Buzz
Sterling By Music Man Unveils S.U.B. Ray4 and Ray5 Basses
Sterling by Music Man has unveiled the new S.U.B. line of basses, which the company says is meant to make Music Man designs available at more affordable pricing. The new line includes the Ray4 and Ray5, which are cousins to the Music Man Stingray 4 and 5 basses. The new basses are built with hardwood bodies and maple necks with...
Weather Report: “1” (1971)
Weather Report emerged thanks in large part to the late-60’s music of Miles Davis, particularly Bitches Brew. It was on that session (and In A Silent Way) that the band’s cofounders – Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter – first collaborated. Soon after, the first iteration of Weather Report came together, anchored by bassist Miroslav Vitous. Here’s the band in 1971,...
Rush Announces 2013 European Tour
Hot on the heels of the release of Clockwork Angels, Rush has extended their tour schedule into 2013 with the announcement of some European tour dates. The new album was the band’s first studio effort in five years, and entered the SoundScan/Billboard 200 chart at #2, which matched their highest chart debut in the trio’s 38 year history. The album...
Gretsch Expands Electromatic Line With Two New Hollow-Body Basses
Gretsch has added several new models to their Electromatic series, including two new hollow body basses: the G5440LS and the G5442BDC. Though they share many features, the G5440LS is a 34? scale bass with a single-cutaway design while the G5442BDC is the little brother of the two, with a short 30.5? scale and double-cutaway body. The new offerings are both...
Norman Lachapelle: L’irlandaise and Improvisation
Luthier Pierre Erizias sent me this video of Norman Lachapelle playing the tune “L’irlandaise”. The song is sheerly musical, and not a note is misplaced. “I think Normand is not getting the props he deserves,” Erizias said. “He is a refined and seasoned musician that could walk easily with the best out there for sure.” I think I have to...
Peter Hook Memoir Coming This Fall
Peter Hook has announced that his memoir is set to hit the shelves October 1 from publishers Simon & Schuster. Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division. will document the bassist’s time in the seminal post-punk band, from helping to form the band to lead singer Ian Curtis’s death. Hook will also delve into his time with New Order, which was formed...
Spector Unveils ReBop MM Basses
Spector has expanded its ReBop family for basses with the ReBop4 MM and ReBop5 MM. While keeping many of the same traits as their predecessors, the new models are equipped with an EMG-HZ MM passive dual coil pickup. They also introduce maple fingerboards with black Spector inlays and a trans blue stain matte body finish. As with the rest of...
Getting to Know Your Bass: How Your Bass’s Action Influences What You Can Do
Keeping up with Getting to Know Your Bass series, today we’ll take a look at the action of your bass and how that influences what you can play. While your action doesn’t necessarily impact your note choice, it certainly factors into the amount of force necessary to play the instrument and the techniques that you use while playing. Ultimately, you...
Nathan Navarro: One Handed Bass Solo
Nathan Navarro had a dream that he lost one of his arms, which inspired him to write this solo bass piece. The ethereal piece is a little dream-like itself and features some real right hand dexterity to execute the complicated tapping. For more on Nathan, check out his New School interview.
IK Multimedia Expands Amplitube with 2.5 Release
IK Multimedia has released a major update for the iOS version of Amplitube. Version 2.5 of the mobile amp modeling and effects processor app expands its capabilities with MIDI and digital audio support, a redesigned recorder and mixer section, and audio copy and paste functions. It also adapts to new iOS devices by supporting Retina Display. Purchases from the in-app...
Birdsong Guitars Introduces Embrace Fretless Bass
Custom shop Birdsong Guitars has introduced a new fretless model called the Embrace. The bass, which was prototyped over several years, is a 32? scale fretless neck-through with a single passive soapbar. Described as a “working man’s electric fretless”, the bass is handmade in Texas yet streamlined to offer a price most everyone can reach. Birdsong will be making Embraces...
Bass of the Week: Fodera Buckeye Burl Yin Yang Imperial 6 Elite
I get to check out tons of basses every day, but when Anthony Wellington posted the details of his new Fodera my jaw hit the floor. The latest in the renowned bass educator’s collection is a Buckeye Burl Yin Yang Imperial 6 Elite from the New York boutique shop, who stated it’s the “most complex Yin Yang we have ever...