Bass Videos
New Gear: Fender Limited Edition Mike Kerr Jaguar Bass
Fender Limited Edition Mike Kerr Jaguar Bass
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announces the launch of the Limited Edition Mike Kerr Jaguar® Bass, the brand’s first collaboration with the influential frontman, bassist and founding-member of UK rock duo Royal Blood. Over the course of three chart-topping studio albums – including their 2014 platinum-selling self-titled debut – Royal Blood have had a seismic impact on the UK music scene and Kerr has inspired a generation of bassists with his innovative playing style and thunderous riffs. Now, ahead of the release of the band’s fourth record, Back to the Water Below, Fender is honoring these achievements with the Limited Edition Mike Kerr Jaguar Bass, an instrument that offers both effortless playability and ferocious tone.
“When I play bass and write riffs, I’m looking to feel childish excitement, and I get that feeling from this bass,” said Mike Kerr. “The Custom Humbuckers are a big part of that, and the smaller one at the bridge is a real wildcard. I use it a lot in the studio, particularly when I want to double-track bass. I can get a twang and something subby at the same time, without having to go and grab another guitar. Hopefully players will enjoy it as much as I do!”
Kerr has penned some of the greatest bass riffs of the last decade, but surprisingly he didn’t actually pick up the bass guitar until the age of 21, when he joined a punk band with now Royal Blood bandmate Ben Thatcher. Rather than bassists, Kerr’s musical heroes growing up had been guitarists like Jimmy Page, Tom Morello and Jack White and this fact drew him to short-scale basses and, eventually, the Fender Jaguar Bass. Whilst getting to grips with his new instrument, Kerr began experimenting with a signal splitter to route through different amps and effects and soon after, his huge signature sound was born. Fast forward to today and Kerr’s accolades with Royal Blood include a BRIT Award for Best British Group, two NME Awards, wins at the Kerrang! Awards and the Q Awards, plus countless other prizes and nominations.
Featuring an alder body and a maple neck with slab rosewood fingerboard, the Limited Edition Mike Kerr Jaguar Bass has a classic Fender tonewood formula that delivers well-defined punch, massive resonance and ample warmth, whilst a versatile set of high-output humbuckers offer Kerr’s trademark savage sound. The compact 30” scale length modern “C”-shaped neck sports a slim profile and medium jumbo frets on a 9.5” radius fingerboard for a modern playing feel. Meanwhile, gleaming gold hardware and elegant block inlays complement the vibrant Tiger’s Blood Orange finish to create a truly striking aesthetic.
“I’ve been a fan of Mike Kerr ever since Royal Blood burst onto the scene in 2013 with their snarling debut single ‘Out of the Black’,” said Justin Norvell, Executive Vice President of Product FMIC. “He has such an innovative approach to his playing and to the equipment he uses, so it’s been great to celebrate that with this signature. Bassists are going to love the easy playability of this instrument and with the high-output Custom Humbucking Pickup on the bridge and the Wide Range Humbucking Bass Pickup in the middle position, they’ll find it’s a joy to replicate Kerr’s fierce riffs.”
In true tradition, the Fender Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists.
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
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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
