Just a bit of rambling

Just playing with my phone. While I'm sitting in the parking lot at the grocery store. What a beautiful Sunday morning. It's a bit on the cool side but the bright blue sky with a dotting of puffy white clouds is just amazing.

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Jim Clench bassist for April Wine and BTO dies

Jim Clench, a Montreal bass player and vocalist who played with April Wine and Bachman Turner Overdrive, has died. He was 61. Clench died Tuesday in a Montreal hospital after a battle with lung cancer, according to April Wine's Brian Greenway.
Clench was with April Wine, the Montreal band known for hits such as You Could Have Been a Lady and The Whole World's Goin' Crazy from 1970 to 1975, then rejoined as the band underwent a resurgence from 1992 to 2007.
He was with BTO from 1977 until the band's breakup in 1979.
His musical career began with a band called the Coven, before he joined April Wine.
Clench played bass on four April Wine albums — 1971's April Wine, 1972's On Record, 1973's Electric Jewels and 1975's Stand Back.
He also took over lead vocals from Myles Goodwyn on songs such as Weeping Widow and Oowatanite, a song he wrote. His growling voice was a distinctive element for the band.
He left to join another band with Greenway, who eventually joined April Wine as a permanent member after that other group failed to get a recording contract.
Clench then played with BTO, taking over bass and sharing lead vocal duties with Fred Turner in the period after Randy Bachman left the group.
Clench played on 1978's Street Action and 1979's Rock N' Roll Nights with BTO before the group disbanded.
In 1992, Goodwyn reformed April Wine and Clench returned to record four more studio albums, 1993's Attitude, 1994's Frigate, 2001's Back to the Mansion and 2006's Roughly Speaking.
April Wine paid tribute to Clench on the band's website, but Greenway said they had lost touch with him after he left.
"He was a very private person, when he left the band he sort of stayed on his own and we were travelling a lot — and as happens with bands when you change members, you sort of lose contact sometimes," Greenway said.
Clench was not married and had no children. His funeral is scheduled to take place next week in St. John's.

Courtesy of CBC News Canada

Quote Of The Day

"The bass, no matter what kind of music you're playing, it just enhances the sound and makes everything sound more beautiful and full. When the bass stops, the bottom kind of drops out of everything. " ~Charlie Haden

Lazy Days Of Summer

I have just been relaxing today doing nothing at all. I thought about mowing grass or doing some other work related chore around the house but I quickly decided against it. A quote from a movie comes to mind. "We like to plan ahead, so we don't have to do anything now". That's me today and I don't feel a bit guilty about it. We all need an off day now and then. Do I hear an Amen.

Zon Guitars Announces Standard Series Line

Redwood City, CA -- Zon Guitars announces the release of their new, affordably priced Standard Series line of bass guitars. Offered in Mosaic, Sonus and Legacy models, these basses are handcrafted in Korea to Zon’s exact specifications and rigid quality requirements. All of these basses are final-inspected for fit and finish and setup at Zon Guitars’ Redwood City, California, facility before final shipping to dealers.

 

 

According to company President Joe Zon, “There are a lot of players out there who want to own a Zon bass, but their budget has restricted them from doing so. This new Standard Series now makes that possible.

“From their inception, we wanted to offer players a workhorse instrument of exceptional quality, worthy of the Zon brand and reputation--a bass with the sound and playability that would make it a genuine value for the dollar, an affordable bass that didn’t need to be hotrodded by upgrading the pickups and hardware to make it a good-performing instrument.

“All Standard Series basses feature U.S.-made Duncan pickups and Hipshot brass bridges, as well as 3-band active/passive electronics. The necks are three-piece maple with rosewood fingerboards and dual-action truss rods, and the bodies are made of quality tone woods with highly figured Maple, Bubinga or Walnut veneer tops. Even the gig bag is high-quality, thick and very protective.”

All models of the Standard Series import line are available in 4- and 5-string versions with either gloss or satin finishes. U.S. Retail prices start at $1599.

