Bass Player

Remembering Chris Squire – the bass pioneer who redefined the instrument in the ‘70s with prog icons Yes

By Joel McIver published 19 August 22

Seven years since his death and half a century since his band Yes released their masterpiece, Close to the Edge, the influence of Chris Squire is felt as keenly as ever

Megadeth’s Kiko Loureiro names the best bass players he’s ever played with

By Matt Owen published 18 August 22

The shredder draws from a long list of collaborators new and old and reveals the six low-end legends who he considers to be the best bassists he's collaborated with

Becos CIQ5 CompIQ Pro Stella Compressor review

By Steve Lawson published 18 August 22

With a comprehensive set of controls over your dynamics, Stella is a pro-quality tone-sweetener that offers studio-quality compression for your pedalboard

Taylor Hawkins performs with the Foo Fighters at Parque Fundidora on November 12, 2021 in Monterrey, Mexico

How to watch the all-star Taylor Hawkins tribute concert at Wembley Stadium

By Jackson Maxwell published 17 August 22

Streaming and broadcast details of the September 3 tribute show – which will feature members of AC/DC, Rush, Queen, Metallica and Led Zeppelin – have been announced

Darkglass Aggressively Distorting Advanced Machine on a pink background

Best distortion pedals for bass 2022: thicken up your low end with these aggressive bass stompboxes

By Richard Blenkinsop published 17 August 22

Browse our choice of the gnarliest distortion pedals for bass from Darkglass, Fender, Source Audio and more

Bass Player magazine to close, as brand moves fully online

By Bass Player Staff published 17 August 22

Bass Player print mag is dead. Long live Bass Player online!

Holly Montgomery: “Playing John Paul Jones’s basslines and singing Robert Plant’s lyrics is no joke”

By Ellen O'Reilly published 16 August 22

Running two bands on opposite sides of America is all in a day’s work for Holly Montgomery, who tells us “I have a little bit of a strange career right now.”

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