Each month, the IIB gives its viewers the opportunity to participate in various monthly giveaways. To become eligible to win products including basses, amplifiers, speaker cabinets, combo amps, effects, strings, instrument cables, pickups, gig bags, straps, gift certificates, DVD's, CD's, books, lessons, t-shirts, and more, simply: ENTER TO WIN TODAY!

Below, you will find a list of the current giveaway items available. Special thanks to all of our giveaway sponsors. Please visit their respective web sites to check out all of the great products and services that they offer.

J. D'Addario & Company, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets complete lines of strings for fretted and bowed musical instruments, drumheads, drum practice pads, and guitar and woodwind accessories under the proprietary brand names D'Addario, Evans Drumheads, Planet Waves, Rico, and HQ Percussion. The company also runs the popular Gbase.com online gear source. J. D'Addario products are marketed in approximately 120 countries. ... Read More.

The new sound of steel! ProSteels are D'Addario's brightest and most magnetic bass strings. A specialized alloy delivers harmonically rich, brilliant high-end coupled with deep, tight lows that work in tandem to create the coveted "piano-like" tone steel players crave.

Suggested Retail Price - $32.99

Gold-Plated 1/4" Angled - Straight Instrument Cable. 8 banana-like compression springs in the shank of the plug compress, making excellent contact while providing additional mechanical holding force. Near-perfect frequency response, double-insulated/double-shield coverage, and the lowest triboelectric (handling noise) of any cables on the market. The plug is soldered, covered with an internal copper shield tube, and then over-molded, first with a rigid PVC to encapsulate the solder joints and then with a flexible polymer for unprecedented strain relief.

Suggested Retail Price - $47.99

Tired of those shoulder and back aches after a long session with your heavy guitar or bass? The Planet Waves Padded Comfort Strap helps relieve the discomfort of playing a heavy instrument by distributing the instrument's weight across a wider area. This 3" wide, heavy-duty tubular strap is equipped with an internal pad that is designed for weightier instruments.

Suggested Retail Price - $26.99

This unique pick-sized tuner uses Planet Wave's revolutionary strobe-on-string technology. Barely bigger than a guitar pick, the S.O.S. bass tuner emits 2 out-of-phase LED light beams directly onto the vibrating string. When the string is out of tune, the two lights will visually dance on the string being tuned. As you approach in-tune status, the movement slows down and eventually stops when you are perfectly in tune. A thumbwheel selects the right LED output for each string of a 4, 5, or 6-string bass guitar. Since it relies strictly on visuals, this tuning system enables precision tuning in dim or noisy environments without the need for audible sound or sensing of any kind.

Suggested Retail Price - $19.99

Thunderfunk bass amps are designed to be versatile, lightweight, and powerful for the working bass player. Amplifying the natural quality of the bass instrument, Thunderfunk bass amps are pure op-amp and transistor solid state designs which were made famous by classic designs such as the Acoustic 360 and the AMP BH-420. ... Read More.

With unsurpassed tone, punch, and clarity, the Thunderfunk TFB550-B bass amplifier is the choice of the world's best bass players. It is the direct descendent of the amp that Jaco Pastorius loved, the legendary AMP BH-420, improved and handmade in the U.S.A. by Dave Funk. With an all-aluminum chassis, the TFB550-B weighs in at only 16 pounds, and the amp can operate with or without the fan so it's quiet for studio or tv use. The TFB550-B's tone is achieved by using high quality film caps in the preamp's signal chain just like a high quality mixing board. Twenty-five times more expensive than electrolytics used in other amps, film cap's tighter tolerances maintain phase coherence through the amp, producing a focused punch unlike any other amp. Add two to three times the filter caps of other amps and you get a round, focused bottom that doesn't roll around the stage but instead projects out into the room. Through a unique "SS/Tube Switch" which changes between the original high voltage power supply that feeds the power amp and a separate low voltage power supply, you'll be able to choose from a super clean, hi-fi solid-state tone for slap and double bass playing to a warm, tube tone for all the rest.

TFB550-B Specifications
- 550 watts @ 4 ohms/300 watts @ 8 ohms
- Dual input jacks
- Mute switch with LED indicator
- Gain/limiter control
- Enhance control
- Bass control
- 4-band parametric equalizer
- Treble control
- Timbre control
- Volume control
- Headphone/line output jack
- "The Switch" with LED indicators
- Pre-EQ balanced DI output
- Post-EQ balanced output with level control
- Ground lift switches for both XLR outputs
- Pre-EQ & post-EQ effects loop
- Pre-amp output
- Power amp input
- 2 1/4" speaker outputs
- 2 speakon outputs
- Aluminum chassis
- Time delayed turn on
- Quiet AC power switching
- 40,800uF supply filter for deep response and increased mids clarity
- AC signal coupled to reduce input pops
- 100/120/220/240v operation
- Runs with or without the fan
- Removable rack ears
- Dimensions: 17" W x 3.5" H x 10.5" D (19" wide with rack ears)
- Weight: 16 lbs.

