Buzz
Squier Releases Vintage Modified Mustang Bass
Squier has grown their Vintage Modified line with the introduction of a new take on Fender’s mid-60s Mustang bass. Staying true to the original, the Vintage Modified Mustang features a 30″ scale, 19 frets and comes in black or three-color sunburst finishes. The bolt-on constructed bass has a basswood body with a maple neck and fingerboard, while the pickup has...
Owen Biddle Leaves The Roots
Owen Biddle will be leaving the Roots in order to pursue his own project, Mister Barrington. The bassist, who joined the band in 2007 and has been seen with them on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon since 2009, confirmed the change on his Twitter account. “Thanks for all the love guys. It’s true!” Biddle tweeted. “I’m starting a new chapter...
Queen: Dragon Attack Live with John Deacon (1982)
Here’s a clip from Queen’s 1982 performance in Canada, released on the 2007 DVD Queen Rock Montreal. Bassist John Deacon holds down catchy riff on his Fender P-bass while the band jams out a heavy groove.
Bass of the Week: Little Guitar Works Torzal Standard
With time comes innovation, and for bass players, it means lighter rigs, improved effects pedals, and ergonomic basses. The Little Guitar Works Torzal Bass is a prime example of that progressive ideology. The customizable bass features your choice of woods and pickups, but the real “Twist” is in the neck. Literally. Developed in the mid-90s as a response to players...
Custom Shop: Birdsong Guitars
Founded in 2004, Birdsong Guitars is a company with a distinct reputation for excellent short-scale basses – one that founder Scott Beckwith prides himself on. After getting his start building in the late ’90s, Beckwith set up shop in Texas where he has been honing his craft with the aid of his wife and other luthiers. Most recently he revived...
Jeff Coffin & the Mu’tet with Felix Pastorius: Live in Rio de Janeiro
Felix Pastorius (the son of Jaco Pastorius) plays some funky bass with Jeff Coffin and the Mu’tet in this live performance at the Rio Rock and Blues Club in Rio de Janeiro. If you dig that, you might want to check out the group’s new album, Live!.
Mark Dresser and Jen Shyu Release Synastry
Avant-garde jazz bassist/composer Mark Dresser has teamed up with vocalist Jen Shyu to release Synastry, an intimate duo album that explores the possibilities of jazz bass and voice. Shyu, who sings in English, Mandarin and Vocalese on the record, says their chemistry is part of what makes the project so special. “When Mark and I did our first session, we...
Fender Releases T-Bucket Acoustic Bass Guitar
Fender has released the T-Bucket Bass, the first four-stringer in their Hot Rod Design series. The acoustic bass guitar includes a Fishman Isys III pickup system for amplification, complete with a three-band EQ, onboard preamp and tuner. Finished in a classic three-color sunburst, the T-Bucket features a flame maple top with scalloped X bracing and mahogany back, sides and neck....
Insuring Your Gear
Q: I recently had a stolen instrument scare. It got me wondering, what do you and other working professionals do? With all your traveling, I’m sure it’s a small worry in the back of your mind. What do you use to ensure the safety of your gear? Do you have instrument specific insurance or some other option? I think a...
Gregg Allman: Just Another Rider, Live with Jerry Jemmott
I’ve been listening to a ton of music with the great Jerry Jemmott lately and decided to check out some videos too. This one, which aired on The Late Show with David Letterman earlier this year, made me smile to see the bass legend still going strong. Really strong.
Dio Disciples, Featuring Rudy Sarzo, Announce U.S. Tour Dates
Dio Disciples, a band formed as tribute to the late vocalist Ronnie James Dio, has announced their first U.S. tour. Fronted by singer Tim “Ripper” Owens, the band is made up of alumni from Dio’s band, including bassist Rudy Sarzo, drummer Simon Wright, guitarist Craig Goldy and keyboardist Scott Warren. The tour starts in Poughkeepsie, New York in late September...
Reader Spotlight: Kristoffer Carter
Meet Kristoffer Carter, a bassist from Akron, Ohio who regularly headlines solo bass looping shows around Ohio and Chicago. Kristoffer is our bassist in the spotlight for August 23, 2011. Bio: Kristoffer Carter came up through the Cleveland, OH music scene as the touring bassist for ska rockers The Twistoffs, then reinvented himself as a laser-focused pop songwriter. The result...