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.
What does a bass player who has served time in Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Wakrat, Future User, and Prophets Of Rage need from a signature bass guitar? Not simply power and tones, no. In one of two exclusives for Bass Player this month, we get the first look at Tim Commerford’s new, strictly limited-edition Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay, and we put it through its paces, examining a couple of innovations along the way that will definitely be of interest to you. This is no ordinary bass, believe us. We also present you with the first review of Fender’s new Player Plus Precision, announced just before we went to press. Now, we’re as wary as you are about ‘new’ versions of old basses, and we’re keenly aware that Fender…
Eender has announced the expansion of its Player Series of bass guitars, in a bid to cater towards and nurture the next generation of players—the Player Plus Series. A new active Precision and two active Jazz models take inspiration from the familiar shapes, but with improved playability and comfort. Of the latest made-in-Mexico lineup, EVP Fender Products Justin Norvell commented, “We designed the new Player Plus series to match the unique characteristics of today’s players and creators. We’ve delivered a line of performance instruments that exemplify Fender’s ethos: Honoring our past while looking to the future.” The new Precision, pictured with the acclaimed bassist Blu DeTiger at right, aims to deliver the punch and growl that defines Fender’s four-string tones. A three-band active EQ features a switchable active/passive operation for…
The great Doug—or dUg if you prefer—Pinnick has revealed a new solo album, Joy Bomb, alongside fresh, ZZ Top-inspired material from his Grinder Blues project. Pinnick, the bassist and vocalist of hard rockers King’s X, says: “Joy Bomb is a collection of tunes I’ve been writing for the last two years. The pandemic has made me go deeper into myself, and how to deal with everything and everyone in a new way. These songs are all about truth the way I see it, and I’m thankful that at 71 I can still make music that hopefully matters.”…
Sly & The Family Stone, ‘Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)’ (1970) With Bootsy Collins his only real contender in terms of The Funk, Larry Graham delivered line after devastating line with Sly & The Family Stone. This ludicrously butt-shaking song kicks off with a simple slap and pop line which drills into your skull and refuses to let go. After a few minutes of this, you’ll be dying to play it yourself—and it’s simple enough that you’ll probably nail it, too. But will you have as much funk in your soul as Larry?…
Hi all! This month’s story about unhelpful assumptions comes from a bassist called Reed, who once applied to teach bass at a well-known music college. Reed has a teaching qualification, and teaching experience in colleges of similar prestige, as well as years of playing experience in different genres, so he felt as if he had the chance of an interview. However, he was told that because the students were predominantly into rock, he was ‘not suitable’. This was a shock to him, especially as his resume stated that he had plenty of experience as a rock bassist. He tells us that while his default response is not to consider racism as the underlying cause, as a person of color he feels that he can’t discount unconscious racial bias. Sometimes, he…
Roger Newell, former bass player for Rick Wakeman, Marty Wilde and the Wildcats among others, died on September 10. He was best known for performing on Wakeman’s 1974 prog opus, Journey To The Center Of The Earth, as well as its follow-ups, The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table and No Earthly Connection, and associated tours. In order to perform the famously complex works of King Arthur… live, Newell collaborated with Wal on the first triple-neck bass, which he used live with Wakeman’s English Rock Ensemble on tours. The original bass was donated to New York’s Hard Rock Cafe, and copies were eventually made for Chris Squire to play with Yes. In his later career, Newell became the Deputy Editor of the UK’s…
