Jerry Cantrell taps Guns N’ Roses and Metallica bassists for new solo album I Want Blood By Michael Astley-Brown published 26 July 24 The Alice in Chains leader has signaled his return to heavy riffs with first single Vilified
The Police were set to ditch Every Breath You Take before Andy Summers added his riff – now the original demo has surfaced after 42 years, you can hear why By Phil Weller published 26 July 24 The surfacing of the now classic song’s early demo is a testament to the old adage ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’
Positive Grid has unveiled the Spark 2 – here’s how it plans change the amp game... again By Matt Parker published 23 July 24 The year’s most anticipated amp launch is here – and we’ve got the full details
Krist Novoselic revisits three Nirvana classics as he joins FooVana hybrid tribute act By Phil Weller published 22 July 24 The bassist surprised concert-goers as he joined the Foo Fighters/Nirvana covers band to celebrate the grunge legend's legacy
Spector unveils three new basses – featuring fresh tonewood and finish options and a gnarly preamp created with Darkglass By Phil Weller published 19 July 24 The Euro CST and LX models – offering through and bolt-on necks – add variety to its bass range while underscoring the “classic Spector growl”
The Porter is a headphone amp designed to work with your favorite pedals – and its creators reckon it’s practically invincible By Phil Weller published 19 July 24 Neighborhood Circuits has built the tiny, pedal-friendly headphone amp to last, and offers something different from the all-in-one solutions of the market
Positive Grid confirms the Spark 2 will arrive within weeks – and, yes, it has a looper By Matt Parker published 18 July 24 The most-requested missing feature of the original amp has now been addressed – and it will be here sooner than you think
Xvive has upgraded its flagship wireless system – how does it stack up next to the new challengers? By Phil Weller published 18 July 24 The instrument wireless system market is rapidly expanding and now Xvive has given its flagship product some choice upgrades to help the A58 standout
Elwood Francis on the origins of his 17-string bass – and why he regrets it becoming a ZZ Top staple By Michael Astley-Brown published 18 July 24 Elwood Francis reveals the origins of his preposterous 17-string bass – and why he’s disappointed it went viral
Jason Newsted is selling the 10-string Alembic bass used on Metallica’s Black Album tour By Phil Weller published 17 July 24 The musician has collected some rare, weird, and wonderful instruments over his 40-year career, now he’s teamed-up with Reverb to get them into the hands of new players
Social media bass sensation April Kae burned out her hands from nonstop playing, producing and editing – playing with a pick was her saving grace By Janelle Borg published 16 July 24 Kae reveals how having to be a content creator, videographer, editor and producer in addition to being a bassist caused repetitive strain injury
Fernandes Guitars – the company behind iconic electrics played by Billie Joe Armstrong, Kirk Hammett and Robert Fripp – has filed for bankruptcy By Michael Astley-Brown published 15 July 24 The Japanese firm, which was also behind the Sustainer pickup and Burny guitars, was founded in 1969
Joe Satriani and D’Addario have designed a $20 strap that could eliminate the twisted strap problem By Phil Weller published 12 July 24 Designed specifically for rear-facing strap buttons, the Auto Lock Swivel Strap vows to move as freely as you do while always remaining locked in place
Rick Beato reunited with his late uncle’s bass after 50 years – with the help of Joe Bonamassa By Matt Owen published 12 July 24 The bass went missing from a family home in the mid-'70s, but was miraculously spotted in a recent Bonamassa video
Dean Guitars maker has won the right to a retrial in Gibson trademark dispute By Matt Parker published 10 July 24 The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Armadillo Enterprises is entitled to a retrial that will include previously excluded evidence
Deep Purple play Smoke on the Water on the lake that inspired it – with actual fire in the sky By Janelle Borg published 10 July 24 The band return to Montreux, the site of the 1971 casino fire depicted in the lyrics of their iconic track
Elwood Francis replaced Dusty Hill in ZZ Top – but he still feels uncomfortable about it By Matt Owen published 10 July 24 Francis originally served as ZZ Top's longtime guitar tech, but took on a completely new role at the behest of Hill's wishes after the bassist passed away
Queens of the Stone Age cancel tour dates as Josh Homme is rushed to emergency surgery By Matt Owen published 9 July 24 The band had been scheduled to perform a number of headline and festival shows across July
Fender has overhauled its most popular range in response to requests from guitarists – meet the Player II Series By Matt Owen published 9 July 24 The Player range is Fender's best-selling collection of all time. Now, it's been refreshed with previously unreleased finishes from the archives and some highly sought-after updates
Esteemed bassist Tom Fowler, best known for his work with Frank Zappa, has died aged 73 By Janelle Borg published 8 July 24 In addition to his stint with Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention, Fowler played with Ray Charles, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steve Hackett, George Duke and It's a Beautiful Day