For more information:
Zon Guitars

Gibson Releases Joan Jett "Blackheart" Melody Maker

Nashville, TN -- In anticipation of the forthcoming film release The Runaways and her recent release of the Joan Jett and The Blackhearts Greatest Hits album, Gibson Guitar has announced the launch of the Joan Jett “Blackheart” Melody Maker. Gibson released a white Joan Jett signature Melody Maker in 2008. The “Blackheart” Melody Maker will be available beginning March 19th.

“I needed a black guitar. This guitar has the same body and the neck runs smooth as silk, “ said Joan Jett. “ I wanted some flash of color, so the fret inlays are bright red, and the 12th fret is marked by mother of pearl inlay hearts lying end to end. I am using it onstage now, and it sounds ferocious. But of course, she can play gentle as well. Just like the earlier white Joan Jett Gibson model, it is a great guitar for anybody.”

The guitar features a mahogany body and neck with an ebony fingerboard. The single pickup is a Zebra Coil Burst Bucker 3. MSRP $1533.

Boss Unveils The BR-800 Digital Recorder

BOSS continues its top-selling tradition of portable, affordable multi-trackers with the new BR-800 — a battery-powered studio to go. The sleek new design is made possible by touch-sensor switches and SD-card recording media. Up to four tracks can be recorded or eight tracks played back simultaneously, plus an additional stereo track dedicated to the built-in rhythm generator.

Whether you’re creating intricate, multi-layered songs or point-and-capture field recordings, the BR-800 makes the recording process fast and easy. Beginners will love the new EZ Recording mode that interactively guides you through the recording process. Other helpful features include the convenient RETRY function, which re-cues automatically to fix mistakes, and SONG SKETCH recording for instant, one-touch capture. There’s also a built-in stereo condenser microphone, plus a DR-880-quality rhythm generator for adding drum and percussion tracks to your songs.

Enhance your recordings with the powerful BOSS effects onboard the BR-800. Many of the effects are derived from BOSS’ flagship processors, including vocal effects from the VE-20, COSM® guitar/bass effects from the GT-10 series, and modeled acoustic-guitar body effects from the AP-1 preamp, which imparts pro-quality miked-up sound and rich body tone to line-recorded acoustic guitar. You’ll be amazed at how much processing power is built into this little recorder, and how excellent the effects sound.

You can power the BR-800 from the included AC adapter, or for ultimate mobility, it can be powered from six AA batteries. Record anywhere! The BR-800’s USB compatibility enables a variety of functionality with computers. Connected to a PC, the BR-800 will function as an USB audio interface for recordings that utilize the internal effects. The BR-800 can also function as a control surface for DAW software.

No matter where you roam, you’ll never miss a moment of musical inspiration with the portable new BR-800. The BR-800 is expected to be available in May with an MSRP of $525.00. For more information, please visit www.RolandConnect.com.

Fender News:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Flashback: Pink Floyd

This is a very informative article from Fender.com. Enjoy.

Great artists have been making history using Fender instruments for decades. Many of these greats are featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which celebrates its 2010 induction ceremony on March 15. Join us as we take a detailed look at some at some of the artists who’ve been inducted in previous years and who make the Hall of Fame one of the world’s greatest monuments to one of the world’s greatest musical forms.

Pink Floyd is simply one of the biggest groups in rock history, with a story that now spans five decades and a musical legacy that ranks among popular music’s most innovative and influential. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Read more at the link below.

Fender News:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Flashback: Pink Floyd

Long Cold Winter

It's been a tough winter around here. December, January and February brought snow, snow and more snow. In all about 60" of the white stuff was dumped on us. Our normal snow fall is about 16 to 18 inches.

Now that the weather has turned a bit warmer we're getting rain, rain and more rain. Since last Thursday alone we have gotten almost 5" of rain. We have been under a flood watch since last Friday. I sure hope this weather pattern shifts soon. I need some sun and warm temps. My motorcycle fusses at me every time I walk through the garage. I keep telling her that it's not my fault but you know how bikes can be some times.

