Buzz
King Crimson: “Sleepless” Live in Japan with Tony Levin
This song opens up just right: with some awesome percussive slap bass by Tony Levin. And he doesn’t stop there. The tune, “Sleepless” is from King Crimson’s 1984 release, , with Levin on bass and Stick, Adrian Belew on vocals/guitar, Robert Fripp on guitar and Bill Bruford on drums. Levin’s bass is painted to resemble the album’s cover.
Michael Manring Announces Fall/Winter Tour Update and Clinics
Michael Manring is kicking off another busy fall and winter season, with several performances and clinics planned in the U.S., Finland and France through January 2012. “Manring Bass Workout” will be held in New Hampshire over the weekend of October 21st and 22nd, with hands-on instruction, performances and demonstrations. A solo masterclass is planned for France in November. Michael Manring...
Bass Of the Week: Xylem 5-String Black Limba Bass
This week we’re featuring a beautiful custom Xylem 5-string bass. This particular bass is a neck-through design featuring a black limba body with a bookmatched macassar ebony top, accented with bocote and maple. The quartersawn neck is bird’s eye maple and has an ebony fretboard and custom inlays of a tomoe and falling leaves. All the electronics are Bartolinis, including...
The Rise of Blast Cult
After settling up with customers left from the demise of King Doublebass brand, luthier Jason Burns went to work to create a new upright venture catering to the alternative bassist. Blast Cult officially launched this month with their One4Five model bass, a design cultivated from Burns’ 20 years of building. Among the first instruments built under the moniker is a...
Victor Wooten Releases The Music Lesson Soundtrack
Victor Wooten has released The Music Lesson Soundtrack. The album, which is the first all-original release for his new VIX Records label, is culled from the audio version of his book of the same title and is only available digitally. Wooten describes the album as the “largest musical project [he has] ever completed to date.” The bassist recruited his brothers...
Reed James Custom Pickups Introduces RJE NEO Neodymium Bass Pickups
Reed James Custom Pickups has announced the RJE Neos, new soap-bar style neodymium pickups. Made in the USA, the pickups have a modern sound, described by the manufacturer as “warm, punchy and very clear.” The RJE Neo pickups are available for 4- through 6-string basses and feature CNC machined black ABS plastic covers with a matte finish, though custom exotic...
A Guide for the Self-Taught Bassist
Q: I’m in the middle of high-school, and I’m really thinking of pursuing bass as a career. However, with a lack of decent teachers around, I’ve turned to teaching myself. But there’s so much to cover… where do I start? A: I would first suggest that you continue to keep your eyes and ears open for a good teacher. It’s...
R.E.M. Announce Split
Thirty-one years and fifteen albums after forming in Athens, Georgia, the rock icons of R.E.M. are calling it quits. The trio, whose latest album Collapse Into Now came out earlier this year, broke the news in a statement on their website explaining that they “walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all [they]...
Dream Theater: YTSE Jam, Live in 2004
Dream Theater celebrated the 15th anniversary of their debut record, When Dream and Day Unite, in 2004 by performing the album in its entirety. The instrumental “YTSE Jam” has some fancy fretwork by bassist John Myung, as he plays the melody with guitarist John Petrucci. Unfortunately, the camera guys don’t focus on Myung during the bass solo at 3:47, but...
Miles Davis Quintet: Live in Europe 1967 – The Bootleg Series Vol. 1
Miles Davis toured Europe many times during the 1960s with some of the most legendary bands of his career. Sony/Legacy is introducing some previously unreleased footage from that era, with a new series of “bootleg” recordings. Live in Europe 1967 – The Bootleg Series Vol. 1 features Davis’ “second quintet”, including the all-star cast of Ron Carter on bass, Wayne...
Reader Spotlight: Ade Heslop
Meet Ade Heslop, a bassist from Northampton who went from glam rock in the 80’s to pop/rock/indie currently. Ade is our player in the spotlight for September 20, 2011. Bio: Ade Heslop, aka Tenacious Ade and never one to ‘let it go’, is the diving force behind Northampton covers band BOXEDDY. I’ve done a lot, played a lot, had a...
The Buzz Killer: How To Shield Your Bass
This month, we’re going to talk about an all too common problem: the humming and/or buzzing you get from radio frequency waves interfering with the electronic signal in your bass. These waves can be emitted from any number of sources, many of which are common on the stage and in the home. Neon and fluorescent lights, central AC and refrigeration...