Bass Player

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.

We all owe a debt to the mighty James Jamerson and Carol Kaye.

Bass Player

BASS BROUGHT BACK • Classic album reissues are on the way from two legendary bassists.

Groove Is In The Heart • New Accugroove remodel incoming.

Love Lines • A great bass-line in 85 words

ASSUME NOTHING

FLYDATE • Tech21 release the Bass Fly Rig v2, a portable SansAmp

IN THE Groove JOHNNY CASH : JOHNNY CASH WITH HIS HOT AND BLUE GUITAR! (SUN, 1957) • Each month, we celebrate a classic, bass-loaded album. Has it stood the test of time?

Mike Watt

I WAS THERE! A historic moment in bass world—recalled by those who were there to see it • Future Motörhead bassist Lemmy makes a chemically-assisted appearance on a psychedelic freak-out in 1968

WHERE DO WE STAND? • Stage left? Stage right? Consider your position

BALANCING ACT • Is your bass too heavy? Let’s find out, Mr. Elrick

EXPAND YOUR WALKING BASS-LINES

TIME FOR TRUTH • It’s been 38 years since the bass pioneer, James Jamerson, died at the age of only 47. Virtually unknown at the time of his passing, but a star at the peak of his creativity, Jamerson created a legacy that is unparalleled in our world. However, debate has always raged about which recordings were his, and which were made by the equally great session bassist Carol Kaye . Recent developments have made that story clearer, as our exclusive report reveals.

Dear James • The great James Jamerson’s short but brilliant life in summary.

Oh, Carol! • The acclaimed Carol Kaye at a glance...

NAKED TRUTH • Canadian rock stalwarts Barenaked Ladies return with a new album, Detour De Force. We meet standup bassist—and occasional electric dabbler— Jim Creeggan .

SON SHINES • Meet Wolfgang Van Halen , sometime Van Halen bassist and son of the late guitar legend Eddie

GENE GENIE • Ukrainian metalcore band Jinjer returns: Bassist Eugene Abdukhanov tells a tale about “the roots of all (bass) evil”...

GRACE NOTES • Gospel bassist Robin Bramlett reflects on her low-frequency journey

BODY TALK • Hunter Burgan of rockers AFI on his road towards bass nirvana

STYGIAN DEEPS • The veteran AOR band Styx now has not one but two bass players—founder member Chuck Panozzo and his colleague Ricky Phillips. We meet them both...

CHUCK PANOZZO • Styx’s original bass player and founder member checks in

UPRIGHT CITIZEN • Matt Goldpaugh of Lara Hope & The Ark-Tones reports from the psychobilly trail

Incoming • We meet four up-and-coming bassists, Bohte ‘Boh’ Daisuke , formerly of Babymetal and now of Kari-Band; Mikey Coltun of Mdou Moctar; solo bass player Isobella Burnham ; and Ryan Lerner of Tetrarch. Keep an eye out for them

STAGE TIME • Actor and poet Malcolm-Jamal Warner reveals that bass isn’t just a hobby for him—it’s a way of life.

SHIP SHAPE • Armada Of Secrets bassist Carl Dawkins reveals the ethos behind the low notes

GEAR Reviews • Welcome to our expert road-tests of state-of-the-art bass gear

LIEBER GUITARS Spellcaster • Supernatural—or just hocus-pocus? Kevin Johnson investigates Stanley Clarke’s newest four-string

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

ENFIELD Antoinette • Meet Antoinette, a headless beauty from Enfield, says the ed

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

WARWICK Rockbass Corvette Multiscale • Look no further if you’re keen on fanned frets, says Stuart...