Buzz
RIP Jet Harris
UK bass pioneer Terence “Jet” Harris has passed away at the age of 71, after a two-year battle with cancer. Harris is often credited as being the first British bass guitarist, and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Fender for popularizing the instrument in Britain. Harris’s career includes several hits with the instrumental group the Shadows in the late...
Markbass Announces MoMark MVVL-HE Master Module
Markbass continues their new product announcements for 2011 with the introduction of the MVVL-HE Master module. The MVVL-HE Master is designed to fit into any MoMark amp chassis, features a master volume control, the Markbass VLE and VPF filters, and a Line Out level control. The circuitry is gold-plated in addition to all high level components, which Markbass says makes...
The Pink Panther: Solo Bass Performance
Pablo Motyczak, a bassist from Argentina who goes by the screen name “Motyx” blew us away with his take on Henry Mancini’s “Pink Panther” theme.
Original Béla Fleck & the Flecktones Members Reunite for New Album and Tour
For the first time since 1991, the original members of Béla Fleck & the Flecktones are releasing an album. Rocket Science, scheduled for a May 17, 2011 release date, features pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy returning to the group, alongside bassist Victor Wooten, percussionist/drummer Roy “Futureman” Wooten and banjoist and leader Fleck. In true Flecktones form, the album touches on many...
Carl Martin Releases Classic Optical Envelope Pedal
Carl Martin has released a new stompbox to their lineup, the Classic Optical Envelope. The effects company explains it is “essentially a classic envelope filter (auto-wah)” for bass or guitar with some extra tweak-ability. The pedal includes two foot switches, the first being for activating the effects, and the second for switching between modes. The pedal operates in three modes...
Custom Shop: LeCompte Electric Basses
Based out of the Houston, Texas area, Bud LeCompte has been building basses since 2004, after acquiring a technical background and inheriting a plethora of woodworking tools. Having been interested bass playing and drawing since his teenage years, LeCompte’s designs vary from paying homage to classic instruments to unique shapes and lines that defy that same tradition. In this installment...
Pierluigi Balducci: Tully More Song
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a fun clip of Pierluigi Balducci playing his Irish-inspired composition “Tully More Song,” from his CD Niebla. Cheers!
Gear Review: Way Huge Electronics’ Green Rhino MkII
The Green Rhino MkII, by Way Huge Electronics made its debut at the NAMM Show in January, and I recently took it for a test spin. Way Huge was making pedals back in the 1990’s and sort of fell off the radar for a while. Dunlop now manufactures this new series, and one of the most popular requests for a...
iPad as a Musical Study Tool
Q: I recently bought an iPad. Do you have any suggestions for apps that you find useful for music study and practicing? A: Hello, my name is Damian, and I’m an app junkie. Addiction aside, there are some wonderful apps that can help you to either practice more efficiently or just inspire you in new ways. Here’s a little list...
Marvin Gaye & James Jamerson: “What’s Going On” Isolated Vocals and Bass
Here’s a new take on Marvin Gaye’s hit “What’s Going On” the way we like it: with James Jamerson‘s bass line loud and clear in this bass and vocals only isolated track.
The Wailers Announce 2011 Tour
The Wailers, featuring legendary bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett, have announced tour dates from March through August, including several festival appearances. The band was originally the backing group for reggae icon Bob Marley, who carries on his music. Last year’s tour celebrated his 40th anniversary with the group. Barrett co-founded the Wailers and continues to lead them to this day....
Reader Spotlight: Aaron Gibson
Meet Aaron Gibson, a bassist form Oregon and our player in the spotlight for March 15, 2011. Aaron has one of the best stories we’ve heard for getting his start as a full-time musician. Bio: A few years back I spent some time working in Sighisoara, a Romanian town best know as Vlad the Impaler’s (Dracula) birthplace. For weeks I...