Boss goes head-to-head with Positive Grid with the $149 Katana-Mini X – one of the firm’s most portable practice amps yet
Could the newest addition to the Katana collective become the go-to desktop amps for players?
Latest
Fender just dropped a game-changing Tone Master Pro update
Fender has bolstered its flagship amp modeling multi-effects pedal with its first dedicated bass amps, a host of new functional updates and more
Line 6 keeps up the pace with the Fender Tone Master Pro in free Helix update
The update also delivers amp models inspired by sought-after Fender and Bogner amps, four new cabs, and a bass wah to widen the line-up’s tonal palette
Paul McCartney joined by Jack White and St. Vincent for a raucous rendition of The Beatles’ The End
While it was White’s first time sharing the stage with the former Beatle, St. Vincent had joined Macca earlier to take up lead guitar duties for a cover of Get Back
Blu DeTiger on how she's changing people’s perception of bass players
With her newly released signature guitar with Fender, DeTiger shares her vision for redefining the bass as a leading instrument
Session bassist Sean Hurley on taking inspiration from Paul McCartney for a John Mayer session
Hurley aimed to build his Queen of California bass line around “the roots and flat sevenths” – taking a page from Macca's book
Brubaker merges headless guitar hype with modern modular designs for the NBS Series
Bartolini, Dark Glass, John East, Aguilar, and Nordstrand preamp modules are available, and each can be swapped out in less than 60 seconds
Marshall is returning to NAMM for the first time in 5 years – and has teased some blockbuster launches
After previously hinting that digital amps, modeling software and other advancements were in the works, Marshall is now set to embark on an all-new chapter when NAMM 2025 kicks off
Bassists
Weezer’s Scott Shriner shares his bass tone secrets
For Scott Shriner, letting loose and taking risks – including singing and playing floor pedals – is all part of the journey
Larry Klein explains how he handled replacing Jaco Pastorius in Joni Mitchell’s band
The session ace-turned producer began working with Mitchell in 1981, soon after her last album with the “world’s greatest bass player”
Blu DeTiger on how she's changing people’s perception of bass players
With her newly released signature guitar with Fender, DeTiger shares her vision for redefining the bass as a leading instrument
Session bassist Sean Hurley on taking inspiration from Paul McCartney for a John Mayer session
Hurley aimed to build his Queen of California bass line around “the roots and flat sevenths” – taking a page from Macca's book
Did Willie Weeks miss a note on this Donny Hathaway classic?
Willie Weeks is best known for his storied bass solo on Hathaway’s 1972 Live album, but the disc also features what may be his baddest bassline
How a young Bootsy Collins took the James Brown bass chair to its busiest level on this Bootsy-fied recut from 1970’s Sex Machine
The first version of the song was recorded in October 1968 with Charles ‘Sweets’ Sherrell on bass
Mike Rutherford’s “lead” bass approach helped demystify the low-end for prog rock cornerstone Genesis
The departure of guitarists Anthony Phillips and Steve Hackett cleared the way for Rutherford's angular bassline on this Genesis classic
Bass Gear
Brubaker merges headless guitar hype with modern modular designs for the NBS Series
Bartolini, Dark Glass, John East, Aguilar, and Nordstrand preamp modules are available, and each can be swapped out in less than 60 seconds
Best budget bass amps 2024: brilliant bass tone without a hefty price
Keep your low-end punchy and your bank balance healthy with our pick of the best budget bass amps from Fender, Orange, Ampeg and beyond!
“In terms of sheer value for money, it’s hard to beat”: Sterling by Music Man Joe Dart Artist Series Bass review
On paper, the Sterling Joe Dart model looks like a remarkable reproduction of Music Man’s pro-standard version. Could this be as good as it gets for a $399 bass?
Epiphone has brought back its quirky cult classic 1970s Grabber bass beloved by Gene Simmons, Krist Novoselic and Mike Dirnt
The double-cut four-string was a hit back in the 1970s, and finally makes a triumphant return in the form of a more affordable Inspired by Gibson Epiphone reissue
Harley Benton brings an elusive Gibson-inspired finish back for the masses in latest sub-$350 335-a-like
The champion of cheap guitar gear is back with an EB-2-inspired bass and perhaps its finest-looking semi-hollow stunner yet
Fender honors viral bass sensation Blu DeTiger with a signature Jazz Bass – and it sounds as good as it looks
DeTiger helped Fender first launch the Player Plus Jazz Bass back in 2021, and now she's been treated to her very own signature model
Best basses for metal 2024: our selection of the best basses for heavy music across all budgets
From Rickenbacker to Ibanez and Schecter, our picks of the best metal basses will help you sound heavier than ever before
Reviews
“In terms of sheer value for money, it’s hard to beat”: Sterling by Music Man Joe Dart Artist Series Bass review
On paper, the Sterling Joe Dart model looks like a remarkable reproduction of Music Man’s pro-standard version. Could this be as good as it gets for a $399 bass?
“Thrill-seekers wishing to add ear-melting fuzz to their bass will be in tonal nirvana”: Goliath FX Hornburg Fuzz review
With drive tones verging on the mythical, is this the ultimate bass fuzz?
“As a compact amp modeler/cab simulator/Capture device, this is perhaps the best option out there, screen or no screen”: Neural DSP Nano Cortex review
The follow-up to the game-changing Quad Cortex is here at last, and with its ultra-powerful Nano Cortex, Neural DSP has set its sights on challenging IK Multimedia and Kemper to offer the ultimate all-in-one rig solution
Fender Vintera II ’60s Precision Bass review
Vintage looks? Timeless P-Bass tones? We size up the latest incarnation of Fender’s flagship 4-string
“You’d be hard-pushed to find a bass sound that you couldn’t gig with almost immediately”: Boss Katana-500 Bass Head review
This newly developed, feature-packed bass head features an Amp Feel switch and ‘Cabinet Resonance’ calibration technology to get the best from your cab – but is it a game-changer for bassists?
“If you can handle the fanned frets, this is a bass you’ll cherish for decades”: Dingwall John Taylor Signature review
After playing a custom Dingwall live with Duran Duran, John Taylor has launched his production model, loaded with a new bridge design, a Rupert Neve Design preamp to die for and a monster tonal range
“So much fun and so inspiring, it’s a steal at the asking price”: Boss Katana:Go review
Boss has crammed a full Katana amplifier into a tiny headphone-amp format – and its long list of features and tones makes it practically irresistible
