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Archive for March 2017

TWA Introduces the DM-02 Dynamorph
Pedals & Effects

TWA Introduces the DM-02 Dynamorph

TWA has introduced the DM-02 Dynamorph, an envelope-controlled harmonic generator. The versatile pedal gives distortion, fuzz, filter, and synth effects in one unique unit. “Featuring a distortion circuit where the amount and type of saturation is intricately linked to the input signal level, the TWA DM-02 Dynamorph creates multi-layered, highly complex waveforms that “morph” your instrument’s harmonic structure in bizarre...

Donny McCaslin with Tim Lefebvre: Faceplant
Bass Videos

Donny McCaslin with Tim Lefebvre: Faceplant

Donny McCaslin’s latest release, , recruited his dream team with Mark Guiliana, Jason Lindner and Tim Lefebvre. The group has just put out a new video for the track “Faceplant”, and it’s epic. Lefebvre lays down a ferocious line while the rest of the band gets wild.

Mastro Valvola Introduces the Millibar Mk2 Compressor
Pedals & Effects

Mastro Valvola Introduces the Millibar Mk2 Compressor

Italy’s Mastro Valvola has unveiled the Millibar mk2, a studio-grade optical compressor designed for both bass and guitar. The new version takes their retro-styled pedal and adds a new feature. “Inspired by the performance of the Universal Audio 1176 and Teletronix LA2A, we have managed to recreate and implement their characteristics in the Millibar, in terms of both, transparent compression...

Creative Bass Lines: Increasing Fingerboard Knowledge – Part 1: Triad Visualization
Creative Bass Lines

Creative Bass Lines: Increasing Fingerboard Knowledge – Part 1: Triad Visualization

This column finds us looking not at bass line creation, but some solid foundation ideas that help to increase knowledge of the fingerboard. We are going to start with some easy stuff and ramp up over the next few installments! The concepts in the video are a good place to start. There’s no transcription, as I want you to work...

Dominic “Forest” Lapointe: B.A.R.F.’s “Leader” Playthrough
Bass Videos

Dominic “Forest” Lapointe: B.A.R.F.’s “Leader” Playthrough

Dominic “Forest” Lapointe is one of my favorite metal bassists. His unique bass lines bring out his voice in the music and his killer chops make it impressive to watch. Here’s a great clip of Lapointe tearing through “Leader” by B.A.R.F. Although he typically plays fretless, his monster playing translates perfectly to a fretted six-string. He kicks things off with...

Earthquaker Devices Announces the Space Spiral Delay
Pedals & Effects

Earthquaker Devices Announces the Space Spiral Delay

Earthquaker Devices has launched the Space Spiral Modulated Delay, which they describe as an analog-voiced digital delay. The stompbox offers 30ms to 600ms of delay time with a variable waveshape LFO that affects the repeated signal. “[The Space Spiral] is a dark and dreamy modulated delay designed to take you across the highways of fantasy. If you are a fan...

Re-evaluating Your Technique
Ask Damian Erskine

Re-evaluating Your Technique

Q: Do you ever re-evaluate your technique (posture, strap height, string height) or do you feel it’s just set? A: At this point, I feel like I am pretty well set-up and understand my physical relationship with my instrument. This, however, is because I spent much of my life experimenting and studying what others had done or were currently doing....

Nine Inch Nails, featuring Pino Palladino: Sanctified
Bass Videos

Nine Inch Nails, featuring Pino Palladino: Sanctified

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is Pino Palladino’s insane versatility. He’s played with The Who, John Mayer, D’Angelo, Paul Simon, Oleta Adams and more. Here’s a great clip of the bassist bringing his slick fretless chops to Nine Inch Nails on the song “Sanctified.” It’s the perfect groove for the industrial-tinged song.

Reader Spotlight: Carlos Holguin
Reader Spotlight

Reader Spotlight: Carlos Holguin

Meet Carlos Holguin, a bassist from Las Vegas who got his start in middle school, thinking it would be a temporary situation. But he ended up loving the bass, and the rest is history. Carlos is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story… Bio: I have always been musically inclined. To my disdain I was placed...

ESP Announces John Campbell Signature Bass
Basses

ESP Announces John Campbell Signature Bass

Lamb of God bassist John Campbell has a new signature bass from ESP called the LTD JC-4FM. Based on the company’s Stream model, the bass is customized to Campbell’s liking, including a flamed maple top with a smooth satin black finish on its swamp ash body’s back and sides. It’s also built with a five-piece maple and bubinga neck topped...

Vulfpeck: Animal Spirits
Bass Videos

Vulfpeck: Animal Spirits

Vulfpeck has released another video from their most recent album, The Beautiful Game. The track is “Animal Spirits,” with Theo Katzman “singing in a high voice,” and Joe Dart laying down the funky low end.

Bass of the Week: AJR Guitarmods Piccolo Bass
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: AJR Guitarmods Piccolo Bass

Last year we featured a gorgeous singlecut bass from AJR Guitarmods that wowed readers. Now, builder Andy Rogers has finished a new instrument in a different direction: a semi-hollow piccolo bass. The elegant model was built for his band’s bassist, Pete. “Pete wanted a bass that he could practice with, and sort new riffs out, on the settee without risking...