Best bass compressor pedals 2024: our pick of pedals to get your low-end in line By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 25 July 24 We look at the best compressors for bass, from some of the biggest names around including Origin Effects, Empress Effects, Boss, and more
How Carol Kaye set the tone for Quincy Jones’ Hikky-Burr, the theme for The Bill Cosby Show By Chris Jisi published 24 July 24 A veteran of over 10,000 record dates, Carol Kaye improvised her entire bassline on this 1971 Quincy Jones single
ZZ Top’s Elwood Francis on teching for Joe Perry, lying to Steve Vai – and the curse of his viral 17-string bass By Andrew Daly published 24 July 24 The gear-trashing DIY enthusiast once had to choose between Vai and Joe Perry, before being fired and rehired by Guns N’ Roses – in a matter of days
Best Precision Bass 2024: P-Basses from Fender and beyond By Chris Corfield last updated 23 July 24 Our top picks of the most recognizable bass in history, including models from Fender, Sire, Sterling by Music Man and more
How Jack Bruce tapped into his jazz roots with fusion supergroup Spectrum Road By Nick Wells published 21 July 24 Jack Bruce launched Spectrum Road in 2012, featuring drummer Cindy Blackman-Santana, and Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid
How Bob Babbitt laid down an epic first-take solo on this under-appreciated Motown classic By Chris Jisi published 20 July 24 Every bassist needs to familiarize themselves with Bob Babbitt’s knockout solo
How Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones took flight with Them Crooked Vultures By Nick Wells, Brian Fox published 14 July 24 Back in 2010 John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme joined forces in a bid to redefine heavy rock
Longtime David Letterman bassist Will Lee recalls his toughest recording date in NYC By Chris Jisi published 14 July 24 The session took place in January 1975 at Secret Sound Studios on West 24th Street
Andy Fraser names the forgotten song that marked the pinnacle of his bass playing with Free By Nick Wells published 13 July 24 Having already sparked Free’s biggest hit, All Right Now, Andy Fraser once again proved that the bass can be a focal point as much as an accompaniment
Listen to Roger Glover’s isolated bassline on Deep Purple’s Highway Star By Brian Fox published 12 July 24 Highway Star presents the best route to the heart of Deep Purple’s riff-driven righteousness
Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson on how he pioneered the 12-string bass and influenced a generation of players By Nick Wells published 12 July 24 Having invented the massive 12-string bass sound back in 1978, Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson earned his place as one of the most innovative bassists in rock ’n’ roll
Joy Division and New Order hero Peter Hook looks back on his genre-defining legacy By Nick Wells published 9 July 24 As the respective legacies of Joy Division and New Order grow, year on year, Peter Hook continues to tread his individual path
How Jaco's 1962 Jazz Bass – the so-called Bass Of Doom – eventually came back to the Pastorius family By Joel McIver published 6 July 24 Stolen in 1982, the bass vanished from the public eye until 2006 when it resurfaced in a New York music store
That time Rage Against the Machine's Tim Commerford injected himself with steroids then set himself on fire By Joel McIver published 4 July 24 The RATM bassist went all out for Future User’s Mountain Lion video – which also features a cameo by Lance Armstrong
When he joined the Rolling Stones, Darryl Jones had to change the way he approached classic Bill Wyman basslines By Joel McIver published 4 July 24 The Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones looks back on joining the fold in 1993
Best budget bass guitars 2024: our top pick of basses under $500/£500 By Richard Blenkinsop last updated 28 June 24 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
If you play funk, you owe Bootsy Collins – the bass legend who played with James Brown By Joel McIver published 28 June 24 Bootsy Collins is a legend not just for his interstellar bass playing, but also for his star-shaped bass guitars
Why Chris Squire’s relationship with Rickenbacker got off to a shaky start By Nick Wells published 26 June 24 Chris Squire's Rickenbacker underwent several changes over the years, the most radical coming when he rewired the single-output bass with stereo outputs
“The idea is to be felt and not seen”: Jonathan Noyce explains his “stealth bass” approach By Andrew Daly published 25 June 24 The Yamaha and Fender fan has made use of his “art school” education in Tull and his loud and free times with late icon Moore
Robert Trujillo reflects on the legacy of Jason Newsted and Cliff Burton By Nick Wells published 23 June 24 If you know your Metallica history, you’ll know that Robert Trujillo is the fourth player to fill the Metallica bass role