Table of contents for July 2020 in Bass Player

Hello bassists! I hope you’re all keeping happy and healthy. During these uncertain times, it’s important for us to keep on top of our playing and refining our performance skills—and fortunately, this is something that can be done from the comfort of our own homes. I’ve touched on preparation in previous issues, but you can treat this as a definitive guide to preparing for live performance. NOTES AND CHARTS When preparing for a tour or show where you need to learn existing bass parts, it’s important to do a bit of groundwork on your understanding of the structure. This is arguably where most mistakes stem from, so it is not a step to skip. There are a number of ways of doing this. You may be supplied with charts, which…

Hello there! Learning to play through chord changes is a skill that requires you to be able to understand and hear how chords work when progressing from one to another. Exercises that outline all the diatonic chords with chord tones are great for exposing your ears to hearing the sound of the key you’re playing in, but do little for understanding how you would learn to play lines through the changes. Let’s fix that! Indulge me for a moment. Have you ever played through the diatonic chords of a key center with chord tones only? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of bass lessons on the internet that show this approach. They’ll take the key of C and ask you to play Cmaj7, D-7, E-7, Fmaj7, G7, A-7, B-7( b…

The acclaimed singer, guitarist and actor Lynda Kay was born in Dallas, Texas and resides in Los Angeles, appropriately so as she has been a regular on the music scene and on TV shows such as Amazon Prime’s Goliath for many years. Along the way, she struck up a close friendship with the late Motörhead singer Lemmy, a hero in our world—not just for his unique bass playing, but also for the sheer force of his intellect and personality. Kay’s new album, Black And Gold, features a beautifully heartfelt duet with the man himself called ‘The Mask’— required listening for anyone interested in his more introspective side. Here, Kay recalls her many memories of life with the last true rock star. How did you first meet Lemmy, Lynda? My husband…

Price | $12,200 Color | Old violin aged, satin finish Body | Flamed maple and spruce top Neck | Flamed maple, five-piece laminate with two smoked oak veneers, 34” scale, satin finish Neck Joint | Through-neck Nut Width | 40mm Fingerboard | Ebony Frets | 24 Pickups | Marleaux ebony humbucking pickups x 2 Electronics | Marleaux Contra 3.0 active circuit Controls | Volume, balance, bass/ treble (stacked), passive tone control, pickup coil-split switches x 2 (humbucker parallel/single-coil/humbucker series) Hardware | ETS Contra black bridge, Schaller gold and ebony machine heads Weight | 8.15 lbs Case/gig bag included | Gigbag Left-hand option available | Yes, as a custom order WHAT WE THINK Plus | Playability; build quality Minus | Could do with a little more tonal coloration Overall | A…

Stonefield Musical Instrument Company wwww.stonefieldmusic.com $1,100 We’ve covered Stonefield’s basses since day one, and for many players, these high-performance instruments’ cost has always been a stumbling block. The company founder Tomm Stanley has responded by creating this new F-Series to cater for those on a regular budget. The fundamentals of the Stonefield design are obviously in place—so let’s see how the new iteration stands up against its costlier siblings. Build Quality The familiar Stonefield body style has been retained—and instantly, the smooth, rounded body edges of the alder and maple body appear very welcoming. Cedar and walnut variants are also available, and the whole instrument feels characteristically organic, just as previous Stonefield basses did. Flipping the bass over, a cutaway channel down the center of the body removes some excess weight…

Price | $599 Made In | China Power | 800 watts @ 4 ohms, 525 watts @ 8 ohms Preamp Tube | 12AX7WA, Class A, Low Noise High-Mu Twin Triode Features | Drive, Compressor, Brite, Tone Stack EQ, 4 x footswitched functions Dimensions | 14”/35.5cm (L) x 12”/30cm (W) x 3”/7.3cm (H) Connections | 1/4” input jack, Aux In, headphone Output, Tuner Out, FX Loop Send and Return, pre and post DI, 2 x footswitch jacks, 1x Speakon plus ¼” (6.35mm) jack, DI with pre/post switch, Ground/Lift switch Weight | 8.5lb WHAT WE THINK Plus | Nice feature set, very powerful Minus | None Overall | A versatile amp that should appeal to a wide range of players BP RATING…

Making you a better bass player elcome to our lesson section, in which Bass Player collates the wit and wisdom of the crème de la crème of the electric and upright bass world. We’re fortunate enough to have some serious talent on the team, from world-class music educators to experienced touring musicians, who between them have laid down the low notes in every studio, club, and arena in the civilized world. Note that we’ve divided the columns according to Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced level for easy reference. Whether you’re looking to improve your playing technique, expand your awareness of theory, set up your rig to sound like your particular bass hero, or simply get on a bus and tour, we provide the answers you need here. What are you waiting…

