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Sting (left) and Andy Summers perform onstage

"That song was going in the trash until I played on it": Andy Summers is locked in a "contentious" battle with Sting over Every Breath You Take songwriting credits

By Jackson Maxwell published

Though coy about details of the dispute, the Police guitarist told listeners of The Jeremy White Show to "watch the press" in the coming year

Trevor Parker's Fender Precision Bass

This historic Fender Precision Bass lay hidden underneath a bed for over 50 years – now it’s going up for auction

By Matt Owen published

The ’60s bass is believed to be one of the first to ever land in the UK, arriving in the country not long after The Shadows' Jet Harris received the UK's premier Fender P-Bass

Megadeth bassist James LoMenzo playing live

“Billy Sheehan showed us that the bass can be taken to the same space that the guitar occupies, and he does that better than anybody”: Megadeth’s James LoMenzo names 15 bassists who shaped his sound

By Andrew Daly published

He’s played with everyone from Zakk Wylde to David Lee Roth and White Lion. Now, the self-proclaimed “journeyman bass player” names the bassists who inspired his own four-string approach, from legends of funk to metal virtuosos

Richard Bona performs on October 8, 2010 at the Palace of the Culture in Abidjan.

“Sometimes the simplest bassline is the most difficult to play!” How Richard Bona developed his percussive right-hand technique

By Nick Wells published

Richard Bona may have the chops to pull off superhuman solos, but his strengths as a sideman lay in keeping things simple

Mike Dirnt of Green Day

“On Longview I used a Gibson bass. Then I broke the neck in half”: Mike Dirnt on the making of Green Day’s breakthrough single

By Nick Wells published

Despite his legendary status with Fender, Mike Dirnt’s most memorable bassline was recorded on a mid-70s Gibson

Daft Punk performs onstage during the 56th GRAMMY Awards

“Daft Punk was dancing in the booth while we cut it!” Listen to James Genus stretch out on Giorgio by Moroder from Random Access Memories

By Chris Jisi published

While Nathan East played on the chart-topping Get Lucky, James Genus added a fresh spin to Daft Punk’s Grammy-winning album

Ashdown Pro-DI and Triple Shot bass pedals

“Ultimate control” over your bass overdrive tones, and your entire backline in a pedal? Ashdown has lofty aims for its latest bass stompboxes

By Nick Wells published

Ashdown adds to its big trunk of tone with the Triple Shot and Pro-DI

Neural DSP Quad Cortex amp modeler and multi-effects

Neural DSP has reduced the price of the Quad Cortex – it’s now the same as Fender’s new Tone Master Pro (but that’s probably just a coincidence)

By Matt Parker published

The firm’s leading modeling unit now costs $150 less than it did a few days ago

Bassist Chris Squire (1948 - 2015) performing with English progressive rock band Yes, at Madison Square Garden, New York, 5th August 1977

“We mic’d one of Steve Howe’s old Gibson guitars and mixed it with the bass. That’s what gave it such a bright sound”: Listen to Chris Squire’s isolated bassline on Roundabout

By Nick Wells published

Learn the tone secrets behind Chris Squire’s iconic bassline on the Yes classic, Roundabout

Fender Tone Master Pro

“The ultimate guitar processor in terms of tone, dynamics, power, and user-friendliness”: Fender goes toe-to-toe with Neural DSP, Line 6 and Boss with its first-ever amp modeling multi-effects, the Tone Master Pro

By Matt Owen published

In one of the most significant gear releases in recent years, Fender has set its sights on conquering the floor-based modeling market – and its ultra-powerful Tone Master Pro looks up for the challenge

A white bass guitar with Christmas decorations hanging off it

Best Christmas gifts for bass players 2023: the ultimate gift guide for the lovers of low-end

By Daryl Robertson last updated

Show your bass-playing buddy, parent, or partner some love this Christmas with these brilliant gift ideas for bass players

Man in the studio recording his electric guitar

10 recording mistakes every guitarist makes

By Matt McCracken published

Whether you’re recording at home or heading into the studio, these are the biggest recording blunders and how to avoid them

Tony Levin performs on stage with English musician Peter Gabriel (unseen) during a concert at the Accor Arena in Paris, on May 23, 2023.

“I grabbed a diaper and shoved it under the strings near the bridge”: How Tony Levin came up with his muted bass tone on Peter Gabriel's Don't Give Up

By Nick Wells published

Peter Gabriel called it the “super wonder nappy sound”

Duff McKagan of Hollywood Vampires perform onstage during The 58th GRAMMY Awards & Nicky Wire of Manic Street Preachers performs on Day 2 of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 28, 2014 in Glastonbury, England

“It sounds like Lindsey Buckingham meets The Clash!” That time Duff McKagan played bass for the Manic Street Preachers

By Nick Wells published

Nicky Wire on working with Duff and why Guns N’ Roses are the best band ever

Neural DSP Quad Cortex

After three years of waiting, Neural DSP reveals Quad Cortex plugin compatibility is finally on the cards

By Michael Astley-Brown published

Archetype: Plini will be the first plugin to be compatible with the all-powerful amp modeler, starting next month – well, sort of…

John Entwistle of The Who on stage, performing their album 'Quadrophenia', Ahoy, Rotterdam, 11th May 1997. He plays a Status Graphite Buzzard Bass guitar.

“I think a bass solo can be as exciting as a guitar solo – if not more”: Listen to John Entwistle’s live bass solo on The Who’s 5:15

By Nick Wells published

John Entwistle proves why bass solos aren't always a bad idea

Yamaha PAC311H Pacifica and PAC510V Pacifica electric guitars

Yamaha, Korg and Roland named among five instrument firms facing UK class action lawsuit for fixing prices

By Matt Parker published

The move follows similar action taken against Fender in 2022, with UK customers potentially due compensation

Boss RC-10R looper pedal sat on top of a guitar amp

Best looper pedals 2023: go it alone with the greatest loop pedals for practice, live performance and jamming

By Alex Lynham last updated

Whether you're writing songs or woodshedding solos, using a loop pedal will make you a better guitarist – these are the best looper pedals from Boss, TC Electronic, Line 6 and more

Ampeg V12

The next step in the evolution of Ampeg? The new Venture Series promises a welcome return for Super Grit Technology – and starts at $499

By Nick Wells published

Ampeg looks to enter modern overdrive territory with its new Venture Series of amps and cabinets

Dean Deleo, Nancy Wilson and Robert Deleo

Jam with legends of Heart, Stone Temple Pilots and AC/DC: Nancy Wilson, Dean DeLeo, Robert DeLeo confirmed for Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp 2024

By Jonathan Horsley published

And Chris Slade of AC/DC and the Firm will be on the drums