Bass Player US Magazine - February 2017

In this issue

In this special issue, the Bass Player brain trust presents the definitive list of the very best rockers, jazzbos, funksters, session aces, experimentalists, and more. Let the debating begin! Plus: reviews of Mitchell’s new FB700 & TB500 basses, the Markbass Little Mark Tube 800 amp, and Ultimate Ears UE 11 Pro in-ear monitors; BP recommends; a full-song transcription of John Paul Jones’ dynamic bass line on Led Zeppelin’s “Communication Breadown”; and more!

mitchell fb700 & tb500

“a rising tide lifts all boats.” the modern era has facilitated massive changes in the consumption of manufactured goods. automation lowers production costs, hastening and increasing output. for niche markets, optimization gives consumers more access to formerly high-end products. in the case of electric basses, both the professional and budding student benefit: for the working pro, custom and boutique instruments are often cost-prohibitive, and for the student, access to better-sounding and playing basses can help inspire dedication to the craft. in the spirit of this democratization of quality, mitchell guitars has introduced two basses—the fb700 fusion and tb500 traditional —that sport premium features usually attached to much higher price tags. both come in 4- and 5-string versions, with the fb700 adding a 6-string variant. our fb700 tester was a 4-string with 24 jumbo frets, while our test tb500 was a 20-fret 5’er.

2 mins

led zeppelin's "communication breakdown"

john paul jones’ complete bass line

4 mins

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Bass Player US Magazine Description:

Bobby Vega
Ever since his first recording session with Sly Stone at the age of 17, Bay Area bass badass Bobby Vega has set the bar for funktastic pick playing. In this month's cover story, he goes deep on his plectrum technique and artistic approach. Plus: interviews with Cheap Trick's Tom Petersson, Dream Theater's John Myung, and Jerry "J Blakk" Henderson of Big Sam's Funky Nation; reviews of the Blackstar Fly Bass mini-amp, Mesa-Boogie D-800 head and Ultra Lite cabinets, and new pickups from Lindy Fralin; Jazz and R&B lessons you can use; a full-song bass transcription of Deep Purple's "Gettin' Tighter;" and more!