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.

Half a century in the same band? Dusty Hill thought nothing of it.

Bass Player

LONDON BASS DISPLAY • Clash bassist Paul Simonon’s smashed Fender is now on permanent view

Honoring Stan • Hats off to Mr Clarke

Love Lines • A great bass-line, recalled in 75 words or less

ASSUME NOTHING • Chloe Peacock challenges received bass wisdom...

INCOMING • New gear arrives for the fall

IN THE Groove GIOVANNI BOTTESINI , DOUBLE BASS CONCERTOS (DYNAMIC, 1997) • Each month, we celebrate a classic, bass-loaded album. Has it stood the test of time?

Nick Beggs • We celebrate five great - and less great! - albums on which a notable bassist appears

In 1972, Lou Reed asks Herbie Flowers to play on ‘Walk On The Wild Side’... and goes stratospheric • A historic moment in bass world—recalled by those who were there to see it

WHERE DO I PUT A PEDALBOARD? • Place those effects correctly

DOES WEIGHT REALLY MATTER? • Investigating chambered bodies

THE HALF-WHOLE DIMINISHED SCALE

DUSTY HILL 1949-2021 TOP MAN • When ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill left us on July 27, he left a legacy like few others. Jamie Blaine pays tribute, and we revisit words of wisdom from Hill himself

TALKING JOE • We met Dusty Hill back in 2008, when he was promoting ZZ Top’s then-new, soon-to-be-huge DVD Live In Texas. Read, learn and raise your glass.

HIP SHOT • Canadian stalwarts The Tragically Hip return with an album of nostalgic songs: Bassist Gord Sinclair explains why

PORTER PARTNERS • The great Meters bassist George Porter Jr. returns with a new album, Crying For Hope

PLAY SAFE • Anna Achimowicz is a bassist, physiotherapist and health professional. We ask her how to do what we do without injury

TAYLOR MADE • A new book on Duran Duran’s Rioalbum highlights the role of bassist John Taylor, a hero in our community. Author Annie Zaleski digs deep into the pleasure groove

The Write Stuff • Author Annie Zaleski on her new DD book

WIZARDS OF OZ • The Australian trio The Omnific make music like no other band—with two bassists, a drummer, and a whole lot of genius. We meet Matt Fack and Toby Peterson-Stewart

THE FAB FABLE • How many bass players have shared the stage with the Beatles, both as a band and individually? Only one— Klaus Voormann.

TRIUMPHANT • Jamie Lee Cussigh of Triumph Of Death on learning to trust her instincts about bass

BLUE NOTES • Gerry McAvoy , who played bass with Rory Gallagher, remembers the great bluesman.

WORD PLAY • A former member of the American-British band Sparks, on whose 1974 album Kimono My House he established a signature tone, bassist Martin Gordon went on to found Jet and Radio Stars, before recording solo projects. We meet him for a chat about his new album, Another Words

RAISING HELL • Who wouldn’t cherish a signature bass as luscious as this one? Dan Firth of Cradle Of Filth talks through his new acquisition...

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

BLAST CULT One4Five Double Bass • Is there a sonic revolution on the horizon for upright bass players? Phil Mann reviews Blast Cult’s latest upright behemoth—and meets luthier Jason Burns

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

CULT OF PERSONALITY • Blast Cult luthier Jason Burns on his approach to building upright basses

HARLEY BENTON JB-75MN NA Vintage, RB-414BK Classic • Budget basses that pack a rich tone? Yes please,...