In this issue

Jackson CBXM X-Series Signature David Ellefson Concert IV and V $699.99, $749.99
Can this really be a Jackson, asks Joe Daly, faced with the new signature basses from Megadeth’s David Ellefson?

Aguilar DB925 Bass Preamp $149
A new tone-shaping pedal from Aguilar in a small, but perfectly formed, package. Brooks assesses its potential applications.

Pass Notes: Ashley Reeve
Our new Pass Notes section distils the career advice of the professionals when it comes to getting a gig, holding it down and being the best bassist you can be. This month: Ashley Reeve, Cher..

LOW LIFE

Nail your preparation with Tax The Heat bassist and BIMM UK Live Performance tutor Antonio Angotti

3 mins

Bass of Tomorrow

We can think of a few string manufacturers who claim to make the best-sounding products in the world. Dr Jonathan Kemp doesn’t just make that claim—he can prove it, too. Hywel Davies is blinded with science...

2 mins

IT WAS FORTY YEARS AGO TODAY...

...that Mark King’s flying thumb first blew our minds and, in doing so, opened up a whole new era for the bass guitar. As Level 42 celebrate their fourth decade in business, we sit down with King and take a look back—with the benefit of 2020 vision

10 mins

BEHIND THE WALL OF SOUND

You think you know who the late, great Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister of Motörhead was? We thought so too, until we met the singer songwriter Lynda Kay, who reveals a tender side to the great man that we never knew existed

10+ mins

PASS NOTES: ASHLEY REEVE

Welcome to Pass Notes, our new advice column, in which we ask a renowned bass player for tips about how to make it as a musician. This month: Cher bassist Ashley Reeve

4 mins

Enter Sandbergman

Swedish bassist Victor Brandt is a veteran of Scandinavian metal—so it’s about time he got his own suitably heavyweight signature axe. We meet the metal maestro

6 mins

THIS GOES TO TWELVE

Idaho-resident bassist Mark Rowe owns what is thought to be the world’s largest collection of 12-string basses. We meet him for a chat about the thang behind the twang...

4 mins

MARLEAUX Contra

A four-string beauty from Gerald Marleaux falls into the hands of Mike Brooks

4 mins

HARTKE LX8500

The new big box from the esteemed amp-makers Hartke arrives on Stuart Clayton’s desk. Cover your ears, he advises

4 mins

Beginners' Lesson

Step away from theory for a minute, says beginners’ guru Steve Lawson. This month, we’re learning how to learn... with a looper

10 mins

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Bass Player US Magazine Description:

Bobby Vega
Ever since his first recording session with Sly Stone at the age of 17, Bay Area bass badass Bobby Vega has set the bar for funktastic pick playing. In this month's cover story, he goes deep on his plectrum technique and artistic approach. Plus: interviews with Cheap Trick's Tom Petersson, Dream Theater's John Myung, and Jerry "J Blakk" Henderson of Big Sam's Funky Nation; reviews of the Blackstar Fly Bass mini-amp, Mesa-Boogie D-800 head and Ultra Lite cabinets, and new pickups from Lindy Fralin; Jazz and R&B lessons you can use; a full-song bass transcription of Deep Purple's "Gettin' Tighter;" and more!