Bass Videos
Premiere: The Roamers’ Single, Playboy… Led by Bass Player Matt Rice
Bass Musician is proud to premiere the LA-based country band, The Roamers, and their new single, “Playboy” which releases on 9/6. With enough rough edges to call it rock n roll and enough dusty twang to call it country, The Roamers embrace every genre of American music they can put their ears on!
Photo, Joe Curet
Matt Rice is the frontman and bassist for the band and shares more about the single and how he gets his sound…
“I wrote this song over 10 years ago. It didn’t fit the band I was playing in at the time so it just sat there on the back burner for a while. I always liked it and it never left my mind. Over the years, I’ve played in different bands that I liked, but I knew we wouldn’t get there with this song for one reason or another. Finally, it got the treatment that I always thought it deserved with this recording.
I love how nasty the rhythm guitars are. And Brian’s lead guitar is what I always heard in my head but couldn’t play myself. I had always imagined guitar parts for this song as some blend of Mick Taylor, Keith Richards, Mike Campbell and Johnny Thunders. I never explained that to Brian. Didn’t have to. He heard my demo and just knew exactly what was needed. Luke’s drumming has such a nice pocket. Drummers that have a great sense of song are hard to find and Luke is one of the best. He thinks like a writer/ arranger/producer in addition to being a drummer. And I dig how grooving and free my bass playing is on this track. It was fun to record.”
My Gear:
“90% of the bass playing on the album is my trusty Fender Precision Bass, which I’ve had since I was a kid. I ran that through an early ’70s Ampeg V2 head and a new Aguilar 1×12 cabinet. That’s a stripped-down version of what I often use live. It sounded great in the studio so we ran with it. We mic’d the cabinet and we split the signal direct into the board so we could have a little further bottom end and EQ control of the clean signal. What’s on the album is about a 50-50 split between a direct-to-board sound and the mic’d amp+cabinet.
I’ve got new gear too. But I’m a sucker for old stuff, whether it be guitars, amps, cars, houses or clothes. When something is mass-produced like most products, it may be great but it’s a little bit unspecial. But then once it gets to lead its life for a while, it becomes one of a kind. And I dig that.
For live shows, we rarely play venues larger than bars and clubs so I’ll often use the rig we used in the studio but with the addition of an Aguilar Tone Hammer Preamp/DI. It helps make everything sound great and allows you to control the tone if it’s also running direct to the house system. For bigger rooms, I’ll add another speaker cabinet. For a really small room, I’ll use my Ampeg Micro SVT. But always with the Tone Hammer Preamp. I also have an early 70s Acoustic 150B amp, a newer Fender Mustang Bass, an old Jerry Jones Danelectro-style Shorthorn bass with “lipstick” pickups, and a mid-’60s Kay Truetone semi-hollow body bass with a single “speedbump” pick up on it. They all get used for one thing or another. I do my songwriting most often on an acoustic guitar.”
— Matt Rice, The Roamers
Album Credits:
Brian Whelan-Guitars, Piano, Organ, Accordion, BV | Luke Adams-Drums, Percussion, BV | Matt Rice-Bass Guitar, Upright Bass,Lead Vocals, BV | Matt Pynn-Lap Steel Guitar | All Songs Written by Matt Rice | Recorded at Sharktank Recording Los Angeles, CA | Produced by Brian Whelan, Luke Adams, and Matt Rice | Engineered by Luke Adams | Mastered by James Driscoll for Hot Tonic Mastering
Visit online at theroamers.net/
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announces the James Jamerson 1962 Precision Bass®, an era-correct tribute to the bass that was nearly as iconic as the Motown monolith who used it to redefine what the low end was capable of.
“From R&B, to Rock, to Jazz, Country, and Reggae music… everyone owes a debt to James Jamerson. What he did on the 1962 P Bass has never been done. I am so honored to acknowledge that Fender changed everything with the 1962 Precision Bass,” said Raphael Saadiq.
James Jamerson was a phenom in the studio and the stage all throughout the 60s and 70s but more importantly, he drew the blueprint for how a bass part should feel, groove and swagger in order to turn a song into a hit and thereby inspired generations of players to come. Such an indelible impact is impossible without the proper tools, and as far as Jamerson was concerned, none did the job quite like his trusty P Bass®. Its effortless playability, sleek design and undeniable low-end response was and is the path of least resistance between a killer idea and a polished, pitch-perfect bassline that can tie an entire song together. This signature instrument harnesses the magic of the Jamerson’s own Precision Bass and offers it to players everywhere, giving them the opportunity to develop a style and tone that is entirely their own.
