Buzz
Spector Introduces Coda Pro Basses
Spector will be unveiling their Coda Pro series basses at NAMM this year. The new models offer the company’s classic inspired Coda at a lower price point by building them in their Korean Factory. Available with four or five strings, the Coda Pro basses feature two EMG HZ passive single-coil pickups paired with Spector’s TonePump Jr. active 9-volt tone circuit....
Gentle Giant: Free Hand, Live 1978
I’m not sure how I stumbled onto this video, but I’m sure glad I did. Gentle Giant’s “Free Hand” is already an awesome song, but add bassist Ray Shulman’s ballsy tone and energetic performance to the mix, and it’s a home run.
Traynor Unveils Small Block Bass Combo Amplifiers
Traynor has introduced the Small Block Series, a line of compact, lightweight 200-watt bass combos. Available in 1×10, 1×12, and 1×15 speaker configurations, Traynor says the the new models are ideal for the working/practicing musician with features like a 1/4” auxiliary input, 1/4” headphone output, and an XLR balanced DI output with switchable pre and post settings. Each of the...
Black Sabbath: “Snowblind”, Live 1975
With all the talk of the new Black Sabbath album this year, I’ve been geeking out on tons of old videos of Geezer Butler and the band. Here’s one of my favorite songs, “Snowblind”, live in 1975. Geezer really rocks out on this one, white ’70s pants and all.
Sadowsky Releases Onboard Bass Preamp Assembly
Sadowsky has introduced a new onboard bass preamp that comes prewired and offers the same controls and preamp as all Sadowsky basses. The controls include Volume, Pan, Vintage Tone Control, Treble, and Bass. Pulling up on the tone control bypasses the preamp. The preamp can be installed with the included control plate or transferred to another plate or pickguard and...
Bass of the Week: Ibanez BTB776PB
This week we look at the Ibanez BTB776PB, a six-string bass featuring a hot poplar burl top. Ibanez created the BTB line to create a boutique feel by implementing the same concepts without the boutique price. The line, including the BTB776PB, features a 35? scale, select body materials, neck-thru construction, and deep cutaways. The BTB is built around a 5-piece...
What Makes A Great Bassist? Part 3: Defining Groove
Photo Credit: Mika Hiironniemi As bassists, one of our main goals is to make the band groove. The only problem is that the term can be vague. Many young players that begin their quest for the elusive groove are met with descriptions like, “If you have to ask, you’ll never know.” In an effort to share ideas and bring us...
Mike Flynn: “Oysters” Fretless Meshell Ndegeocello Remix, with Victor Wooten
Bassist Mike Flynn sent us this unique video showcasing the bassist’s terrific fretless playing – and typical creativity in video and music production. We’ll let Mike set it up: “I took a chorus from a beautiful Meshell [Ndegeocello] tune called ‘Oysters’ from her album Weather and made a remix of it in Ableton Live. I also added a quote from...
Mark Egan Debuts New Power Trio and Album
Mark Egan‘s latest musical project is a new power trio formed by the bassist, drummer Karl Latham and guitarist John Hart. The group has just released their debut album, Unit 1. The album, released through Egan’s own Wavetone Records label features the group’s new take on nine jazz standards the band says is “reminiscent of The Police, Tony Williams Lifetime...
Dunlop Releases MXR M83 Bass Chorus Deluxe
Dunlop’s new chorus pedal is described by the company as “powered by pure analog bucket-brigade technology”. The MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe includes top-mounted Flanger and X-Over buttons with LED status indicators. The pedal’s “X-Over Mode” offers up decreased modulation in the lower frequencies, designed for optimal results when playing upper register chords and lines and keeping the low end in...
How to Improve Your Phrasing
Q: I’m looking to make my phrasing more dynamic. What would you suggest? A: For this week’s column, I decided to make a little video to answer this question, and demonstrate what I do to work on my phrasing. Check it out:
Jenna Jackley and Ryan Haines: The Wonder Song
Ryan Haines sent in this very cool video of an original song he co-wrote with singer-songwriter Jenna Jackley. “It’s a nice, bass oriented piece with a tuneful bass solo at about 2:50,” he shares. Indeed.