Top 10: The Week’s Top Bass Gear, Videos and News, Plus Bass of the Week, Custom Shop and Fingers vs. Picks

Last week, No Treble readers enjoyed a variety of gear features, including news from AC Guitars, and the release of their J-Type models, as well as our latest Custom Shop cover story on Wilkins Guitars and the unique and odd bass of the week – the one string Atlansia Solitaire.

The top bass videos featured Richard Bona doing just about everything imaginable, including some sweet slap bass, Bernd Keul combining an old school bass and new school technologies for an exciting solo bass piece, and Karl Clews doing his take on the Beatles’ “Come Together”.

Damian Erskine really got the conversation going with “The Bass Debate: Pick vs Fingers”, where he answered a reader’s question about that very subject and invited readers to share their views.

Plus, tour news from Primus and Cannibal Corpse.

Here are the top 10 most read features on No Treble for the week of March 11 – 17, 2012. Thanks for reading!

Bass of the Week: Atlansia Solitaire

1. Bass of the Week: Atlansia Solitaire

There’s been an on-going discussion about what constitutes a bass, and specifically how more than four strings is “breaking the rules.” Well, what if there’s only one string? Enter the Atlansia Solitaire. Based in Nagano, Atlansia is known for outlandish designs – so much so that their website has to specify that the instruments are…

Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (February 2012)

2. Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (February 2012)

Ah, videos showcasing bass… is there anything better? If there is, it has to be the top 10 most watched bass videos on No Treble, during the month of February, 2012. Enjoy…

The Bass Debate: Pick vs Fingers

3. The Bass Debate: Pick vs Fingers

Q: I prefer playing the bass using my fingers, but I see a lot of bassists these days using a pick. What’s your take on that? A: As with all things that come down to taste and music, I say: “follow your ears!” If you don’t like the sound of a pick, or it just…

AC Guitars Introduces J-Type Models

4. AC Guitars Introduces J-Type Models

Alan Cringean of AC Guitars has unveiled the J-Type series, a line of basses that gives a nod to classic bass design. “This range of basses offers a more traditional body shape but still has features that are typical of the ACG ethos,” the luthier explained. Available in 4- and 5-string versions, the J-Type is…

Richard Bona: “Solo de Slap”, Live (2004)

5. Richard Bona: “Solo de Slap”, Live (2004)

Richard Bona is not only a phenomenal bassist, he’s the complete musician. Here’s Richard and his band performing in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain in 2004. Of course, there’s plenty of amazing bass and singing, plus a nifty slap solo in between.

Bernd Keul: Bass FX – An Awesome Solo Bass Performance

6. Bernd Keul: Bass FX – An Awesome Solo Bass Performance

We live in amazing times. Take an beautiful old school Fender Jazz and mix it with some new gadgets, and you have yourself a one man band. That’s what bassist Bernd Keul has done with this video he calls “Bass FX”. Bernd sent us this video and shares these details on how it all works:…

Karl Clews: “Come Together” Solo Bass Cover

7. Karl Clews: “Come Together” Solo Bass Cover

Bassist Karl Clews sent us this video of him performing his solo bass arrangement of the Beatles’ “Come Together”. Funky! Oh, and nice Alembic (’93 Alembic Stanley Clarke Deluxe)! Have a video to share? Send it to [email protected]

Primus Announces Spring Tour 2012

8. Primus Announces Spring Tour 2012

Primus is gearing up for a tour of the U.S., beginning in May and continuing on through June. The band, which includes bassist Les Claypool, is touring in support of the album Green Naugahyde, released in September of last year. The album was the first full studio album by the band since the 1999 release,…

Cannibal Corpse Releases New Album, Announce Tour Dates

9. Cannibal Corpse Releases New Album, Announce Tour Dates

Cannibal Corpse has released their twelfth album, Torture, on Metal Blade Records. Anchored by Alex Webster on bass, the new album promises to keep pushing the limits. “Fans can expect more of what we’re known for – aggressive, moderately technical death metal with an emphasis placed on making memorable songs,” Webster said in our exclusive…

Custom Shop: Wilkins Guitars

10. Custom Shop: Wilkins Guitars

Pat Wilkins of Wilkins Guitars is a man who can appreciate the Old School. After getting his start in amps in the ’70s, he soon switched to guitar building, where he eventually started his own brand. Most recently, Wilkins has turned to recreating vintage basses, right down to the smallest detail. Of course, his work…

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