Mr. Big Announces World Tour, Including U.S. Dates
Mr. Big has announced an extensive world tour in support of their latest release, What If, featuring the group’s original lineup including bassist Billy Sheehan, guitarist Paul Gilbert, drummer Pat Torpey and vocalist Eric Martin. The trek will have the quartet stopping twice in the U.S., first in Hollywood on April 2nd, then again as part of the M3 Festival...
PocketLabworks Releases PocketGK Bass Guitar Amp iOS App
PocketLabworks has teamed up with the amp builders at Gallien-Krueger to make the world’s first iOS amp simulator designed specifically for bass. The app requires an instrument adapter, which is sold separately. The adapter connects your bass to your device, and the app allows you to select your amp combinations and settings, including different cab configurations, EQ, Dynamics, and presets....
Spector Releases RXT Rex Brown Signature Bass
Spector unveiled a few new basses for 2011, including the RXT, a new signature model designed in part by Down’s Rex Brown. The bass is part of their USA series, meaning it’s built in their Woodstock, New York workshop. Featuring neck-thru construction, the RXT brings together a solid AAAA maple body with a 3-piece maple graphite reinforced neck with a...
Slipknot Announces Touring Bassist
With a handful of European dates lined up for the summer, Slipknot has announced that Donnie Steele will be acting as touring bassist in place of the late Paul Gray. The news came as a statement on the band’s website, explaining that Steele is the best fit since he was a founding guitarist in the band and was close to...
Markbass Announces MB Octaver
Markbass has announced their new MB Octaver, an analog octave pedal built to add extra bottom end to your sound. It features separate level controls for each octave as well as your dry signal for you to mix your played pitch with one and/or two octaves down. For more, check out the Markbass website. MB Octaver Specs: Input: 1/4″ Input...
An Exclusive Interview with Stu Hamm
Stu Hamm is a name synonymous with instrumental rock bass, but what you may not know is that the bassist himself has a very rich musical background, with interests spanning just about every genre and time period. Hamm recently unveiled proof of his diversity as well as his playing and compositional talents on his sixth solo album, Just Outside of...
B.C. Rich Introduces Warlock Revenge Bass
The metal-inspired instrument makers at B.C. Rich have introduced the Warlock Revenge bass, which they describe as a flat-top version of their iconic Warlock design. The bass features a basswood body, maple neck, and the company’s trademark Widow headstock. It also has a single B.C. Rich Humbucker with a volume and a tone knob. The B.C. Rich Warlock Revenge Bass...
Victor Wooten Releases “A Show Of Hands 15”
Victor Wooten has released A Show of Hands 15, a re-mastered version of his groundbreaking debut solo effort. In addition to 16 original tracks, the 15th anniversary record also includes three bonus songs: two with longtime drummer JD Blair and one unedited tune entitled “Live Solo #2.” The package is available in several varieties, including signed copies and vinyl LP’s,...
Primus Announces U.S. Spring Tour Dates
Les Claypool and Primus have announced a new spring U.S. tour in support of their upcoming album, the band’s first studio release in 11 years. “The album will come out in late spring/early summer,” an update from the band explains, “so expect to hear a whole batch of new songs this tour.” The trek will focus on taking the trio...
Tom Hamilton Auctions Bass Lesson For Charity
Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton is auctioning a 1-hour bass lesson through the website CharityBuzz.com. The auction is set to raise money for the Music and Youth Initiative, which works toward making after-school programs to reach underserved urban youth. The classic rock low-ender, who co-wrote many of the Aerosmith’s hits including his epic bass line to “Sweet Emotion,” is also a...
RIP Mark Adams
Mark Adams, the bassist from the popular ’70’s Ohio funk band Slave, has passed away. Adams, who co-wrote the band’s first hit “Slide,” was an influence to many budding bassists. Anthony Wellington shared his thoughts: “My very first bass hero/idol Mark Adams (Mr. Mark) died last night,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “I remember being inspired by the song...
Chris Tarry Releases “Rest of the Story”
Chris Tarry has released his latest project, Rest of the Story, a multi-media composition including a 100 page book and CD. The Canadian-born jazz bassist is also a writer, and the book includes his short stories as well as unique art. That’s not to say the music is a side-note, as the nine-track album is full of Tarry’s original compositions....