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 makes a great bass player? For most of us, the concept of greatness probably means technique, tastefulness, influence, or just doing something useful on bass that no-one else has done before. All those elements apply to this issue’s long-awaited results of the 100 Greatest Bass Players poll that we ran online last year, and to which an astounding 100,000 and more of you responded. Of course, there’s more to greatness than just being good at what you do. There’s another factor, too: Whether a bassist stood their ground in the face of opposition, or persevered with their art in impossible circumstances, or went above and beyond in their search for excellence. Add those into the mix, too, and what you come up with is something very close to true…
Whitesnake have announced a new bassist, Tanya O’Callaghan, for their upcoming farewell tour, who will replace their long-time bass player Michael Devin. O’Callaghan, an Irish musician who operates as an established freelance bassist, has a star-studded resume, which includes stints with Dee Snider, Steven Adler, and Maynard Keenan, as well as numerous TV appearances. Breaking the news in a statement on the band’s official website, Whitesnake singer David Coverdale wrote, “Well, well, well, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. We are very proud to announce and introduce you all to our newest Snake... or should I say, Snakette! A whirling dervish of a performer whom we feel will bring a fresh, new, exciting musicality, and welcome energy to the band, both in the studio and onstage.” “For whatever reasons,” Coverdale…
The great reggae bassist and producer Robbie Shakespeare died in early December, aged 68. Often paired with the equally great drummer Sly Dunbar, Shakespeare was half of one of the world’s most sought-after rhythm sections, playing with artists such as Bob Dylan, Sinead O’Connor, and many others. Announcing his passing, Jamaica’s Culture Minister Olivia Grange said “Sly and Robbie took bass playing and drumming to the highest level as they made music for themselves as a group, and for many other artistes locally and internationally.” Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness added, “When it comes to reggae bass playing, no-one comes close to having the influence of Robbie Shakespeare.” The music business had long known this about Shakespeare, nominating him for 13 Grammy awards over the years, of which he won…
Troy Johnson, bassist with Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy, has announced this unique bass instrument, which can be played with a guitar strap, or with an endpin like an upright bass. “I would go from the upright, to the guitarrón/mariachi bass and the harp guitar, plucking, and listening,” Johnson has said. “I then drew up a trapezoidal flatback body with guitarrón/ Ernie Ball Earthwood dimensions, and an extended harp arm that connects to the headstock, almost creating a small grand piano... it has more volume, sustain, durability, and playability than any acoustic bass in the known universe.”…
G&L has updated its Fullerton Deluxe bass guitar line with the Western sugar pine-bodied JB-5. According to G&L, sugar pine is a light wood with striking resonance, and on this bass it’s paired with a maple neck boasting a 9 1/2″ radius and Jescar 57110 medium-jumbo nickel-silver frets. Sonically, the bass is armed with a pair of G&L Alnico jazz pickups, controlled by a pair of volume knobs and a single tone. The G&L Fullerton Deluxe JB-5 bass is available now in Tobacco Sunburst and Himalayan Blue finishes for $1,799.…
Our chum John Patitucci, veteran bassist and winner of 2019’s Bass Player Lifetime Achievement Award, returns on a new album, As We Are, from guitarist Dave Stryker. “I’ve always loved the way Dave plays guitar,” says Patitucci. “He’s a soulful, blues-oriented player, with a beautiful touch and tone. His originals were fun to play, with plenty of harmonic sophistication, but lyrical, too. He’s the real deal.” On the new album, Stryker and Patitucci are accompanied by Julian Shore (piano), Brian Blade (drums), and a full string section. “It’s my dream project,” says Stryker. “I always wanted to do something where strings would really be integrated into the music, not a coloring or sweetening that comes in later.” The album consists of six new Stryker originals, a Shore original, and a…
