Best bass strings 2023: vintage and modern string sets for every style and budget
Breathe some fresh life into your bass with our pick of the best bass strings on the market
Bass
Latest news
Harley Benton’s mind is on the summer holidays already with the launch of the GS-Travel-E Bass – and you can choose all-mahogany or spruce-topped
Passport, shades, suncream, guide book, clean underwear… Oh, and an acoustic-electric bass guitar. C’mon, what else do you need for your holidays?
Ola Englund’s Solar Guitars debuts entry-level S by Solar brand to offer metal-friendly shred machines and bass guitars at affordable prices
“We knew we could create an opportunity for lower priced guitars that young people and beginners would appreciate,” says Englund
Bass players can now go mobile with their effects via the new $53 Harley Benton DNAfx headphone amp
Plug in and play anywhere with this pocket rig that even includes built-in drum rhythms to play along to
Harley Benton expands its BZ-1000 II NT series with a pair of sub-£500 extended-range bass guitars – and AAA flame maple veneers come as standard
“The 5-string BZ-5000 II NT and the 6-string BZ-6000 II NT are certainly not for the traditional player!” say the budget gear brand as they court the prog and djent demographic
"It had been a taboo subject" – why Geddy Lee isn't ruling out a Rush reunion with Alex Lifeson anymore
The Canadian prog legends' debut album will be 50 years old in 2024 – could something be on the cards?
“Apex-level tone in a go-anywhere footprint”: Two Notes unveils Opus, a multi-channel amp sim with preamp and power amp Tube-Stage Modeling tech
Opus is the guitar and bass player's Swiss Army Knife for stage and studio, a compact, powerhouse amp-in-a-box that is packed with features and the answer to all your DI prayers
Looking for a Dynamic Audio Grinder distortion pedal? Earthquaker Devices has good news for you with its Zoar
A medium-high gain discrete transistor-based distortion
Bring new colour to your pedalboard with the Walrus Audio Canvas Tuner – and upload your favourite photos to it
The latest in the Canvas range that has previously seen DI and reamping boxes
Latest tuition
10 things you need to know before you record your band
RECORDING WEEK 2023: Essential tips for tracking guitar, bass, drums and vocals live
8 tips to help bassists to stay inspired and freshen up their playing
Staying creative as a bass player, both solo and with other musicians
10 ways to find band members and musicians to collaborate with
Discover likeminded collaborators and get your dream group together with these handy online resources
How to write compelling basslines by working around root notes
An easy lesson in essential bass technique with tab and audio
10 ways to find band members and musicians
Discover likeminded collaborators and get your dream group together with these handy online resources
The ultimate guitar tabs guide: how to read tab and symbols explained
Learn to play acoustic and electric with our guide to this easy-to-read notation
Latest reviews
Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas PJ V review
- £899
- €949
- $1099
A hot-rodded five-string that pushes the envelope with performance while maintaining a classy style
Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay 5 review
- £2999+
- $2799+
The StingRay with extra sting courtesy of a Darkglass preamp and onboard distortion gets a five-string release for the ultimate in low-end thunder
Trace Elliot Elf C110 Combo review
- £509
- €575
- $599
It is the much-loved Elf bass amp in a 1x10 combo, retaining the same functionality and bringing some next-level portability to the table
Squier 40th Anniversary Gold Edition Vintage Precision and Jazz Bass review
- £429
- €469
- $599
A new gold standard for affordable bass guitars, or celebratory special edition to celebrate celebrate four decades of the Fender-owned brand? Why not both?
Becos CompIQ STELLA Pro Compressor review
- £360
- $319
For those who take their dynamics seriously, this fully featured stompbox offers a studio-grade VCA compressor that you can mount on your pedalboard
Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird review
- £2499
- €2790
- $2799
Is there a harder-rocking bass guitar on the market than the God of Thunder's signature collaboration with Gibson?
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 800S review
- £1099
- $1249
A bass amp head for pros who want a lightweight high-powered head offering the best of both worlds between solid-state and tube
Hartke LX8500 review
- £599
- €452
- $599.99
Backline perennials Hartke's new bass head has a valve-driven preamp, 800 watts and is stacked with features...