Quote Of The Day

"Jazz musicians are only workers who will put in a full shift for pay and then go somewhere else and continue to work for free." ~George Carlin

Iron Maiden Upcoming Album And Tour

Iron Maiden have announced details of their upcoming album and North American tour.
Called "The Final Frontier", the LP will be released in the summer and is the legendary rock band's fifteenth studio album.
Playing in support of the album, the band will begin a 22-date tour of North America, beginning with a show in Dallas, Texas on June the 9th.

Meanwhile, the group are set to appear at a number of European festivals including a headline slot at this year's Sonisphere Festival in Hertfordshire. Iron Maiden will play:
06/09 - Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center
06/11 - Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
06/12 - San Antonio,TX AT&T Center
06/14 - Denver, CO Comfort Dental Amphitheater
06/16 - Albuquerque, NM The Pavilion
06/17 - Phoenix, AZ Cricket Wireless Pavilion
06/19 - San Bernardino, CA San Manuel Amphitheater
06/20 - Concord, CA Sleep Train Pavilion
06/22 - Auburn, WA White River Amphitheater
06/24 - Vancouver, BC GM Place
06/26 - Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
06/29 - Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre
06/30 - Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
07/03 - Toronto, ON Molson Amphitheatre
07/07 - Montreal, QC Bell Centre
07/11 - Holmdel, NJ PNC
07/12 - New York, NY Madison Square Garden
07/14 - Pittsburgh, PA First Niagara Pavilion
07/15 - Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center
07/17 - Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
07/18 - Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
07/20 - Washington, D.C Jiffy Lube Live
Thanks for the report to Nme.com.

Quote Of The Day

"I've always felt that blues, rock 'n' roll and country are just about a beat apart." ~Waylon Jennings

Genesis Guitarist Steve Hackett’s Album to See Release in U.S.

Steve Hackett, former lead guitarist for Genesis, will follow the U.K. release of his new album Out Of The Tunnel’s Mouth with its U.S. release on June 8 on the InsideOut Music imprint, he has announced.
Praise for the eight-song collection has mounted ever since the native Londoner introduced the album, which he recorded in his living room, to the U.K. in November 2009. Among other collaborations, the album includes a song recorded with former Genesis guitarist Anthony Philips.
Hackett — who has long played a Gibson Les Paul Gold Top or Les Paul Custom — has enjoyed quite a career since departing Genesis in 1977, after recording eight albums with the legendary group. Together, he and former Yes guitarist Steve Howe founded the hit supergroup GTR in 1987, but the band was shortlived, dissolving only a year later. Since then Hackett’s remained engaged in solo work; in fact, the guitarist has released nearly two dozen solo albums over the past four decades.
On March 15, Hackett will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Genesis bandmates Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks.

Quote Of The Day

"Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence."  ~Robert Fripp

Quote Of The Day

"There, in the chords and melodies, is everything I want to say." ~David Bowie

T-Bone Wolk Dies

Hall & Oates bassist T-Bone Wolk dies at 58

Mon Mar 1, 2010 11:12pm EST

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Tom "T-Bone" Wolk, who played bass for nearly 30 years with Daryl Hall and John Oates and also recorded with Elvis Costello and Billy Joel, died Saturday of an apparent heart attack.

Wolk was to have performed with Hall and Oates Monday as part of the one-year anniversary show for NBC's "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon." Wolk's age was unknown.
A Yonkers, N.Y., native, the musician played bass on Kurtis Blow's early rap classic "These Are the Breaks" and between 1986 and 1992, served as the bassist for the "Saturday Night Live" house band, where he became familiar for his omnipresent black top hat. Wolk also collaborated and recorded with Carly Simon, Rosanne Cash, Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper, Jewel and Shawn Colvin throughout his career.
But he was best known for his tenure with Hall and Oates, which began with the 1981 album "Private Eyes" and continued until the present day. In addition to his bass work for the duo, Wolk also served as a co-producer on several of their projects.
"To say that I am shocked is the ultimate understatement," Hall said in a statement. "T-Bone was my musical brother and losing him is like losing my right hand. It's not if I will go on, but how. T-Bone was one of the most sensitive and good human beings that I have ever known. And, I can truly say that I loved him."

