It has been a while since I had a Zon of my own, although rarely a day goes by without me hearing one – using via Michael Manring playing (see Manthing.com). Zon enthusiasts might want to check the latest addition to the Zon Guitars website. Zon now have their very own online store (store.zonguitars.com). Current stock includes a selection of ZON bass strings, gig bags, and wearable bass bits, which might be good for great holiday gifts (enjoying the comments on Gifts and Presents for a Bassist by the way – keep them coming). [More…]

I tend not to think about basses and plectrums, but I’ve been forced to in the last twenty four hours. The Bass Starter Kit arrived with 3 plectrums, then last night I headed out with a group of friends to see The Hampsters. Not my normal musical fair I have to say, but they do have their very own page on Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hamsters – so I thought they couldn’t be all that bad. They are a rock/r’n’b (old style) three piece, with guitar, bass and drums. [More…]

Having talked about Gifts and Presents for a Bassist, you’d generally put a bass guitar and an amp as a bit on the pricey side. But what about the bassist just starting out? Maybe it is a sign of my old age, but of late I’ve had a number of conversations with friends that run along the lines “My son/daughter wants to take up bass. What should I get them?” Hmmm… A bass starter kit. [More…]

For many of us it is the time of year when friends and relatives ask what they can get us for Christmas. Always a tricky question for a bassist. The request for that latest custom-built signature bass of your very own never quite seems to hit the mark, so I thought I’d hunt around for some alternatives. [More…]

OK, this is the last post on speaker cabinets for a while, I promise! Completing the mini-series that started by talking about Bass Amp Set Ups and covered open back designs and closed back designs. The main type of cabinet design in use today is a ported enclosure. If you have a cab or a Combo it will almost definitely be of this type.

The ported cab (or vented or reflex design) is basically a closed back cabinet with a very special hole in it. Time for a quick sketch: [More…]

So, open back cabinet designs aren’t that great for bass – unless you are after an unusual sound. What about closed back designs then? Looking at them helps to understand a little more about why your bass cabinet is as it is. [By the way – exciting news of a new competition coming up very soon!]

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