Born in 1936, Jamerson was introduced to live music through his grandmother and aunt, both church performers. Captivated by the energy of gospel and jazz, he taught himself piano and trombone before moving to Detroit at 18, where the downtown club scene pulled him toward the upright bass. After graduating high school, he began touring with local groups and by 1959 had become a fixture at Hitsville U.S.A., the recording studio that birthed Motown. It was there that Jamerson truly came into his own, laying down bass tracks for Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, John Lee Hooker and countless others, recordings now regarded as the foundation of modern electric bass playing. As a As a cornerstone of the Funk Brothers and throughout this storied catalog, one thing remains constant – the warm, polished sound of the Fender P Bass that would come to inspire greats like Geddy Lee, Pino Palladino, John Entwistle, Raphael Saadiq, Bootsy Collins, Leland Sklar, Nate Mendel, Geezer Butler, Tal Wilkenfeld, Freddie Washington, Bob Glaub, Matt Freeman, and countless musicians across the globe to pick up a bass and embark on their own journey towards greatness.
“I recalled saying to James as a teenager that he would be great one day! I am excited and happy those words have become a reality. James has received many awards, but the “P-Bass” is a tangible one. I hope you feel the funk and let the music play on!” said Annie Jamerson. “Thank you Fender, from my family and I, You Rock!”
The James Jamerson 1962 Precision Bass offers players all of the dynamic response, low-end presence and stylish looks that helped elevate Jamerson to the top of his craft. This era-accurate instrument comes equipped with a custom split single-coil pickup that provides enough lush, low-end for any band but offers enough definition and punch so that fills, runs and embellishments won’t go unnoticed. The Heirloom sunburst nitro cellulose lacquer finish oozes with classic elegance and will patina gorgeously over time just like the real thing. A classic “C” shape neck, slab rosewood fingerboard, and chrome bridge and pickup cover all ensure that this bass plays, feels and looks like something that you would find in the live room at Hitsville circa 1963. This signature instrument gives players the unique opportunity to hold an integral piece of bass history in their hands and find the sound that speaks to them, just as Jamerson himself did nearly seventy years ago.
“Jamerson is the reason the bass is what it is today. His 1962 Precision Bass wasn’t just an instrument; it was the heartbeat of an era,” said Justin Norvell, Chief Product Officer, Fender Guitars. “As we continue celebrating 75 years of the P Bass, we wanted every player, from bedroom musicians to touring professionals, to be able to hold a piece of that legacy in their hands. From the Heirloom Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish to the custom James Jamerson ’62 Precision Bass pickup, every detail was obsessed over to put that same magic in your hands. This recreation is our love letter to the man who made the groove non-negotiable.”
For more information, visit fender.com/products/james-jamerson-1962-precision-bass
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
Featured Videos:
Follow Online:
www.RonCarterJazz.com
www.facebook.com/RonCarterMusic
www.instagram.com/roncarterbassist/
x.com/RonCarterBass
www.youtube.com/@RonCarterBassist
www.threads.com/@roncarterbassist
www.tiktok.com/@roncarterjazz
imgur.com/user/RonCarterJazz/posts
www.tumblr.com/roncarterjazz
bsky.app/profile/roncarterjazz.com
open.spotify.com/artist/4wnzivx3OQ3vjrySAdTdJP?si=RUS946O4SpyHDD2ZI8-Y8Q
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!
View More Bass Health Articles
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
Featured Videos:
Visit Online:
IG @storyoftheyear
TT @storyoftheyear
FB @storyoftheyear
X @StoryoftheYear
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
Featured Videos
Visit Online
www.drivinncryin.com
FB & IG @drivinncryin
Gear News: Fender Honors James Jamerson with a 1962 Precision Bass
Artist Update With The Revivalists’ Bassist George Gekas
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
Right Hand Technique Strategies with Dr. Randy Kertz
April 27 Edition – This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
20 April Edition – This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
May 4 Edition – This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram