Buzz
Electro-Harmonix Introduces the Sovtek Deluxe Big Muff Pi and the Nano Battalion Bass Preamp Pedals
Electro-Harmonix announced a handful of new pedals this week including two of note for bassists: the Sovtek Deluxe Big Muff Pi and the Nano Battalion. The first is a combination of their classic fuzz circuits while the latter is a miniature version of their bass preamp and overdrive. The Sovtek Deluxe Big Muff Pi houses the Civil War and Green...
The Main Squeeze: Papa Was A Rolling Stone
I’ve been watching everything I can by The Main Squeeze lately, and this one knocked me out. Check out the band performing “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” with Jeremiah Hunt doing some serious work on bass while also adding background vocals. This band is flat out amazing!
Evan Salvacion Levine Releases “Mestizo”
Bassist Evan Salvacion Levine has released his sophomore effort as a leader, entitled Mestizo. The trio project, which also features guitarist Matt Gold and drummer Andrew Green, brings together seven original compositions that encompass his life in the past two years. That includes the Chicago-based musician’s cultural heritage that gives the album its title. “Growing up with a Filipino mother...
Laney Amplification Announces the Mini-Bass-NX Battery-Powered Bass Amp
Laney Amplification has introduced a new battery-powered bass amp called the Mini-Bass-NX. The highly portable rig is styled after their Nexus line of amps and even includes the company’s Tilt control, which gives overall sculpting. It adds to your mid to high frequencies and cuts lows when turned clockwise while doing the opposite when turned counterclockwise. More general EQing can...
Funky Bizness Gang: I’m Getting Down (Rooftop Conspiracy #1)
Kevin sent me this video of Funky Bizness Gang, who filmed this live performance of “I’m Getting Down” on the rooftop of Planetary Café in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Alex Nikolaeff, who we featured in Reader Spotlight back in 2017, backs the band with one funky bass line.
Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in November 2018
Time is flying by, and another month is in the books. That means it is time for another Gear Roundup, where we look back at the top 10 reader favorite gear stories for the month. Here is your top 10 for the month of November. 1. Fender Limited Edition Midnight Hour Precision Bass Fender recently produced a film called “Artform”...
Snarky Puppy Announces 2019 U.S. Tour Dates
Michael League and the Grammy-winning ensemble Snarky Puppy have announced their first tour dates of 2019 with an extensive U.S. leg in May and June. The announcement was made on Facebook, which also alluded to a new album that will be released in March. “We can’t wait to get these new tunes into your ears,” the band wrote. League and...
Wampler Pedals Introduces the Fuzztration Pedal
The new Wampler Pedals Fuzztration combines a fuzz pedal with an octaver and three-band EQ. Although there are plenty of controls for dialing in your sound, Wampler says the effect is not for the faint of heart. “The Fuzzstration isn’t a pedal designed to really play ‘nice,'” they write. “It’s brash, raspy, doomy, in-your-face fuzz from top to bottom. This...
Cande Buasso and Paulo Carrizo: Barro Tal Vez
By random chance, I stumbled upon this beautiful video today. I hadn’t heard of Cande Buasso before, but her bass and vocals on this tribute to Luis Alberto Spinetta really caught my attention. This was recorded at the Bicentennial Theater in San Juan, Argentina.
Federico Malaman Releases New Solo Album
Italian bass guru Federico Malaman has released a new solo album, entitled Life. The recording, which marks 14 years since his first solo effort, is a snapshot of the bassist’s life. “The full album title should actually be ‘Life is not in 4/4’”, he states. “4/4 is the simplest, straightforward meter. Real life is not like that: there are ups...
Kleissonic Announces The Howl Phase-Shifting Pedal
Berlin’s Kleissonic Boutique Pedals has announced a new two-notch phase-shifting pedal called the Howl. The unit has volume, Gain, and Sweep controls, but no Rate control commonly found in phasers. “The Howl is not another common phaser, it has no built-in LFO and it is ideal for any instrument. It’s also extremely useful for audio engineers and DJ’s both for...
The Lightbulb Moment: In Sync
Nothing tears up my heart more than the moment I realize an obvious flaw or inconsistency in my playing. I mean, what have these ten-thousand-plus hours amounted to anyway? If you’re the kind of person who strives for precision—clean playing, the perfect execution of a favorite bass line, or the ability to effortlessly play a musical idea—then you probably spend...