Readers’ Favorites: The Nadacaster Bass, Joe Dart, Dane Alderson, and More

New week, new gear, new grooves.

The most-read story on No Treble was our Bass of the Week feature on the Holcomb Guitars Nadacaster Bass, which showcases some incredible craftsmanship. Beyond its stunning wood combination, luthier Nick Holcomb fitted it with a custom blade humbucking pickup, wound to 14.5k, on a unique sliding platform that “allows for not just an endless variety of tones but also the ability to manipulate your sound while you play.” The sliding pickup is complemented by slider pots for tone and volume, because of course it is.

Next up, Joe Dart delivered the goods on Vulfpeck’s new song, “The Beachcomber,” from the upcoming album Decay of the Aura. It’s a perfect jam for a brisk walk on the beach, thanks to Dart’s funky attack.

In the pedal world, IK Multimedia launched the TONEX Board, which it calls its most advanced hardware platform. The unit combines AI Machine Modeling technology with AmpliTube effects to put a full rig in one box. Plus, it’s flexible enough to use with bass and guitar.

Other highlights this week include the EarthQuaker Devices Stereo Easy Listening, Brady Watt laying down a stone-cold groove with Iniko, Dane Alderson discussing his approach to playing Jaco Pastorius’s parts on a new live album, and more.

1. Holcomb Guitars’ Nadacaster Bass Features a Pickup You Can Move While You Play

Holcomb Guitars’ Nadacaster Bass features a custom humbucker on a sliding platform that lets players change its position and tone while performing.

2. Vulfpeck Drops Video for “The Beachcomber,” the First Taste of Upcoming Album Decay of the Aura

Vulfpeck returns with “The Beachcomber,” the first single from Decay of the Aura, featuring Joe Dart locking in on his knobless Sterling bass.

3. IK Multimedia Unveils the TONEX Board All-in-One Modeling Platform

IK Multimedia’s TONEX Board combines four simultaneous Tone Models, 76 effects, flexible routing, and more than 50 ready-to-play bass presets in one unit.

4. EarthQuaker Devices Expands the Easy Listening with Stereo Routing and XLR Outputs

EarthQuaker Devices expands its Easy Listening amp simulator with new stereo routing, a headphone output, active EQ, an auxiliary input, and XLR outputs.

5. Watch Brady Watt Build Iniko’s Songs Live with Bass and Loops

Brady Watt builds the arrangements live on his Modulus bass as Iniko performs three songs in this intimate episode of the Bass & Bars series.

6. Dane Alderson on Reimagining Jaco Pastorius for Kurt Elling and Yellowjackets’ New Weather Report Album

Dane Alderson shares how he approached Jaco Pastorius’ bass lines on Kurt Elling and Yellowjackets’ new album of reimagined Weather Report classics.

7. John Deacon and Queen Tear Through “Tie Your Mother Down” in Budapest

Queen’s restored Budapest concert film shows John Deacon on his trusty Fender P Bass as the band rips through “Tie Your Mother Down” for a massive 1986 crowd.

8. Vincen García Takes a Laid-Back, Melodic Approach to “Keep Calm”

Vincen García shows restraint and a melodic touch on "Keep Calm," a spacious live solo bass performance from his July 2026 set at Jazz in Marciac, France.

9. Spector Demos Rex Brown’s New Euro 4 Signature Bass

Spector GM Wil DeYoung demos Rex Brown’s new Euro 4 Signature bass through a Darkglass combo, with the gritty overdrive coming straight from the amp itself

10. Mario Guarini Digs Deep Into Pentatonics with New 524-Page Bass Book

Mario Guarini explores pentatonic scales and advanced harmonic concepts in a new 524-page bass book featuring more than 600 exercises.