Bass Videos
Michael Kelly Dragonfly 5 Acoustic Bass Review
Basses are the tools of our trade and as in any profession or hobby, you always do your best work with the right tool for the job.
If you are considering an acoustic bass for your musical needs, I would suggest taking a close look at the Michael Kelly Dragonfly acoustic bass.
This finely crafted instrument is loaded with features and attention to detail that you might not expect at its very reasonable price-point.
Let’s take a look at a few more of the details:
Out of the box, this bass is ready to play. Each instrument comes with a quality control card, which contains the model and serial number, as well as a 19-point inspection. It is hand-written and signed by one of the MK QC Techs. The card provides the information to register your bass and lists the website and phone number should you have any questions.
For this review, I focused on the 5-string, fretted Dragonfly bass. While the neck-width on this one seems a tad on the narrow side for my taste (compared to my other 5-strings) I can definitely see this being an advantage for many players. I have met quite a few musicians who went with 4-strings as their preferred instrument, but tuned down for that low B due to hand size, where with this bass they might not have to.
The Fishman® Presys + Bass™ electronics are impressive; they not only give you a built-in tuner but have the capability of changing up your sound quite a bit to make it practical in many different situations, possibly reducing your need for more basses (did I just say that? – lol!).
The Fishman® Sonicore™ Under Saddle transducer bridge pickup does a great job at capturing the sound and really booms when you want it to.
While this is a bass loaded with function and features, it is also visually stunning. The intricate inlay work, Ovangkol fretboard & bridge, multi-layered binding and the smoke burst finish makes this bass an artistic statement without even playing a note! It will look great on stage as well as in your home. You might not want to keep it in a case, as it is so decorative; a nice wall hook in a well-lit area of the room might be a good plan.
As with any instrument, I recommend trying this bass for yourself, as the feel of this ample bodied bass is different than it’s electric counterparts. Initially the large body changes your approach to the strings but I adapted quickly and didn’t notice it much within minutes of playing.
Lastly, it is great that Michael Kelly offers this instrument in a 4-string or 5-string version, fretted or fretless, and right or left-handed. This variety of options should cater to most musicians’ bass needs.
For more information on the Michael Kelly Dragonfly Bass, as well as other acoustic options in the MK line, visit michaelkellyguitars.com/en/bass-guitars/acoustic-bass-guitars
If available, the website will also provide you with a location near you where you can try one of these sweet sounding beauties for yourself.
For more than six decades, the sound of the upright bass in modern jazz has carried the unmistakable authority, elegance, and intelligence of Ron Carter.
Recognized as the most recorded jazz bassist in history, Maestro Carter’s tone has become part of the very architecture of the genre.
From shaping the harmonic foundation behind countless landmark sessions to collaborating with many of the greatest jazz artists of our time, his artistry has both defined and expanded what the bass can be.
But beyond the staggering discography lies something even more enduring: dedication.
Maestro Carter has never stopped learning, never stopped refining, and never stopped listening. His commitment to excellence extends well beyond the stage and studio. As an educator and mentor, he has invested deeply in the next generation of bassists, setting a living example of discipline, curiosity, and musical integrity.
Now, in yet another inspired chapter of his extraordinary career, Maestro Carter joins forces with renowned choirmaster Ricky Dillard for a powerful gospel–jazz collaboration, Sweet Sweet Spirit, released February 6, 2026.
This project beautifully bridges sanctified soul and sophisticated swing, blending Carter’s masterful touch with Dillard’s uplifting choral brilliance.
The result is music that feels both reverent and rhythmically alive, deeply rooted, yet refreshingly expansive.
It is truly an honor to share this conversation with a living legend whose work continues to inspire musicians across genres and generations.
Here is Maestro Ron Carter.
Photo, Paul Rivera
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This month, we discuss right-hand techniques to minimize injury while playing bass.
Dr. Randall Kertz is the author of The Bassist’s Complete Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health. Click here to get your copy today!
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Adam Russell, bassist for Story of the Year, hasn’t slowed down for a second.
With the band’s latest album A.R.S.O.N. dropping on February 13, 2026, they’ve not only delivered new music but also pushed their creativity further through a series of visually striking videos, several of which Adam himself co-directed and edited.
In this interview, we dive into the making of the new record, explore how Adam shapes his signature bass sound, and get the inside scoop on the band’s upcoming Camp Screamo Tour with Silverstein and Origami Angel.
Here’s Adam Russell.
Photo: Ryan Stephens
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Get ready for a conversation with one of Southern rock’s enduring forces, Tim Neilsen. For over 35 years, Drivin N Cryin has been delivering a powerful blend of grit, melody, and heart, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon. With their brand-new album “Crushing Flowers” set to drop on April 10th, the band is gearing up for another exciting chapter.
At the core of that signature sound is bassist Tim Nielsen, whose driving grooves have helped define the band’s identity and earned them a place in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
In this interview, we sit down with Tim to talk about the new album, the secrets behind his unmistakable tone, and what lies ahead for Drivin N Cryin.
Here is Tim Nielsen.
Photos: Chris Neilsen, Carlton Freeman, Ted Lanthangue, and courtesy Tim Neilsen
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Oteil Burbridge & Lamar Williams Jr. Champion Love Over Hate in New Single “Hush” | New Album ‘The Offering’ Out May 1.
Bassist Oteil Burbridge and vocalist Lamar Williams Jr. continue the rollout of their forthcoming collaborative album The Offering, with the release of its second single, “Hush”. A slow-burning Southern soul meditation rooted in love, peace, and emotional clarity, the track is a centerpiece on the album with a potent, thematic statement, in Williams’ words to “block out all of that nonsense” and “remember that there is more love in the world than hate.” The full-length album arrives May 1 via Flóki Studios, recorded on Iceland’s northern coast and produced by drummer, engineer, and Soulive co-founder Alan Evans.
While much of The Offering grew out of Burbridge’s banjo-based writing, “Hush” emerged from he and Williams’ shaping a deliberate sonic vision. Burbridge says they were “trying to capture a more old school Memphis, Macon, Muscle Shoals vibe,” leaning into a Southern soul feel that fits Williams’s phrasing. The end result is a song that is unhurried with a deep pocket that allows the groove and the song’s message breathe and stand at the forefront.
The album features an all-star lineup of drummer John Morgan Kimock, percussionist Weedie Braimah, organist Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band, pianist and violinist Jason Crosby, guitarists Tom Guarna and Jaden Lehman — musicians whose overlapping histories connect the Allman Brothers Band, Dead & Company, the Jerry Garcia Band, Soulive, and West African percussion traditions.
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Maestro Ron Carter, Sharing the Spirit – June/July 2026 Issue
New Music: Danielle Nicole, Tug Of War
Right Hand Technique Strategies with Dr. Randy Kertz
New Music: Golden Flower, Are You Even Awake?
Interview With Bassist Adam Russell
Right Hand Technique Strategies with Dr. Randy Kertz
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