Weekly Top 10: Bill Laswell Benefit, Gallien-Krueger’s RB Legacy Now Shipping, and More

Welcome back to No Treble’s weekly top ten, where we share the most-read stories for the past seven days.

Visionary bassist and producer Bill Laswell needs our help. After suffering medical emergenices over the past few years, he has been unable to perform or work. A GoFundMe was set up to support his ongoing needs, including regular medical support, basic living expenses, and day-to-day care. Please consider donating if you are able.

Our Bass of the Week was the McGrath Guitars Thunderhorse, a Swiss Army knife in bass form. McGrath developed the instrument with The Bass Channel for serious tonal flexibility. It has EMG HZ TB, P, and J pickups matched to an EMG BQ30 preamp. “For ultimate tonal control, each pickup is paired with its own dedicated Switchcraft on/off slider, allowing for a massive variety of tonal combinations,” McGrath explains. “The neck pickup is in our updated position, allowing more room for slapping.”

After unveiling them last year, Gallien-Krueger is now shipping the RB Legacy 1001 and 2001 bass amps. Click through to read all about their unique Class H power section architecture.

Other top stories include Giulio Xavier Cetto’s harrowing story of resiliency, a lesson on improving your bass lines, and killer grooves from Thundercat, Mark Sandman, Ron Carter, Dominic John Davis, and Dave Holland.

1. Bill Laswell Needs Our Help: GoFundMe Launched for Visionary Bassist and Producer

A GoFundMe has been launched to support Bill Laswell as the legendary bassist and producer faces ongoing health challenges and mounting living and medical expenses.

2. Bass of the Week: The McGrath Thunderhorse IV Is a Tonal Swiss Army Knife

Bass of the Week: The McGrath Thunderhorse IV combines triple pickups, flexible switching, and 18-volt electronics for a huge range of tones.

3. The Wait Is Over: Gallien-Krueger’s RB Legacy 1001 and 2001 Are Now Shipping

Gallien-Krueger’s RB Legacy 1001 and 2001 are now shipping, delivering analog tone, massive output via Class H power, and new studio-ready features for bassists.

4. Thundercat Takes “Walking on the Moon” Into Orbit on New Release

Still “Walking on the Moon,” Thundercat returns with a second Amazon session clip, floating through chords and groove on his Ibanez six-string.

5. Watch Mark Sandman’s 2-String Slide Bass in This 1994 Morphine Session

A four song Morphine set from 1994 showcases Mark Sandman’s 2 string bass and slide technique, delivering a deep, raw groove with minimal gear.

6. Ron Carter Brings Timeless Authority to Emmet Cohen’s “Well You Needn’t”

Ron Carter’s lines drive Monk’s “Well You Needn’t” on Emmet Cohen’s new release, showcasing legendary time, phrasing, and straight ahead bass playing.

7. Low, Loud, and Locked: Dominic John Davis on SNL with Jack White

Dominic John Davis shapes the sound of Jack White’s SNL debut of “Derecho Demonico,” blending groove, tone, and effects.

8. Throwback: Miles Davis Turns “Milestones” Loose with Dave Holland on Bass

The year of Bitches Brew, Miles Davis was redefining the band in real time. Dave Holland’s upright work reveals a new role for the bass.

9. Make Your Walking Bass Lines Flow with Triplets (Blues Bass Lesson)

Learn how to use triplets to add movement and smooth transitions to your walking bass lines. This blues bass lesson breaks down how to connect chords, improve groove, and make your lines sound more musical.

10. The Jazz Thug: Giulio Xavier Cetto Shows Radical Resilience When Life Throws the Kitchen Sink

After a devastating nerve injury, bassist Giulio Cetto rebuilt his technique, rediscovered his voice, and returned with a deeper musical perspective.