Suggested Retail Price - $1649.00

Over ten years ago, Christopher Willcox, LightWave Systems founder and CEO, began research and development on an alternative to conventional string instrument technology. The result of his efforts is the LightWave optical pickup system. Willcox, a professional luthier, used his extensive experience in design and construction of advanced electric guitars to conclude that the conventional magnetic pickup was limiting the performance potential of stringed instruments. Willcox's goal was to design and build stringed instruments with unmatched sustain and tone. Frustrated with the magnetic pickup's inability to accurately represent string and instrument acoustic properties, he began development of an optical pickup that would liberate the string's true voice, while eliminating the magnetic influence on the strings and the inherent noise of conventional pickups. ... Read More.

Designed and developed from the ground up by LightWave, the Saber SL is a high performance, professional bass featuring the exclusive, patented LightWave optical pickup system. The LightWave pickup's transparent response delivers harmonically rich, deep, and powerful sound, spanning a wide range of tones from pure, natural string sound to super aggressive and cutting edge with the use of EQ or signal processing. Extremely low noise characteristics eliminate the annoying background hum and buzz typical of conventional pickups, and with no magnetic field pulling on the strings, sustain is long and natural, like a grand piano. Highly sensitive to even the most subtle nuances, the LightWave pickup delivers the true sound of the strings, the instrument, and your playing. The Saber's high performance design makes it perfect for heavy road work, the sonic demands of digital recording, or long hours of playing and practicing. Since the LightWave pickup does not rely on body mass for its extended bass response and long sustain, the Saber is exceptionally light in weight and designed with a natural, familiar feel for outstanding performance in all styles of music, from hard rock and heavy metal to pop and jazz.

Saber SL Specifications
- Solid alder body
- Ultrablack, infrared or xenon blue finish
- Rosewood fingerboard
- 3-piece hard maple neck
- LightWave optical pickup system
- Custom GraphTech monolithic bridges
- iceTone saddles
- Switchcraft output jack
- Noble potentiometers
- Master volume
- Bass boost and cut
- Mids boost and cut / mids sweep
- iceTone blend
- Warm / cool toggle switch
- NiMH rechargeable battery pack
- Rapid-charge system (1 hour recharge)
- 16 hours playing time per charge
- Hear the true sound of the string
- Transparent response
- No magnetic field = long, natural sustain
- Extremely low noise
- Extended bass response
- Lightweight, comfortable design
- 34" scale length
- 4 and 5-string, fretted and fretless
- 2-octave fingerboard
- ProTec gig bag

Street Price - $1095.00

Since 2002, Wright and David Innis have been building high-tech AccuGroove cabinets in their northern California workshop. At the foundation of their engineering concepts are atypical speaker configurations which feature low, mid, and high frequency speakers that are sealed within isolated compartments to deliver a full-spectrum sound in a single, compact enclosure. By housing the speakers in their own specially tuned "cabinet within a cabinet," each driver is able to retain its distinct sonic signature while generating optimal response without adding any unwanted colorization. Whether they are utilized on the stages of small clubs, large arenas, or outdoor venues, the innovative AccuGroove design produces a studio monitor sound which faithfully represents the true tonal palette of the amplified instrument and is endorsed by many of today's top bassists including Bill Dickens, Keith Horne, Todd Johnson, Yves Carbonne, and Steve Lawson. ... Read More.

The Accugroove Tri112L is for players looking for incredibly accurate and hi-fi sound in a 1x12 cab. The Tri112L brings together a 12" woofer, a 6" midrange, and 2 high-frequency tweeters in one unique, 3-way bass cab. Accugroove uses custom, lightweight neodymium-magnet speakers, and houses them in their own individual enclosure specifically tuned for optimal response. Every panel in an Accugroove cabinet is constructed from premium 3/4" void-free plywood using traditional dado and rabbet joints. Each cab has lots of other quality features including steel vibration-free grill, self-resetting protection circuit for midrange and high-frequency drivers, stackable locking corners, comfortable recessed handles, reliable 1,000 watt crossover circuit, 2 sealed 1/4" jacks, 2 speakon jacks, and removable casters.

Tri112L Specifications
- 12" neodymium woofer with die-cast aluminum frames
- 6" midrange driver with kapton coils
- 2 soft textile dome tweeters
- 400 watts @ 8 ohms
- 39 Hz - 18 kHz frequency response
- 100dB SPL
- 1,000 watt crossover circuit
- custom tuned port
- 2 speakon jacks
- 2 sealed 1/4" jacks
- Individual, specifically tuned cabinet-within-a-cabinet enclosure
- High-grade, 3/4" void-free birch plywood with rabbet and dado joints
- Black steel vibration-free grill
- Self-resetting protection circuit for midrange and tweeters
- Recessed handles
- Locking corners
- Removable casters
- Dimensions: 16.5" W x 21.25" H x 17.25" D
- Weight: 38 lbs.

