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Gone Fishing Effects Only the Dead… effects pedal

“Angry, aggressive, loud and brutal”: Combined, these 36 fuzz pedals are a literal work of art – individually, they sound terrifying

By Michael Astley-Brown published

Only the Dead… is the latest jaw-dropping stompbox from Gone Fishing Effects – the brainchild of guitar tech to the stars Richard ‘Churd’ Pratt

Bass player Bob Babbitt poses during a private photo shoot on April 20, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“You played on Midnight Train to Georgia? You don’t need no other credits!” How Bob Babbitt bolstered a ‘70s soul classic with a touch of James Jamerson

By Chris Jisi published

A graduate of “Motown Funk University,” Babbitt said that he took from James Jamerson, but rightly so: “he was the original”

Electro-Harmonix Pico

“The most ambitious pedal release I’ve undertaken since first opening shop”: The mini pedal market will never be the same again as Electro-Harmonix drops its all-new Pico lineup in its entirety

By Matt Owen published

Downsizing some of Mike Matthews and co's most celebrated effects, EHX's sizable shake-up of the status quo ushers in the arrival of ultra-powerful units and all-new effects

Boss Katana-Air EX

Boss stakes its claim for the biggest-sounding desktop amp yet as the wireless Katana-Air gets an overhaul

By Matt Owen published

For the first time since 2018, the firm’s Katana-Air receives a much-deserved upgrade – and the new-for-2023 Katana-Air EX takes the platform to new heights

Ashdown CTM-15

“Red-blooded overdrive without shaking the foundations”: Is Ashdown's upgraded CTM-15 desktop bass amp the ultimate recording rig for tube fans?

By Nick Wells published

A “low-wattage powerhouse,” the Ashdown CTM-15 now features a built-in load and headphone output

HeadRush Core

The ultimate all-in-one guitar and vocal rig? HeadRush continues its assault on the modeling market with amp-cloning, Auto-Tune-loaded Core FX processor

By Matt Owen published

Streamlined version of the brand's feature-packed Prime amp modeler and multi-FX unit might just have Line 6 and Neural DSP looking over their shoulder

Gibson Gene Simmons EB-0

“Gene Simmons is breaking ground again”: Gibson unveils second signature bass guitar for the Kiss icon – and it’s the brand’s first 30.5” scale custom shop model

By Matt Owen published

Following Simmons' G² Thunderbird model from last year, the limited-edition EB-0 is based on the bassist's heavily modded '59 example, which he used throughout the 1970s

Fender Vintera II collection of electric guitars

“A harmonious chord between tradition and evolution”: Fender debuts the Vintera II Series – bringing back the Bass VI, a Nirvana-inspired Mustang and a wealth of vintage-spec’d models

By Matt Owen published

A Nocaster and Kurt Cobain-esque Competition Mustang line up alongside a new suite of Strats, Teles, Jazzmasters and Jags, all of which aim to give modern players access to Golden Era guitars – complete with the return of rosewood fretboards

Dave Roe

“The bass world has lost a giant”: Dave Roe, the all-rounder who played with Johnny Cash, has died aged 71

By Nick Wells published

As the last member of the Tennessee Three, Dave Roe defined the groove of Nashville's country music scene

Victor Wooten Promotes His New CD "Soul Circus" and Fodera Bass - November 6, 2005 at O-East in Tokyo, Japan.

“The best way to get the bass sound I wanted was to play like Larry Graham. But it wasn’t fast enough for me”: Victor Wooten sums up his game-changing slap technique

By Nick Wells published

Victor Wooten’s double thumb technique is unlike any other – and he has Larry Graham to thank

Earl Slick and David Bowie

“David united us in a truly special way. I am sure he would have loved this album”: David Bowie’s key collaborators have formed a new band – hear KillerStar's debut single

By Matt Owen published

With Earl Slick on guitar and Gail Ann Dorsey on bass, KillerStar unites figures from across Ziggy Stardust's career. But as the band explains, this project is “something altogether new and exciting”

Gretsch G2220 Electromatic Jet Bass guitar on a black background

Best budget bass guitars 2023: our top pick of basses under $500/£500

By Richard Blenkinsop last updated

Need to tackle the low-end on a budget? Not to worry, our experts have run the rule over our favourite bass guitars that come in under $500/£500

Island Life, A Celebration To Mark The 50Th Anniversary Of Island Records, Shepherds Bush Empire, London, Britain - 28 May 2009, Tom Tom Club - Tina Weymouth

“I understand the Phil Spector wall-of-sound thing, but there comes a point where less is more”: How Tina Weymouth came up with her unforgettable bass riff on Talking Heads’ Once In A Lifetime

By Joel McIver published

With a career heading back as far as the 70s, Tina Weymouth never strayed far from the cutting edge of cool – just don't ask her about Jaco Pastorius

Fender Suona Jazz Bass Thinline, Telecaster Thinline and Stratocaster Thinline

“The perfect blend of tradition and innovation”: Fender releases all-new Suona Collection of Thinline Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazz Bass models

By Matt Owen published

The elegant limited-edition instruments arrive with Violin Burst finishes, color-matched headstocks and an Eric Johnson flair thanks to the semi-hollow construction

Les Claypool

“If I wanted to play like Geddy Lee I’d play a black-and-white Rickenbacker”: Les Claypool on his bass collection, and the Rickenbacker he bought from John Entwistle

By Joel McIver published

The Primus frontman has employed a range of instruments during his career, including a Dobro bass and the famous one-string Whamola

Paul McCartney's Guitar String

Is this the world’s most expensive guitar string? An Epiphone string Paul McCartney used to record the Beatles’ Rubber Soul is expected to fetch over $5,000 at auction

By Jonathan Horsley published

We often talk about the over-heated vintage guitar market, but the madness has come for secondhand strings now Macca’s is headed to the auction block

John 5 and Nikki Sixx

“It was obvious: John was the guy... we didn’t choose this, but since we had to be put in this position, we’re very happy with where we’re at”: Nikki Sixx opens up on the crisis talks to replace Mick Mars and how John 5 has re-energized Mötley Crüe

By Joe Bosso published

The Mötley Crüe bassist offers his own insight into the “horrible situation” that faced the Los Angeles rock stalwarts upon Mars’ departure, and how they rebuilt the band with the help of their hot-shot new guitarist

Fender ACB 50

Fender Adam Clayton ACB 50 review – Fender’s first-ever signature bass amp is a greatest hits of all-tube tones

By Nick Wells published

Designed in conjunction with U2’s Adam Clayton, the ACB 50 is Fender’s first all-tube bass combo amp for over four decades – we put it through its paces

Boss NS-1X Noise Supressor

Boss releases its first noise suppressor pedal since 1987 – and it’s not just for high-gain metal and djent

By Jonathan Horsley published

The NS-1X uses Multi-Dimensional Processing to kill noise without killing dynamics, and has a trio of modes to suit your style

Close up of a fretless bass guitar on a white background

Best fretless basses 2023: get more vibrato and texture from your bass guitar

By Richard Blenkinsop published

From electric to acoustic, modern to vintage, we take a look at the best fretless basses on offer