Buzz
Traveler Guitar Introduces MI-10 Mobile Interface
Traveler Guitar has gotten into the mobile interface market with the MI-10, a device that connects your bass or guitar to your iOS device. Once connected, you can use your mobile device as a tuner, effects unit, recorder, and more by using various apps. The MI-10 has a 1/4? input for your bass and a 1/8? TRRS stereo plug for...
Play Other Instruments! Such as… Drums
This installment of “other instruments” takes a look at playing the drums. Yes, they are fun. Yes, you can play loud and beat on things with sticks. No, you won’t have to fall victim to the jokes. On a more serious note, the attention paid to rhythm and feel is one and the same while playing bass. Plus, within an...
Electro Deluxe with Jeremie Coke: Peel Me
Our friend Sylvain Gros-Desormeaux shared this video with us, saying, “Here is Jeremie Coke, a French bass player in a band called Electro Deluxe. I really like this band.” The song is “Peel Me”, and Sylvain added, “Jeremie plays a crazy funky bass line.” Funky indeed! Have a video to share? Send us a note at [email protected].
FM Cables Launches FM Pro Silent and FM Pro Standard Cables
UK-based manufacturer FM Cables has launched their FM Pro Silent and FM Pro Standard Series cables. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the cables feature a 2-core cable made from high-grade copper covered with a hard-wearing transparent PVC jacket. The Pro Silent Series is set apart by utilizing Neutrik’s silentPLUG connectors, which automatically mute the cable when changing instruments. The...
Bass of the Week: Pavel Musical Instruments Aryel
This week we take a look at Pavel Musical Instrument’s flagship singlecut bass, the Aryel. Described as the “Roaring Lion” of basses, the bass’s upper horn section connects to the neck at the 12th fret, which the company says adds more tone transmission to the body. The Aryel is hand-built to order in Texas and comes in Deluxe and Signature...
What Makes A Great Bassist? Part 2: Expressing Yourself
With all the things to work on to improve ourselves, it’s easy to lose sight of why we play bass. That’s why we’ve been polling famous bassists and the community at large on what they think makes a great bassist. (Be sure to check out What Makes a Great Bassist? Part 1: Playing for the Song). For part two of...
Scott Varney: Some Will Say
Bassist Scott Varney shared a video with us of a new tune he’s recently completed for his upcoming CD. Love the bass/vocal combo. What else do you need? Scott said, “I would love to hear any feedback if you have any…” Let him know!
Killswitch Engage Celebrates Album’s 10th Anniversary with Tour
Killswitch Engage is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough album Alive or Just Breathing with a U.S. tour during which they’ll play the album in its entirety. The 20-date tour will feature support from Shadows Fall and Acaro. Anchored by bassist Mike D’Antonio, the group recently reenlisted their original singer Jesse Leach, who sang on the 2002 effort but...
Manne Guitars Introduces VibraBass
Italian boutique builder Manne Guitars has expanded their bass offerings with the VibraBass. Inspired by the AcoustiVibe guitar, the new bass features a fully chambered body made of Korina with an Italian poplar burl top, a maple/beech laminate neck, and a thin, hard resin fingerboard. Besides a magnetic single coil pickup mounted in the bass’s sound plate, the VibraBass is...
Connecting with the Drummer: A Discussion for Bassists
Q: I’ve found myself in a situation where I can’t set up a musical connection with my drummer. It’s been three months of rehearsals, but I just don’t feel comfortable playing, the rhythm-sections suffers and we don’t sound good. In my other bands, the great, non-verbal communication came right after one or two rehearsals. I realize I am also responsible....
Andres Rotmistrovsky: Solo Bass Arrangement of “You’ve Got a Friend In Me”
Andres Rotmistrovsky has a way with arranging songs for solo bass. Here’s his version of Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend In Me.”
Jack Bruce: Cream 2013 Reunion Plans Scrapped
In a recent interview with the BBC, rock legend Jack Bruce revealed that plans for a Cream reunion in 2013 have been halted due to a rift between guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker. The band, which was one of the first rock supergroups, last reunited in 2005 for four sold out shows. “There was supposed to be [a...