Bass Videos
Markbass Stages Its Second Revolution: MB58R
Markbass Stages its Second Revolution: MB58R…
Markbass CEO and founder Marco De Virgiliis announced an expansive and innovative new bass amplification series, MB58R, at a launch event near the company’s headquarters in Pescara, Italy on June 30. The MB58R line—the name of which is comprised of the brand’s initials, Marco’s age and the letter R for Revolution—includes a dazzling array of 20 new cabinets, 8 combos, and two new heads. The trademark “true-to-the-source” tone that Markbass is known for remains the top priority, but it’s now delivered with a stunning next-level power-to-weight ratio—and these attractive, eco-friendly products are all made in Italy.
The ultra-light MB58R cabinets include 2×10”, 3×10”, 4×10”, 1×12”, 2×12” and 1×15” configurations, with three versions of each featuring a different tweeter type. The Energy cabinets feature a Markbass hi-fi tweeter (very smooth highs), the Pure series includes a 1” driver with custom horn (focused, crips highs), and the P series models have a new piezo tweeter for (more aggressive highs). Additionally, the 2×10 cabinets are all available in standard and XL versions: standard cabs have the two woofers arranged vertically, whereas the XL version is a larger cabinet with the speakers diagonally placed. The 3×10 cabinets are 6 ohms, all 2×10 and 4×10 cabs are available in 8 ohm and 4 ohm versions, and all other cabs are 8 ohms.
Markbass is famous for its distinctive yellow neodymium speakers; but in a departure for the brand, the P-series cabs feature Markbass custom classic ceramic speakers. Thanks to the new ultra-lightweight enclosures, these cabs still weigh a fraction of what traditional equivalents weighed before Markbass changed everyone’s expectations of what bass cabs should weigh in the early 2000s. For example, a traditional ceramic 4×10 weighs about 90 lbs; the MB58R 104 P (with ceramic speakers) is almost exactly half that weight: 45.53 lbs / 20.65 kg.
The Little Mark 58R (500W, solid state) is available as a standalone head and is also included in all MB58R combos. Unlike previous Little Marks, the 58R incarnation is designed with almost all the controls and connections on the front panel, for greater ease-of-use. It’s also even lighter than all previous Little Mark models, weighing in at an incredible 4.41 lbs / 2 kg.
The combos in the series include 2×10, 1×12 (standard and mini) and 1×15 models. Each of these is offered in both a Pure version (hi-fi tweeter, neodymium speaker) and a P version (piezo tweeter, ceramic speaker). These combos are 300W on their own; but connected to any external 8 ohm cabinet, can be transformed into a 500W rig. The smallest combo is the Mini CMD 121 P, which weighs only 19.44 lbs / 8.82 kg.
Markbass shook up bass amplification in the early 2000s with technological innovations that amounted to a revolution. Thanks to the incorporation of switching mode power supplies, surface-mount circuit boards, neodymium speakers and other cutting-edge components, Markbass set a new standard for bass amplification. The expectations of bass players were changed forever, and the entire industry followed. Now, 20 years later, Markbass is still leading the charge, and bass players around the world are the beneficiaries.
For more information, visit online at markbass.it
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes…
It is always great to meet a super busy bassist who simply exudes a love for music and his instrument. Erick “Jesus” Coomes fits this description exactly. Hailing from Southern California, “Jesus” co-founded and plays bass for Lettuce and has found his groove playing with numerous other musicians.
Join us as we hear of his musical journey, how he gets his sound, his ongoing projects, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Bob Forte
Featured Videos
Visit Online
www.lettucefunk.com
IG @jesuscsuperstar
FB@jesuscoomes
FB @lettucefunk
Bass Videos
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
“These stories from the front are with real-life, day-to-day musicians who deal with work life and gigging and how they make it work out. Each month, topics may include… the kind of gigs you get, the money, dealing with less-than-ideal rooms, as well as the gear you need to get the job done… and the list goes on from there.” – Steve the Bass Guy and Shawn Cav
Bass Videos
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Ian Allison Bassist extreme…
Most recently Ian has spent the last seven years touring nationally as part of Eric Hutchinson and The Believers, sharing stages with acts like Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, Matt Nathanson, Phillip Phillips, and Cory Wong playing venues such as Radio City Music Hall, The Staples Center and The Xcel Center in St. Paul, MN.
