Articles by Heiko Hoepfinger
Automatic Tuners for the Basses
June 5, 2020
Keeping the low-end’s high-tech on the down-low.
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Why Self-Awareness and Communication Are Key for Self-Taught Players and Luthiers
May 8, 2020
It’s worth reminding self-learners about the dangers of knowledge gaps and the resulting risk of failing to correctly connect the dots.
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Going Against the Grain in Bass Building
April 16, 2020
Wood will always be king for bass and guitar construction, and for good reason, but who really knows what’s next?
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Why Low-Impedance Pickups Could Benefit Your Bass Tone
March 13, 2020
Les Paul invented "low-z" pickups for clarity, but they can also extend the sonic range for low-enders.
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Were the Good Ol’ Days Really That Good?
February 21, 2020
A realistic look at what it means to be successful for bassists, builders, and instrument shops in the 21st century.
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Can You Name This Magical Mystery Bass?
December 20, 2019
This incredibly ornate bass is packed with enough electronics to make ’70s-era IBM blush, but it’s origin has our columnist stumped. Thoughts?
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Bass Bench: Four on the Wall, or a Bird in Your Hands?
December 12, 2019
Before putting a budget instrument on the bass bench, ask yourself: Am I going to make it play, or am I lipsticking a piglet for wall art?
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Bass Bench: From Friction Peg to Machine Head
November 8, 2019
Exploring the evolution of tuning machines, breaking down the importance of weight, placement, and gear ratios.
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Bass Bench: Give Me a Break!
October 11, 2019
How the angle of your strings between nut and tuner affects tuning stability, tone, and playability.
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Bass Bench: Who Really Built That “Custom” Guitar?
September 13, 2019
The truth about how some boutique and mainstream instrument builders keep endorsers happy and prices low.
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Bass Bench: Signal Processing in Class-D Amps
August 9, 2019
Making the case for small and light, relatively cheap, and energy efficient.
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Bass Bench: Sonic Purity and Amp Topology
July 4, 2019
Is it okay to judge an amplifier by its class?
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Bass Bench: How Low Can You Really Go?
June 7, 2019
The tube-vs.-solid-state debate lives on.
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Bass Bench: Parsing Power Ratings
May 10, 2019
What do these numbers really mean and can you trust them?
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Bass Bench: Exploring Low-End Distortion
April 5, 2019
What are the benefits and drawbacks of adding dirt and grind to your bass sound?
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Bass Bench: Inside the World of Bass Pedals
March 8, 2019
For the modern low-ender, it’s not enough to be a groove master. Today, you need to stay on top of ever-evolving tone-shaping technology.
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Bass Bench: Nickel Attack
January 31, 2019
Our instruments pack a lot of this alloy, which can cause allergic reactions in some platers. Do you get mysterious rashes?
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Bass Bench: Diving into Lutherie
January 2, 2019
What does it take to make a living building basses?
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Bass Bench: Marketing Madness
December 7, 2018
People want to sell the gear they make—that’s A-OK. But how far will some stretch the truth to make the sale?
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Bass Bench: Oil, Shellac, Nitro, Polyester, and Urethane: What Gives?
November 9, 2018
Let’s put the marketing hype aside and look at the basic properties of instrument finishes.
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