Warwick Announces Robert Trujillo Signature Bass

Markneukirchen, Germany (March 1, 2010) -- Warwick has announced their latest artist signature model, the Robert Trujillo Streamer Signature Bass.


Specifications:
- Neck through
- Available as 5-string
- Available as right-handed only
- Matched Headstock Chrometone
- Maple neck, special Rob Trujillo shape
- Tigerstripe Ebony fingerboard with nickel silver frets
- R T Genuine Silver Custom Inlay
- 34” long scale
- Maple body
- Active EMG J/J pickups
- Bartolini 3-band electronics
- Quicksilver Chrometone or Turquoise Blue Chrometone finish
- Chrome hardware
- Just-A-Nut III
- Schaller 3D bridge
- Warwick machine heads
- Warwick security locks
- Dunlop Robert Trujillo Signature strings: .045” - .130”
- Including Warwick “User Kit” and RockCase flight case

Here's what Warwick had to say about their partnership with Robert:

Warwick welcomes Robert Trujillo!

That’s right, the venerable Metallica bassist is Warwick’s newest family member.

Trujillo is best known as the finger-style bass monster whose dexterity, tones and attitude have seen him grace the bass of Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves, Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica since the late ‘80s.

Warwick is proud to acknowledge its new affiliation with Robert Trujillo. In honor of this momentous occasion Warwick will be issuing a Robert Trujillo Streamer Signature Bass. The bass itself will feature a quicksilver or turquoise blue chrometone finish, giving it a metallic shine that, like Rob, demands center stage on any gig. The increased mass of the neck, special nut width and active EMG pickups and Bartolini 3-band electronics invite you to play at full throttle. The neck and body are both made of Maple, lending it an incredibly tight tone. Even the fastest licks and heaviest chords, for which Rob is notorious, are clear and powerful. Rob especially likes the comfort and the sleek design of the body which makes you become one with the resonance of the instrument.

The development of the Warwick Robert Trujillo Streamer Signature Bass happened over the course of two years. Warwick quality control manager and R&D assistant Marcus Spangler personally oversaw the development of Trujillo’s basses: “we made a Streamer with a flat back and some measurements that Robert’s tech Zach provided,” recalls Spangler. “We built one in makassar, one in zebrawood, one in quilted maple and a black chrome tone, which was the one he really liked. He called it ‘The Terminator.’” And so, Warwick proceeded to build him 3 more chrome tone basses, a 4-string and two 5-strings. These instruments now form the template for the Warwick Robert Trujillo Streamer Signature Bass. Marcus says that Zach told him, “Guys, I don´t know what you did with the neck but Robert is so happy with the playability.”

Above article from Premier Guitar
 

Paul McCartney to begin 'Up and Coming' 2010 tour,

Paul McCartney to begin 'Up and Coming' 2010 tour,

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Quote Of The Day

"Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art." ~Charlie "YardBird" Parker

Quote Of The Day

"To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable." ~Aaron Copland

Tyler Back with Aerosmith?

Call off the search! After months of very public acrimony and at least one rehab visit, it appears that Steven Tyler is ready to resume his role as the lead singer of Aerosmith.
This week, representatives for the group announced that the frontman would join the band for an appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival on June 10 and a headlining slot at the Download Festival in England on June 13.
According to Billboard, those two dates are actually part of a full European summer tour, which will be announced in the near future.
Promoters apparently insisted on the familiar lineup of the band. "There's no Aerosmith without Steven Tyler," Download promoter Andy Copping told Billboard. "There's no point in entertaining anything other than Steven Tyler."
The reunited band may also tour South America and, at some point, complete work on the album of new material it was in the process of recording with Brendan O'Brien before things went awry.
Just last month, Tyler’s attorney Skip Miller sent a strongly worded letter to the band’s manager Howard Kaufman, insisting the group call off its search for a replacement singer and "immediately cease and desist from engaging in acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of your own client, Aerosmith, and our client who is one of its members."
Aerosmith’s troubles started after the band was forced cancel its summer tour with ZZ Top following Tyler’s fall from the stage on August 5 in Sturgis, S.D.
Those who can’t wait until June can catch guitarist Brad Whitford on the latest incarnation of the Experience Hendrix tour, which kicks off March 4 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Peter Frampton Set To Release New Album