I had a chance to meet up with him at the Sellersville Theater in Eastern Pennsylvania to catch up on everything bass. Visit online at ianmartinallison.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
Spector Launches Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II…
Spector Musical Instruments expands their celebrated Woodstock Custom Collection with the Volume II series – a breathtaking series of 12 handcrafted, one-of-a-kind bass guitars, each one masterfully designed by members of the Spector team. Crafted in the Spector USA Custom Shop in Woodstock, New York, these works of art go beyond musical instruments and expand the boundaries of Spector Bass design.
Spector’s iconic design lays the foundation for the Volume II collection. Each bass showcases a unique vision, including the selection of tonewoods, electronics, captivating finishes, and intricate design details. The collection highlights Spector’s commitment to craftsmanship and artistry and the individual people and stories that make up the team.
“The Woodstock Custom Collection was such a huge success, and we had so much fun with it that we couldn’t wait to do it again,” said John Stippell, Director – Korg Bass Division. “With Volume II, we’re expanding on everything we learned from the first collection, as well as pushing our design and Custom Shop team even further. These basses are a testament to the inspiring talent, creativity, and skill of every person on the Spector team. I’m excited for all of these basses and love how they tell the unique stories of all involved.”
Visit online at spectorbass.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model…
After playing a limited edition Dingwall live with Duran Duran, John Taylor has launched his
Dingwall Guitars production model, loaded with a Rupert Neve Designs preamp and
Rio-inspired graphics.
Dingwall’s major launch for 2023 was the limited edition Rio Dream Bass, featuring an
innovative Rupert Neve Designs onboard preamp. A year later, the range has been bolstered
with the Canadian company now offering unlimited access to its continued collaboration with
John Taylor of Duran Duran.
Dingwall CEO Sheldon Dingwall says the basses are a response to Taylor’s upfront bass style.
“John’s bass playing with Duran Duran really imprinted on me how a bass should fit into a band mix. The combination of tastefully busy syncopation, his punchy tone, and tight performance immediately drew my ear. His basslines have always had a special combination of energy and elegance.”
The John Taylor Signature model follows the formula of the limited edition Rio Dream Bass,
combining a lightweight Nyatoh body with three neodymium pickups to produce what Dingwall deems “wonderful playability and tones that display a rare clarity and refinement.” The JT Signature model also updates the Rio Dream Bass with a range of new colors; Metallic Black, Primrose, Cranberry and Seafoam Green, as well as a new 5-string variant.
Other specs include a bolt-on Maple neck, a Pau Ferro multi-scale fingerboard with the ‘Rio Eye’ inlaid at the 12th fret, and Dingwall’s new ‘Minimalist’ bridge. The headstock sports lightweight tuners and a Rio-inspired graphic that complements the body stripes, designed by longtime Duran Duran collaborator, Patty Palazzo.
Finally, an onboard preamp designed and configured in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs, whose studio consoles have long represented the pinnacle of high-end audio engineering, promises a clear voice that balances punch and sustain. “Duran’s breakthrough single, the title track from 1982’s Rio, was originally recorded on a Neve console, so the history was already there,” says Sheldon. “But the team at Rupert Neve Designs absolutely nailed the tone.”
Like the Rio Dream Bass, the JT Signature has also been configured to Taylor’s own personal
specifications. “It all started when I was in Toronto about six years ago,” says Taylor. “A friend
showed me a Dingwall bass on his phone. I loved how it looked and immediately said to my
tech, ‘You’ve got to reach out to these guys!’”
For further information on the range options, head to dingwallguitars.com
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
New Album: Jake Leckie, Planter of Seeds