Welcome back! When we try to learn new vocabulary, it can be a little overwhelming. Take 7th vocabulary, for example—a sophisticated language that generates an endless array of permutations, ranging from the labels used in identification, to the theory necessary to perceive them. What’s more, 7th chords produce a far more refined sound than their three-note counterparts. So, rejoice then, for this month we will be dipping our toes in the waters of 7th vocabulary. We shall start by exploring one of the most revered chords of all: the Dominant. Example 1 Our opening exercise is a straightforward groove based upon a I-IV chord progression in the key of D major. You’ll notice that most of the measures open with a double stop, made from the root, major 3rd and…

CORT STRENGTH Cort’s new A5 Plus SC bass has been reissued as a standard scale instrument, in response to bassists who preferred traditional fretting to that of its multi-scale predecessor. There’s a new finish, Amber Open Pore, fo the poplar burl top, but otherwise it’s the same singlecut, neck-through, string-through, 34” bass with a panga panga fretboard that we played and enjoyed at NAMM this year. Bartolini MK-1 pickups and preamp combination provides punch, boost and high end, and all for around the $1,500 mark. www.440distribution.com STAND TALL The new collapsible modular Multiple RockStands from Warwick can be expanded to accommodate a range of instruments, from bass to guitar and beyond, at an affordable price. The RockStands feature a telescopic mechanism for mobility, roller sets with brakes or footrests, and…

ALEX WINDSOR SHIRAGIRL What was your way into bass? Like hundreds of other young guitarists, I switched over to bass to satisfy a demand. I started out learning the guitar around age 13. I grew up in a pretty small town and the only real opportunity to perform was in my high school pep band. They didn’t have a guitar spot, so I agreed to learn the bass. Little did I know that I would fall in love with the instrument, and ultimately discover my true calling. My first bass was a used Squier Precision that we found at the back of a pawn shop. What bass gear do you currently use? A 2011 Fender American Deluxe Jazz V, a 2019 Fender American Professional Precision, a Fender Bassman 800 Hybrid…

“I’ve just moved to Las Vegas because it has such an incredible live music scene,” says Ashley Reeve, who currently holds down the low end in the world’s biggest arenas with the perennial Cher. “I can go on the road and then, when I come home, I can hit the ground running because there’s so much great live work here.” A devotee of Aguilar amps, Reeve also generates the low notes via a superbly tricked-out Dingwall bass. “I want people to know that Dingwall is much more than just a rock bass company,” she says. “The beauty of playing Dingwall basses with an artist like Cher is that I can demonstrate their versatility. By toggling the rotary selector to the neck pickup, you can get an incredible vintage tone with…

Behold our world-beating bass gear review section, where we bring you the crop of each month’s new, interesting, or otherwise relevant bass guitars, bass amplifiers, bass cabs, and bass effects. Occasionally we’ll review a guitar effect if it’s useful for bassists, but generally speaking, this zone is reserved for bass-specific gear. We take our reviews seriously. BP has readers all over the world, so we’re responsible about our conclusions. If a product is worth your time, we’ll say so; if it’s flawed, we’ll make that clear. We’re not beholden to advertisers in any way, and our tests are independent of the views of manufacturers and distributors. When you read about a product here, you’re getting a balanced review from an experienced bass tester. Value for money is at the top…

Fender www.fender.com $699 $749 As Jackson continue making serious inroads into the bass space, this new range suggests something of a paradox; as the signature model of the longtime Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, one is forgiven for assuming that the CBXM was designed with metallers in mind. Conversely, with a robust suite of tone-shaping features, there’s little to suggest this new series wouldn’t appeal to most other styles as well. Gone is the iconic Jackson headstock, replaced by a more traditional design. More than a mere design choice, this nod to the old school sends a halcyon call to all bassists, with the hope that in this new series, players of all styles, genres, and pedigrees will find something to love. We holed up with the four and five-string models for…

Price | $1,100 ($1,200 with walnut top) Made In | India Color | Natural, satin finish Body | Alder core with 10mm-thick North American maple top Neck | Maple (three-piece laminate), 34” scale, satin finish Neck Joint | Bolt-on, four-bolt attachment Nut Width | 45mm Fingerboard | Ebony Frets | 24 Pickups | Passive OEM humbucking pickups x 2 Electronics | Passive Controls | Volume, volume, tone Hardware | Floating ebony bridge, OEMgeared machine heads with ebony tuners Weight | 8.37 lbs Case/gig bag included | Custom gigbag is available for $122 Left-hand option available | Yes WHAT WE THINK Plus | Great passive tones; playable; pocket-friendly Minus | None Overall | A break from the norm for many players—is that a bad thing? BP RATING…

Aguilar www.aguilaramp.com $149 The recent range of Silver Anniversary pedals, celebrating Aguilar’s 25th anniversary, includes the DB925, an all-FET broadband preamp pedal allowing tonal sculpting of your bass tone. Housed in a micro pedal format, the limited footprint on your pedalboard is a positive aspect while the potential improvement to your regular bass tone is significant. At first glance, the casing and sturdy build quality are what we’ve come to expect from Aguilar—and although the two controls are small and vertical, the potential for damage is limited. Offering 18dB of broadband boost from the bass (40Hz) and treble (4kHz) controls, the frequencies around these two points are also boosted, which sweetens the overall tonal response. This means that increasing or decreasing the bass control will also affect the low mids, while…