Peter Frampton is set to release his new album, Thank You Mr. Churchill, on April 27. The guitar great describes the 11-song set, which he co-produced, as his most personal set to date.

"This album is very autobiographical," Frampton says. "It starts with my birth, which I thank Mr. Churchill for bringing my father back from the Second World War."

The album was recorded at his home studio in Cincinnati and was co-produced by Chris Kimsey, who served as the engineer on Frampton's first solo record, 1972's Wind of Change. The pair, who reportedly reunited on Facebook, had not worked together in over 30 years before this project.

Thank You Mr. Churchill also features cameos from Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron and the Funk Brothers, who play on the Motown tribute track, "Invisible Man."

Frampton’s previous release, 2006's Fingerprints, scored a Grammy Award for the veteran musician.

Thank You Mr. Churchill tracklist:
1. Thank You Mr. Churchill
2. Solution
3. Road to the Sun
4. I'm Due a You
5. Vaudeville Nanna and the Banjolele
6. Asleep at the Wheel
7. Suite Liberte
a. Megumi
b. Huria Watu
8. Restraint
9. I Want It Back
10. Invisible Man
11. Black Ice

Quote Of The Day

"You are precisely as big as what you love and precisely as small as what you allow to annoy you."~Robert Anton Wilson

This Winter Thing Is Getting Old

More snow is on the way. Including the December 19th blizzard, we have had about 30 inches of the white stuff. The December 19th storm brought 22 inches alone. Now the weather gurus are calling for another winter storm to hit us tomorrow that will match and possibly surpass the December event. Time to go to Wal Mart. I hope the shelves aren't completely empty.

Here's what the National Weather Service Balitmore MD/Washington DC is calling for.

Winter Storm Warning

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
210 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

DCZ001-MDZ003>007-009>011-013-014-501-502-VAZ028-031-042-052>054-
501-502-WVZ050>053-503-504-050315-
/O.CON.KLWX.WS.W.0006.100205T1500Z-100207T0300Z/
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-
NORTHERN BALTIMORE-HARFORD-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-
PRINCE GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY-FREDERICK VA-CLARKE-LOUDOUN-
PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-NORTHERN FAUQUIER-
SOUTHERN FAUQUIER-HAMPSHIRE-MORGAN-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-
WESTERN MINERAL-EASTERN MINERAL-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WASHINGTON...HAGERSTOWN...FREDERICK...
WESTMINSTER...GAITHERSBURG...COLUMBIA...BALTIMORE...ANNAPOLIS...
FROSTBURG...CUMBERLAND...WINCHESTER...LEESBURG...MANASSAS...
MANASSAS PARK...FAIRFAX...ALEXANDRIA...FALLS CHURCH...WARRENTON...
MARTINSBURG...CHARLES TOWN...EMORYVILLE...HARTMANSVILLE...
KEYSER...FORT ASHBY
210 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO
10 PM EST SATURDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO
10 PM EST SATURDAY.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE...HEAVY SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 18 TO 24 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL BEGIN MID-MORNING FRIDAY...AND WILL CONTINUE
THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING. CONDITIONS WILL DETERIORATE RAPIDLY
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...WITH HEAVIEST SNOWFALL OCCURRING BETWEEN
SUNSET FRIDAY TO SUNRISE SATURDAY. THE MOST HAZARDOUS WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR FRIDAY NIGHT.

