Top 10 Bass Stories: A Personal Tribute to John McVie, Latest Gear, and Holiday Grooves

Welcome to our Weekly Top 10, your curated selection of the most popular bass-related articles from December 7-13, 2024.

Whether you’re passionate about the latest bass gear, inspired by legends like John McVie, or in the holiday spirit with festive bass lines, we’ve got something for every bassist.

This week’s list also includes exciting tour announcements and exclusive Christmas features to keep you in the groove.

Dive in to discover what No Treble readers loved most this week.

1. Eastwood Guitars Announces the Rivolta Mondata Bass Guitar

Eastwood Guitars has had the uber-cool Rivolta Mondata design in their stable for years, and now they’ve finally applied the concept to the bass. Designed by Dennis Fano, the bass has a sleek body shape made from Simarouba, which is an ultra-lightweight wood.

2. Bass of the Week: Duesenberg Kavalier

The Duesenberg Kavalier bass seems like a throwback to quirky vintage instruments, but the company designed it with more versatility than basses of yore. It features a short 30.5-inch scale similar to vintage instruments, but the key to its tone is its unique pickup.

3. Ellen Alaverdyan Test Drives Three Markbass Basses

Ellen Alaverdyan tried out three Markbass basses for her latest video, and her playing knocked us out once again. Check out her work on the P-bass, short-scale, and jazz.

4. Meshuggah Announces North American Tour with Cannibal Corpse and Carcass

Swedish prog-metal giants Meshuggah have announced their return to North America with a new tour slated for the spring. They won't be alone. The band is bringing along fellow icons Cannibal Corpse and Carcass along for the ride.

5. From “Rumours” to Reality: How John McVie Inspired My Journey to the Bass

When I was eight years old, Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" sparked a lifelong love of the bass. Without John McVie’s subtle brilliance, No Treble might not exist. Here’s how his playing inspired my journey.

6. “We Always Loved This Circuit”: EarthQuaker Brings Back Original Hoof Fuzz for 400-Unit Anniversary Run

EarthQuaker Devices is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their Hoof fuzz with a “special hyper-limited edition” of the pedal. It will feature the same hand-soldered through-hole construction and rare military-spec germanium transistors from the original design.

7. 12 Bass Lines That Made These Christmas Classics Groove: From Guaraldi to Stevie Wonder

In this episode of "From the Bottom," Paul Thompson brings in the holiday season with his take on 12 amazing bass lines that anchor CLASSIC Christmas songs you might know (or not).

8. AC/DC Hits the Road: First North American Tour in 9 Years

Get ready to power up, North America. AC/DC has announced its first tour of the U.S. and Canada in nine years.

9. “The Only Girl in the Orchestra” Now Streaming on Netflix

Orin O’Brien became the first woman to join the New York Philharmonic in 1966. Now, "The Only Girl in the Orchestra" is widely open to audiences as it is now streaming on Netflix.

10. Unpacking the Bass Line of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”: History, Technique, and Full Transcription

Tim Fletcher unpacks the bass line of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”, with the history, technique, and complete bass transcription.