iBass | iBass Magazine

Jimmy Haslip

Posted by iBass | Dec 20, 2017 | Interviews

Forward Thinking Despite a ‘who’s who’ list of recording credits under his belt, Jimmy Haslip is perhaps best known for his work with one band, the veteran jazz group Yellowjackets. While his career with the Yellowjackets was always firmly entrenched in the contemporary jazz genre, you might be surprised to discover that his earliest bass influences were predominantly from rock and R&B recordings. “James Jamerson and Berry Oakley were big influences,” he tells us. “I was also listening to guys like Jack Bruce, Glen Cornick and Chris Squire.” Having discovered the bass guitar in high school, the left-handed Haslip bought...

Aram Bedrosian | A Dark Light

Posted by iBass | Dec 13, 2017 | Best New Music

Aram Bedrosian A Dark Light “An artist possessed of a rare stylistic bravery.” Released: July 2017 Featured Track: “Almost Home” In a world of YouTube-styled showboating, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the art of understatement was just some long-forgotten dream. Yet this is the method favoured by solo bassist Aram Bedrosian. It’s perhaps best not to approach this album with any preconceived notions that the term ‘solo bass’ can often engender, as this is a deeply reflective work almost certainly not intended for anything other than contemplative listening. Aram is an exemplary player in this context, bringing just the right...

Gear Guide: Janek Gwizdala

Posted by iBass | Dec 4, 2017 | Videos

Essential Effects Looking over Janek’s prolific resume – which to date includes several solo albums, tours with the likes of Mike Stern and Bob Reynolds, and numerous collaborations – it’s striking that he’s constantly able to renew his creative spark with each new project. Janek’s sonic range comes courtesy of a tried-and-tested set-up, although it’s undergoing some minor tweaks at the moment, he tells us. “I was always the guy who really didn’t know anything about gear, but now I’m a real fanatic when it comes to pedals. I probably have close to 300 at home and it’s the oldest, cheapest things that...

Justin Meldal-Johnsen Signature Mustang

Posted by iBass | Nov 27, 2017 | Videos

Fender Artist Series JMJ Road Worn Mustang Bass With a remarkable track record as a session and touring musician for the likes of Air, Beck and Nine Inch Nails, as well as a producer and collaborator for artists like M83, Frank Ocean, Paramore, Blood Orange, Jimmy Eat World, Goldfrapp, Young the Giant, Tori Amos, Garbage, Wolf Alice, School of Seven Bells, Cass McCombs, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and The Naked & Famous, bass players don’t get much more talented than Justin Meldal-Johnsen. In this video Justin introduces his new signature bass, which is modelled after his 1966 Daphne Blue 4-string Mustang. Learn...

Making Of A Warwick Dolphin Pro I

Posted by iBass | Nov 16, 2017 | Gear

Warwick Custom Shop Masterbuilt Dolphin Pro I – Swamp Ash Body #16-3189 Since starting out back in 1982, Warwick has built a sound reputation within the bass community, combining active tone-shaping electronics and exotic tonewoods to produce a distinctive look and a trademark sound that’s affectionately referred to as the Warwick ‘growl’. The latest model to come out of the company’s custom shop is this Dolphin Pro I 4-string, which features a swamp ash body and matching headstock, all finished with a three-dimensional white transparent finish. It comes fitted with active MEC J/TJ pickups, which in this configuration should give you...