Weekly Top 10: New Bass Gear from Fender, Warwick, Hofner and Epiphone, Andrew Gouche Interview, Plus the Top Bass Videos

So much new bass gear! Last week, No Treble readers hit the gear coverage hard, especially the new basses from Fender, Warwick, Hofner and Epiphone. Readers either loved the ML Basses Volcan, our Bass of the Week, or they didn’t, but it did get a ton of attention as well.

The latest “Ask Damian Erskine” column was another great conversation piece: To Effect or Not to Effect? A Discussion for Bassists.

Ryan Madora’s interview with Andrew Gouche took top honors as well, as readers got some great insight from the gospel bass legend.

Rounding out the list is the top bass-focused videos for the week of April 29 – May 5, 2012. Thanks for reading!

Fender Introduces Pawn Shop Reverse Jaguar Bass

1. Fender Introduces Pawn Shop Reverse Jaguar Bass

Fender has introduced the 2012 line of Pawn Shop guitars, which they claim are inspired by their eccentric creations from the ’60s and ’70s and are “guitars that never were, but should have been.” Included in that lineup is the Fender Pawn Shop Reverse Jaguar Bass, an instrument that takes their classic design and flips…

To Effect or Not to Effect? A Discussion for Bassists

2. To Effect or Not to Effect? A Discussion for Bassists

Q: What’s your take on effects pedals? Do you use any? A: I have been exploring many different pedals and having fun with the sonic possibilities, though I rarely use them outside of my home. My most used pedal is my reverb pedal, because I like the what it offers when playing in small group…

She’s Leaving Home: Beatles / Funk Brothers Mashup

3. She’s Leaving Home: Beatles / Funk Brothers Mashup

While I was working on the videos for our Isolated Bass Week, I stumbled upon this video mashup. Songwriter/producer Luciano Albo took two legendary tunes: the Beatles’ “She’s Leaving Home” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, and mixed them together. The Motown classic of course features James Jamerson on bass, and the Beatles’ tune features…

Warwick Introduces 6-String Rockbass Alien Deluxe Acoustic Bass Guitar

4. Warwick Introduces 6-String Rockbass Alien Deluxe Acoustic Bass Guitar

Warwick has added to their Rockbass Alien Deluxe line this year with a new 6-string model. The acoustic bass shares many features with its predecessors, including a laminated spruce top with laminated bubinga for the back and sides, and a mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard. The 6-string instrument departs from the 4- and 5-string…

Bass of the Week: ML Basses Volcan

5. Bass of the Week: ML Basses Volcan

After 20 years of work making and repairing stringed instruments, Meaulnes Laberge formed ML Basses to focus on building electric basses. One of his striking instruments is the Volcan, an edgy yet elegant design available in 4- and 5-string configurations. Featuring bolt-on construction, the Volcan is built with a light maple body, three-piece maple neck…

Hofner Now Offering Ignition Series Club Bass

6. Hofner Now Offering Ignition Series Club Bass

Hofner has expanded their Ignition series with a new version of their Club Bass. First introduced in 1965, the Club Bass is is a hollow body, single-cut design, and the new Ignition model provides a cost-effective version for vintage bass lovers. Available in right and left-hand models, the bass has flame maple sides and a…

Epiphone Introduces Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO Basses

7. Epiphone Introduces Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO Basses

Epiphone is unveiling a new version of a classic with the Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO. The bass is set apart from its siblings by being equipped with a pair of Gibson TB Plus Humbucking pickups featuring ceramic magnets, which the company says produce “high gain, smooth tone and high-end definition.” The pickups are controlled with separate…

Groove Clinic: An Interview with Andrew Gouche

8. Groove Clinic: An Interview with Andrew Gouche

As a long-time camper and recent instructor at Gerald Veasley’s Bass Boot Camp, I’ve spent many a camp learning from some of the bass greats. A few years ago, Andrew Gouche appeared for the first time as an instructor at the BBC, bringing along gospel and a whole lotta soul. This year, Andrew returned for…

Will Cady: A Modern Day “Portrait of Tracy” Bass Cover

9. Will Cady: A Modern Day “Portrait of Tracy” Bass Cover

Bassist Will Cady took the Jaco Pastorius tune, “Portrait of Tracy”, and put a modern spin on it thanks in part to the use of the Hot Hand and some wah.

Points North, with Uriah Duffy: High Wire

10. Points North, with Uriah Duffy: High Wire

Bassist Uriah Duffy sent us a video of his latest group, Points North, rocking out on their tune â??High Wire.â? Between the blazing unison riffs and Uriahâ??s snarling slap bass, this is a project weâ??ll be keeping an eye on.

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