Bass Player News

Latest

Walrus Audio Fundamental pedals

NAMM 2023: Walrus Audio’s worst-kept secret, the Fundamental series, makes a surprise arrival in stores from today – and it really is affordable

By Matt Parker published

The firm’s big budget pedal range leaked a few weeks back but it’s regained the front foot, announcing the immediate distribution of the series

Solid Gold FX Beta V bass preamp

SolidGoldFX introduces the Beta-V – an attempt to pack the tone of a hefty Ampeg bass rig into a compact pedal

By Matt Parker published

The Canadian pedal maker’s new bass preamp and overdrive promises “bone-shaking mojo-packed dirt”

Flea at the Silverlake Conservatory

Watch the trailer for Flea’s new podcast series

By Nick Wells published

First guests on the show will include Rick Rubin, Patti Smith and Thundercat

Fender headstock

Fender CEO Andy Mooney explains why Fender isn’t at this year’s NAMM – and what needs to change before it returns

By Matt Owen published

The company's head honcho said he'll “never say never” about returning to the trade show, but it doesn't look likely any time soon

Phil X (left) and Michael Anthony perform at Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa, California on March 25, 2023

Watch Phil X jam Van Halen's Somebody Get Me a Doctor with Michael Anthony

By Jackson Maxwell published

The onstage jam took place shortly after the one-time Van Halen bassist alluded to a new project with the Bon Jovi guitarist and a mysterious "really, really cool singer” in an interview with Eddie Trunk

Harley Benton 25th Anniversary guitar

Harley Benton goes for gold with 25th anniversary series of affordable electric guitar and bass models

By Matt Owen published

The cheap gear champion looks determined to celebrate in style with classic body shapes, impressive spec sheets, affordable price tags and a whole lotta Firemist gold

AC/DC performing in 1978 with their customary wall of Marshall Amps

Marshall Amps sold to Swedish speaker company, bringing an end to family ownership

By Matt Parker published

The iconic UK amp brand used by everyone from Jimi Hendrix to AC/DC is changing hands

Joe Dart performs on stage with the Fearless Flyers at Ahoy on July 10, 2022 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Watch Vulpeck's Joe Dart break down Flea and Victor Wooten's slap bass technique 

By Nick Wells published

How Will Smith brought back, er, slap: "The two main slap basslines of our generation were Will Smith samples..."

Ampeg SGT-DI

NAMM 2023: Ampeg gives bassists “an entire rig in a single stompbox” with the SGT-DI preamp and DI pedal

By Matt Owen published

Featuring the brand's first IR Loader, SVT and B15 tube amp emulation modes and a built-in Super Grit Technology overdrive circuit, the SGT-DI ranks as one of the most comprehensive bass boxes out there

Colin Greenwood and Nick Cave

Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood to play bass on Nick Cave’s forthcoming solo tour

By Matt Parker published

The British bassist will team up with Cave for a set of intimate shows this fall

Michael Anthony says he’s working on a project with Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X and Aerosmtih drummer John Douglas

Former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony teases new band with Bon Jovi guitarist, Aerosmith drummer and “a really, really cool singer”

By Matt Parker published

Phil X and Aerosmith live drummer John Douglas are involved, but who’s the mystery vocalist?

Kiesel unveils the A2, a future-forward off-set electric guitar and bass that marks the dramatic evolution of the Aries

Kiesel unveils the A2, a future-forward offset electric guitar and bass that marks the dramatic evolution of the Aries

By Jonathan Horsley published

The A2 guitar and bass debut a refined body shape and contouring to enhance ergonomics and offer players a speedy ride

Darkglass NSG Noise Gate

NAMM 2023: Darkglass seeks to shake up the noise gate market with mysterious and “cutting-edge” new NSG pedal

By Michael Astley-Brown published

It’s got one giant knob, it works with guitar and bass – and that’s about all we know

KHDK Totality

KHDK and Slipknot’s V-Man promise a “gritty as f**k” tone that will “change your life” with their new Totality overdrive

By Matt Owen published

The limited-edition pedal is designed for both guitar and bass and boasts none-more-metal artwork crafted by Luke Preece

Klon Centaur and DigiTech Bad Monkey

JHS Pedals responds to DigiTech Bad Monkey price hikes: “Learn to listen with your ears and not trends, and you will be a much happier guitarist”

By Matt Owen published

Brand founder Josh Scott posted a statement after Bad Monkey price tags soared to $650 seemingly in response to his latest demo video, which compared the discontinued DigiTech to the Klon Centaur

Shure GLX-D+

NAMM 2023: Worried about switching to wireless? Shure might have just released the most reliable system on the market – and Tim Henson is already a fan

By Matt Parker published

The firm’s new wireless system represents a big leap for cable-phobic players, including a certain Polyphia guitarist

Adam Clayton plays through his new signature Fender ACB 50 bass amp

Fender joins forces with U2's Adam Clayton for its first ever signature bass amp, the ACB 50 combo

By Jackson Maxwell published

Boasting 50 watts of power, the ACB 50 is also the first new all-tube bass combo amp Fender has produced in over four decades

Ebet Roberts/Getty Images SEPTEMBER 20 1979: PALLADIUM Photo of Paul SIMONON and Joe STRUMMER and CLASH, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon performing live onstage

Paul Simonon: “I couldn't hear the bass on The Who, but with reggae I could work out the basslines and play along”

By Tom Poak published

The former Clash bassist chats with Guy Pratt about how he learned to play, Norman Watt-Roy, negotiating with Tony Allen and John Entwistle's watch

Jazz Saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter performs on stage with John Patitucci at Barbican Centre on October 8, 2011 in London, United Kingdom.

John Patitucci: “My gratitude for Wayne Shorter is boundless”

By Nick Wells published

John Patitucci, Robert Trujillo, Flea, Felix Pastorius and many more pay tribute to jazz legend Wayne Shorter

Billy Sheehan (left) and Paul Gilbert perform onstage with Mr. Big at KOKO on October 17, 2014 in London

Mr. Big announce farewell world tour

By Jackson Maxwell published

At each show, the band will perform their 1991 album, Lean into It – including the album's sing-along, chart-topping smash hit single, To Be With You – in its entirety