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First Look: Epiphone Newport Bass

Epiphone Newport Bass Demo | First Look

Varied, blendable pickups help a super-affordable, vintage-style looker perform with modern panache.


The Epiphone Newport Bass is an all-original design that debuted in 1961. The modern Newport Bass pays tribute to that rare vintage model while offering refinements to meet the needs of today’s bassists. The 30.5” scale length and comfortable Medium C profile make it suitable for players with a wide range of hand sizes, while the symmetrical double-cutaway body ensures excellent access to every fret. The Bass Sidewinder neck pickup provides rich, deep tones, while the TB PRO in the bridge position delivers brighter timbres. The two pickups are paired with master volume and tone controls and a blend knob so you can get precisely the tonal balance you desire. Available with a classic Cherry finish and three custom colors - California Coral, Sunset Yellow, and Pacific Blue.

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Join PG contributor Tom Butwin as he explores all-new versions of the Framus Hootenanny 12-string and 6-string acoustics—made famous by John Lennon and now available with modern upgrades. From vintage-inspired tone to unique features, these guitars are built to spark creativity.

This Japan-made Guyatone brings back memories of hitchin’ rides around the U.S.

This oddball vintage Guyatone has a streak of Jack Kerouac’s adventurous, thumbing spirit.

The other day, I saw something I hadn’t noticed in quite some time. Driving home from work, I saw an interesting-looking fellow hitchhiking. When I was a kid, “hitchers” seemed much more common, but, then again, the world didn’t seem as dangerous as today. Heck, I can remember hitching to my uncle’s cabin in Bradford, Pennsylvania—home of Zippo lighters—and riding almost 200 miles while I sat in a spare tire in the open bed of a pickup truck! Yes, safety wasn’t a big concern for kids back in the day.

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There's a lot of musical gold inside the scales.

Intermediate

Intermediate

• Develop a deeper improvisational vocabulary.

• Combine pentatonic scales to create new colors.

• Understand the beauty of diatonic harmony.
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Improvising over one chord for long stretches of time can be a musician's best friend or worst nightmare. With no harmonic variation, we are left to generate interest through our lines, phrasing, and creativity. When I started learning to improvise, a minor 7 chord and a Dorian mode were the only sounds that I wanted to hear at the time. I found it tremendously helpful to have the harmony stay in one spot while I mined for new ideas to play. Playing over a static chord was crucial in developing my sense of time and phrasing.

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Building upon the foundation of the beloved Core Collection H-535, this versatile instrument is designed to serve as a masterpiece in tone.

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