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.

How does anyone play a Rush album in its entirety? Let’s ask Les.

Bass player

THE FUTURE OF AMPLIFICATION? • Darkglass Electronics’ Exponent e500 is a bass amp that turns into a multi-effects unit via your phone

Meteoric • There’s a new Fender bass model in town.

Temple Run • STP bassist delivers solo LP.

Sun Arise • Solar Guitars launches hot new basses.

LEAVING TRACES • Will Trace Elliot’s new bass head make a 1200-watt impact?

IN THE Groove LIVING COLOUR , VIVID (EPIC, 1988) • Let’s dig out a bass-heavy LP from the vault. This month: Living Colour’s 1988 debut.

Oscar Pettiford • We take a look at five key albums by the the late, very great upright bassist Pettiford, whose influence lingers long.

Fifty-ish years ago, Larry Graham invents thumping and plucking—later renamed ‘slap bass’.

TOUR WISELY • The truth about touring

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS • Headless basses explored by Professor Elrick

EXPLORE QUARTAL HARMONY

A PAIR OF KINGS • The mighty Primus, led by the unique bassist and singer Les Claypool , are about to hit the road, playing the Rush album A Farewell To Kings in its entirety. We ask Les what the hell he’s playing at, and while we’re at it we talk to Geddy Lee , too...

NOW HEAR THIS • We asked Les to nominate five albums with amazing bass parts. Go and listen to these at once.

BOY FROM BRAZIL • Junior Groovador is the ferocious bassist you’ve seen all over YouTube, possibly playing with Jack Black. No-one knows his story outside Brazil, though—until now...

STAR BASS • Pink bassist Eva Gardner recalls the rollercoaster journey to her new EP, Darkmatter.

A BREED APART • In metal, which is best, speed, or groove? Sepultura bassist Paulo Pinto Jr reveals the answer to Hywel Davies

7 DECADES of the P-BASS • The Fender Precision turns 71 this year: We celebrate its unparalleled history

THE EVOLUTION OF THE P-BASS

STRAIT TALK • Dire Straits bassist John Illsley, who recently released a memoir and a new solo album, is showing no signs of slowing down. What was it like playing all those massive stadiums? Find out here…

ENTER THE DRAGON • The fast fingers of Paolo Gregoletto continue to anchor the epic tones of Trivium, this generation’s standard-bearers for metal. Do they never get tired, we ask?

KIND OF BLUE • Opeth bass player Martín Méndez on his new project White Stones, his new Sandberg signature models and the secret to making the wrong notes right

MASTERING MCCARTNEY • Think you can play a bit like Sir Paul? It’s not as easy as you think, says Bootleg Beatles bassist Steve White

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

BITE Funky Booster • Looking for something new? Get your funk on here, suggests Mike Brooks

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

BOSS Katana-110 Bass Combo • Boss have finally released the bass-specific version of their popular Katana amp range. Mike Brooks undertakes a sonic journey

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

BAREFACED Machinist Distortion • Kevin Sanders road-tests cab-makers Barefaced’s first effects pedal

Bass Lessons • Making you a better bass player in every issue, our state-of-the-art team of educators will guide you every step of the way. Say hello to them here!

BP Notation Legend • The following is a guide to the notation symbols and terminology used in Bass Player magazine

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