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Archive for April 2013 - Page 8

In Memoriam: Neil Smith
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Neil Smith

Bassist Neil Smith, a one-time member of AC/DC and Rose Tattoo passed away early this morning, according to a message posted on his Facebook page. The bassist had been battling cancer. “Neil Smith passed away in the early hours of the morning, Sunday the 7th of April 2013. He was sleeping peacefully and surrounded by family. “Neil is now in...

Dunlop Goes Lower with New Heavy Core Bass Strings
Accessories & Strings

Dunlop Goes Lower with New Heavy Core Bass Strings

Dunlop’s bass strings lineup is going even lower with the introduction of their Heavy Core Bass Strings. Designed with thicker core wires, the new sets were created to give a standard feel and tonal definition at drop tunings. The Heavy Core lineup comes in three flavors: Heavy for Drop D and D-standard tuning, Heavier for Drop C and C-standard tuning,...

Jürgen Attig: Journey To Jaco
Bass Videos

Jürgen Attig: Journey To Jaco

Bassist Jürgen Attig released Aventureiro in 2012, in tribute to Jaco Pastorius. As you’ll quickly find out when you watch this video, Jürgen’s Jaco-like tone and approach is nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to Benjamin Nestler who shared this video with us.

In Memoriam: Chris Bailey
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Chris Bailey

Chris Bailey, the bassist for The Angels, has passed away at the age of 62 after a battle with throat cancer. The Angels guitarist John Brewster posted the news on the band’s Facebook page. “It is a very sad day for us,” Brewster said. “We have lost a great friend in Chris Bailey and a great friend to a lot...

Seymour Duncan Introduces SPB-4 Steve Harris Signature Pickup
Pickups

Seymour Duncan Introduces SPB-4 Steve Harris Signature Pickup

Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris has a new signature P-Bass pickup from Seymour Duncan called the SPB-4 Steve Harris Model. The new split single coil is the production version of the custom shop pickups Harris has been using for the last 10 years. The SPB-4 utilizes Alnico 5 rod magnets and a vintage-hot coil wind to produce what the company describes...

Killswitch Engage Releases “Disarm the Descent”
New Albums

Killswitch Engage Releases “Disarm the Descent”

Metal outfit Killswitch Engage are back with their sixth studio album, Disarm the Descent, via Roadrunner Records. This is the band’s first album in four years and it marks the return of original vocalist Jesse Leach, who last recorded with the band on 2002’s Alive or Just Breathing. Bassist Mike D’Antonio says having Leach back is rejuvenating. “We had already...

Bass of the Week: BassLab STD
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: BassLab STD

BassLab isn’t your ordinary bass manufacturer and they certainly don’t make your average bass. Developed by a musician and a physicist, the company uses a tuneable composite material instead of wood. “We use carbon for stiffness, but add other [elements] to the mix for tone,” they shared. “It’s called ‘tuneable’, because we can also alter the tone.” BassLab’s flagship instrument...

Track by Track: Zander Zon Talks “Saturn Return”
Track by Track

Track by Track: Zander Zon Talks “Saturn Return”

If you’ve been reading No Treble for a while now, or simply spend time on Youtube like we do finding the great bass players there, you’ve no doubt run across the music of Zander Zon. Zander is a remarkable solo bassist, incorporating piccolo strings, alternate tunings and effects with unique compositions and arrangements. And while his technical ability is undeniable,...

Impact Fuze: “Splatch” Cover
Bass Videos

Impact Fuze: “Splatch” Cover

The Musikmesse show in Frankfurt, Germany is coming up, so to mark the occasion, here’s a video from the Musikmesse two years ago. This is the French/Russian power trio, Impact Fuze, with Anton Davidyants on bass doing a funky jam over Miles Davis’ tune “Splatch”.

Niacin Releases “Krush”
New Albums

Niacin Releases “Krush”

After a seven year hiatus, Niacin has returned with an all new album. Krush, the sixth album by the trio of Billy Sheehan, Dennis Chambers and John Novello, offering up 14 tracks of the group’s trademark neo-fusion style. That blend starts with the diverse jazz and rock roots of Niacin’s members, combined with Novello’s Hammond B3. As we mentioned back...

Bass Ramps: The How and Why
Ask Damian Erskine

Bass Ramps: The How and Why

Q: I see a lot of people talking about the use of bass ramps. I see that it’s basically a piece of wood in between the pickups, but I’m not sure what the benefits are. Also, how do you make one? A: A ramp (or finger ramp) was created out of the desire to broaden the range of feeling one...

Marco Panascia and Johan Hansén-Larson: “Lady Bird” Bass Duet
Bass Videos

Marco Panascia and Johan Hansén-Larson: “Lady Bird” Bass Duet

It’s great when two of your favorite bassists get to jam together. It’s even better when they get to record it. Here’s a video of electric bass whiz Johan Hansén-Larson playing a duet with New York jazz heavyweight Marco Panascia on the standard “Lady Bird”. After their respective face-melting solos, the duo trade fours then twos, all while keeping a...