Buzz
Rotosound Launches New Instrument Care Products
Rotosound has expanded their lineup of guitar and bass care products with a new guitar polish, a string lube, and a lemon oil. Each product can be used on both guitar and bass. The guitar polish is formulated to clean instruments of fingerprints, streaking, dust and grime. Rotosound says the polish continues to work after application and preventing dust build...
Gizmotron Revived with Version 2.0
A piece of the ’70s is being revived with the Gizmotron 2.0. Originally designed in 1973, the Gizmotron is an electro-mechanic device that attaches near the bridge of your bass or guitar and creates a sustained, bowed sound similar to a cello. It contains spinning wheels for each string that are engaged by pressing keys. “The Gizmotron 2.0 allows the...
Dealing with Dead Spots on the Fretboard
Q: I’ve played a Fender ’61 Anniversary Precision the last year or so. It sounds great and is very comfortable to play, but I have drama with the G note on the E string being noticeably “plonky” sounding. A slight truss rod adjustment clockwise moves this down a semi tone. I’m fearing a dead spot… I’ve had a few guys...
Vulfpeck: Back Pocket
Vulfpeck fans, we have good news. The band has announced their debut full-length album, due to release on October 9th. Here’s the first single release from the record, “Back Pocket”. Once more, they’re bringing some old school goodness to their new tunes. Anchored by bassist Joe Dart, this tune also includes Jack Stratton on drums, Theo Katzman on vocals and...
Disturbed Ends Four-Year Hiatus With New Album
Disturbed has returned after a four-year hiatus with the album, Immortalized. The metal band’s break was a deliberate one, and it never signaled a potential breakup. As guitarist Dan Donegan told Billboard, the band members said to themselves, “ ‘Let’s put the brakes on for a minute here. Let’s walk away from it and give everyone some room to breathe...
Reader Spotlight: Tim Carey
For Tim Carey, getting picked up late from school ended one day being a defining musical moment. It was the day he became a bass player. He’s done a lot since then, as you’ll see in this Spotlight… Bio: I started on alto saxophone in the 4th grade. When my mom was late picking me up from my lesson, I...
Source Audio Introduces Lunar Phaser, Gemini Chorus, and Mercury Flanger Pedals
After teasing them earlier this year, Source Audio has officially released the Gemini Chorus, Lunar Phaser, and Mercury Flanger. The pedals, which are part of the One Series, are designed to have a streamlined surface with three effect flavors, but can be tweaked down to the nitty gritty using the Source Audio Neuro Mobile App. The app allows for tapping...
BassTheWorld: 29 Bassists in 1 Video
The internet is a wonderful thing. Gregor Fris from BasstheWorld.com put together this epic bass jam with 29 bassists from all over the world for a stunning display of the instrument’s diversity. The bassists in order of appearance are Federico Malaman, Lars Lehmann, Trip Wamsley, Or Lubianiker, Hyunmo Kim (aka “hjfreaks”), Ralf Gauck, Zander Zon, Nathan Navarro, Miki Santamaria, Nik...
The Sword Releases Fifth Studio Album
Austin’s The Sword has changed up its sound profile yet again on its fifth studio album, High Country, which marks a departure from 2012’s Apocryphon. As a review in Blabbermouth puts it, “this album freaking swings as much as it strains speakers.” The review also singles out Bryan Richie’s bass work, particularly on what it deems the “Thin Lizzy-esque” “Empty...
Bass of the Week: Matteo Marziali “The Bad” Bass
This week we’re checking out an awesome instrument built by Italian amateur bass builder Matteo Marziali, who started building basses after being inspired by the work of Carl Thompson. His latest creation, which he dubbed “The Bad” bass, brings has a dark theme that draws on the work of several of his favorite luthiers. “I started to design this bass...
Classification of Three Types of Thumb Position on the Double Bass
When we speak of thumb position on the bass we are referring to a left hand (l.h.) fingering system where the thumb is used to depress the string. The thumb is on top of the board (rather than behind the neck) and it presses the string down like any other finger. However, often telling someone to “play that in thumb...
Christian McBride Trio: I Guess I’ll Have to Forget
Christian McBride visited the KPLU studios back in March and recorded some tunes (including “Fried Pies”, which we previously shared). Here’s Christian and his Trio – with Christian Sands on piano and Ulysses Owens, Jr. on drums – performing “I Guess I’ll Have to Forget”. Masters at work.