Bass Player is the world's most comprehensive, trusted and insightful bass publication for passionate bassists and active musicians of all ages. Each issue delivers the latest tips and techniques that are guaranteed to make you a better player.
Thirty years is a long time, fellow friends of the low end—but I remember the first time I appeared on the cover of Bass Player like it was yesterday. The times may have changed, and the technology we use has changed with them, but the reason we do what we do is still the same—which is a reason to celebrate, if you ask me. When Joel asked me to be the Guest Editor of this special 30th anniversary issue of BP, my first thought was ‘Wow... what an honor!’, the second was ‘Damn, has it really been 30 years?’ and my third was ‘What the heck am I going to put in the magazine?’ Well, I’m not going to miss out on the chance to pay my respects to the…
BOXING CLEVER The renowned amp-maker Phil Jones has announced the release of the PJB Bass Cub II amp, the BG-110, a compact, 110-watt product which promises to deliver a tonne of tones. They tell us that it can be lifted with one finger, a claim which bassists with sensitive lower backs will be delighted to hear. As the press release runs: “Phil Jones Bass has developed a new amplifier design which has far greater transient attack from improved loudspeaker cone acceleration, greater dynamic range, and lower harmonic distortion. An upgraded power supply provides a rock-solid stable voltage and current to feed the amplifier. In addition, PJB researched into a better loudspeaker, specially engineered for the Bass Cub 2 that gives a wider and smoother frequency response using our unique Chrome-Dome…
NEW ALBUM Ida Nielsen, 02022020 (2020) Our chum Ida applies her world-class songwriting to this atmospheric LP, a world away from the usual slap-frenzy that is a bass solo album. OLD ALBUM Brain Drill, Quantum Catastrophe (2010) Sometime columnist in these pages Ivan Munguia enthralled us all with this amazing display of dexterity. REALLY OLD ALBUM Bullitt (soundtrack, 1969) Carol Kaye and Max Bennett share credits on this evocative piece of musical history, a rich source for samplers in subsequent decades.…
Hello bassists! In this issue, I’ll be discussing the required skill set of the function or cover band bassist. This is a common component of what we call a ‘portfolio career’ in music—which simply means taking on many different types of music-related work—and there is a real art to doing it well. Playing functions every weekend was my entry into working as a professional musician post-education, and it really helped to refine my musicianship on many levels. So, here are my top tips and suggestions for the performing or aspiring function players out there: BUILD YOUR REPERTOIRE Whether you’re a core member of a function band, or you like to dep with other bands as one-offs, it is imperative that you build a solid repertoire of material that you can…
NO TREBLE KEVIN JOHNSON What does the new decade hold for bass? We’re still reeling from the musical wonderland known as the NAMM Show. This month was packed with more gear news than you could shake a stick at, but also provided plenty of great performances, too. One of the top videos on No Treble was taken from the ‘Bass To Bass’ event held by Marcus Miller the night before the show doors opened. The event was the bass hang for the evening, with everyone from Victor Wooten to wunderkind Gabriel Severn on hand. Miller invited many players to come up and play alongside him, and luckily a jam of ‘What’s Going On’ with him, Federico Malaman and Jason Leopold was caught on film. Each player took turns on the…
Luthier Parizad Hatcher could have worked on a secret military base making rockets, missile,s or heaven knows what else, given her degrees in particle physics and mathematics. Fortunately, she decided to put her talents to better use by becoming one of the most creative luthiers on the planet. Having immigrated to the US from Iran at the age of 18, Hatcher has infused her skills and knowledge as a carpenter and lifelong musician to create basses that resonate with her artistic integrity. “I think it’s important to remember that while it may look like a piece of art, the bass is actually a tool for the artist to create art with,” she says. “If my artistry as a builder can inspire musicians with their art of making music then I…
