Buzz
Fender Now Shipping the Justin Meldal-Johnsen Road Worn Mustang Bass
After previewing it at the Summer NAMM Show, Fender is now shipping the Justin Meldal-Johnsen Road Worn Mustang Bass. Modeled exactly after the Beck bassist’s own 1966 Daphne Blue Mustang, the short-scale bass features a maple neck, a road worn finish, and a custom-spec pickup. “As a player and producer, I feel strongly about the unique timbre, functionality and pure...
Dylan DeBiase: Sick Of This Earth
Dylan DeBiase sent us this video saying, “I wanted to send you a video of an original song that is very near and dear to my heart.” The tune is “Sick Of This Earth,” which features some terrific bass playing and vocals.
Black Sabbath’s Final Concert Documented in “The End”
Black Sabbath ended their career on a high note in Birmingham earlier this year in a tour they aptly called The End. Now the band’s final concert – featuring original members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler – is available to fans who couldn’t be there. Available in DVD, CD, and vinyl formats, the emotionally charged concert is packed...
Steve Lawson: The Legacy (Fretless Funk)
My good friend Steve Lawson shared this video a couple of days ago, which is the first to feature his new Signature Elrick Gold Series SLC 6-string fretless bass. “Something a little funky for you – the full video introducing my beautiful new Elrick Bass Guitars, Ltd. Fretless – this also makes pretty extensive use of the MOD Devices MOD...
How To Play Relaxed While Getting a Good Sound
Q: When I listen to people playing bass, I always notice two things: 1) They play relaxed with their right hand and don’t use a lot of force and 2) while they do this, they STILL get a good volume and tone. When I play bass, I use quite a bit of force with my right hand (plucking) because when...
Tony Senatore: Shapla
Tony Senatore is a 12-string bass expert, which is why he released his DVD, A 12-string Bass X-ploration several years ago. Diving into lessons on how to utilize the instrument in bass and melodic functions, the footage also includes three music videos. Senatore recently released one of the music videos for “Shapla,” and it’s a beast. The song is a...
G&H Plugs Introduces GreyBLES: Expressionz Cables
G&H Plugs has unveiled the GreyBLES: Expressionz line of cables. Described as having an “expressive sound that’s highly responsive,” the cables are a mix of traditional and modern design. “This cable has been traditionally designed with soldered sound technology, minimizing signal loss and distortion as sound passes through the plugs copper core into the copper core of the cable,” the...
Ibanez and Thundercat Team Up For The TCB1006 Bass
Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner has been turning heads for years, including when he debuted his signature Ibanez hollow-body bass on stage a few years ago. Now Ibanez and the bassist have teamed up to release the bass as a model in the company’s lineup. Made in the company’s Japanese workshop, the TCB1006 is a six-string built with a five-piece maple and...
Melissa Walker and Christian McBride: Just One of Those Things
Kevin has been filling my inbox with some stellar bass videos lately. Here’s another, with bassist Christian McBride and vocalist Melissa Walker performing “Just One of Those Things” on WBGO’s “Singers Unlimited” show. Christian is such a beast.
Iron Maiden Releases “The Book of Souls: Live Chapter”
Iron Maiden has been busy touring the world for the last two years. Now fans can relive the experience with The Book of Souls: Live Chapter, featuring fifteen songs recorded during the tour in 2016 and 2017. Anchored and co-produced by Steve Harris, the band plays through six songs from their album Book of Souls as well as other classics...
Bass of the Week: Fast Guitars Intrepid
This week we’re checking out the Intrepid bass from Fast Guitars. Available in four-, five-, or six-string versions, the model features a lightweight chambered body with a long-tenon neck joint. “Our neck joints are as tight and precise as any other type of neck joint. With a tapered tenon, the string tension will only tighten the joint rather than pull...
Talking Technique: Switching Drills for 4, 5, and 6 String Basses
Switch much? If you find yourself switching between four-, five- and six-string basses a lot, or even just between different bass models, here’s a lesson for getting comfortable with whatever bass, fast. Playing different instruments is like driving a different brand new car. It takes time to get comfortable and settle in. If you find yourself switching around, try these...