Weekly Top 10: Old School Hofner Bass, New Bass Gear, Top Bass Videos and Chuck Rainey’s Stories Behind the Songs

So much bass goodness, it is almost too much to handle. Almost.

Here are the most viewed stories and videos on No Treble for the week of August 5-11, 2012. Enjoy!

Les Claypool Auctions Personal Pachyderm Prototype Bass

1. Les Claypool Auctions Personal Pachyderm Prototype Bass

Almost two years ago, Les Claypool reached out to his fans for help. His two month old nephew was diagnosed with a rare form of infant leukemia and the family needed help defraying the cost of the medical bills. Now two years old, baby Matthew has been fighting the disease…

The Police: Sting’s Isolated Bass on “Next To You”

2. The Police: Sting’s Isolated Bass on “Next To You”

In 1978, the Police debuted with the release of Outlandos d’Amour, an album dominated by punk influences. The opening track, “Next To You,” is a perfect example of this, especially when you hear the isolated bass line from Sting. The muted notes really act like a train engine, and gives greater impact to the end…

Jayme Lewis Band: Sedagive

3. Jayme Lewis Band: Sedagive

Here’s another one of those “make-sure-you’re-sitting-down” videos. Bassist and band leader Jayme Lewis takes us on a musical trip starting with some blazing unison melodies and a ridiculous solo spot before mellowing things out texturally, only to return to the face-melting licks.

Old School: 1964 Höfner 185 “Artist Bass”

4. Old School: 1964 Höfner 185 “Artist Bass”

Zsolt Váradi sent us this wonderful story (and video) of his equally wonderful 1964 Höfner 185 “Artist Bass”. Höfner’s “Vintage” site has this to say about the Artist Bass: Introduced in late 1962 as the main two pickup bass for the UK market, it replaced the Hofner “Solid Bass” which was actually the European market…

Bass in an Acoustic Setting: Knowing How to Play Your Role

5. Bass in an Acoustic Setting: Knowing How to Play Your Role

Q: I think I have a good suggestion for an area you may have not covered: the role of a bassist in an acoustic setting. No drummer (maybe a Djembe), just acoustic guitar, bass and vocals. How do you keep it grooving, how do you fill the space, how do you make it sound good?…

HAO Introduces Bass Liner Preamp Pedal

6. HAO Introduces Bass Liner Preamp Pedal

Japanese boutique pedal company HAO has unveiled the Bass Liner Preamp pedal. Co-designed with Phil Jones of Phil Jones Bass, the stompbox-sized preamp offers a 5-band EQ, Level control, and an Input Gain control to suit any bass. The 5-band EQ provides 18 dB of cut/boost at 50 Hz, 160 Hz, 630 Hz, 2.5 kHz…

Stories Behind the Songs: Chuck Rainey

7. Stories Behind the Songs: Chuck Rainey

Chuck Rainey’s bass lines have laid the foundation for many of the most popular songs in pop, rock, jazz and fusion that emerged from the ’60s and ’70s. From Aretha Franklin to Marvin Gaye to Steely Dan, he’s played an integral part in the music of at least five Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame…

Bass of the Week: Spector NS-2

8. Bass of the Week: Spector NS-2

Few basses can define a company as easily as Spector’s NS-2. Originally designed by Ned Steinberger in 1979, the company’s flagship P/J style bass provides the blueprint for many of their designs. The American-made NS-2 features neck-thru construction with a 3-piece maple neck reinforced with carbon fiber rods…

Adam Stevens: Solo Bass Arrangement of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under The Bridge”

9. Adam Stevens: Solo Bass Arrangement of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under The Bridge”

Bassist Adam Stevens sent us this great solo bass version of the popular Red Hot Chili Peppers tune “Under the Bridge.” Utilizing some fingerpicking style and strumming, the Toronto-based low-ender captures the song’s mood to a tee. It probably also helps that he’s literally under a bridge. Have a bass video you want to share…

Squier Introduces Vintage Modified Telecaster Bass and Telecaster Bass Special

10. Squier Introduces Vintage Modified Telecaster Bass and Telecaster Bass Special

Squier has beefed up their Vintage Modified series with the introduction of the Vintage Modified Telecaster Bass and the Vintage Modified Telecaster Bass Special. The new models feature classic body and headstock shapes as well as a medium 32? scale. Available in Black and Vintage Blonde, the Telecaster bass sports a single Duncan Designed PB-102…

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