EBS MultiComp

EBS MultiComp and EBS Bass IQ Note: This is the first of two reviews covering EBS Bass Pedals. My Path To Righteous Compression The first effects pedal I ever purchased was an Ibanez SoundTank CP5 Compressor. I was in a somewhat serious band and was told by the other members that a compressor pedal was not optional on bass. They were right about the need for compression. I was wrong... Read More

Fulltone Bass Drive MOSFET

The Fulltone Bass Drive MOSFET is probably one of the finest pedals for bass anywhere in terms of construction. All too often, stomp pedals are described as “built like a tank,” but never have I seen this more true than in Fulltone’s cases and switches. What makes Fulltone pedals so durable? For one, they make what is arguably the best switches of any pedal manufacturer.... Read More

Setlist HD for iPad

Setlist HD for iPad fills a pretty cool need – onstage display of setlists and lyrics. If you don’t know, a setlist is usually a dirty sheet of paper with song names hastily written out with a mostly dried-out Sharpie. Said sheet of paper is then taped near a performer’s floor pedals until it is rendered unreadable by the effects of spilled beer. In addition to... Read More

Back to Back Concerts

After being chewed up and spit out of the grind that is SXSW Interactive, I made it back home for a couple of concerts. Muse played the Fort Worth Convention Center with special guest, Silversun Pickups and was one of the best shows I have ever seen. Touring with U2 obviously had an impact on Muse’s stage show and art direction. If allowed only one word to describe the show,... Read More

Setlists for Next Week’s Muse Concert

Below are the expected setlists for both Muse and opening act, Silversun Pickups at the Fort Worth Convention Center. I would like it more if both bands were playing more of their older songs but I am pretty happy with the selections made. I cannot wait to hear them play Unnatural Selection again. Muse 1. Uprising 2. Resistance 3. New Born 4. Map of the Problematique ... Read More

Your Friend the Rat

One of my favorite Pixar DVD extras is the 11-minute short called, Your Friend the Rat. This mostly 2D traditional animation sequence can be found on the Ratatouille DVD. If you blink, you will miss the screen grab below. I just love it when The Beatles make a cameo appearance in anything.  Read More

Tony Franklin

Thanks to my friend Paul, I have a renewed interest in the fretless playing of Tony Franklin. Tony has played bass for a lot of people but most notably for Jimmy Page’s The Firm and Blue Murder. He is known for introducing fretless bass to hard rock and metal audiences. I decided to look Tony Franklin up on YouTube and sure enough, I found the following clip. It is a really... Read More

Why, Muse Why?

Sigh, I know that it is nearly a law or something that major label bands have to have a Flash website. But Muse’s site is a clear example of why I hate total Flash websites. I wonder how much they paid for such an unusable mess.  Read More

It’s a What?

I bought a new bass called a MusicMan Bongo. Whenever I talk to fellow musicians about it at work they all ask, “It’s a what?” It’s a pretty forward leaning design (designed by BMW’s Design USA) that most bass players either love or hate. From Wikipedia: The Bongo bass guitar was introduced on March 21, 2003 at the Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA by... Read More