Nick Wells

Nick Wells

Writer

Nick Wells was the Editor of Bass Guitar magazine from 2009 to 2011, before making strides into the world of Artist Relations with Sheldon Dingwall and Dingwall Guitars. He's also the producer of bass-centric documentaries, Walking the Changes and Beneath the Bassline, as well as Production Manager and Artist Liaison for ScottsBassLessons. In his free time, you'll find him jumping around his bedroom to Kool & The Gang while hammering the life out of his P-Bass.

Articles by: Nick Wells

Nathan East of Toto performs live during their 35th Anniversary Tour at the Nippon Budokan on April 28, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

“It’s Chuck Rainey’s concept of ‘what you don’t play is as important as what you do play’”: After decades of studio sessions with artists ranging from Eric Clapton to Usher, Nathan East reflects on the business of bass

By Nick Wells published

Nathan East looks back at some of his biggest tracks, and why he’d love to have a career like Pat Metheny or Marcus Miller

Steve Harris, bassist and songwriter of The British metal band Iron Maiden, performed with the band to a sold out crowd Feb. 19, 08 at The Forum in Inglewood, Ca.

“I grow the nails on my right hand as long as I can, so I can get that trebly sound”: Steve Harris delivered one of the coolest bass guitar intros in the history of metal on Iron Maiden’s Wrathchild

By Nick Wells published

Every would-be metalhead should learn from the best: Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris

Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart of Rush performs on stage during the R40 LIVE Tour at KeyArena on July 19, 2015 in Seattle, Washington.

“He’d pull off bass riffs that were just amazing – he doesn’t just follow the roots”: Listen to Geddy Lee’s “flamenco” strumming technique on Rush’s Snakes & Arrows

By Nick Wells published

Geddy Lee’s signature sounds abound on Snakes and Arrows, but was there a new twist in his bass playing?

Verdine White of Earth Wind and Fire performs on stage at Norh Sea Jazz Festival at Ahoy on July 14, 2018 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

“It’s one of my favorite basslines. I don’t know how I came up with it – doing the session was like floating in space”: Verdine White picks his top 5 Earth, Wind & Fire basslines

By Nick Wells published

Earth, Wind and Fire’s pocket-perfect bassist names his best basslines

Geezer Butler

“It was always magical playing bass with Tony Iommi. To me, he's the greatest guitarist ever”: Geezer Butler’s 10 best basslines with Black Sabbath

By Nick Wells published

When it comes to influential metal bands, few can hold a candle to Black Sabbath. These are Geezer Butler’s 10 heaviest rock riffs

Generation Z Female Music Band On Rehearsal

How to play bass guitar for beginners: start playing today

By Nick Wells published

From basic finger techniques to slap bass, here’s what you need to get started on your bass guitar journey

Jaco Pastorious, portrait, c 1975

“He already had his signature tone and touch, and a few of his signature licks, too”: A year before he was discovered, Jaco Pastorius laid down this classic R&B bassline on Little Beaver’s 1974 hit, I Can Dig It Baby

By Nick Wells published

Recorded a year before he was discovered by Blood Sweat and Tears drummer Bobby Colomby, I Can Dig It Baby finds Jaco Pastorius in his prime

Singer Robert Plant and John Paul Jones (playing a triple-necked guitar) of the rock band "Led Zeppelin" perform onstage at Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California.

“I’d be there with bass pedals, a triple-neck guitar and keyboards, and Robert Plant would ask, ‘Can you sing, as well?’” How John Paul Jones became Led Zeppelin’s ultimate wingman

By Nick Wells published

Armed with years of experience as a session bassist and arranger – having worked with the Yardbirds, Jeff Beck and the Rolling Stones – John Paul Jones could do it all

Wayne Shorter, Alex Acuna, Jaco Pastorius, Joe Zawinul, Chester Thompson - posed, studio, group shot

“I totally respected Jaco's bass playing, but that 16th-note triplet funk thing – it just wasn't in his repertoire”: Weather Report drummer Chester Thompson on why Jaco Pastorius struggled to swing

By Nick Wells published

In 1975, Jaco Pastorius replaced Alphonso Johnson in Weather Report, but for drummer Chester Thompson, playing with Jaco was “like oil and water”

Jacob Umansky onstage with Intervals

“I gravitate more towards Victor Wooten than the straight-up shredding of Billy Sheehan, but I’ve ripped pages from both books”: Jacob Umansky unpacks the origins of his cutting-edge slap technique

By Nick Wells published

How the Intervals and JIA bassist powered up his slap technique – with the help of Victor Wooten and Billy Sheehan

Epiphone Thunderbird '64

“It can sound funky, but, as a full-on rock bass – whacked with the heaviest pick you can find – is when it’s in its element”: Epiphone Thunderbird ’64 review

By Nick Wells published

It’s often said that they don’t make ‘em like they used to. Well, Epiphone are on a mission to prove that old chestnut wrong

Lollar DC J-Bass pickups

Classic Jazz Bass tones minus the buzz? Lollar’s new hum-cancelling pickup offers a “fuller bass sound that’s still vintage-faithful”

By Nick Wells published

Lollar’s new DC J-Bass pickups are designed to help reduce noise and add “clarity, presence, and punch” to your low-end tone

Ashdown OriginAL-EVO-C112T

“A groundbreaking innovation in the realm of bass amplifiers”: Is Ashdown's latest combo its best lightweight bass amp yet?

