Jim Roberts

Jim Roberts was the founding editor of Bass Player and also served as the magazine’s

publisher and group publisher. He is the author of How The Fender Bass Changed The World

and American Basses: An Illustrated History & Player’s Guide, both published by Backbeat

Books/Hal Leonard.

Latest articles by Jim Roberts

Leland Sklar performs onstage during the Wild Honey's tribute to Warren Zevon at The Granada Theatre on September 27, 2025 in Santa Barbara, California

Lee Sklar shares his secrets for finding the perfect groove in the studio

By Jim Roberts published

Sklar has played on over 2,500 albums – not bad for someone who claims, “I never had any intention of becoming a studio player”

Bassists
Michael Anthony bassist for Van Halen performs at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome during the Monsters of Rock concert in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 13, 1988.

Described as the 4-string equivalent of painting with a sledgehammer, Van Halen’s Ultra Bass was not your typical bass solo

By Jim Roberts published

Michael Anthony’s Yamaha BB2000 would get rebuilt after every show following his foundation-shaking solo spot

Bassists
James Brown 1971 during James Brown File Photos in London, United Kingdom.

The bassists of James Brown reveal what life was really like playing alongside the Godfather of Soul

By Jim Roberts published

Fred Thomas, Ray Brundidge and Bootsy Collins dig into what it meant to play with Soul Band No. 1

Bassists
Jazz Musician Charlie Haden with His Bass

"Imagine Cream with Bill Frisell on guitar and Charlie Haden on bass": Charlie Haden's guide to his best work, from jazz to blues and beyond

By Jim Roberts published

In 1996, the legendary jazz bassist gave us a guide on where to start with his enormous and tremendous body of work

Bassists
June 1992: American jazz musician Charlie Haden poses for a portrait in June 1992 in New York City, New Yor

“I had been warned I might be shot immediately but I decided to do it anyway": The unstoppable Charlie Haden

By Jim Roberts published

One from the archive: Bass Player’s July 1991 profile of legendary jazz bassist Charlie Hayden

Bassists