* VISIBILITIES...THE COMBINATION OF HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS
WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO BELOW ONE-QUARTER MILE...PRODUCING
NEAR-BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES FRIDAY NIGHT AND EARLY
SATURDAY MORNING.

* TEMPERATURES...HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S FRIDAY. TEMPERATURES WILL
BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 20S FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

* WINDS...BECOMING NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH FRIDAY WITH GUSTS TO
30 MPH FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

CONDITIONS IN THIS STORM ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPARABLE TO THOSE
IN THE STORM OF 19 DECEMBER. PLAN FOR SUBSTANTIAL DISRUPTIONS TO
TRAVEL FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FRIDAY NIGHT.

Another Addition To The Fold

Well I got rid of one of my guitars. The Squire P-Bass left the house today but in it's place I brought home another Squire. I's a  Squire by Fender Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz Bass. I had been wanting a fretlless bass for sometime and the deal was right so I picked one up. This is a very well built and playable guitar. A lot of players look down their noses on the Squire line of guitars but I have to say after owning the P-Bass and now this fretless Jazz, for the money you can't buy a better guitar in my book. Time to plug up and put on some Jaco.

I haven't got around to taking any pictures yet so here's a few I snagged off the web.

Jeff Beck Mixes New Solo Album

Jeff Beck Mixes Rock with Classical on New Solo Album

Jeff Beck’s forthcoming new solo album, Emotion & Commotion, promises to be among the most eclectic recordings of the guitarist’s career.

Slated for release on April 13, the album features a mix or original music and cover songs, including renditions of the Wizard of Oz classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Jeff Buckley’s “Corpus Christi Carol,” and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins' “I Put a Spell on You.” Among the disc’s three guest singers is Joss Stone, who handles vocals on the latter song.

Complementing Beck’s guitar work on several tracks will be a 64-piece orchestra. The legendary rocker says the idea to bring in an orchestra evolved from his work on Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, which he recorded a few years ago.

“It turned out amazingly well, but I didn’t want to commit to an entire album of classical music,” Beck says. “What appealed to me instead was the idea of bringing together these seemingly contradictory sounds on different kinds of non-classical music.”

Among the disc’s original compositions is “Hammerhead,” a track said to incorporate a horn arrangement into a wah-driven groove, and “Never Alone,” a soundscape that features a “high-flying” melody.

Frequent Beck collaborators Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), Jason Rebello (keyboards), and Tal Wilkenfeld (bass) contribute throughout the disc, which was recorded in late 2009 in London.

EMOTION & COMMOTION Track Listing:

1. “Corpus Christi Carol”
2. “Hammerhead”
3. “Never Alone”
4. “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”
5. “I Put A Spell On You” featuring Joss Stone
6. “Serene”
7. “Lilac Wine” featuring Imelda May
8. “Nessun Dorma”
9. “There’s No Other Me” featuring Joss Stone
10. “Elegy For Dunkirk” featuring Olivia Safe

Warwick Announces Adam Clayton Bass

Warwick Announces Adam Clayton Reverso Signature Bass & Bronze Acoustic Bass Strings
Anaheim, CA (January 12, 2010) -- Warwick has announced a new signature bass for U2's Adam Clayton, along with new bass strings.

Adam Clayton Reverso Signature Bass
The fact that Adam Clayton of U2, the bassist of one of the biggest rock' n 'roll bands in the world, sought the collaboration with Warwick two years ago is a milestone for the soon to be 30-year-old success story of Warwick as a manufacturer of bass equipment. An intensive collaboration with the Warwick team under the guidance of Marcus Spangler created an unmatched bass that shines with its own voice and design.

The Warwick Adam Clayton Reverso Signature Bass not only stands out because of its extravagant design. The high quality components, like the selected 5A quilted maple top for the body and headstock, the Khaya Mahogany body, the 3A flamed maple neck with tiger stripe ebony fingerboard give this bass a unique tone with smooth elegance and a punch that a band like U2 needs every time they play.

