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...
Le Fay Introduces the Herr Schwarz Grant Stinnett D-Tuner Bass
Le Fay Basses has unveiled the Herr Schwarz Grant Stinnett D-Tuner Model, a 34” scale bass with a D-Tuner on each string. This allows for alternate tunings on the fly. The bass is handmade at the Le Fay shop in Germany and features an Ash body, 5-piece Maple neck and Rosewood fingerboard. The hardware and electronics are also made by...
Overt?n Announces Flyweight 200 Compact Bass Amp
Overt?n Amps will be debuting their latest offering in the sub-compact bass head world at Summer NAMM this year with the Flyweight 200. The new Class D amp pumps out 200 watts while weighing in at a mere 2.1 pounds. In the way of tonal control, the Flyweight 200 has an auto compressor, a 3-band EQ and Overt?n’s signature Sculpt...
Marcelo Giaccardi: Blackbird
Marcelo Giaccardi recorded this version of the Beatles’ classic “Blackbird” on his modified ‘74 Fender Precision. He also recorded the rest of the instrumentation. “For the other instruments I used the Elektrik Piano from Native Instruments and the Jazz EZX drums collection from Toontrack, all within Steinberg Cubase 4 platform.” “I hope you enjoy it,” he wrote. “Beatles Forever.”
Former AC/DC Bassist Mark Evans Autobiography Coming Soon
Former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans has written an autobiography including stories about his days in the band. Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC, set for an October release, will be the first book written by an insider about the band’s classic years with singer Bon Scott. Evans uses the opportunity to recount stories of the people around him at...
Seasick Steve with John Paul Jones: Write Me a Few of Your Lines
Here’s a great clip of the eclectic Seasick Steve from the iTunes Festival earlier this month. The three-stringed wonder is joined Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, Jack White, and Allison Mosshart for an awesome and raw rendition of the tune “Write Me a Few of Your Lines.” Check out JPJ’s bass lines, reminiscent of some the old Led Zeppelin...