Buzz
Talking Technique: Bach for Two (In Three)
In episode 43, we looked at an easy piano piece that was arranged for two basses. This is a great exercise because it works on your reading and your technique. Bach’s bass lines are typically challenging and push us as bassists to hone our chops. This time we’re checking out the Minuet in Bb (though I’ve transposed it to the...
Scott Whitley: Bass Cover of Level 42’s “Mr. Pink”
Level 42 always has sick bass lines thanks to Mark King. That’s not lost on Scott Whitley, who whipped up this killer bass version of the tune utilizing his signature bass and a piccolo bass for the melody lines. This one is sure to get you in gear!
Hal Leonard Publishes Second Edition of The Rickenbacker Electric Bass Book
If you’re a fan of classic basses, you’ll want to check out the new edition of The Rickenbacker Electric Bass: 50 Years as Rock’s Bottom. Updating on the first edition released 2013, the new version adds 16 bonus pages with up-to-date information on the latest models plus more photos of artists and custom-built Rickenbacker basses. “With the introduction of the...
Video Premiere: Petros Klampanis “Footprints”
We’re proud to premiere the first video in bassist Petros Klampanis’s new Rooftop Stories series with this awesome version of Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints”. “Rooftops and music – music and rooftops. There’s nothing not to love with that combination, plus having a sky full of stars makes is even more unique,” Klampanis writes. “?llow me to share the first part of...
Alter Bridge Releases “Live At The O2 Arena + Rarities”
After releasing The Last Hero late last year, Alter Bridge is back with a live album packed with extras. Live At The O2 Arena + Rarities is a 3 CD set that captures the band’s performance at the famous London venue on November 24th, 2016. The 19-track recording spans the first two CDs, digging into The Last Hero as well...
Jericho Guitars Introduces the Alpha Bass
Jericho Guitars has introduced the Alpha Bass, a 35-inch scale bass that comes in two colors: Black and Blacker. The Alpha Black sports a maple fretboard and a chrome hardware while the Blacker model has a Macassar ebony fretboard, black hardware, and a matching headstock. Both versions are built with a one-piece maple neck, rounded ash body, and set of...
Overdriver: Three Little Birds
It has been a while since we featured an Overdriver video. The duo of Fabi Terada and Evandro Tiburski recently shared their fun cover of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds,” which features some nifty bass by Fabi, and a Spongebob themed ukulele.
Death From Above Release New Album, Announce Tour
Death From Above (aka Death From Above 1979) has released their third studio album, entitled Outrage! Is Now. Comprised of the duo of vocalist/drummer Sebastien Grainger and bassist/keyboardist Jesse F. Keeler, the band’s new release is an exploration of pushing the limits of their sound. “We both wanted to see how far we could take our sound as Death From...
Hartke Now Shipping the HD500 Bass Combo Amp
Introduced earlier this year, Hartke’s new HD500 Bass Combo is now shipping. The 35-pound combo is loaded with a pair of their HyDrive 10-inch drivers for 500 watts of power. “The HD500 features Hartke’s patented HyDrive speakers that transformed speaker technology by blending paper and aluminum materials into a speaker cone that produces an exceptional blend of warmth and attack...
Binkbeats: Little Nerves
I just discovered the artist known as Binkbeats, and I was glad I did. The producer/multi-instrumentalist handles bass, keyboards, and percussion on this tune, “Little Nerves,” and is joined by keyboardist Niels Broos on the tune. If you did this, you might want to check out his album, P.M.P.U. Part 1, which comes out next month.
Mike Gordon Releases OGOGO, Readies Fall Tour
Mike Gordon’s fifth solo album, OGOGO, is now available. The Phish bassist tapped longtime partners Scott Murawski (guitar/vocals), Robert Walter (keyboards), John Morgan Kimock (drums) and Craig Myers (percussion) for the record, although it wasn’t the same old recording session for the musicians. Producer Shawn Everett helped to coax new sounds out of them. “All five of us decided not...
Electro-Harmonix Introduces the Superego+ Synth Engine / Multi Effect Pedal
Electro-Harmonix has added some features to their Superego pedal to create the Superego+. The new unit takes the synth engine and adds a multi-effects section with 11 built-in effects plus an expression input and an external jack for a three-button controller. The 11 effects are Detune, Delay, Echo, Flange, Phase, Mod, Rotary, Trem 1, Trem 2, Pitch, and Filter. “The...