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.

What does it mean to be truly progressive? Tell us, Mr. Squire.

Bass Player US

LEARN WITH STU • Stuart Hamm launches a new online bass program—but not just any old program...

’Pool House • Macca’s childhood home opens up.

Tony Tones • Stick ’em up!

Modern Times

KRIST RETURNS • Nirvana veteran Krist Novoselic is back with a new supergroup, 3rd Secret

IN THE Groove • Let’s dig out a bass-heavy LP from the vault. This month: peak Eighties pop with Different Light by The Bangles

Norm Stockton • Few bass players have covered as much territory as the great Norm Stockton, who looks back on five key releases.

The Albums That Made Me

I WAS THERE! • A historic moment in bass world – recalled by those who were there to see it

FIND A BALANCE • Is your stage act over the top?

A STICKY SUBJECT • Glue, and how it affects you and your bass

MASTER ASCENDING DIMINISHED CHORDS

THE FISHER KING • Seven years since his death and half a century since his band Yes released their masterpiece, Close To The Edge, the influence of Chris Squire is felt as keenly as ever. His bass tones completely redefined our instrument for Seventies musicians, aided by a technique that has rarely been discussed—until today. Read on, and learn how to apply it yourself.

THUMBS UP • That essential Squire technique explained

PLAY THE SQUIRE WAY • Chris ’s bass gear explored—and how he got that tone...

HAMISH STUART MEETS LORNA THOMAS • Every now and then we ask two bass players to do our jobs for us and interview each other. This month, we meet former Average White Band multi-instrumentalist (and now Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr bassist) Hamish Stuart and the renowned bass player Lorna Thomas . Ever wondered what it’s like to play a Beatles bass part while Macca himself is watching you? Read on...

KENTUCKY NOTES • Running two bands on opposite sides of America is all in a day’s work for Holly Montgomery , who tells us “I have a little bit of a strange career right now.”

EVERY MAN • RaDíaz is living a charmed life, having earned his stripes in the hip-hop and gospel worlds before playing with hardcore legends Suicidal Tendencies and now holding down a slot with Korn. Is there nothing this guy can’t do?

TURN THE PAGE • Still not sure if you should learn to read music? Joanna Smith has some advice for you

STUDIO  TALK • We’ve all heard of the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, home to a vast catalog of essential recordings—but what’s it like to plug in a bass and record there? We went through those famous doors and asked Rolling Stones mixer John Barrett and Jerry Barnes of Chic for the low-down.

ROAD HOUSE

PERSEVERANCE PAYS • Never give up the hunt for the perfect tone, says Gustaf bassist Tine Hill

Incoming • Which bassist had never played bass before his audition? Which one says that six hours of movies is essential? Which one is a third of your age and better than all of us? Meet Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds of NZ metallers, Alien Weaponry, Slovakian bass prodigy Aron Hodek , Kristian Dunn of El Ten Eleven and Þórður Hermannsson of Ophidian.

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

SPECTOR NS Dimension 4SFB • Kev Sanders applies fingers to multiple scale lengths with Spector’s new NS Dimension

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

FENDER Rumble Stage 800 • Let’s get ready to rumble, advises Kev...