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.

Prince played bass from the depths of his soul. Can you say the same?

Bass Player

SHELF LIFE • There’s no better time to read —or write—a bass book.

STRING THEORY • Peter Hook announces orchestral Joy Division performances.

New Heights • Michael Kelly Pinnacle basses inbound.

Love Lines • A great bass-line saluted in less than 100 words.

Sand Men

Three Cheers

Loved Up

Sadowsky

Tony Hall

James Taylor recruits Lee Sklar for Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon in 1971 • A historic moment in bass world—recalled by those who were there to see it

REBUILD ENDURANCE • Get that stamina back up

SWAMP THING • What’s the status of swamp ash?

PLAY SCALES OVER DOMINANT CHORDS

ROYAL PERFORMANCE • It’s been five years since the untimely death of PRINCE ROGERS NELSON, and with interest in his music still fanatical, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to recall the occasion in 1999 when BPwriter Karl Coryat was summoned to Paisley Park to interview the great man—only to be handed a bass and commanded to play in front of his legendary subject...

Write On • Twenty-two years on, Karl Coryat recalls his career-defining, and recorder-free, meeting with Prince.

THE BAND PLAYED ON... • Prince, a masterful bassist in his own right, employed a series of phenomenal bass players over his four decades as a professional musician. Meet the team...

TIME TO TEACH • The outspoken fusion legend Jeff Berlin discusses his new Music Group with Phil Mann

REED PLAYER • The great Fernando Saunders is best known for his long-standing collaboration with the late Lou Reed, and like that maverick genius, creativity runs deep in him. We meet the maestro

TAKING NOTES • Laura Greenberg on the best bass advice she’s ever heard, courtesy of Mr V. Wooten

CALL HIM AL • Behind the ferocious death metal of Cannibal Corpse, there’s a bass genius: Alex Webster.

SEASON OF JOY • KillJoy Stephens on taking a philosophical, but practice-based, route into the low end

ALL IN • Everything Everything bassist Jeremy Pritchard digs deep into a world of tone

DEAR BILL • The great Bill Conklin has served the bass community for close to four decades with his innovative designs and superb build standards. Dan Veall finds out what inspires him these days

PRESS TO PLAY • Jon Button has a long resume of gigs with artists such as Sheryl Crow, Shakira, Mandy Moore, James Blunt, and Robben Ford. His most recent gig with The Who saw him faced with the daunting task of playing the bass parts of the much-missed John Entwistle. Could youpull that off?

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

FENDER American Professional II Precision • One for the money, two for the show: Meet Fender’s new APII P-Bass, says Kevin Sanders.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

WILCOCK BiSonic • A short-scale bass with one neck pickup: Think you know how it’s going to sound? Think again, says Mike Brooks

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

MARKBASS Marcus Miller CMD 101 Micro 60 Combo • Mike Brooks appraises this cute Marcus Miller amp—and asks whether usable combos can get any smaller...

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

DARKGLASS ELECTRONICS ADAM • Bob Brinkman gets in over his head with the Darkglass ADAM, a true tone monster

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Bass Lessons • Making you a better bass player in every issue, our state-of-the-art...