Roger Newell
Latest articles by Roger Newell
![Jaco Pastorius](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sAWLE2J4Y3FfubNtPv778W-320-80.jpg)
"When he died, I cried and I actually jumped into the ocean": Carlos Santana and more on bass legend Jaco Pastorius
By MusicRadar published
We salute a true bass guitar virtuoso
![James Jamerson in 1970](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dmRaKSna8keWwKiUbfWsHf-320-80.jpg)
"He became just my hero, really": Paul McCartney's bass idol, 'incomparable' Motown session giant James Jamerson
By MusicRadar last updated
We celebrate one of the greatest of them all
![Freddie Mercury, John Deacon and Brian May of Queen live on stage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AnhKtB668pZPhEc63ps6zD-320-80.jpg)
"I wasn't likely to upstage Brian or Freddie": Queen's John Deacon - a tribute to an elusive bass giant
By Roger Newell published
Brian May: "He won't talk to me, so why the f**k would he talk to you?"
![Hank Marvin](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xSmjFYr6zpfBuUS54EcvS4-320-80.jpg)
"It was like something from space" – Hank Marvin talks in-depth about the Strat
By Roger Newell published
Classic interview with the Shadows' guitar hero
![Music Man's 20th Anniversary Stingray 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/854fd8e01d0ac147fa8fd6b85a737875-320-80.jpg)
Music Man 20th Anniversary StingRay 5-String
By Roger Newell published
It seems hard to believe that the magnificent Stingray 5-string bass has only been with us for 20 years.
![There's certainly no doubting the Rumble 200's Fender heritage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5aa2edfbc076853724e3d2887b5baabb-320-80.jpg)
Fender Rumble 200 Bass Combo
By Roger Newell last updated
Light and portable but still ready to rumble
![The Classic 25 is clearly inspired by the good ol' Hofner Violin bass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cfbbbd84e5b4067f045ed66932e72bc7-320-80.jpg)
Classic 25 Electric Bass Guitar
By Roger Newell last updated
A small-scaled bass that features classic looks and quality
![The offset body design, with full back scoop and forearm chamfer, looks and feels great](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a1373d8e78ec9531b3e19851876942d9-320-80.jpg)
Fender Deluxe Dimension V Bass
By Roger Newell last updated
Tasty looks and sounds for the modern bassist
![It's all about a single preamp valve (ECC83/12AX7) adding fully controllable tonal colour](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8e9b1666463b54cfc7c76af521b6f0ab-320-80.jpg)
EBS Valve Drive DI
By Roger Newell last updated
As its name suggests, this EBS unit offers a valve-driven preamp along with an XLR balanced output, plus padding and ground lift switches as required by any good DI box
![The Bass Whammy will take up a lot of space on your board, but it's got a lot to offer, too...](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/805202fe546b8d6e23040211c10a0367-320-80.jpg)
DigiTech Bass Whammy
By Roger Newell last updated
DigiTech's original Bass Whammy pedal, introduced back in the early 90s, had many fans and - like many effects - seemed to become more desirable after it was discontinued
![The Factotum has the dual function of introducing a sub-octave note and distortion](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/31204f398b7cd72b5049f814d6d9e400-320-80.jpg)
Red Witch Factotum Bass Suboctave Drive
By Roger Newell last updated
Much loved by guitarists, Red Witch has at last released an effects pedal aimed at bass players
![The bolt-on neck has familiar Fender proportions, but the body has a feel of its own](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bfb7d6124e55192072129622353ca4de-320-80.jpg)
Fender Starcaster Bass
By Roger Newell last updated
Fender finally puts the Starcaster bass into full production
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a3cafce69ce7f698cddf3954a008b501-320-80.jpg)
Red Witch Zeus Bass Fuzz Suboctave
By Roger Newell last updated
Bass players have long been envious of the Fuzz God II guitar pedal, so now Red Witch has adapted this unit for bass use.
![From the curved metal grille, side handles and metal corner protectors, this is sturdily built and ready for action](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/1f5cd01e0602142f78c1a8d041531184-320-80.jpg)
Peavey TNT 115 Tour Series
By Roger Newell last updated
The TKO's bigger bro steps up to the plate
![The Espirit I is a fabulous-looking instrument, with a honed satin-feel maple neck and an agathis body](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d2f2b2c92b03cab8c6507a6558344285-320-80.jpg)
Fret-King Black Label Esprit I Bass
By Roger Newell last updated
A winning combination of neo-classical looks and a brand-new sound...
![The Pawn Shop Mustang Bass replaces the original split-coil pickup with a flexible humbucker](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d1d064f3417d50e7f96abea5ce18c8c0-320-80.jpg)
Fender Pawn Shop Mustang Bass
By Roger Newell last updated
Fender's much-loved short-scale Mustang bass design retains plenty of its original DNA in the new Pawn Shop version
![The Pawn Shop Bass VI is a simplified version of Fender's 1961 original, but it's still a lot of fun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2ee6a454e70445cb24fcd7b588017d7e-320-80.jpg)
Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI
By Roger Newell last updated
Fender's original Bass VI was released in 1961. Now it's found a spiritual home in Fender's Pawn Shop range
![It's a striking instrument: simple in looks, but the Candy Apple Red with the black scratchplate is a bold statement](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ab1155de420b17e49ace4d04381f17f6-320-80.jpg)
Fender Nate Mendel Precision Bass
By Roger Newell last updated
The perfect example of a signature model providing that little something extra
![It's the added ability to blend in the clean signal this bass pedal special](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6dae9ef3e31686451fff82034dd4b59a-320-80.jpg)
EBS Billy Sheehan Signature Drive
By Roger Newell last updated
It's often suggested that the best way to get an effected bass sound is by mixing in a clean signal - Billy Sheehan has been doing this for years
![The V10004B's striped appearance is due to the light-coloured maple centre core being flagged by dark nato 'wings'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/1e212f8052d2211191914293e0dd19e4-320-80.jpg)
Vintage V10004B
By Roger Newell last updated
Enhanced electronics give this high-spec'd but affordable bass a real performance boost
![The American Vintage series is all about attention to period detail and feel - Fender has nailed it here](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e5d6a1b2b9d9936120021b023cf01db7-320-80.jpg)
Fender American Vintage '63 P-Bass
By Roger Newell last updated
A welcome return to the 60s makes this Precision a truly classic bass.
![The Kinsman K100B makes a great practice amp, but has no problem handling small gigs, either](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c604a6d3c1a74eafb60019378c506d27-320-80.jpg)
Kinsman K100B
By Roger Newell last updated
Practice makes perfect with this convenient bass amp with onboard effects
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