Welcome to the latest instalment in my new column, in which we’ll be exploring some of the more advanced elements of the slap bass technique. Over the last few issues, we’ve explored ways in which we can incorporate the fretting hand into our playing—in each case, we’ve used this additional element to add an extra layer of rhythmic complexity to our lines. We’re now going to turn our attention to a device which will allow us to better communicate harmony in our lines. That device is the double stop. DOUBLE STOPS A double stop is simply two notes—any two notes—that are played together. In most cases, using double stops helps us to better communicate the overall harmony of a line, just through our bass part. Double stops can be fourths,…

NEW ALBUM Michael Manring, Small Moments (2020) An incredibly innovative solo bassist, Michael consistently delivers mind-expanding songwriting. His new 12-tracker is proof that he’s still got it. OLD ALBUM Red Hot Chili Peppers, One Hot Minute (1995) This album may be among the least acclaimed among the Chilis’ considerable fanbase, but in bass terms, Flea is on superb form. REALLY OLD ALBUM Sarah Vaughan, Sarah Vaughan (1950) The astounding bass of Billy Taylor, Sr. is matched only by Sarah Vaughan’s liquid vocals on this immortal debut album.…

If you’ve missed out on the pleasures of Scandinavian extreme metal, you might be surprised to learn just how important a presence this music has in the world of unsociably loud music. Just as the terms ‘West Coast psychedelia’ or ‘British modern jazz’ refer to a particular era and flavor of sounds, and purists would be horrified if you applied them incorrectly, the subgenres of Norwegian black metal and Swedish death metal have their own specific connotations. If you’re oblivious to these distinctions and would rather just read about bass, that’s fine and dandy, and leads us to the subject of Victor Brandt, a highly affable Swedish gentleman to whom the preceding paragraph is particularly relevant. His career has covered spells in major acts from both the black and death…

Marleaux www.marleaux-bass.com $12,200 We’ve seen many a Marleaux bass here over the years—and the one thing that always stands out from this German luthier is the time, effort and skill that has been employed in the design and construction of the instruments. At first sight, this semi-acoustic Contra bass seems to be no exception, with dramatic visuals that recall a classic era of German instrument construction. Needless to say, such skill and craftsmanship come at a cost—so is it worth paying? Build Quality The body of the Contra owes a definite tip of the hat to a violin or cello, but with a modern slant. The F-hole on the upper bout highlights its semi-acoustic properties, and the sumptuous ‘old violin aged’ finish over the flamed maple body and spruce top is…

Price | $699, $749 Made In | Indonesia Body | Poplar Neck | Quartersawn maple, 34” scale (35” scale for five-string) Fingerboard | Maple, 21 frets Pickups | EMG Split Single-coil, EMG Single-coil Controls | 1 x master volume, 1 x pickup blend, 3-band active EQ Weight | 12.8lbs, 13.2lbs Case/gig bag included | No Left-hand option available | No WHAT WE THINK Plus | Tones, playability, build quality Minus | Nothing comes to mind Overall | Proof that Jackson can do non-metal basses too BP RATING…

British bassist Paul Turner is a musician steeped in funk and soul influences, having been a member of Jamiroquai since 2005. His astounding bass playing, first heard in public when he played alongside Edwin Starr and Ruby Turner in his early career, is at front and center with the Jay Kay-led band on 2010’s Rock Dust Light Star and Automaton from 2017, delivered by a range of gear from Aguilar, and Stenback. He also guests regularly with veteran acts such as Sister Sledge and has formed side projects including Shuffler, Dark Sinatras, Trioniq, and Brother Strut, and if that isn’t enough, he’s played on a very long list of sessions, which makes it all the more tricky to choose five albums for this feature... MUST-HAVE ALBUM Jamiroquai—Automaton (2017) This album…

One piece of gear that you’ll have seen mentioned here a few times, and which has been a constant presence in my music making and learning for almost three decades, is the looper. Loop pedals have come a very long way since I first started experimenting with the two seconds (!) of loop time in my ART Nightbass back in the early 90s. I’ve been performing live with a looper since just after those first experiments, and in that time, I’ve discovered so many ways that a looper can help me learn and practise. Used wisely, a loop pedal can help make you a much better musician, so let’s start exploring a few of the ways we can employ it in our solo practice—something that we’re all too familiar with…

Welcome back! Hello... hello... hello... is there anybody there... there… there..? VERY GOOD. IT’S DELAY PEDALS THIS MONTH, THEN? Yes indeed! Stand in a large space and shout ‘Echo!’ You’ll hear a discernible repeat of that sound coming back at you as it rebounds off a distant surface. This is an example of the delay effect. Now, spaces can have lots of surfaces, some near, some far and made of different materials. It follows, then, that lots of reflections of sounds will bounce around a given room. Those scattered multiples of closely-grouped delays make up the sound of reverberation, or ‘reverb’, which is something else entirely. We’re looking at reverb in my next column, but the difference between the two is essentially that delay is a sequence of isolated repeats,…