American Basses offers a wealth of well-researched information about all of the important bass builders. Hundreds of full-color photos and special insider essays take you step-by-step through the bassmaking process. Includes how-to tips from top builders and designers on topics such as: neck and bridge setup; active vs. passive pickups; bolt-on vs. neck-through design; tonewood characteristics; defeating hum and buzz; string angle and tone; and more.

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This handbook details the ins and outs of buying basses and equipment; provides set-up and electronics tips; and explores unique characteristics of landmark bass models. Chapters on technique cover bass basics, theory, fretless playing, acoustic bass, the essentials of various music styles, recording, gigging, and more. Seminal interviews with great bassists include Jeff Berlin, Stanley Clarke, John Pattitucci, Bill Wyman, and many others.

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Brave New Bass offers an in-depth look at 30 visionary players in styles ranging from pop and rock to world music and experimental jazz. Each chapter includes revealing interviews by Chris Jisi and other top bass writers, as well as private lessons in standard notation and tablature, and up-to-date gear lists and discographies. Packed with insights and opinions from Marcus Miller, Flea, Will Lee, Tony Levin, Jeff Berlin, Les Claypool, Christian McBride, Doug Wimbish, Darryl Jones, Me'Shell NdegeOcello, Jonathan Maron and many others!

As a member of Cream, Jack Bruce co-wrote and sang such major '60s hits as "Sunshine of Your Love" and "White Room." But he was a singular talent who wanted to be a pioneer, not just a pop star, and he was never happy resting on his reputation. His has been an often troubled life of heroin addiction, management rip-offs, family tragedy, and a failed liver transplant, all of which he speaks about frankly in this book, telling a story that is sometimes inspirational, sometimes bleak, and always honest.

MThe San Francisco-raised Burton pushed Metallica to new musical levels with his musical training, songwriting ability, and phenomenal bass guitar skills. Cliff's life was short but influential. With his death, Metallica's most critically acclaimed period of activity ended. The band went on to record huge-selling albums, but by their own admission, never pushed the creative envelope as radically as they had done in the first four years of their career.

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Legendary bass player John Entwistle of The Who is featured in this DVD in a personal and in-depth interview at his home, his last interview before his untimely death. It captures his charisma, humor and passion for his unique style of playing. John shows his unique collection of rare guitars and talks about his special moments with his bandmates during his career. Includes interviews with Rick Wakeman, Lemmy (Motorhead), Bill Curbishley (Manager, The Who), Philip Spalding, Dave Lambert (The Strawbs), Jeff Skunk Baxter (Steely Dan) and the Entwistle family.

"The Fender Bass"
Albert Molinaro,
J.W. Black
$23.95

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When Leo Fender added a bass to his growing family of instruments 50 years ago, he created a new world for musicians and revolutionized an industry in the process. Using hundreds of photographs, this exciting release, meticulously chronicled by Albert Molinaro and J.W. Black, details the fascinating evolution of the Fender bass from 1951 to 2001, providing background, history and highly researched facts vital to understanding everything about this remarkable member of the Fender family. A must for all music fans!

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Introduced in 1951, the Fender Precision Bass is the precursor of all modern electric basses. This book takes a look at the history of the “slab body basses” and the most famous players. In addition to many historical photos, the full color book lists many basses with beautiful pictures, detail shots, and anecdotes. This book is a must-have for every bass player and enthusiast or collector.

This book collects the very best interviews, lessons, and gear and maintenance guides into one smooth-reading compilation. With insight from over 25 masters, including Tony Levin, Marcus Miller, Gary Willis, Jimmy Haslip, and Percy Jones, The Fretless Bass will give you a keen appreciation for the important innovators, as well as plenty of tools to find your own voice on the instrument.

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This book by the founding editor and former publisher of Bass Player magazine celebrates the 50-year history of Fender's revolutionary Precision Bass and illuminates the full scope of its profound impact on music and society. It also describes the impact of the bass in the hands of such visionaries as James Jamerson; cheers the innovations of rockers like Jack Bruce, Paul McCartney, John Entwistle and Sting; and honors the inspired work of such virtuosos as Jaco Pastorius. Loaded with black and white and 100 stunning color photos.

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No one was closer to Michael Jackson at the height of his creative powers than Bruce Swedien, the five-time Grammy winner who, with Jackson and producer Quincy Jones, formed the trio responsible for the sound of Jackson's records that topped the charts and shook the world. In his laid-back style, Bruce offers anecdotes about being part of Quincy Jones' extended family and reveals the technical details of creating Michael Jackson's biggest-selling albums, as well as Bad, Dangerous, and HIStory.

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This special anniversary edition features new interviews with Jaco's childhood friends, prominent bass players of Jaco's era and afterward, and girlfriend Teresa Nagell, who was with Jaco in the last few years of his life. Exclusive to this edition, the CD features newly revealed music tracks from Jaco's early years along with spoken testimonials from Jaco's friends and colleagues. This book also contains new, never-before-seen photos acquired from the Pastorius estate.

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A variety of eleven of today's greatest studio bassists, including Lee Sklar, Nathan East and Dave Pomeroy, openly discuss their recording experiences, techniques and more and offer actual basslines. Leading producers and engineers reveal what's expected in the studio, while hands-on lessons cover number-system charts, setting up the bass, which gear to use and how, and more. The CD includes a recording of each lesson.

Best-selling author Bobby Owsinski and in-demand studio bassist Paul Ill reveal the inner workings of a major Hollywood recording session, including a look at the players themselves. You'll learn: How you become a studio musician, who hires you and how much you get paid, what kind of skills you need and what gear you must have, proper session etiquette and how to apply these skills in every type of recording session. Individual session guides and interviews with famous session players are also included. The accompanying DVD takes you inside an actual record date in a world-class studio with world-class players!