Weekly Top 10: More Bass Gear News from NAMM, Top Videos, More Isolated Bass Tracks, Plus Bass of the Week
Time for our weekly celebration of the best in bass… or in other words: this week’s top 10 most popular stories and videos on No Treble.
Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing!
1. Ibanez Adds Fanned Fret SR Models to Bass Workshop Series
One of the many new basses at Ibanez’s booth this year was the SRFF, a fanned-fret version of their flagship SR bass. Available in five and six-string models, the bass features a multi-scale setup to optimize the tonal performance of each string…
2. The Four Tops: Reach Out (I’ll Be There) (James Jamerson’s Isolated Bass)
As with past Isolated Bass Weeks here, we’re closing this one out with the legendary James Jamerson. Here’s his isolated bass track on The Four Tops’ “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)”, from the original Motown master tapes…
3. Ibanez Unveils 40th Anniversary 2609B Black Eagle Bass
Ibanez has announced they will reissue the famed 2609B, also known as the Black Eagle bass. Admitting they are not apt to reissue many instruments, the company says the limited edition run marks the 40th anniversary of the classic model…
4. Virgil Donati with Hadrien Feraud: Paradise Variations
Hadrien Feraud is one of my favorite players, and it’s always fascinating to watch him play. Our friend Charles Robitaille sent in this video of Feraud playing “Paradise Variations” with drummer Virgil Donati, and my jaw hit the floor…
5. Miki Santamaria: “Thinking Out Loud” (All-Bass Ed Sheeran Cover)
Miki Santamaria sent me a note a few days ago with his newest bass cover. Thanks to my daughter Sara, I already knew the name Ed Sheeran – so I felt a little bit cooler when Miki mentioned this was Sheeran’s tune, “Thinking Out Loud”. And as always, Miki plays with such soul…
6. Stevie Wonder with Nate Watts: “I Wish” and “Isn’t She Lovely” Live 2009
Stevie Wonder has had a legendary career, and for over 40 years he’s been backed by the one and only Nate Watts. Here’s a great video of two fantastic bass lines with “I Wish” and “Isn’t She Lovely.” The clip comes from a live 2009 performance in London…
7. Bass of the Week: Hilton Guitars Sk8bass
Part of the fun of the NAMM show is finding all the oddities that are tucked away into the booths for different vendors. One of the coolest discoveries for us this year was an intricate striped bass at the Hipshot booth. And it was an easy choice for Bass of the Week…
8. Warwick Introduces Stu Hamm Signature Bass
Warwick introduced a new signature bass for Stuart Hamm during the NAMM Show this year. The new model is based on the company’s Streamer with extended contouring and a deeper cutaway for improved access to the higher register…
9. Simon Fitzpatrick: “Rosanna” Solo Bass Arrangement
Simon Fitzpatrick is back with a new solo bass arrangement. This is Toto’s “Rosanna”, which once again showcases both his incredible musicianship and technique. I forgot how many things go on in this tune, and Simon nails them all…
10. Warwick Introduces the LWA 500 Compact Bass Amplifer
Warwick expanded their lightweight bass amp lineup with the LWA 500 at NAMM this year. Rated at up to 500 watts, the compact amp weighs in at only 2.42 pounds. The LWA 500 combines a preamp based on the Class A/Low Z circuitry found in the WA series with a Class D power amplifier…