Suggested Retail Price - $1,044.00

Incorporated in 1996, Line 6 is a music gear manufacturer dedicated to integrating technology with music products to inspire creativity both on the stage and in the studio. Headquartered in Agoura Hills, California, Line 6 currently has a presence in over 60 countries worldwide with offices in California and the United Kingdom. In just under seven years, Line 6 has grown from an original team of 10 to over 230 employees. As the pioneer of digital modeling guitar amplifiers, Line 6 has created award-winning products for guitarists, bass players and engineers, working both on stage and in the studio. ... Read More.

Plug into complete platinum bass tone with the Bass PODxt Pro. Whether you're laying down tracks in a high-dollar studio or taking your songs on the road, Bass PODxt Pro gives you everything you need for professional-grade bass tone. All the studio-standards are built right in. You get models of 28 classic and modern bass amps, 22 essential speaker cabs, and over 50 stompbox, studio, and synth effects. With all these options, creating your own signature bass tone has never been easier. Bass PODxt Pro also comes equipped with all the elaborate pro connections that you need for a truly professional studio or stage experience. In addition, Bass PODxt Pro features A.I.R. II cabinet/microphone modeling, which allows you to choose from 4 mic models, along with the ability to adjust the amount of room you hear. The ability to mix and match speaker cabs and mics will help you find the exact vibe you're looking for.

Bass PODxt Pro Specifications
- 28 modern and classing amp models
- 22 cab models
- 50 stompbox/synth/studio effects
- Compressor
- 6-band semi-parametric EQ
- 4 mic models
- A.I.R. cab/speaker/mic emulation
- MIDI I/O/Thru
- Chromatic tuner
- 64 channel memories
- USB digital I/O
- 1/4" and XLR stereo outputs
- AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital I/O
- Effects loop
- Analog re-amping in and out
- Biamp mode with selectable crossover
- Ability to mix direct signal with modeled signal
- Headphone out
- Foot controller connector

Suggested Retail Price - $979.99

Ibanez is recognized as one of the world's top-selling bass companies. Ibanez first drew attention in the 1970's and 80's with its neck-thru basses that featured active electronics. The Ibanez Soundgear bass was introduced in the 1980's, and since that time, the role of the electric bass has changed considerably. From jazz to funk to aggressive hard rock, bassists still rely on Ibanez basses to lay down the groove even though many new trends have come and gone. Today, Ibanez offers the most diverse bass line of 4, 5, and 6 basses available for every playing style in every price range. ... Read More.

Not everyone needs a sleek, narrow necked bass like the Ibanez Soundgear. This is why Ibanez first came out with the ATK series in 1995. The ATK700 is named for it's powerful attack. Unlike the Soundgear, the ATK is big with the bold tones you get from a big neck and big body, but the ATK is no one-trick workhorse. It's also versatile and comfortable thanks to its unique electronics and physical layout. In other words, it's the right choice for blues, hard rock, and country players along with anyone else who wants every benefit of a traditional bass and more. It features a gorgeous quilted maple top on a light ash body, a massive 5-piece maple/walnut neck with maple fretboard and string-thru body design which delivers endless sustain, and the unbelievably powerful and versatile ATK 3-coil pickup works with the ATK character switch for rapid changes in tone to allow endless tonal possibilities.

ATK700 Specifications
Body: Light ash with quilted maple top
Neck: 5-piece ATK4 maple/walnut
Fingerboard: Birdseye maple
Scale: 34"
Frets: 22 medium
Pickups: ATK triple coil neck pickup/ATK 4 bridge pickup
Electronics: ATK 3-band EQ with tone character switch
Hardware: Chrome

Suggested Retail Price - $933.32

When SWR first opened its garage door in June of 1984, their goal was to make the finest sounding and most reliable bass equipment available that was geared to the professional market. The time had come to provide the dedicated bass player an amp that was more than "a guitar amp without reverb" or a "studio amp" so called because it happened to be small. While the major companies were mass producing these products, bass players were having to go direct in the studio because the sound quality was simply far better than most bass amplifiers could produce. New styles of playing such as slapping and tapping were becoming popular. 5 and 6-string basses were starting to surface. The frequency range and dynamics of the latest amps and cabinets of the day just couldn't accommodate these new techniques and instruments. Bass players who wanted a natural sound were having to spend a fortune buying separate cabinets for lows and highs powered by expensive, full range power amps. Since that time, SWR has constantly strived to identify the changing needs of the bassist and respond with new and useful designs, each unique to itself. This led to many features that were first introduced on a production basis by SWR including the aural enhancer, side chain stereo and mono effects loops, tuner send, real studio quality XLR balanced recording outputs, a combo unit with a built in extra rack space, separate inputs for active and passive basses, EQ settings down to 31 Hz, stereo power sections, and full range speaker systems. Today, SWR's continues their mission to provide bass amplification products with professional quality, tone, features, and power delivery for players of all levels and styles. ... Read More.

