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Archive for January 2016

Weekly Top 10: Choosing the Right Strings, News from NAMM, Productive Rehearsals, Top Bass Videos and More
Weekly Top 10

Weekly Top 10: Choosing the Right Strings, News from NAMM, Productive Rehearsals, Top Bass Videos and More

This was a big week in the world of bass. The No Treble crew is almost recovered from our annual trip to the NAMM Show (with a pile of notes to still get through). So be on the lookout for plenty more coverage over the next few weeks. But it isn’t all gear. Two how-to’s this week made the list...

Ibanez Introduces SR Cerro Singlecut Bass
Basses

Ibanez Introduces SR Cerro Singlecut Bass

Ibanez has expanded their Bass Workshop and Soundgear models with the SR Cerro, a singlecut bass available in Natural and Deep Twilight finishes. The Cerro’s body connects to the neck from the 24th fret all the way to 13th fret for increased stability and sustain. Built with neck-through construction, it’s built with a mahogany body, poplar burl top, a five-piece...

Snarky Puppy, Featuring Susana Baca and Charlie Hunter: Molino Molero
Bass Videos

Snarky Puppy, Featuring Susana Baca and Charlie Hunter: Molino Molero

Snarky Puppy recorded their upcoming release, Family Dinner Volume Two in February, 2015. Among the tracks was this one, featuring vocalist Susana Baca and guitarist Charlie Hunter. The tune is “Molino Molero”, which was written by Baca and arranged by Snarky Puppy bassist/bandleader Michael League and the band. “The [Family Dinner – Volume Two] project is a true testament for...

Savages Releases Second Album
New Albums

Savages Releases Second Album

Post-punk band Savages, with Ay?e Hassan on bass, has released its sophomore effort, Adore Life. Adore Life is a bit of a different animal from the band’s 2013 debut, Silence Yourself. “This record came out of us being on the road together and learning how to be with each other over the last three years and responding to the attention...

Tech 21 Unveils Bass Fly Rig at NAMM 2016
Pedals & Effects

Tech 21 Unveils Bass Fly Rig at NAMM 2016

Tech 21 introduced a Bass version of the Fly Rig 5 at NAMM this year, fitting five of their famed pedals into one. The Bass Fly Rig includes a SansAmp, Octafilter, Chorus, Compressor, and a Boost rolled into one pedal with extra connectivity for versatility. Each effect has its own controls. The SansAmp is complete with a 3-band EQ, level,...

Tim Carey and Amanda Taylor: Warm Coat
Bass Videos

Tim Carey and Amanda Taylor: Warm Coat

Tim Carey shared his latest video with us – one that he and vocalist Amanda Taylor created as a submission to NPR’s “Tiny Desk” contest. This is an original song by the duo. “I tune my low E up to an F# to get the open A, D, and F# throughout the tune,” Tim told us. “Also, Amanda sounds incredible...

Lush Releases Box Set, Reunites for Select 2016 Gigs
New Albums

Lush Releases Box Set, Reunites for Select 2016 Gigs

Fans of the band Lush have reason to celebrate in 2016. The band is reuniting for its first live shows since 1996 – two in May in London, one in April in Manchester, and one in September in New York City – and it has released a five-disc retrospective box set. The set, called Chorus, includes the band’s three studio...

Journey Instruments Introduces Collapsible Carbon Fiber Acoustic Bass Guitar
Basses

Journey Instruments Introduces Collapsible Carbon Fiber Acoustic Bass Guitar

Journey Instruments has expanded their line of collapsible carbon fiber instruments with its first bass, called the OB660 Overhead Carbon Fiber Acoustic Bass. The bass has a compact design with a removable neck that allows for it to be folded up and fitted into an airplane’s overhead compartment. “The TSA-approved travel case safely encloses the bass guitar within 22″ x...

Giving Notes: An Interview with Rufus Philpot
Interviews

Giving Notes: An Interview with Rufus Philpot

Rufus Philpot is a bassist that has perspective. Born in London, he cut his teeth in England before taking his career to New York City and all the adventures that entails. A move to L.A. several years ago has further cemented him into an in-demand musical director and session player. Along the way he’s seen the rest of the world...

Tanya O’Callaghan and Carolyn Cahill: Reason
Bass Videos

Tanya O’Callaghan and Carolyn Cahill: Reason

During the 2016 Winter NAMM Show, my friend Steve Lawson introduced me to bassist Tanya O’Callaghan, and I’m glad he did. Tanya sent me a few of her videos, and we plan to feature them all over time. This one is from Tanya’s “Gold Blend,” a bi-monthly web series featuring different known and unknown Irish artists jamming together at different...

Megadeth Releases “Dystopia”
New Albums

Megadeth Releases “Dystopia”

Megadeth, one of the “big four” bands of thrash metal (along with Metallica, Anthrax and Slayer) has released its 15th studio album, Dystopia. The album started coming together in an unusual way, as the band was between guitarists and drummers. “It was an interesting process. I don’t know of any other record that started with recording the bass to a...

Ernie Ball Music Man Unveils 40th Anniversary “Old Smoothie” StingRay Bass
Basses

Ernie Ball Music Man Unveils 40th Anniversary “Old Smoothie” StingRay Bass

Ernie Ball Music Man kicked off the NAMM Show this year with a press conference to reveal new products, including the 40th Anniversary “Old Smoothie” StingRay Bass. The bass is modeled after a 1976 prototype featuring a 10 pole piece pickup design that gives it a smooth tone. “Since its introduction in 1976, the Music Man StingRay bass has been...