Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 790

Reeves Amplification has released a new bass tube amp called the Custom 400. Made in the U.S., the head unit features four 12AX7 preamp tubes and six KT88 power tubes pushing out 400 watts. It also includes one 12AT7 phase inverter tube. The Custom 400 has Bright and Normal inputs, with separate volume controls for each as well as a...

Furthur, featuring former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and guitarist Bob Weir, have announced a summer tour spanning July 14-31. The group will be starting in West Virginia at the All Good Festival, making their way up and down the East Coast, eventually landing at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Georgia. Besides All Good, Furthur will be playing the...

Bassist/composer/arranger Petros Klampanis has released his debut album, Contextual, on Inner Circle Music. The ten track collection includes a mix of original compositions and covers, including a rousing rendition of the Beatles’ “Blackbird,” featuring the vocals by Gretchen Parlato. Klampanis also tackles electric bassist Gary Willis’ “The Necessary Blonde” with a string quartet arrangement. Among the bassist’s original tunes is...

Dean Guitars has unveiled the USA Thousand Series, a new line of U.S.-made instruments. While focused primarily on guitars, Dean is issuing a 1000 version of their new Hillsboro bass with several options to suit, including 4 and 5-string models. The USA Hillsboro 1000 is a double cutaway design featuring an alder top and body that comes in finished in...

Sylvan Bolduc has released Groove 101, an instructional book and audio DVD containing 260 grooves and exercises to teach just about every musical style. Written in musical notation and tabs, the 90-page book aims to also improve your overall groove and “inner clock.” Included with the audio examples are detailed listings of each bass used, including a 1969 Precision, 1969...

Here’s an awesome video of Richard Bona and Chris Minh Doky playing jazz duets on electric and upright, respectively. The two powerhouses blow over a blues before tearing into the standard, “There is No Greater Love.”

The fifth annual New Hampshire Bass Festival has been announced for June 15th through the 18th. The four day event, which takes place in Manchester, New Hampshire, is a mixture of school and festival as 16 clinicians from around the globe present classes from 9am to 6pm each day. The NHBF is directed by Berklee bass and arranging professor Jim...

Our friend Seth Fromal gave us a heads up to this video of Snarky Puppy performing the song “Skate U” from their album , live in the studio. Bassist, band leader and composer Michael League gets down with an old school P-bass sound before funkin’ it up on his solo at the 2:47 mark.

Today is a day to remember those who have served our country in the U.S. In honor of our fallen service men and women, here’s a great clip of Stu Hamm playing a solo bass rendition of the National Anthem. Happy Memorial Day, and thanks to all who have served.

Legendary British metal group Judas Priest has announced the U.S. tour dates on their Epitaph tour, which they say will be their final world tour. The 20-date excursion includes four shows in Canada, with most dates spread across the U.S. Though most of the concerts are planned for the West Coast, more dates are expected to be announced. Bassist Ian...

Melvin Lee Davis has released Genre: Music, an album that stands to defy singular musical styles. The bassist, who also produced the record, enlisted the help of many of his friends, including drummer Ron Bruner, Jr., Lakin, Oscar Seaton, Jesse Milliner, Jeff Babko and more. As the title suggests, the 14 tracks are a unique blend of styles that the...

Ex-Deep Purple and current Black Country Communion bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes is getting his own radio show on Planet Rock starting Sunday June 5th at 6pm GMT. Throughout the program, Hughes will be playing his favorite songs as well as telling stories from his incredible 40-year career including tales with and about Black Sabbath, Dio, David Coverdale, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie,...