You can’t rush a painstaking artist like Iowa City's Chris Threlkeld-Wiegand. Known for years in prominent nationwide orchestral circles for his exquisitely crafted string basses selling for $40,000 ...

In 2022, ZZ Top guitar tech-turned-bassist Francis Elwood made headlines throughout the guitar press and beyond when he whipped out an almighty 17-string bass guitar with the Texas blues-rock legends.

Dusty Hill, the longtime bassist for Texas boogie-rockers supreme ZZ Top, died last year at age 72. But the band has carried on without him, with longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis taking over on ...

ZZ Top bassist Elwood Francis has now explained why he whipped out a massive 17-string bass guitar onstage with the long-running classic rock band last week. Francis, formerly a stage technician for ...

ZZ Top’s Elwood Francis—that’s who. The ZZ Top bass player broke one out at the band’s show in Huntsville, Alabama earlier this week on November 5. The musician played the odd-looking instrument when ...

The Bassulele Mini combines the compact size of a ukulele with the depth and range of a 6-string bass. Designed for ...

ZZ Top's Elwood Francis has become a key part of the band's live lineup, but he has one major regret about his performances. That would be having introduced the gigantic bright yellow 17-string bass ...

Last year, The String got a new opening theme tune. “Vera” comes from New York based mandolin virtuoso, composer and band ...