The WorkingPro 12 is a compact combo amp that's full of killer SWR tone and lots of high-end features, all in an elegant enclosure that will fit quite nicely into the back seat of your average family car. It has 200 watts of power which are pumped through a 12" Eminence woofer and Le Son TLX-1 piezo tweeter for rich, full-range sound. The bass intensifier provides an instant low end boost. The 3-band active EQ with sweepable midrange and aural enhancer make shaping your tone simple. The WorkingPro 12 also has an effects send and return and even a built in limiter. An LED indicates any clipping while the back panel includes a balanced XLR direct line output with ground lift, a headphone output, and a footswitch input. Its tilt-back design lets the sound project out into the room. A side-mounted monitor input allows the amp to double as a powered monitor as well.

WorkingPro 12 Specifications
- Solid state amplifier
- 200 watts
- 12" Eminence woofer with Le Son TLX-1 piezo tweeter
- Tilt-back enclosure design
- Wedge EQ circuit
- Side-mounted monitor input
- 3-band active EQ with sweepable midrange
- Aural enhancer
- Bass intensifier
- Limiter
- Effects send and return
- Balanced XLR direct out with ground lift, 1/4" unbalanced outputs
- Headphone jack
- Footswitch input
- External speaker jack
- Mute button
- Black carpet with chrome stamped steel vibration-free grill
- Dimensions: 18.5" W x 22.5" H x 18.5" D
- Weight: 44 lbs.

Suggested Retail Price - $714.27

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is the world's foremost manufacturer of guitars, basses, amplifiers, and related equipment. With an illustrious history dating back to 1946, Fender has touched and transformed music worldwide and in nearly every genre including rock 'n roll, country and western, jazz, rhythm and blues, and many others. Everyone from beginners and hobbyists to the world's most acclaimed artists and performers have used Fender instruments and amps, in the process making the company not only a revered music industry name but also a cultural icon. Legendary Fender instruments such as the Precision and Jazz bass guitars are universally acclaimed as design classics. ... Read More.

The Fender B-DEC 30 (Bass Digital Entertainment Center) is both an entertainment center and a teaching/training tool for bass players. It includes 70 loops called performance presets which provide instrumental accompaniment for many musical styles and teacher loops which help bassists develop and refine basic techniques. The B-DEC 30 has eight of the most popular bass amps and 18 effects models combined with musical loops for endless jamming fun. Each loop has drum, guitar, and keyboard sounds along with a guide bass track, and each instrument can easily be muted. The internal synthesizer with MIDI interface allows playback of any MIDI file and can store up to 64 MIDI song files. The included complete method book has transcription and tablature for every preset along with suggested techniques, areas of focus, and playing variations.

B-DEC 30 Specifications
- Solid state amplifier
- 30 watts
- 10" Fender special design speaker with high frequency piezo horn
- Tilt-back cabinet
- Headphone jack
- 70 performance preset loops
- Instrument backing tracks in various styles
- Teacher loops
- Transpose and tune function
- Tempo control
- Volume control over each instrument in loop
- Preset loop model and effect controls
- 8 bass amp models
- 18 effects
- 3 reverbs
- 28 second phrase sampler
- Internal MIDI synth
- Storage for 64 MIDI song files
- Tuner
- Method book
- Speaker out
- RCA aux in
- Line level 1/4" out
- MIDI I/O
- Rear panel teacher input jack
- Footswitch jack
- Black carpet covering
- Black metal grill
- Dimensions: 15" W x 17" H x 14.5" D
- Weight: 33 lbs.

Suggested Retail Price - $533.32

Evidence Audio was founded in 1997 to offer the finest musical instrument and studio cables available. Their technology is based on 20 years of research in preserving the quality of sound as it passes through electronics. Cables are an area in the production and reproduction realm that can deliver serious improvement (or degradation) for the least amount of money. A void was recognized in the music industry for cable products based on merit rather than marketing hype. Hence the formation of Evidence Audio to bring performance-based cables at reasonable prices to those of us "laying it down." ... Read More.

Guitar Player Magazine's 2004 Readers' Choice Awards - Best Accessory. The best cable Evidence Audio produces. The Lyric HG is a line-level cable especially well-suited for high gain amplifiers or passive pickups where microphonics can be a challenge. The Lyric HG is an intelligent blend of materials and design which results in a new level of sonic transparency.

Street Price - $91.00

In order to overcome the distortion found in most other cables of lesser quality, Evidence Audio's Lyric is a directional instrument cable which utilizes high-grade IGL copper conductors, solid core conductors, a balanced design, foamed polypropylene insulating material, a high-density pure copper braid for shielding to keep out interference, Wonder Solder from TRT, and Neutrik plugs. Many inferior cables will degrade audio signal through poor conducting material, insulation material, plugs, solder, strand design, and geometry, but the Lyric really excels in every area. Although the solid core conductors prevent the Lyric from possessing the flexibility of a stranded cable, the solid core conductors more than make up for that tradeoff with enhanced signal quality. These are heavy-duty cables. With the foamed polypropylene insulation, the amount of air around the conductors is maximized which in turn preserves the detail in resolution. In addition to the high-density pure copper braid, the conductors are also wrapped with graphite tape to further reduce extraneous noise. The Lyric can be utilized in long lengths without the fear of losing high frequencies because the Lyric was designed with that obstacle in mind.

