Yamaha artist Miki Santamaria collaborated with the Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop in Calabasas, Los Angeles, to design his dream Yamaha bass, an instrument which reflects his personal sound and artistic vision. We had the pleasure of speaking with Miki about this custom project, as well as his journey and inspirations. First Impressions When Miki… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Miki Santamaria
Category: Bass
Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Jack Gibson
The “Big Four” of thrash—Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer—rewrote the rules of metal in the 1980s. And if you were ever to expand that list beyond four bands, Exodus would most certainly make the cut. The Bay Area outfit was wildly influential and are regarded worldwide as pioneers of the genre. For more than 20… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Jack Gibson
Catching up with Billy Sheehan
The late, great Les Paul once said he wanted to create music that was so unique his mother could instantly tell his playing apart from anyone else’s. It’s a goal few guitarists have truly achieved, and one met by perhaps an even smaller number of bassists. One four-stringer, however, who has always had a super… Continue reading Catching up with Billy Sheehan
Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Amos Heller
The pop music world is no stranger to hyperbole. Everything is a smash, every artist a star… or a megastar. Those terms get thrown around so easily that they can lose their meaning. But what if you found yourself on what is, quite literally, the biggest tour in history? Well, you could ask Amos Heller… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Amos Heller
Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Richard Jones
Stereophonics bass man Richard Jones has played a lot of big gigs on a lot of big stages with his storied Welsh band. From his rock-approved beginnings dressing up as AC/DC’s Angus and Malcolm Young with Stereophonics’ frontman Kelly Jones when they were just wee lads, Richard has spent the last 30 years creating infectious,… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Richard Jones
Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Fred Sablan
Many music fans were introduced to Fred Sablan when he was tapped as the Deftones’ bassist in mid-2022. Originally from Cupertino, CA, Sablan played both guitar and bass in various punk bands and, like many of his contemporaries, was influenced by Joy Division and New Order bassist (and Yamaha signature artist) Peter Hook. Sablan’s career… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Fred Sablan
Record Store Day 2021: Analog, Digital, and the Joy of Listening
The obvious takeaway is that the music is ultimately more important than the medium—but the right equipment can enhance the experience. I love how a power chord feels through a cranked tube amp, and I love how a record invites me to pay attention.“ My most recent vinyl purchase–Signals, Calls, and Marches by Mission of… Continue reading Record Store Day 2021: Analog, Digital, and the Joy of Listening
Record Store Day 2020 | Part II
One of the biggest annual events on the music calendar, Record Store Day is when independent record shops around the world come together to celebrate their unique culture. Special vinyl releases are made exclusively for the day and many shops and cities host artist performances and events to mark the occasion. This year, due to… Continue reading Record Store Day 2020 | Part II
Record Store Day 2020 | Part I
One of the biggest annual events on the music calendar, Record Store Day is when independent record shops around the world come together to celebrate their unique culture. Special vinyl releases are made exclusively for the day and many shops and cities host artist performances and events to mark the occasion. This year, due to… Continue reading Record Store Day 2020 | Part I
Yamaha Guitar Development Open House Online
We recently celebrated 30 years of Yamaha Guitar Development during YGD’s debut Open House Online, which streamed live on Thursday, August 13, 2020, from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm (PDT). Ampeg and Line 6 also participated in the event. The illuminating, artist-centric event marked the very first time the inner workings of the Yamaha Guitar… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Open House Online