Fuzz Bass Classics

Popularized in the 60s and 70s, fuzz bass or distorted and overdriven bass effects are still used today. Early on these effects were often created by overdriving signals directly on the amplifiers. Some players have even cited blown out speakers as a way of creating fuzz sounds. There are many companies now, who have created fuzz pedals for bass guitars to recreate the bass tones heard on famous tracks from bands such as Cream, The Rolling Stones, Thin Lizzy and Motörhead. Here are some popular tracks from the 60s and 70s that utilize a fuzz bass sound.

• 1962 – Roy Orbison – “Lana”
• 1965 – Q65 – “I’m A Man”
• 1966 - The Rolling Stones – “Under My Thumb”
• 1967 – Cream – “Strange Brew”
• 1968 – The Doors – “Hello, I Love You”
• 1969 – Norman Greenbaum – “Spirit in the Sky”
• 1970 – Black Sabbath – “Sweet Leaf”
• 1973 – King Crimson – “Easy Money”
• 1974 – Frank Zappa – “Apostrophe”
• 1976 – Thin Lizzy – “Jailbreak”
• 1979 – Motörhead – “Bomber”

The EBS Fuzzmo, EHX Bass Big Muff, and MXR Fuzz Deluxe are just some of the options Bass Central carries for Fuzz effects pedals. We have also have a great selection of distortion, overdrive and other effects pedals, bass guitars, bass amps, and more. Visit BassCentral.com to get the right equipment to build your own sound today!

At What Age Can a Child Start Learning to Play the Bass?

A lot of children imagine themselves to be future rock stars, but before they can grow up to sell out venues, they have to put in the days, weeks, and years of practice to master their chosen instruments. While a lot of children gravitate toward the guitar, keyboard, or drums, there are many who enjoy the smooth, deep sounds of the bass. Consider letting your child learn bass from a young age.

The Size of the Guitar

Most bass guitars are made for adults or teens at the earliest, but there are actually smaller-sized models made for children and smaller people in mind. If you find the right guitar, your child can start learning. An expert can help you size the guitar to the child.

Starting Very Young

If music is an important part of your family, it wouldn’t be unheard of to teach a child as young as 4 to play. Most children aren’t ready at this age, but if they’ve expressed any interest in learning to play a stringed instrument, the bass, which doesn’t usually require complex melodies, may be the perfect place to start. If your child has a good attention span and you’re willing to supervise him as he plays, preschool bass playing is possible.

Starting Slightly Older

If no one in your family plays or you simply don’t have the patience and time to supervise a child playing, you might want to wait until your child is around 9 or 10. Sign her up for classes and make sure she sticks to her practice schedule.

Talk to the bass experts at Bass Central about finding the right size bass for your small child, and whether or not your child is ready to learn. A lot depends on the attention span and drive of the child, but in general, any child is ready by the age of 10. Give your child the gift of music by buying her a bass guitar.

The Great Bass Players of David Bowie

The legendary David Bowie has passed, but fortunately we have years and years of great music that we can enjoy from this amazing artist. As a tribute to the Thin White Duke, we have put together a small list of some of Bowie’s best bass players. 

• Gail Ann Dorsey – From 1995 until his death, Dorsey laid down the bottom end on Bowie’s albums and in his live band. She was known for taking the Freddy Mercury parts when they performed the legendary single, “Under Pressure.”
• Trevor Bolder – One of the Spiders from Mars, Bolder is one of the most important bass players Bowie ever had. He performed on the albums The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Hunky Dory, and Aladdin Sane, paving the way for Punk. After his time with Bowie, Trevor Bolder performed for many years with Uriah Heap. Bolder passed away in 2013.
• George Murray – During Bowie’s Berlin period, his band typically consisted of Carlos Alomar on guitar, Dennis Davis on drums, and George Murray on bass. His performances can be heard on Stations to Station, Low, and “Heroes,” as well as Iggy Pop’s The Idiot, which was produced by Bowie.

Whether you are paying tribute to Bowie or are just interested in rocking in your own personal way, Bass Central has the items you need. From high-end bass guitars to some of the best bass amps on the planet, our business always takes care of your bass needs.

D Lakin Basses are Now in Stock

Have you been interested in picking a new bass guitar? Bass Central’s already immense stock has gotten larger, as we are now offering exceptional D Lakin bass guitars. Since 1975, D Lakin has been providing high-end bass guitars for a wide array of players. Artists like Mike Amico, John Stairrt of Wilco, and George Porter of the Meters have relied on D Lakin when they are seeking a quality bass guitar. Take a look at some of the selections we have in stock:

• Bob Glaub Custom – This great bass is candy apple red and ready to rock. Features include a maple neck, a hipshot A bridge, hipshot tuners, and a rosewood fingerboard.
• Joe Osborn Custom – Plug in this lake placid blue selection and start performing today! This selection features an alder body, a maple neck and fingerboard, white blocks, and binding.
• Bob Glaub 3 Tone Sunburst – Are sunburst guitars your thing? Then you’re going to enjoy performing with this high-end bass. Features include a maple neck and fingerboard, as well as a 1.5 taper.

Make the right choice and purchase one of our D Lakin bass guitars today. Our team is confident that you’ll love the selections we have to offer.

Bass Players in Print – Books by Bass Players

As you know, bass players are many faceted individuals. Not only do they provide an integral part of any music group, many bass players are great observers who have written great books about their time playing music. Check out this list of great books by bass players and pick one up next time you are ready to read a book about your favorite bassists:

• SNAKES! GUILLOTINES! ELECTRIC CHAIRS! My Adventures in the Alice Cooper Group – One of the newest books on this list, bass player Dennis Dunaway has put together this great book about his time playing in the original Alice Cooper group.
• Lobotomy – Surviving The Ramones – You may not be surprised that Dee Dee Ramone has a lot to say about his time playing in the Ramones. As the main songwriter to many punk classics, Dee Dee’s amazing story covers his times on the streets, as well as being held at gunpoint by Phil Spector.
• Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead – Everyone knows about Phil Lesh, the bass player for the Grateful Dead! Read deeper into his story and celebrate this legendary group by picking up this excellent book!

After picking up these books, you may be inspired to pick up a new bass, amp, or accessories. Bass Central has a huge selection of bass guitars and is prepared to help you find the right instruments for your needs!