The magic of Rocco Prestia’s bassline on Tower of Power’s Only So Much Oil in the Ground By Chris Jisi published 4 May 24 How to play Rocco Prestia’s classic Tower of Power bassline
Everything you need to know about fretwraps: what are they and do you need one? By Matt McCracken published 3 May 24 Get the low down on this simple yet essential tool for guitarists
Sam Ash announces it will be officially closing all its stores By Phil Weller published 3 May 24 The family-run music equipment chain has been forced to close its stores, with a closing-down sale currently ongoing
Primus' Les Claypool and Ler LaLonde were just forced to play a gig with brand new gear from Guitar Center By Janelle Borg published 2 May 24 The instruments the band purchased and played onstage are now set to be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to St. Judes Children’s Hospital
Sterling by Music Man’s first Joe Dart model is made-to-order and costs less than $400 By Matt Owen published 2 May 24 The Vulfpeck maestro's latest signature bass is another no-nonsense, minimalist workhorse – but it will only be available to order for a month
Best bass amps for practice 2024: top combos for working on your chops at home By Chris Schwarten last updated 2 May 24 Get the most out of your playing at home with one of these great bass practice amps
Best bass amps 2024: killer low-end amplification options for bassists By Jonathan Horsley last updated 30 April 24 Give yourself the gift of thunder with the best bass guitar amps money can buy – featuring Trace Elliot, Hartke, Ampeg and more
George Murray on his bittersweet ride with David Bowie By Andrew Daly published 29 April 24 The D.A.M. Trio bassist performed on a run of classic Bowie albums including Station to Station, Low and “Heroes”. He recalls nearly missing the call-up to catch a bus, meeting his replacement Carmine Rojas in an elevator (and what he nearly said), and the studio sessions that made music history
How Jerry Jemmott stayed on top of Aretha Franklin’s Respect, recorded live at Fillmore West in 1971 By Chris Jisi published 29 April 24 Jerry Jemmott plucked his sunburst ’65 Jazz Bass in front of his Acoustic 360 rig
How Colin Greenwood came up with his deceptive stop-start bassline on Radiohead’s Airbag By Nick Wells published 27 April 24 Colin Greenwood’s bassline drives the opener of Radiohead’s OK Computer, even though it contains more rests than licks
Guitar Center’s new CEO explains why the firm’s future must prioritize premium guitars By Phil Weller published 26 April 24 Gabe Dalporto insists the firm needs to “evolve and execute better” in order to survive, and that it has forgotten who its core customer really is
Flatwound vs roundwound bass strings: What’s the difference? By Richard Blenkinsop published 25 April 24 Mellow and warm or bright and snappy? We look at the key differences between flatwound and roundwound bass strings
Best short-scale basses 2024: the ultimate guide to the greatest pint-sized bass guitars at all price points By Daryl Robertson last updated 25 April 24 From Fender to Gibson, Gretsch to Spector, here are our top picks for the best short-scale basses on the market right now
Inside the sound and style of Motown master James Jamerson By Chris Jisi published 25 April 24 Five top low-enders with links to the bass great dissect the James Jamerson style
Why Squarepusher (aka Tom Jenkinson) is an artist in a vast left-field league of his own By Brian Fox published 25 April 24 You may or may not know Squarepusher (aka Tom Jenkinson), but chances are he doesn’t care to know you
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt play Van Halen hits with ex-VH bassist Michael Anthony By Janelle Borg published 24 April 24 Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt’s side-project, The Coverups, also covered Kiss, Nirvana, and David Bowie this past weekend
IK Multimedia’s new TONEX pedal puts the firm’s modeling powers into a tiny format By Matt Owen published 24 April 24 The tiny unit works alongside IK Multimedia's AI Machine Modeling tech to offer “the world's most sought-after tones”
Harmoni Kelley on why five-strings rule for modern country players By Alison Richter published 23 April 24 With no experience of the extra string until her successful audition with Chesney, Kelley’s taken her P Bass attitude and hard rock roots for longterm stroll down Music Row
Peter Frampton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame By Phil Weller published 22 April 24 The iconic guitarist will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the MC5, Dave Matthews Band, Cher, Foreigner, Mary J. Blige and more in October
“Beck wanted the bass coming unhinged at every turn”: Justin Meldal-Johnsen's bassline on Beck’s Sexx Laws By Bryan Beller published 22 April 24 How Justin Meldal-Johnsen anchored Beck’s postmodern pop classic by breaking all of the rules