Buzz
Ernie Ball Announces Music Man Neck Through Basses
Ernie Ball’s booth at NAMM this year was buzzing with a new neck-through version of their flagship StingRay Bass. Available in four and five-string versions, the StingRay Neck Through is built with a 3-piece maple neck the runs the entire length of its ash body. The StingRay has only featured bolt-on construction since its introduction in 1976. The new bass...
Meshell Ndegeocello: Dr. Strange
Wow, check out this performance by Meshell Ndegeocello at the 2004 Montreux Jazz Festival. The tune is “Dr. Strange,” and the bass line is killer.
The Church Goes Further/Deeper
The Church has released its 25th studio album, Further/Deeper. Led by bassist/singer/songwriter Steve Kilbey, the Australian rock outfit may be most well known for its 1980s alternative hit, “Under the Milky Way.” Further/Deeper came together easily, Kilby said. “The magic started on day one. Someone strummed a chord or struck a drum or plucked a note and we were off....
Fodera Introduces Monarch 4 and Emperor 5 Standard Classic Basses
Fodera went old school at NAMM this year by introducing the Standard Classics line, including the Monarch 4 and Emperor 5 Standard Classics. The new models retain the qualities of Fodera’s Standard series models while taking on a classic aesthetic. “All our tone woods and everything are from the same Brooklyn shop [and are] the same tone woods we use...
Lightbulb Moment: The Power of the Pedal Tone
It’s January 2nd. A brand new year is on the horizon as I stroll through the airport, leaving my hometown once again after the conclusion of the holidays. The airport isn’t as busy as I had anticipated and thanks to my nervous and obsessive nature, I showed up far too early. Lucky for me, I’ve got plenty of time to...
Rich Brown, Wado Brown & Larnell Lewis: Turn Your Lights Down Low
Last month, Rich Brown visited 80 Gladstone in Toronto with vocalist/pianist Wado Brown and drummer Larnell Lewis, and recorded some live music. Among the tunes was Bob Marley’s “Turn Your Lights Down Low”, which the trio makes their own. This one is a lot of fun.
1974 Soft Machine Montreux Performance Finally Available on CD/DVD
English jazz/rock fusion pioneers Soft Machine played the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1974, and now the audio and video recordings of that performance are available in a CD/DVD set called Switzerland 1974. The group at the time featured Roy Babbington on bass, as well as Allan Holdsworth on guitar. Holdsworth only remained with the group for 15 months,...
Groove – Episode #2: Jerry Jemmott
There is a memorable scene in the Modern Electric Bass instructional video from 1986, when Jerry Jemmott asks Jaco Pastorius who really influenced the development of his playing style. Without missing a beat, Pastorius starts riffing on some of Jemmott’s classic funk bass lines. He talks about how he would listen to the radio, and try to emulate the sounds...
I Was Made to Love Her: James Jamerson’s Bass Line Visualized
Vulfpeck’s Jack Stratton just sent me his latest visualization video. This time around, the tune is Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made to Love Her” – once again showcasing the genius of James Jamerson.
Tony Garnier’s Liquid Bass Lines Guide Dylan’s “Standards”
Bob Dylan has taken on some American pop standards, and according to a Los Angeles Times review of Shadows in the Night, the bass leads the way. “Guided by bassist Tony Garnier‘s liquid lines, ‘Shadows’ is an exercise in precision, each syllable essential, each measure evenly weighted,” reviewer Randall Roberts writes. Garnier is Dylan’s longtime bassist and has also worked...
Boss Announces BB-1X Bass Driver Pedal
Boss has introduced the BB-1X Bass Driver, a compact pedal that employs the company’s MDP technology to offer sounds ranging from natural clean tone to a heavy distortion. Beyond a drive pedal, the BB-1X has EQ controls and a 1/4-inch line output to add preamp and DI functionality. The pedal’s distortion circuit analyzes your bass signal to respond to your...
A Discussion on Slap Bass Tone and Technique
I get a an insurmountable number of emailed questions asking about slap tone and technique. While I have mentioned dozens of times in various columns that I never really explored the slap side of bass, I have fiddled with it enough, in addition to knowing quite a few fantastic slappers. I know how to get the tone, I just never...