Buzz
Weekly Top 10: Talking Style, Talking Technique, Expert Columns, Top Videos, New Gear and More
Time for your weekly dose of the best of the best from the world of bass. I was thrilled to see readers’ response to our how to columns and lessons – the list starts out with three of them – including the debut of Ted “Blyss” Gould’s “Talking Style” lesson. Of course, the list also includes some epic videos, new...
TC Electronic Introduces K-115 Bass Cabinet
TC Electronic has expanded their new K-series bass cabinets with a new 1×15″ model. The K-115 Bass Cab is fitted with a custom-made 15-inch driver and a one-inch titanium tweeter to pump out up to 400 watts. Similar to the rest of the lineup, the cab is built as a lightweight design for gigging musicians. Its sturdy plywood construction includes...
Jesús Rico Pérez: Elegy
Solo bassist Jesús Rico Pérez is back with a brand new video. This one is different than ones we’ve heard from the past, but equally strong in the composition and performance.
In Memoriam: Joe Skyward
Joe Skyward, born Joe Howard, has died after a two-year fight with cancer. He was 57. The former Posies and Sunny Day Real Estate bassist’s passing was announced on the Posies Facebook page. “Joe Skyward, aka Joe Bass, left us last night,” the post read. “He had been fighting cancer for the last 2 years. Positive to the end, he...
Dwarfcraft Introduces Necromancer Fuzz Pedal
Dwarfcraft’s latest offering is the Necromancer Fuzz, a pedal molded out of their Silver Rose model with several mods. “The Necromancer started as the Super Fuzz style circuit from the Silver Rose v2,” the company shared. “We added a middle band was added to the EQ. The Mids knob is tuned to the deepest frequency dip created by flipping the...
Naty Hernández: Manos De Agua
We love the videos coming out of Berklee, in large part because of their diversity. Here’s bassist/vocalist Naty Hernández performing her original composition “Manos De Agua” in Studio A. Naty’s bio tells the story: “Her music represents the amalgamation of the rhythms from the Andean mountains in Colombian with jazz and sonorities of world music.” Enjoy.
Yiorgos Kostopoulos Releases Solo Debut
Jazz bassist/composer Yiorgos Kostopoulos has released his debut solo album, Last Trip to the Moon. Born and raised in Greece, Kostopoulos studied music in his homeland and in New York City, where he now lives. Last Trip to the Moon features seven original compositions. While Kostopoulos composed the initial versions of many songs prior to moving to New York in...
Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in March 2016
We covered a lot of gear in March, and these are the top 10 reader favorite gear stories of the month. This comes with our usual warning: may cause GAS. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing. 1. Hofner 60th Anniversary 500/1 Violin Bass An icon was born 60 years ago with the Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass, and now...
Bass Players to Know: Paul Simonon
Spend an afternoon searching through the stacks of a record store and you may stumble upon a few iconic album covers; the colorful eclecticism of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the eerie prism of Dark Side of The Moon, or the adrenaline enhanced act of destruction on London Calling. A Fender was, in fact, harmed in the making of...
Christian Sturgess: Brutai’s “Onyx” Bass Playthrough
Brutai’s Christian Sturgess just released a playthrough video for their song “Onyx,” and it’ll melt your face. The song, which appears on their 2013 self-titled EP, features a killer bass part with intricate rhythms using slap, strumming, and three-finger techniques. The bassist’s snarling bass tone is also something to marvel. Sturgess gave the low down in the YouTube comments section....
Bonamassa Returns to Nashville for Latest Album
Blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa’s 12th album, Blues of Desperation, sees him returning to Nashville, where he composed his previous record, 2014’s Different Shades of Blue. His bassist on the new record is Michael Rhodes, who also handled some of the bass work on Different Shades of Blue. Rhodes is a Nashville stalwart who has played with everyone from Reba McEntire,...
TWA Now Shipping WR-3 Wah Rocker Pedal
TWA is now shipping the WR-3 Wah Rocker, a pedal based on the discontinued Guyatone Wah Rocker. While the pedal retains the original’s Threshold and Decay controls, it also brings a host of updates. Foremost for bassists, the WR-3 includes the circuitry from the Bottom Wah Rocker for extra low end. It’s activated via the Guitar/Bass switch. It also has...