Gear News
Tim Lefebvre on His LEH Guitars Offset 5-String Bass
Tim Lefebvre is a trailblazer in the world of bass for many reasons.
His highly influential playing has captivated listeners spanning his illustrious career working with David Bowie, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Black Crowes, Wayne Krantz, Elvis Costello, Empire of the Sun, Chris Botti, and many others. His bass lines have graced countless movies and television shows including The Sopranos, 30 Rock, Oceans Twelve, and The Departed. As a producer and session ace, his many recordings have earned Grammy nominations and inspired bassists and musicians all over the world.
In addition to his playing, Lefebvre serves as one of the greatest influencers regarding gear in the bass world. His knowledge and innovative use of pedals, amps, and basses have a wide reach when it comes to low-enders, as he is always on the cutting edge of what’s next. When Lefebvre uses a new piece of gear, it’s certain that countless bass players will cop that item and add it to their own personal arsenal. That’s why when he recently acquired an LEH Guitars Offset 5-string, his many followers took notice. Then when videos emerged of him rocking the bass during his sold-out performances at the Blue Note, New York alongside drummer Nate Smith and keyboardist Jason Linder, the whole music world went ablaze.
“That bass just absolutely killed. There was nothing I threw at it that it didn’t handle perfectly. It was nuts. If you could’ve heard the bass sound in that place, it was just monstrous.”
When Lefebvre initially approached Ellis Hahn, builder and creator of LEH Guitars, he had a specific vision in mind for his ideal build. Over the course of a few months, the two worked closely together throughout the building process. “I was really gunning for a rude-ass Jazz Bass that wasn’t too modern sounding. That’s pretty much what I brought to the process of conceptualizing this with Ellis and it was a homerun. I went for all of the custom stuff that I like with the Darkglass tone pots and the Lollar pickups, which sound killer. This bass is exactly what I wanted and needed. And it was instantly playable. Done deal.”
The model that Ellis and Tim came up with features an Okoume partially chambered body finished in high gloss poly Olympic White, a quartersawn maple fingerboard and neck with black block inlays, finished in a thin matte nitro with thin oil finish on the back of the neck. The bass boasts Lollar Single Coil J pickups in 70’s location, Darkglass faders, Hipshot Ultralite Tuners, and a Hipshot vintage quick release Bridge.
When the bass was ready, Lefebvre visited Hahn’s Portland, Oregon workshop to pick it up just in time for a performance that night, where he was instantly blown away. “The second I picked it up, this thing felt and sounded exactly how I wanted it to. There are two things that I take into consideration when I first get a bass: how it plays and how it sounds. There was no break-in for this thing whatsoever. I picked it up and was like, okay, gonna use this at my gig tonight. And that’s such a rare thing. Most basses take some time to set up and get in working condition for how I want them. Now I’m bringing this bass to everything.”
Since he acquired it, the bass became Lefebvre’s main 5-string, and he has already used it for numerous performances and sessions. “It records so well in the studio and the overarching thing about it is how usable it is. I got it and used it at my performance that night and I’ve been using it since. It’s a workhorse. There’s no question about it. When I need a Jazz Bass sound, there’s no debating it, this is the one I’m going to lean into. It’s absolutely blown me away.”
For More on Lefebvre: Click Here & Here
For more on the bass, visit online at lehguitars.com
Gear News
New Gear: Esopus Guitars Launches New Acoustic/Electric Bass
Esopus Guitars Launches New Acoustic/Electric Bass…
Esopus Guitars is proud to announce the new “Tailwater” bass guitar, from legendary bass luthier Stuart Spector. This 32” scale bass is handcrafted by Stuart using the only finest woods and components at the Esopus Guitar workshop located near Woodstock NY in the Catskill Mountains.
From its fully carved spruce top (the top is carved on both its exterior and interior surfaces) with a thumb rest that is elegantly carved into the top, to its custom-made Fishman piezo pickup and super hard Carnauba wax finish, every detail of the Tailwater is part of creating the ultimate playing experience.
The Tailwater bass features a fully chambered spruce over alder body (15.5″ lower body bout width, 2.25″ body thickness measuring from the peak of the carved top) that delivers a super comfortable tonal tool for all your low-end needs.
Each Tailwater bass is hand-signed and numbered on the back of the peghead by Stuart Spector. A very limited number of Tailwater basses are handcrafted each year at the Esopus workshop.
“I am proud to present the Tailwater bass, a bass that I have spent the last three years perfecting. The Tailwater is a culmination of all of my 45 years of experience, knowledge, and passion for bass guitar crafting. I am so eager to hear what fellow musicians create with this exciting new instrument.” -Stuart Spector
Direct Pricing : $4995.00 plus options.
For more information about Esopus Guitars and Stuart Spector’s handcrafted instruments, visit www.EsopusGuitars.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
Gear News
New Gear: Nembrini Launches Bass Hammer Plugin
Bass Hammer Plugin…
Nembrini Audio launches the Bass Hammer plugin which is engineered for advanced bass tone sculpting. Modelled on the Aguilar Tone Hammer* which is renowned for its tone shaping flexibility, the Nembrini Bass Hammer features Adaptive Gain Sculpting, comprehensive EQ adjustments and versatile cabinet simulations.
The Nembrini Audio Bass Hammer plugin has been designed to infuse discerning musicians’ digital workspace with the legendary tonal characteristics and dynamic versatility of its hardware counterpart. The new plugin delivers all the distinct organic warmth, detailed midrange control and adaptive tonal shaping the Tone Hammer* is famous for in a flexible digital format.
Bass Hammer features Adaptive Gain Sculpting to transform a signal’s EQ curve and gain structure and alter the behaviour of the MID parameter. The Graphic EQ has six bands enabling nuanced shaping across the bass frequency range. Plus, the four selected bass guitar cabinets, four carefully selected microphone emulations and a parallel D.I. signal with console compressor offer users plenty of scope to explore ambient reverb blending.
Introductory prices of $29.99 for the Desktop version (regular price $137) and $9.99 for the IOS form (regular price $19.99) are available until 30th April 2024. Bass Hammer is PC and Mac (VST2, VST3, AU, AAX) compatible and requires a FREE iLOK account.
To find out more and download the Bass Hammer plugin please go to nembriniaudio.com/products/bass-hammer-bass-amplifier or
apple.com/us/app/bass-hammer/id6480058361Video
Gear News
Gear News: Ernie Ball Music Man Custom Design Experience
Ernie Ball Music Man is proud to launch the Custom Design Experience.
Ernie Ball Music Man Custom Design Experience is an online custom instrument configurator that allows customers to design and build their dream StingRay Special Bass guitar. Customers can choose from 4-string and 5-string models, right and left-handed orientations, single and double humbucking pickups, a multitude of finish options, many neck, pickguard, hardware, string gauges, tuning, case options, and more.
All Custom Design Experience instruments are built in the Ernie Ball Music Man San Luis Obispo, CA, facility and are shipped directly to the customer.
Options include:
Right or Left hand
4-string or 5-string
Single H or double HH pickups
30 unique finishes
3 hardware finishes
5 pickguard options
12 fretted neck options
2 fretless neck options
Regular or SLO Special neck profiles
4 tuning setups
3 string gauges
2 cases
For more information, visit online at music-man.com/custom-design-experience
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Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
