Joel McIver

Joel McIver

Joel McIver was the Editor of Bass Player magazine from 2018 to 2022, having spent six years before that editing Bass Guitar magazine. A journalist with 25 years' experience in the music field, he's also the author of 35 books, a couple of bestsellers among them. He regularly appears on podcasts, radio and TV.

Latest articles by Joel McIver

Rickenbacker Al Cisneros 4003 AC review

Rickenbacker Al Cisneros 4003 AC review

By Joel McIver published

Sleep and OM bassist Al Cisneros is one a very short list of bassists with a signature Rickenbacker, and it is smokin' hot!

Bass Guitars
Billy Sheehan: "I love playing. I can sit down for three hours and have a one-man party on the bass"

Billy Sheehan: "I never considered I had any natural talent at all. I just had a burning desire to play"

By Joel McIver published

Guest editor and lord of the low-end, Sheehan talks complex arrangements, gear essentials and low-carb diets

Bassists
Mike Watt: "I think there’s something about using the bass as a composition tool. Why only compose on a piano or a guitar?"

Mike Watt: "There’s something about using the bass as a composition tool. Why only compose on a piano or a guitar?"

By Joel McIver published

The Minuteman punk icon talks signature models, trying to be funky, and starting out on bass not knowing what it was

Bassists
Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers

Flea: "Playing bass gets you into this hypnotic state - you’re not thinking because you’re just a conduit for the rhythm"

By Joel McIver published

The iconic Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist discusses philosophy, gear and his new autobiography, Acid For The Children

Bassists
Skyler Acord of Issues performs live with his Spector signature bass

Issues bassist Skyler Acord details his funk-informed metalcore approach and tricked-out signature Spector bass

By Joel McIver published

Ever been so deep into your music that you’ve lost your grip on reality? Meet Issues bassist Skyler Acord, newly equipped with a state-of-the-art signature Spector bass – and stand clear

Bassists
Steve Harris: "Whether you’re playing for 200 or 200,000 people, you still give 110 per cent"

Iron Maiden's Steve Harris talks British Lion, songwriting, and why his SansAmp is a carry-on essential when touring

By Joel McIver published

"Whether the crowd is 200 or 200,000 people, there’s no difference - I still give 110 per cent wherever I'm playing"

Bassists
Reggie ‘Fieldy’ Arvizu interview: "We've never struggled to have enough low-end"

Korn's Fieldy: "I want it to be an almost percussion-sounding instrument rather than a bass"

By Joel McIver published

Reginald Arvizu fields your questions, shares his low-end theories, and explains why the Ibanez K-5 became his number one bass

Bassists
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