Street Price - $71.20

The Melody signal cable has been designed for use with instruments, as well as for studio, pedal-board, and rack wiring. The Melody is built by designer Tony Farinella to be what he calls a "coax cable done right." Based on years of research in cable theory and design and most importantly time spent listening, the Melody incorporates fundamental features pioneered by Evidence Audio that allow signal transmission with minimal degradation. It is designed to pass audio with as little change as possible for an honest presentation of associated equipment and playing styles.

Street Price - $61.00

The Siren II is the next generation Siren speaker cable.

Street Price - $92.00

Carey Nordstrand began building pickups out of necessity for his custom basses when he couldn't find what he wanted from the normal suppliers. His first pickups were dual coils, and he made them with some very rudimentary tools. After some sonic successes in designing pickups for his basses, he decided to offer them to other builders and even to dealers. He started selling a set here and a set there. Those humble beginnings have evolved, through the acquisition of some keys tools and a lot of work, into a fledgling pickup company with a very strong desire to improve the sonic landscape for amplified guitars and basses. ... Read More.

The NJ4 is a vintage single coil J-style pickup made with '60's-era correct heavy formvar wire and alnico V magnets. In winding these pickups, Nordstrand uses a simulated hand wound pattern that lowers the resonant peak of the pickup resulting in a pleasing yet present high end. These pickups have a very even and full sound with that snap and grind associated with the classic basses of that time. The NJ4 includes black covers with exposed pole pieces.

Suggested Retail Price - $189.00

Originally established as a repair and custom guitar shop in a retail music store called the Buffalo Guitar Outlet, Zon Guitars was founded by Joe Zon in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, in 1981. As a repair technician, Zon had earned a reputation for years of high-quality repairs and building customized instruments. In order to address all the problematic issues encountered with instruments while a repairman, Zon designed his first production-model instruments in 1982, the Standard and Signature model basses. After years of continued growth, Zon relocated his shop to Redwood City, California, in 1987, which continues to facilitate as Zon's base of operations today. ... Read More.

The Zon Pro Series Gig Bag is a premium quality gig bag that is constructed from heavy-duty, waterproof codura fabric and fits all bass guitars. It features thick padding, plush lining, zipper, adjustable dual-padded shoulder straps, and three storage pockets.

Street Price - $99.00

Comfort Strapp is the maker of the world's most comfortable shoulder strap for bass guitar. The Pro Series bass straps provide unmatched comfort and performance. Comfort Strapp's composite design has the soft cushion of neoprene, configured to eliminate any bungee effect. Comfort Strapp will outperform any strap you've ever used, and it is the only patented neoprene strap offering limited stretch. Made in the USA and available worldwide. ... Read More.

The Pro Bass Series consists of a wider design through the shoulder area, providing added support for the typically heavier bass instrument. Neoprene pad tapers to 3" from 3.5" and is available in three lengths:
Pro Bass Short 33" - 37"
Pro Bass Long 38" - 45"
Pro Bass Extra Long 42" - 54"

Street Price - $40.00

With its roots tracing back to the 17th century, Philadelphia is one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in the United States. For decades, Philly has been acknowledged for its long-standing bass tradition and for being the birthplace of world-renowned bassists such as Stanley Clarke, Christian McBride, and Gerald Veasley. Surprisingly, "The City of Brotherly Love" did not become the home of a retail store designed to cater exclusively to bassists until just recently. Bass Specialties, the first and only bass-centric retail resource in the Philadelphia region, was opened by bassist Glenn Marrazzo in September, 2006. In addition to providing an alternative to the large instrument chains and access to an extensive stock of bass-related products including basses and sound reinforcement, Marrazzo's goal is to firmly establish a supportive and conveniently located storefront where the local bass community can converge to hang out, play, and receive instruction from some of the world's best bassists.

A $150 gift certificate from Bass Specialties can be put towards the purchase of any bass, amp, cabinet, or accessory from their vast selection of professional bass gear. ... Read More.

Street Price - $150.00

Since 1998, it has been the continuing goal of BassBooks.com to be your ultimate online resource of educational material for the bass guitar.

BassBooks.com $25 gift certificates can be utilized for purchasing any item from their huge inventory of merchandise. ... Read More.

