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Herbie Flowers playing double bass

British bass legend Herbie Flowers, best known for his work with David Bowie and Paul McCartney, dies aged 86

By Janelle Borg published

Flowers recorded over 20,000 sessions and his distinctive jazz-informed bass heavily features on Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side and Bowie's Space Oddity

Tony Levin

For the King Crimson-channeling Beat tour, Tony Levin is a virtuoso among virtuosos

By Andrew Daly published

The bass icon on how he’s being challenged by parts he wrote, changing classic tracks – and when his Funk Fingers will make their next appearance

British Rock musicians Paul McCartney (left) and John Lennon (1940 - 1980), of the group the Beatles, perform on the set of 'The Ed Sullivan Show' at CBS's Studio 50, New York, New York, February 8, 1964.

“I couldn’t work with Lennon and McCartney. I’d end up being beaten to death”: Back in 2011 we locked horns with Lemmy

By Nick Wells published

In a world full of rock ’n’ roll poseurs, Motörhead's hard-living bassist, Lemmy Kilmister, was a true original

John Fisher of the band Fishbone performs at Old Forester's Paristown Hall on August 26, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Fishbone’s Norwood Fisher names his 10 best basslines

By Chris Jisi published

The most iconic bass riffs in Fishbone’s catalog, according to Norwood Fisher himself

American bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding performs at North Sea Jazz festival, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 10th July 2016.

Esperanza Spalding on jamming with Prince, and the stunning upset of Justin Bieber

By Chris Jisi published

A support slot with Prince set the stage for Esperanza Spalding’s 2011 Grammy win and a whole new level of recognition

American heavy metal band Metallica performing live at Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, on 10 February, 2018

How a late-night drinking session with Lars Ulrich almost ruined Robert Trujillo’s Metallica try-out

By Nick Wells published

Robert Trujillo was announced as Metallica's new bassist on February 24, 2003, following a two-day try-out for the metal giants

Harley Benton DNAfx Git Core

Harley Benton scales down its flagship floor modeler – and the versatile DNAfx GiT Core costs just $98

By Phil Weller published

Featuring a wealth of amp models, IRs and effects, the DNAfx GiT Core makes digital modeling accessible for all

The Warning's Daniela and Ale Villarreal Velez onstage with a purple PRS guitar and blue bass respectively

Following mega-tours with Muse and Royal Blood, sister act The Warning are riff rock’s next big success story

By Joe Bosso published

From Metallica covers to U.S. network television and a searing third album powered by the creative heat of fuzz and distortion, Daniela and Alejandra Villarreal Vélez are going places fast, and hungry for more

Left-Bass player Eric Avery of the band's Garbage and Janes Addiction performs onstage during KROQ's Weenie Roast at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre on May 14, 2016 in Irvine, California; Right-Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins performs at Lucca Summer Festival on July 06, 2024 in Lucca, Italy

Jane’s Addiction bassist Eric Avery reflects on his brief stint with the Smashing Pumpkins and what he learned from Billy Corgan

By Janelle Borg published

Avery briefly worked with Corgan on what would later become the Pumpkins’ seventh album, Zeitgeist

A compilation image of Tony Levin, Peter Gabriel and Sting performing onstage

Tony Levin explains his Funk Fingers appendages – and the rivalry they sparked with Peter Gabriel

By Matt Parker published

The bass icon says the Funk Fingers are at the heart of an ongoing argument about the performance of Big Time

Left-Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. performs at The Regency Ballroom on December 09, 2022 in San Francisco, California; Right-David Gilmour performs live on stage at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2016 in New York City

W.A.S.P.’s Blackie Lawless on the invaluable advice he received from David Gilmour

By Janelle Borg published

Lawless has also revealed why he had to switch to bass for the band's first two albums

Bob Glaub performs at the RockGodz Hall Of Fame Annual Induction Ceremony at The Canyon Club on October 27, 2019 in Agoura Hills, California.

“I’m like the power forward on a basketball team”: Bob Glaub might be the most famous bass player you’ve never heard of

By Nick Wells published

Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, Stevie Nicks and oh so many more: for 50 years, Bob Glaub has kept things moving on hit after hit

Recording artist Raphael Saadiq performs onstage at the Keep Memory Alive foundation's "Power of Love Gala" celebrating Muhammad Ali's 70th birthday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena February 18, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Raphael Saadiq on playing with Prince, D'Angelo and the “dead” 1962 Fender that put the vintage in Instant Vintage

By Chris Jisi published

The Tony! Toni! Toné! trailblazer created a whole new rhythm section style on his 2002 solo debut

Mick Karn and David Sylvian of Japan perform on stage at Hammmersmith Odeon on May 17th, 1981 in London, England.

The late Mick Karn on his first tour with David Torn and Bill Bruford

By Bill Leigh published

Few electric bassists have a style as singular and strong as Japan’s fretless sorcerer

Two Ibanez metal basses lying on a dark floor

Best basses for metal 2024: our selection of the best basses for heavy music across all budgets

By Chris Corfield last updated

From Rickenbacker to Ibanez and Schecter, our picks of the best metal basses will help you sound heavier than ever before

Keanu Reeves filming Fender documentary Don't Quit Your Day Dream

Keanu Reeves’ new Fender Custom Shop P-Bass inspired an all-new circuit called “the Keanu wiring”

By Phil Weller published

The actor's new instrument is full of some intriguing personalizations, and offers a fresh take on the classic sunburst finish

Chris Wood performs during the Festival Jazz A La Villette 2011 at Cite de la Musique on September 11, 2011 in Paris, France.

Chris Wood unpacks his playing – both schooled and unschooled – with Medeski, Martin & Wood

By Chris Jisi published

Leaning on a vintage Fender and an old Ampeg, Chris Wood indulged his tone addictions on Medeski, Martin & Wood's Uninvisible

Emma Richardson of Pixies performs in concert during Noches del Botánico Music Festival at Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII on July 28, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.

New Pixies bassist Emma Richardson on how landing her dream gig made her switch to picks – and ditch the pedals

By Andrew Daly published

The Band of Skulls bassist had to quickly learn to pick after taking over the role previously held by Paz Lenchantin and Kim Deal

Bassist Aaron Mills of music group Cameo performs onstage during the 2015 Soul Train Music Awards at the Orleans Arena on November 6, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

How Cameo bassist Aaron Mills provided the backbone for two of OutKast’s biggest hits

By Bill Leigh published

There was no need for looping when Word Up bass veteran Aaron Mills tracked with the Grammy-winning hip-hop duo

A string-less bass guitar ready for restringing

How to restring a bass guitar: step-by-step guidance on changing your bass strings, from a professional guitar repairer

By Jack Ellis published

Here’s my go-to process for changing the strings on a bass guitar – complete with pictures