort has teamed up with the German bass builders at Sandberg to create the Arona series of bass guitars. Available in 4 or 5-string versions, the Arona marries Sandberg’s engineering and designs with Cort’s production. The Arona is available with a swamp ash or alder body depending on the finish, and has a 3-piece bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood...
The Wood Brothers Announce Tour Dates
Shortly after releasing a music video for their new single, The Wood Brothers have announced a string of tour dates in support of the new album Smoke Ring Halo, due to release on August 2nd. The group will be bringing their roots-American style through the US, starting in Hudson, New York and focusing on the East Coast with a smattering...
In Memoriam: Rob Grill
Rob Grill, bassist and singer for the 60’s rock group The Grass Roots, has passed away at the age of 67 after suffering a stroke. Grill joined Grass Roots in 1967 after Kenny Fukomoto was drafted into the Army. Grill ended up sticking with the group, picking up singing duties in addition the laying down the low end. During it’s...
Blink-182 to Headline Honda Civic 2011 Tour
Blink-182 will be be going out on tour starting as part of the Honda Civic Tour 2011 in support of their upcoming and yet-to-be-titled album. The group will be co-headlining the trek, which spans August to October, with My Chemical Romance with tour dates crossing the entire US. Though they disbanded in 2005, Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus says that since...