Street Price - $25.00

Expanding upon the concepts firmly established by his former instructor, the late bass icon Jaco Pastorius, in the 1970's, solo bassist Michael Manring has pioneered a non-traditional approach to unaccompanied electric bass performance that incorporates unconventional tunings, astoundingly virtuoso technical innovations, and ground-breaking methodologies. By seamlessly merging all of the modern bass techniques including traditional fingerstyle playing, slapping, plucking, chord strumming, and contrapuntal two-handed tapping techniques on fretted and fretless instruments with his amazing and unparalleled work with the EBow, explorations with harmonics, and his extensive use of altered tunings, Manring has completely redefined the role of the electric bass as a legitimate solo instrument and opened the ears of bassists worldwide to all the previously undiscovered textural possibilities accessible on electric bass. ... Read More.

Soliloquy is a collection of technically-unparalleled, richly-textured, and refreshingly-innovative arrangements from Michael Manring's repertoire that reveal his unyielding passion for creating music comprised of the astonishing variety of tonalities attainable on bass. Disregard the fact that the music featured on this project was recorded by a solo bassist using only electric and acoustic bass guitars. Forget about the virtuoso technical facility required to perform at this level. As Manring explores the enormously expansive palette of sonorities and dynamic textural possibilities available on unaccompanied bass guitar, he has redefined the role of the electric bass as a legitimate solo instrument in contemporary music and proves it to be profoundly communicative and capable of conveying the entire gamut of human emotion.

Street Price - $15.00

Canadian bassist Alain Caron began playing professionally at the age of 11. In the early 1970's, he moved to Montreal and started doing extensive studio work and played in every jazz club around town. The self-taught musician took correspondence courses and also attended Berklee College of Music. While in Boston, he was quickly introduced to some outstanding young musicians, co-students, and well-established professional jazzman including David Kikovsky, Tom Harrell, Sal Nestico, Frank Tiberi, Jerry Bergonzi, and Bob Moses with whom he began performing alongside nightly in the Boston area. ... Read More.

5 Live on DVD features the Alain Caron Band in a live concert at the Cabaret de Montreal. With Alain Caron on fretless and fretted basses, Jean St-Jacques on keyboards and malletkat, David Bellemare on saxophone, Simon Langlois on drums, Francois Blouin on keyboards, tracks include "Ocean Of Trees," "Double Agent," "Signal," "Ink Illusion," "Show Of Hands," "No Left Turn On Tuesday," "Slam The Clown," "Turkey Loose On The Kit," "Baby Step," "Solitude," "Black Paws," and "D-Code."

Street Price - $23.00

As both bassist and clinician, Norm Stockton travels extensively throughout North America and Europe for MTD Basses, Gallien-Krueger, and Maranatha! Music. Norm's acclaimed bass instructional video series, Grooving For Heaven, has been distributed extensively in the United States and abroad. His debut solo project, Pondering The Sushi, continues to garner positive feedback from print and on-line media. Norm has extensive experience in a wide array of musical settings. His recording and/or performance credits include jazz guitarist Steve Laury, keyboardist Rob Mullins, bassist Dominique Di Piazza, keyboardist Scott Wilkie, guitarist Lincoln Brewster, Fernando Ortega, bluesman Darrell Mansfield, heavy rock group Luna Halo, and singer/songwriter Bill Batstone. Norm has served as the bass columnist for Christian Musician magazine as well as adjunct faculty at Concordia University, Hope International University, and Biola University in Los Angeles, California. ... Read More.

Pondering Bass Technique emerges as the first Grooving for Heaven volume dedicated to the advanced techniques employed in the modern bass vocabulary. As opposed to presenting a "glossary of riffs", Norm demystifies these techniques to allow the committed bassist to assimilate them for the broadest possible range of artistic expression. Features performances ("A Tender NAMM Moment", "Pondering the Sushi", "The Star Spangled Banner", and more) from his critically-acclaimed solo debut, Pondering the Sushi. Topics include: Slapping (Intermediate to Advanced, including Double-Thumbing), Tapping (Arpeggios, Single-String, Variations), Chording, Chimes, Thuds & Swells (A Spectrum of Tones), Combining Techniques, Effects to Enhance, Introduction to Solo Bass Arranging. Running Time: 2 Hours 11 Minutes.

Street Price - $40.00

The Art of Groove is an in-depth and engaging exploration into the relationship between the bass and drums in a contemporary ensemble. Together with much insightful input and consummate grooving by drummer David Owens (Thomas Dolby), Norm demonstrates and clarifies a multitude of concepts, exercises, and groove considerations as he takes you to the next level. An indispensable resource for bassists and drummers pursuing maximum rhythm section effectiveness. Topics include: Essential Ear-Training (Rhythmic & Harmonic), Groove 101 (Concept/Approach, Bass Parts, Context & More), Musical Genres & Groove Vocabulary: A Bass & Drum Focus, The Critical Subtleties (Tempo vs. Feel, Conveying Emotion Musically, Fills, Groovicidal Tendencies), Bass & Drum Dialogues: Developing the Synergy. Running Time: 1 Hour 54 Minutes.

