Buzz
ESP Introduces Frank Bello Signature and LTD FB-4 Basses
ESP has unveiled a pair of new Frank Bello Signature basses at NAMM this year. The new ESP Frank Bello Bass and ESP LTD FB-4 models are based on the company’s Vintage-4, but customized to the Anthrax bassist’s liking. Both versions share the same specifications, though they are built in different factories and carry different price points. The new Bello...
Speakers and Power Amps: Don’t Blow That Cabinet
Q: I’ve been thinking about getting a new amp head, and I want to make sure that it will work properly with my current cabinets. How do I make sure that the head I’m getting won’t blow a speaker or ruin my shiny new head? A: While I’m not a super “techy” guy, I have learned about some of this...
Doug Alexis: The Chicken
Facebook friend Art Araya shared this remarkable and unique video of bassist Doug Alexis performing his own take on “The Chicken”. The tune, written by Pee Wee Ellis, was made popular of course by Jaco Pastorius. This has to be the most creative version we’ve heard yet.
Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez and Paul Motian Release “Further Explorations”
In a fitting tribute to Bill Evans, Chick Corea teamed up with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Paul Motian – both alumni of Evans’ trios – to record a new album. Further Explorations is a double CD set featuring the trio’s takes on tunes from Evans book as well as a few new originals, recorded over a two week set...
Reader Spotlight: Kosta Kapellas
Meet bassist Kosta Kapellas, a six-year vet of the low end currently studying double bass at Central Michigan University. Kosta is our player in the spotlight for January 31, 2012. Bio: I am 19 years old. I play any type of music, any time. My time is split between Mt. Pleasant, where I attend Central Michigan University as a double...
NS Design Unveils NS Bass Guitar at NAMM 2012
Ned Steinberger and company introduced the latest addition to the NS Design bass line with a new headless bass guitar design. The NS Bass Guitar features a new “patented self-clamping tuning system” that allows for using regular single-ball type strings. As you tighten the tuner, it clamps onto the string; loosening the tuner detunes the string and eventually releases it....
Amy LaVere: Damn Love Song
My good friend Aaron shared this video with us (he’s a treble-maker, but we overlook it when he sends us cool bass videos). This is bassist/vocalist Amy LaVere and her band performing “Damn Love Song” at the Music Fog Marathon 2011 at Threadgill’s South in Austin, Texas. This was recorded during SXSW 2011. The tune comes from LaVere’s 2011 album,...
La Bella Expands Super Alloy 52 Strings Line to Bass
La Bella has expanded their Super Alloy 52 Series of strings with the addition of four new electric bass sets. Available in Extra Light, Light, Standard Light, and 5-string Standard Light, the new strings are described as bright and tarnish-proof. The line gets its name from the string’s outer wrap, which contains 52% nickel to prevent tarnishing. The other 48%...
Markbass Unveils New Bass Amps at NAMM
Markbass rolled out four new amps at the NAMM Show this year: the Big Bang, the TTE 800, and the MoMark Black 500 and 800. Markbass The Big Bang The Big Bang is the newest model in Markbass’s Little Mark series. The compact head features a solid state preamp and digital power amp that pumps out 500 watts at 4...
Felix Pastorius Joining the Yellowjackets
About an hour ago, bassist Felix Pastorius posted an announcement on Facebook that he’s going to join The Yellowjackets, replacing bassist Jimmy Haslip. “I guess its official, I’m a yellowjacket!,” Pastorius said. “Thnx to jimmy for his blessing and the rest of the guys for this great opportunity. Time to practice.” Updated: 5:45pm EST The Yellowjackets first reached out to...
Preparing for College Auditions
As someone who has taught at the University/Conservatory level for a number of years, I get many questions regarding undergraduate music school auditions. Some questions are specific to my school, but many are general requests for advice. As I am currently deep into audition season, I thought I would summarize some of my more common suggestions. Although much applies to...
In Memoriam: Henry E. Davis
Henry E. Davis, bassist for the ’70s R&B group L.T.D., passed away at the age of 63. A mainstay of the West Coast disco scene, he also played on the Diana Ross hit “Love Hangover.” Davis started his career in the ’60s with Friends of Distinction before hooking up with L.T.D. in the early ’70s. The band eventually split up...