By Nick Wells published

The OriginAL-EVO-C112T is designed to offer power and projection without incurring the need for a back specialist into the bargain

Ringo Starr (playing Ludwig drum kit, drums) and Paul McCartney (playing a Hofner 500/1 violin bass guitar) of English rock and pop group The Beatles perform together on stage for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) music television show 'Shindig!' at Granville Studios in Fulham, London on 3rd October 1964. The band would play three songs on the show, Kansas City/hey-Hey-Hey!, I'm a Loser and Boys.

“I think Sgt Pepper was a ‘prize period’ when I was playing my best bass”: Paul McCartney’s 10 best basslines with The Beatles

By Nick Wells published

Paul McCartney is, to state the obvious, a bass guitar legend – and these are his 10 best basslines

Bass player John Garrison peforms on NBC's "Today" at NBC's TODAY Show on September 16, 2013 in New York City.

“Thom Yorke called Colin Greenwood the secret weapon to Radiohead, and I think he was right”: John Garrison on the 5 bass albums that shaped his sound

By Nick Wells published

John Garrison, currently holding down the low-end with pop swooner James Blunt, talks us through his top 5 bass albums

Bassist Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers performs at Allegiant Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The White Album was the first thing that I connected with as a kid”: Flea picks his top 5 ‘desert island’ discs

By Nick Wells published

The Red Hot Chili Pepper was also asked to name his dream supergroup. Safe to say he picked himself on bass

Rock and roll band "The Beatles" perform onstage at the Cavern Club on August 22, 1962.(L-R) George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon.

“Paul wants it to be fixed up, so he can play it… He was excited as a school boy”: Paul McCartney’s long-lost Höfner violin bass has been found after 50 years

By Nick Wells published

Paul McCartney has been reunited with “the most important bass guitar in history”, which vanished after the Beatles split up – and was unearthed in an English attic

Stu Hamm performs onstage during Give Back Through Music's Leslie West Tribute Concert at The Canyon Club on January 23, 2024 in Agoura Hills, California.

“I was never a huge Led Zeppelin fan, but I always loved that song, and the open strings just set it up for bass”: Watch Stuart Hamm’s bass arrangement of Led Zeppelin’s Going to California

By Nick Wells published

Stuart Hamm walks you through the highlights of his fifth solo album, including a bass arrangement of a John Paul Jones classic

Dave Edwards onstage with August Charles

“Cheap instruments can be amazing and expensive ones can be totally wrong. Don't let the price tag fool you.” London bassist Dave Edwards on the beauty of his Aria Pro-II Precise Bass

By Nick Wells published

Dave Edwards on the merits of his late ‘70s “old-school Fender copy”, and the Peter Gabriel bassline he wished he’d written

Aston "Family Man" Barrett of The Wailers performs live for fans at the 2016 Byron Bay Bluesfest on March 27, 2016 in Byron Bay, Australia.

“His sound was reggae. He was an utterly beautiful force”: Tributes paid to Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, who has died aged 77

By Nick Wells published

Ziggy Marley, Flea, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, and many more pay tribute to Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, bassist and bandleader of Bob Marley and the Wailers

Melissa Auf Der Maur performs at Highline Ballroom on March 3, 2011 in New York City.

“It's a disgrace to the bass player in me, but it's hard to write on the bass. Playing power chords on a guitar is much easier”: Melissa Auf der Maur looks back on a life in rock

By Nick Wells published

As the bass player for Hole and Smashing Pumpkins Melissa Auf Der Maur helped define the sounds of alternative music in the 90s

American guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) seated in centre with, on left, drummer Mitch Mitchell (1946-2008) and, on right, bassist Noel Redding (1945-2003) of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, in London circa August 1967.

“Jimi was a genius guitarist, but the recording sessions were chaos, and onstage, it was getting ridiculous”: Why Noel Redding quit the Jimi Hendrix Experience

By Nick Wells published

After a show in Denver on June 29, 1969, bassist Noel Redding brought an end to one of rock's greatest trios

Ernie Ball Music Man Joe Dart III

NAMM 2024: Ernie Ball Music Man just introduced the final instalment in the Joe Dart Artist Series… and it sold out in seconds

By Nick Wells published

Ernie Ball’s collaboration with Vulfpeck’s Joe Dart continues with this fresh take on Dart’s go-to short-scale P-Bass

Preston Crump

“Slap bass got too technical. I stopped when it became all about triplets”: Preston Crump on gaining fame with Outkast and why he stopped playing slap bass

By Nick Wells last updated

Atlanta bass originator Preston Crump has supplied the low-end for the likes of Outkast, Dr Dre and Cee Lo Green

Elvis Costello, Bruce Thomas, Pete Thomas, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Jazz Bilzen Festival, Bilzen, Belgium, 11/08/1977.

“Some bass parts are functional and some are creative: you don’t need to play Rachmaninoff when the band wants Al Green”: The man behind Elvis Costello’s finest albums recalls his life as a main Attraction

By Nick Wells published

Bruce Thomas, once of Elvis Costello’s backing band, the Attractions, recounts his career