Street Price - $40.00

From the technical, to musical, to conceptual, to spiritual...Grooving for Heaven Vol. 2 is an engaging, one-on-one clinic that explores the next level of progression for the contemporary worship bassist desiring to build upon their solid understanding of the fundamentals. The committed bass player will emerge with a fresh perspective on what to play, what not to play, and how effectiveness is frequently dictated by the subtleties. Topics include: Fingerboard Familiarity Part II: Modes & Intervals, Bassic Communication (How to Say What You Mean), Bass Idioms Analyzed: "What Makes the Funk....Funky?", The Slap Style, Taste ("Is It All In Your Mouth?"), Fretless Bass: Expanding the Pallette, The Grace-case's Perspective on Ministry. Running Time: 92 Minutes.

Street Price - $40.00

Grooving for Heaven - Vol. 1 is a one-on-one clinic especially for the bass player seeking to establish that elusive solid foundation for their playing, with a focus upon the unique factors and considerations (musical and otherwise) encountered in contemporary worship. However, bassists at every level of experience will find their effectiveness enhanced through Norm's casual yet intensive look at a multitude of topics including: Warm-Ups for the Impatient, Proper Hand & Bass Positioning, Fingerboard Familiarity Part I, Pre-Groove Studies (Rhythmic & Harmonic Pre-Groove Primer), A Fresh Approach: Diverse Styles, What's Your Concept?, Practice...for Groove's Sake, Effects, The Heart & Ministry. Running Time: 76 Minutes.

Street Price - $40.00

Todd Johnson is recognized as a pioneer of the six-string bass. With his signature model Zon TJ6 six-string bass, Johnson uses an innovative technique where he plays chord changes and bass lines simultaneously, giving him an uniquely rich and fuller sound that proves extremely useful in both solo and small combo work. As an integral member of the critically acclaimed jazz trio of guitarist Ron Escheté, Johnson excels as both a supporting musician and a seasoned soloist. He is consistently cited for his contributions of skill, originality, and versatility, as well as his ability to sound as if he is simultaneously playing bass and rhythm guitar. In 2004, Johnson joined forces with acclaimed bassist and singer Kristin Korb to form The Kristin Korb/Todd Johnson Trio. Get Happy, their debut CD produced by Johnson, features Korb on vocals and upright bass, Kendall Kay on drums, and Johnson providing the chordal structure and solos on his 6-string electric bass. ... Read More.

In Technique Builders, Johnson demonstrates right and left hand ergonomics, right hand muting, supportive fingering, string skipping, floating thumb technique, shifting, hammer-ons and pull-offs, as well as how to play ghost notes on electric bass. This DVD is ideal for beginners who want to learn things right the first time and also for the self-taught bassist hoping to fix bad habits that have been unintentionally picked up over the years.

Street Price - $40.00

In his The Walking Bass Line Module System, Todd Johnson takes the "mystery" out of learning to play walking bass lines by breaking techniques down into small, bite-size pieces that anyone can easily digest. In Volume 1, The Triad Module System, Johnson outlines the strong beat/weak beat theory, ear training (playing what you hear), blues changes, "Autumn Leaves" changes, major and minor triads, chromatic approaches from above and below, and helps you put together a solid, organized practice plan.

Street Price - $40.00

Bassline Publishing was set up in 2005 by bassist/writer Stuart Clayton with the aim of publishing high quality instructional titles for bass guitarists. These include the successful Level 42 Bass Transcription series and his acclaimed book Ultimate Slap Bass, a complete beginner to advanced tutorial book which has been praised by well-known bassists such as Stu Hamm and Ray Reindeau. ... Read More.

Ultimate Slap Bass is an in-depth slap bass method written by U.K. bassist Stuart Clayton that covers practically every aspect of slap bass techniques from the absolute basics through advanced techniques and demonstrates how to utilize these concepts in combination with other techniques in a musical fashion. Included within this book are over 200 exercises which are also featured on two accompanying audio CD's, a history of slap bass techniques, and biographies of the primary contributors to slap bass playing. There are also interviews with several of today's most recognized slap bass players including Marcus Miller, Stuart Hamm, Mark King, Stanley Clarke, Ray Riendeau, and Victor Wooten.

Street Price - £24.99 GBP

Stuart Hamm Bass Transcriptions - Outbound & Beyond by U.K. bassist Stuart Clayton is a book of transcriptions which features 17 songs including each track from Outbound, Hamm's fourth studio production as a solo artist, along with his arrangements of standards from the piano repertoire such as Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" and Debussy's "Dr. Gradus Ad Parnassum" (Radio Free Albemuth) as well as Bach's "Prelude In C" (Kings Of Sleep). Other transcriptions consist of Hamm's renowned live bass medley, "Quahogs Anyone?" (The Urge), and "Wrong & Strong" (Show Me What You Can Do), "Nostalgia" (The Light Beyond), and "November" (GHS3) which Hamm recorded as a member of the fusion trio GHS alongside Frank Gambale and Steve Smith. In addition to the transcribed pieces, which are presented in standard notation and tablature with chord symbols, this book contains Hamm's biography, information on his instruments, and detailed performance notes for each track with personal comments from Hamm.