An active MEC P split coil pickup captures the tone, new passive MEC electronics co-developed with Adam Clayton allow a separate reduction of high and low frequencies, and produce the typical Adam Clayton sound. The electrical outfitting of this Adam Clayton Reverso Bass also includes red LEDs on the fingerboard's edge providing the best orientation on dark stages. An all-around professional bass for one of the most demanding bassist in the world.

Red Strings Bronze Acoustic Bass Strings
Warwick expands its range of high quality and highly affordable acoustic bass strings products with the “Red Strings Bronze Acoustic Bass Strings“, which close the market gap for affordable but still high quality acoustic bass strings. The “Red Strings Bronze Acoustic Bass Strings“ will be available in two different sets – one medium scale (32”) for 4-string basses and one long scale (34”) for 5-string basses. The Bronze Acoustic Bass Strings sound very balanced across the complete fingerboard and deliver an excellent, powerful, warm and singing tone.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) including VAT for the 4-String Medium Scale Set is £13.90, and for the 5-String Long Scale Set £18.90.

4-String Medium Scale: .045”, .065”, .085”, .105”

5-string Long Scale: .045”, .065”, .085”, .105”, .135”

For more information:
Warwick

Fender Products: 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass®-New for 2010!

Fender Products: 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass®-New for 2010!



For all you Fender Jazz bass fans out there, here's your chance to grab a piece of Fender history.

The Fender Jazz Bass guitar was first delivered to the world in 1960. If the Precision Bass® was a muscle car, the new Jazz bass was a sports car, and it proved incredibly popular with bassists of all styles worldwide.

Although remarkably unchanged since its introduction half a century ago, the Jazz Bass did see a very gradual succession of subtle design refinements over the course of the past five decades. Accordingly, our limited edition 50th anniversary Jazz Bass is a truly distinctive instrument in that it boasts design touches from several periods in Jazz Bass history, including '60s-era lacquer finish, headstock logo, chrome bridge and pickup covers; '70s-era thumb rest and bridge pickup positioning; and modern-era high-mass bridge and graphite neck support rods.

Comes in a deluxe black hardshell case containing cable, strap, polishing cloth and collectible 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass brochure.

Model Name: 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass®
Model Number: 019-5000-(809)
Series: Limited Anniversary Series
Colors: (709) Candy Apple Red,
(Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Body: Alder
Neck: Graphite Reinforced Maple, Modern C Shape,
(Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9.5 Radius (241 mm)
No. of Frets: 20 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups: Two 75 Vintage Jazz Bass® Single-Coil Pickups
Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup),
Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup),
Master Tone
Pickup Switching: None
Bridge: HMV, High Mass Vintage, (Strings-Thru-Body or Topload)
Machine Heads: Fender®/Hipshot® Vintage Keys with Tapered Shafts
Hardware: Chrome
Pickguard: 3-Ply White/Black/White
Scale Length: 34 (863.6 mm)
Width at Nut: 1.50 (38 mm)
Unique Features: White Pearloid Block Position Inlays,
Matching Painted Headstock,
*60s Style Lacquer Finish,
*62 Fender Logo,
*70s Bridge Pickup Position,
*70s Style Bass-Side Thumb Rest,
*00s Style HMV Bridge and Lightweight Fender®/Hipshot® Vintage Tuning Keys,
*00s Posiflex™ Graphite Neck Support Rods,
Vintage Tinted Neck,
Buffed Fingerboard,
Highly Detailed Nut and Fret Work,
Rolled Fingerboard Edges,
Rounded Body Shape,
Chrome Bridge and Pickup Covers are Mounted at the Factory,
Collectable 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass® Brochure,
Black Plastic Parts
Strings: NEW U.S. Fender® NPS 7250M (0737250406), Gauges .045, .065, .085, .105
Accessories: Deluxe Black Hardshell Case, Cable, Strap, Polishing Cloth, Collectable 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass® Brochure
Case: Deluxe Black Hardshell Case with Black Interior
Introduced: 1/2010
Notice: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice

Quote Of The Day

"Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art." ~ Charlie "YardBird" Parker

Epiphone Introduces NEW Series Thunderbird PRO

Thunderbird Pro Basses



Building upon the long-term success of the Thunderbird bass, Epiphone introduces the NEW professional series Thunderbird PRO's. Available in both 4 and 5 string versions, THE original "rock and roll" bass with the distinctive shape combines traditional design elements with new technology - all for a price that the working bassist can afford.

