Rewind: Old School 1967 Epiphone EB-232, Marcus Miller’s Purple Haze, Plus the Best Bass Columns and Videos of the Week

Here are the most read, most popular stories and features on No Treble for the week of April 24-30, 2011.

Old School: 1967 Epiphone EB-232 Bass

1. Old School: 1967 Epiphone EB-232 Bass

In our first installment of “Old School”, bassist Matt Shively shares the story of his 1967 Epiphone EB-232 bass. Make/Model/Year My bass is a 1967 Epiphone Rivoli EB-232, made in Kalamazoo, MI. How long have you owned it? Going on 3 years now. How did you come across it? Well, I have a cousin named…

Marcus Miller: Purple Haze

2. Marcus Miller: Purple Haze

During a recording of David Sanborn and Friends Super Session in 1998, Marcus Miller (the program’s musical director) showcased his take on Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze”.

Bud LeCompte Unveils V-Groove Basses

3. Bud LeCompte Unveils V-Groove Basses

Bass builder Bud LeCompte has just unveiled a new line of vintage style basses under the moniker V-Groove Basses. The new models include the Nola and Provision basses, available in 4 and 5 string versions. Though custom options are available, the basses come standard with alder bodies and three piece 1/4 sawn maple necks. The…

Gear Review: ToneGear Bass String Cleaner

4. Gear Review: ToneGear Bass String Cleaner

If there’s one thing about playing I’ve always had trouble with, it’s going through strings. My hands sweat. A lot. And sweat really breaks down strings, especially in places where the humidity can be really bad (such as the Midwest, where I live). I’ve played every brand and type of string: coated, uncoated, steel, nickel……

Player Spotlight: Patrick McCarthy

5. Player Spotlight: Patrick McCarthy

Meet Patrick McCarthy, a bassist from New York who believes guitarists shouldn’t have all the fun (amen!). Patrick is our player in the spotlight for April 26, 2011. Bio: With over a decades worth of experience as a professional musician, bassist Patrick McCarthy chalks his ability up to hard work, patience, and the love of…

Past the Point of Unknowing

6. Past the Point of Unknowing

Q: I tend to hit a wall while practicing over a tune, where I don’t know what else to play. I know you’ve explained some chordal exercises and other ways to expand one’s vocabulary, but do you have any other thoughts about what to play when you just don’t know what to play? A: Actually,…

Understanding the Vintage Ampeg SVT Sound and Dating Your Gear

7. Understanding the Vintage Ampeg SVT Sound and Dating Your Gear

Esteban St. James of Von Saint Design is a bass lover like the rest of us, but even deeper his passion lies in vintage Ampeg SVT gear. He sent us Parts 1 and 2 of a 4-part YouTube series he made about the classic equipment. Part 1 deals with what “the sound” is and how…

Gail Ann Dorsey With David Bowie: Under Pressure

8. Gail Ann Dorsey With David Bowie: Under Pressure

Sometimes it’s the simplest bass lines that stick with you the most. Here, bassist Gail Ann Dorsey proves it as she plays the iconic riff to “Under Pressure” with David Bowie at Madison Square Garden in 1997.

Upright Bass Set Up for Playability and Sound – Part 2

9. Upright Bass Set Up for Playability and Sound – Part 2

This is part 2 of this series by Dr. D. Check out Part 1. Set Up for Sound In terms of sound, there are any number of things that can affect the volume, sustain and tone of your instrument. The bottom line is that everything you do to the instrument matters. Strings matter. Tailpiece length…

Electric Bass Method Complete

10. Electric Bass Method Complete

Bassist and educator David Overthrow has released Electric Bass Method Complete, a comprehensive method book published by Alfred Music Publishing in conjunction with the National Guitar Workshop. The method offers basic to advanced techniques, starting with the basics of the instrument, reading music and building bass lines to intermediate concepts such as using scales, slap…

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