Street Price - £19.99 GBP

Chuck Bianchi is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. During his time as a performance major at Berklee, Chuck explored the possibilities of solo electric bass and studied with Joe Santerre, Bruce Gertz, Whit Brown, Rich Appleman, Anthony Vitti, and many other great players and teachers. Before graduating in 1997, he was selected, along with a half-dozen other students, to perform at the Berklee Performance Center during the school's annual Bass Week where he performed an original composition with a band. Since then, Chuck has been writing and performing music for solo bass with single-minded dedication after realizing the melodic potential and subtle range of expression that are possible on the bass guitar. His originative solo arrangements and compositions utilize various slapping and tapping techniques, altered tunings, the harmonic E-Bow, and his unique approach to counterpoint on the bass guitar. ... Read More.

Featuring masterpieces from the classical repertoire, Beyond Basslines - From Bach To Brahms contains 11 solos and 5 duets compiled for bass guitar by Chuck Bianchi. While developing an appreciation of the electric bass as an unaccompanied instrument, you will build your dexterity and finger independence through the music of the great composers such as Bach, Haydn, Handel, Chopin, Brahms, Mozart, and Beethoven. Selected arrangements consist of "Bouree" (Handel), "Menuet I" (Cello Suite No. 1 - Bach), "Menuet II" (Cello Suite No. 1 - Bach), "Gigue" (Cello Suite No. 2 - Bach), "Scherzo" (Piano Sonata No. 3 - Haydn), "Presto" (Piano Sonata No. 5 - Haydn), "Mazurka" (Chopin), "Trio" (Cello Sonata No. 1 - Brahms), "Divertissement" (Mozart), and "Menuet In G Major" (Beethoven). In addition to the standard notation and tablature, midi files for each piece are also included.

Street Price - $17.95

In order to expand the repertoire of solo bass music, Chuck Bianchi, has published Exposed - Solo Music For Unaccompanied Electric Bass. This book features complete transcriptions of the 4 original solo bass compositions from Bianchi's debut recording project, Dreaming Out Loud. Within his music, Bianchi, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, explores the use of two-handed tapping techniques, harmonics, chords, altered tunings, and counterpoint on bass guitar. In addition to transcribing "December," "Campfires In The Sky," "Imaginary Day," and "Where Tigers Dance" in both standard notation and tablature, Bianchi has also included special performance notes to help guide you through the performance of each piece.

Street Price - $27.95

Cliff Engel is an electric bassist and the founder of the International Institute of Bassists (InstituteOfBass.com). He has been playing electric bass in all styles of music for more than 20 years with a primary emphasis on solo electric bass guitar, fusion, and jazz. Cliff is a former long-time student of world-renowned jazz improvisation instructor Charlie Banacos (New England Conservatory of Music). He also studied bass performance under the direction of Anthony Vitti at Berklee College of Music before earning a bachelor of arts degree from Fort Hays State University. As a solo bassist, Cliff has been arranging and performing contemporary music for unaccompanied electric bass guitar for many years by combining fingerstyle, slapping, tapping, and chordal techniques with altered tunings. Cliff has also been featured in a number of ensembles including regional jazz duos, trios, quartets and quintets, fusion bands, rock bands, funk bands, big bands, R&B bands, country bands, musicals, and orchestras. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Cliff has instructed hundreds of bass guitar students located around the world through his online bass lessons by correspondence program. He is currently working on a series of instructional books and a DVD demonstrating his techniques and concepts. ... Read More.

Cliff has been teaching bass guitar lessons in the correspondence format since 2000, and over the past several years, he has instructed hundreds of students located around the world. Cliff's primary objective is to offer the highest quality bass lessons available anywhere at an extremely affordable rate. Through a systematic, planned approach, Cliff will guide you through a course of directed study that will be conducive to your goals. His course is aimed towards any aspiring bassist who needs assistance and is unable to find a competent bass instructor in his/her immediate area. For those of you who live in a rather remote area and are unable to attend one-on-one lessons with a private instructor on a regular basis or maintain a difficult schedule due to work, family, etc., lessons by correspondence is the next best alternative. These lessons are all personally tailored to the needs of each individual in the sense that even though all bassists need to have a thorough understanding of certain techniques and concepts, the order and manner in which they should be presented with this material sometimes differs from one bassist to the next. Through Cliff's lessons by correspondence, you can learn at your own pace, on your own time, in the privacy of your own studio, and at a cost that is MUCH cheaper than the price of most one-on-one private bass lessons.

Street Price - $16.00

Hanes Beefy-T 100% Pre-Shrunk Cotton
Front: IIB Logo
Back: The International Institute Of Bassists
Sizes: Large & X-Large
Colors: White

Street Price - $15.00



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