Buzz
Weekly Top 10: Februrary 10-16, 2024
Bass gear again ruled the week. Add to it some exciting tour news, Paul Thompon’s excellent look at the early work of Pino Palladino – and more – and you have this week’s list of the top reader favorite stories.
David Dyson, Marcus Miller, Munyungo Jackson, and Peter White: Impromptu Soundcheck Jam
David Dyson gives us an inside look at the madness that happens behind the scenes at the Smooth Jazz Cruise. Here’s an impromptu soundcheck jam with Dyson, Marcus Miller, Munyungo Jackson, and Peter White.
Lauren Pierce Publishes “Basstudes: 16 Etudes for Double Bass”
Double bassist and educator Lauren Pierce has published new educational material with “Basstudes: 16 Etudes for Double Bass.” Pierce broke the book into three large sections: bowing, left hand technique, and right and left-hand coordination.
Sire Announces GB Series Acoustic/Electric Basses
Sire has introduced the GB Series, which they designed as an electric bass that produces an acoustic sound. The lineup includes four and five-string models available in fretted or fretless versions.
YYNOT with Frank Bello: Anthem (Live at Bubba Bash 2024)
YYNOT dropped another video from the Bubba Bash 2024 show, and this is a great one. Joined by Frank Bello on bass, here’s the band tearing through Rush’s “Anthem.”
Dethklok Announces Spring Tour with Pete Griffin on Bass
Dethklok is heading back out on the road in April for the “Mutilation on a Spring Night” tour. Running April 3rd through May 3rd, the run will take them from coast to coast with support from DragonForce and Nekrogoblikon.
Fender Custom Shop Unveils 2024 Basses
Fender has unveiled the 2024 Custom Collection from the Fender Custom Shop, and it has a good handful of basses. Four-strings appear in the Limited Edition, Time Machine, and Artisan collections for a total of seven new models.
Ellen Alaverdyan: A Fun Way To Construct Bass Lines
We’re getting more insight into the behind-the-scenes work of Ellen Alaverdyan in this new video she just dropped. Working with her dad, Hovak, Ellen uses backing tracks on YouTube to construct bass lines on the fly.
Previously Unheard James Brown Song Features Bootsy Collins on Bass
Universal Music Enterprises and Republic Records have announced the release of a previously unheard 1970 track by James Brown. The song features a stone cold bass line from Bootsy Collins.
“I’m Gonna Tear This Playhouse Down”: Exploring Pino Palladino’s Classic Bass Line (and the Pedal That Made It Happen)
Paul Thompson kept the fretless out for this new “From The Bottom” episode. He digs into Pino Palladino’s classic bass line on “I’m Gonna Tear This Playhouse Down” (and the pedal that made it happen).
Report: Paul McCartney’s Stolen 1961 Hofner Has Been Returned
There have been several mysteries of missing basses of historical importance. Jaco’s Bass of Doom was thankfully found, though James Jamerson’s Funk Machine has not surfaced. In September, there was a big push to find Paul McCartney’s original 1961 Hofner bass, and after 51 years the search is finally over.
Martin Miller and Lari Basilio: Enjoy the Silence (Live at Guitar Summit 2023)
The Martin Miller Session Band performed at Guitar Summit 2023. Here’s a clip of the band joined by Lari Basilio on Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence.”