Bass Player

Orange Amplification updates its O Bass series of single-cut, retro bass guitars

By Jonathan Horsley published 15 August 22

Simplicity is the name of the game with these single-pickup basses, which arrive with an updated okoume build, a choice of Orange and Black finishes, and trio of pickguard options

Norm Stockton: “I’ve always strived to make my music something that speaks to the heart”

By Bass Player Staff published 15 August 22

Few bass players have covered as much territory as the great Norm Stockton. Here, he looks back on five key releases that chart his progression as a musician

David Ellefson on Megadeth ouster: “You find out who your friends are… pretty fking quick when the st hits the fan”

By Matt Parker published 12 August 22

The former Megadeth man has been talking about his journey on the “rock and roll rocket ship”

Alex Lifeson (far left) and Geddy Lee of the band Rush, and Matt Stone (background) perform at The South Park 25th Anniversary Concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 10, 2022 in Morrison, Colorado

Watch Rush’s Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee reunite to perform Closer to the Heart, with South Park creator Matt Stone on drums

By Jackson Maxwell published 11 August 22

The surprise reunion took place earlier this week at South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado

Five models from Squier's new 40th Anniversary Collection of guitars and basses

Fender celebrates 40 years of Squier in style with the official launch of 10 lavish anniversary models

By Sam Roche published 10 August 22

First announced in January, the new 40th Anniversary Collection pays homage to five classic Fender designs, each with Gold and Vintage Editions

The Pogues “saddened beyond words” following the death of bassist Darryl Hunt, aged 72

By Matt Parker published 10 August 22

The bass player joined the band in 1986 ahead of their hit album If I Should Fall From Grace

Alex Lifeson, Bumblefoot and Eric Johnson all appear on Jeff Berlin's album Jack Songs

Jeff Berlin releases Jack Bruce tribute album featuring guitar solos from Alex Lifeson, Bumblefoot and Eric Johnson

By Matt Parker published 5 August 22

The star-studded tribute record, Jack Songs, has been a long time coming but the bass hero says it’s now available to order

Spector NS Dimension 4SFB review

By Kevin Sanders published 5 August 22

Multi-scale, super-playable, with a build quality to match, the NS Dimension has it all going on...

The story of Gibson’s Thunderbird – the tricky, difficult but brilliant design that modernized bass guitar

By Rod Brakes published 28 July 22

This Thumpin' Thursday, let’s go way back to trace the history of an iconic bass with a body shape that remains radical to this day

David Ellefson and Jeff Young to play classic Megadeth albums in their entirety on tour this fall

By Jackson Maxwell published 27 July 22

Under the name the Kings of Thrash, the two will perform Killing is My Business… and Business is Good! and So Far, So Good… So What! in full

Bass Player meets Metallica: Robert Trujillo salutes our cover star Cliff Burton

By Joel McIver published 27 July 22

We explore the Burton legend, reveal the secrets of his playing and head to Sweden to visit the new Cliff museum

Bass guitar leaning against a Boss bass amp

Best budget bass amps 2022: punchy low-end for a low price

By Richard Blenkinsop published 26 July 22

Keep your low end punchy and your bank balance healthy with our pick of the best budget bass amps

Ashdown unveils the LB-30 2.N, a bass tube amp head loaded with Two Notes Torpedo IR cab emulator technology

By Jonathan Horsley published 25 July 22

Classic tube warmth meets digital functionality in this IR-equipped 30-watt bass head

Cliff Burton’s estate launches Burton: Cliff ‘Em All limited-edition IPA beer

By Sam Roche published 21 July 22

Bell-bottoms up! A portion of proceeds from the “crushable” IPA will go towards the late Metallica bassist's scholarship foundation to support young musicians

Paul Ryder of Happy Mondays performs on stage at O2 Academy Glasgow on November 15, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland

Paul Ryder, Happy Mondays bassist and co-founder, dies at 58

By Jackson Maxwell published 15 July 22

Ryder's propulsive, fluid low-end work was an integral part of the band's sound, and that of the hugely influential Madchester scene as a whole

Flattley Bass Chief and Bass Poison Ivy review

By Joel McIver published 14 July 22

Gnarly overdrive and fuzz options for the bass player's pedalboard, with sounds as good as the enclosures look

David Ellefson performs with Megadeth at the Bloodstock Festival at Catton Hall on August 13, 2017 in Burton Upon Trent, England

Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson forms new band, Dieth

By Jackson Maxwell published 13 July 22

Also featuring former Entombed A.D. guitarist/vocalist Guilherme Miranda and former Decapitated drummer Michal Łysejko, the band have premiered their debut single, In the Hall of the Hanging Serpents

Dave Young: “When you were forced to transcribe stuff from records, that taught you something. It developed your ear and your sense of songwriting”

By Joel McIver published 13 July 22

The Canadian jazz bass stalwart reflects on his roots as a bass player, working with Oscar Peterson and what technology has taken from learners

Rex Brown with his new signature Gibson Thunderbird bass

Gibson teams up with Pantera's Rex Brown for new signature Thunderbird bass guitar

By Jackson Maxwell published 12 July 22

The metal bass titan's new signature four-string sports luxurious gold hardware, two "Rexbucker" Thunderbird pickups and a master tone knob with push/pull active/passive switching

Bassbaba Sumon on overcoming relentless setbacks, studying Stu Hamm and bringing Bengali scales to rock bass

By Joel McIver published 11 July 22

The Bangladeshi bass icon has survived multiple bouts of cancer, a near-fatal road accident and a stroke, but is still performing at the top of his domestic music industry