The Thunderbird PRO's feature a rock-solid, 7-piece (Walnut/Maple) neck with through-body construction for amazing sustain and tone. Add to that, Epiphone's new T-Pro bass humbucking pickups with custom active electronics and EQ and suddenly, the Thunderbird transforms into a very versatile bass capable of a wide variety of tonal options.

Other features include premium die-cast 14:1 bass machine heads, a "bad ass" fully-adjustable bridge and SlimTaper neck profile with Epi-designed straight-string pull headstock. Add to that black hardware and black pickguard with silver Thunderbird logo and you've got the NEW Epiphone Thunderbird PRO's. Available in 3 striking colors - Vintage Sunburst, Translucent Black and Natural Oil.









Specifications:

Body Wings: Mahogany
Neck: 7-piece (Walnut/Maple/Walnut/Maple/Walnut/Maple/Walnut)
Neck Joint: Through-Neck
Truss Rod: Double-Action, 2-Way
Fingerboard Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 12"
Frets: 20-Medium/Jumbo, nickel/silver alloy
Scale Length: 34"
Nut Width: 1.50" (4-string), 1.93" (5-string)
Neck Pickup: Epiphone T-PRO Bass Humbucker
Bridge Pickup: Epiphone T-PRO Bass Humbucker
Bridge: Flush-Mount, fully adjustable
Controls: Master Volume, Blend, High-EQ, Low-EQ
Tuners:
Premium Die-Cast Bass
Outputs: 1/4" Mono, Metal Jack Plate
Hardware: Black
Options: Hard Case
Warranty Limited Lifetime (US only, Void where prohibited.)

Video Demo:

Our friend Chris Catero of Razer and Marty Friedman's touring band gives us an in depth look at the Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V Bass in the video below.

Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V Bass - Chris Catero from Epiphone Company on Vimeo.

Modern Moto-Mother: Honda CB750 KO

The 1969 Honda CB750 motorcycle offered a combination of hardware never before seen on a single machine. When Honda introduced the model in June of 1968, the manufacturer dropped the gauntlet that changed the world of motorcycling.

At the heart of the Honda CB750 motorcycle was an inline four-cylinder engine with single overhead cam, four carburetors, prominent four-into-four exhaust, and 67 horsepower at 8000 rpm.

For those keeping track, it put out a good 15-percent more power than BSA's new 750-cc Rocket 3 and at just under 500 pounds, weighed about the same.

It's not hard to guess which was quicker.

But it wasn't just the four-cylinder engine that caused such a stir; though most contemporary competitors were twins, several manufacturers had offered fours in the past.

No, it was the fact that four-cylinder power and smoothness was joined by a five-speed gearbox, electric starter, and a front disc brake --the disc brake first ever on a street machine -- all at a reasonable price.

The first Honda CB750 motorcycles were produced with sand-cast cases that had a rough finish; later models had smoother castings.

Those early sand-cast models, such as the Honda CB750 motorcycle pictured with this article, became the most valuable to collectors.

By 1970, Dick Mann had piloted a race-prepped Honda CB750 motorcycle into the winner's circle at Daytona, and the world of aftermarket hop-up equipment came alive.

The Honda CB750 motorcycle is also credited with casting the mold for what would later be called the "Universal Japanese Motorcycle," a breed of machines that would bring the bikes of England to their collective knees.

I always have had a very soft spot for this machine. The true definition of a classic motorcycle in my opinion. One day I will have a CB750 in my collection.