Mike Watt: "There’s something about using the bass as a composition tool. Why only compose on a piano or a guitar?" By Joel McIver The Minuteman punk icon talks signature models, trying to be funky, and starting out on bass not knowing what it was
Stanley Clarke: "The bass is a very important instrument in film. It can create tension - that's powerful" By Alison Richter The skilled bassist discusses working on the soundtrack to Frédéric Tcheng's Halston, which documents the life and work of fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick
Davie504 just bought every bass he can find and is giving them all away on YouTube By Richard Bienstock “Everybody’s forced to stay home and this can be extremely tough,” says the YouTuber. “But luckily I am here to save you”
Electro-Harmonix Sovtek Deluxe Big Muff Pi and Nano Battalion Bass Preamp review By Joe Daly The venerable Electro-Harmonix unleashes a Russian-flavored fuzz and MOSFET drive for your stomping pleasure...
How to use bass distortion pedals and nail super-heavy thunder tones By Dan Veall Looking to add dirt to your low-end but don't know where to start? Dan Veall's guide to bass drive has got you covered
Ernie Ball Music Man's Joe Dart Signature bass is a streamlined one-knob wonder By Richard Bienstock Collab with Vulpeck bassist sports a natural finish over an ash body, single Music Man passive humbucker with volume control
Cort buffs up the Artisan single-cut bass with a non-multi-scale length and hot new finish By Richard Bienstock A figured poplar burl top, panga panga fingerboard and Bartolini pickups round out the package
Brian May jams with Alex Skolnick, Bumblefoot and Stu Hamm as an all-star line-up takes on the Hammer to Fall Challenge By Richard Bienstock Witness Halestorm drummer Arejay Hale play along on the, um, garbage cans
Kinga Glyk: "The hardest thing to do onstage is to stop playing - we play because we are afraid of silence, but silence is part of the music" By Kinga Glyk The Polish bassist goes deep into her low-end philosophy
Fender Vintera '50s Precision Bass review By Mike Brooks This vintage-inspired P-Bass from Fender’s Vintera range has the hallmarks of a classic, but does it have the sounds?
Jason Newsted recalls getting mocked for playing bass with a pick - and explains why the haters are wrong By Richard Bienstock The ex-Metallica man sticks up for picks and reveals why he's always used one
Flea: "Playing bass gets you into this hypnotic state - you’re not thinking because you’re just a conduit for the rhythm" By Joel McIver The iconic Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist discusses philosophy, gear and his new autobiography, Acid For The Children
There are, in fact, 10 levels of bass playing, according to YouTuber Ichika Nito By Richard Bienstock Talk a guided walking bass tour through the various styles and techniques, from one-finger to slap and beyond
Thundercat names his favorite basslines and explains why slap bass is so controversial By Richard Bienstock “If your feel sucks, you just suck,” says the multi-instrumentalist Dragonballer
Mike Gallo: "My father told me guitar players are a dime a dozen, but it’s harder for a band to find a good bass player" By Ian Glasper The Agnostic Front bassist and NY hardcore legend on the power of Motown, starting out and developing his own style
Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger dies aged 52 from coronavirus By Richard Bienstock The songwriter and bassist was also an award-winning composer for film, television and theater
Andrew Levy: "If a track’s really going to travel, you’ve got to pull back the bassline and make sure the song is the star" By Bass Player Staff The bassist of acid jazz legends Brand New Heavies takes on our questions on longevity, gear and how brass can age a song
Issues bassist Skyler Acord details his funk-informed metalcore approach and tricked-out signature Spector bass By Joel McIver Ever been so deep into your music that you’ve lost your grip on reality? Meet Issues bassist Skyler Acord, newly equipped with a state-of-the-art signature Spector bass – and stand clear
Gene Simmons: "Many guitarists call their instruments 'axes', but nobody trademarked it. Except this guy!" By Lee Barrett The fire-breathing Kiss frontman and bassist on being the hardest working, hardest rocking band in the business
Dream Theater's John Myung: "There are moments when I’m playing parts live that I wish I did on the album the first time round" By Bass Player Staff The Dream Theater bassist on the 20th anniversary of Scenes from a Memory, the magic of down-tuning and how he brings the energy live
