No Treble Archive for July 16th

BOSS has introduced the CB-EB15, its first electric bass gig bag, featuring thick padding, an adjustable end guard, and detachable neck supports.

Watch Kevin Scott drive Forq’s newly released 2019 performance at Moods in Zurich with a Moollon P Bass, heavy effects, deep grooves, and huge low end.

Meshell Ndegeocello will release Synonym on October 2nd, reimagining classic songs with Cynthia Erivo, Chaka Khan, Laura Lee, WILLOW, and more guests.

Master bass scale practice by turning scales into real music. Build lines, grooves, and fills while improving your technique and unlocking the full fretboard.

Watch Queens of the Stone Age’s Pohoda 2025 set with Michael Shuman’s gritty, driving bass anchoring their fierce, no-nonsense live sound.

The NV410T from Bergantino packs tight, classic low-end into a compact sealed 4x10 with ceramic drivers — perfect for stage clarity and punch.

We’re sad to share the news that luthier Harry Fleishman has died. The instrument designer and builder was reportedly battling cancer.

David Sutkin and Wojtek Pilichowski have impressed us with their videos over the years, and they’ve just dropped another. Joined by Michelle Kuban on lead vocals, Jana Neumann on backing vocals, Lukas Kuban on drums, Adrian Maruszczyk on bass, they perform The Beatles tune, “Rain.”

Over thirty years since their formation, Medeski Martin & Wood are still revered as some of the best and most creative improvisors on the planet. Now fans will get a little better understanding. The 2019 documentary “Not Not Jazz” will finally be available to the public.

Fender is rolling out some new gear for summer 2023, including the Limited Edition Suona Collection. The lineup includes the Suona Jazz Bass, a semi-hollow four-string.

Clive H Jones took Linkin Park’s “Heavy” and made it into a solo bass arrangement. He’s using one of the most interesting basses too: the Ibanez Ashula.

Lettuce has a few festival dates for the summer left to go, but they’re keeping the party going through the year. The band, anchored by bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes, has announced new fall dates.

Trickfish Amplification has added a new product to their lineup with the Internal Pre Amp, aka the IPA. The company says they designed the system on two ideas: tonal flexibility and effortless installation.

Theo Katzman just dropped a video of his full show at Brooklyn Steel, Long Island, NY on February 21, 2020, featuring music from his upcoming album. Lucky for us, Joe Dart was on the date.

Since his dismissal from Megadeth, David Ellefson has been keeping plenty busy. He released an album with a new band, The Lucid, last year and now he’s announced another new group.

Jazz bassist Arthur “Juini” Booth has passed away after his health deteriorated following a fall at home last month. He was 73 years old.

Live music is coming back, and bassist Travis Dykes gives us an inside look as a touring musician in his new series, “Doing That”. This VLOG provides an excellent perspective on what musicians go through.

Circles Around the Sun will be making circles around the States again with a newly announced tour. It will be the band’s first extensive outing with Scott Metzer, who is now an official member and permanent replacement for the late Neal Casal.

Jahmal Nichols has just released his second solo album entitled “Black Frequencies”, which examines and celebrates different aspects of Black culture. We caught up with Nichols to get the scoop on the album, his process, and more.

I woke up this morning and saw a message from Tony Senatore with a new video he released. While the recording is new, listening to it transported me back in time to the great music I grew up listening to. Check out “6 Feet Apart Or 6 Feet Under.”

Rare Earth Music has expanded their line of pedalboard systems with the EBII, which continues the series with a patented magnetic rail system into the board and an integrated power supply.

Meet Dave Turner, a bassist and educator who has an impressive resume in both arenas. Here’s his story…

Julien’s Auctions has announced an auction set for October that will feature a massive amount of music gear owned by late Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker. The auction is set for October 18th and 19th.

We’ve been on the lookout for a new video from Zander Zon, and he just came through with a new, incredible all-bass arrangement. In this clip, Zander takes on the Shawn Mendes & Camilla Cabello tune, “Señorita.”

Billy Sherwood has been keeping busy with his bass duties in Yes and Asia, but he’s somehow managed to make the followup to his 2015 solo album, “Citizen.” The new chapter is entitled “Citizen: In The Next Life” and it continues the album’s concept.

D’Addario has introduced the Alchemy Gothic Strap series with four new models that include their Planet Lock system, which is a built-in locking mechanism. It fits most strap pins and stays locked until you release the side pin. “Since 1977 Alchemy Gothic has been the leader in gothic jewelry, art and lifestyle products,” D’Addario writes. “Designed and produced in their...

This week we’re checking out the Remington Steele from Germany’s Le Fay Basses. The bass is a fretless with a twist: the fingerboard is stainless steel. Although it’s an unusual feature, the steel doesn’t sound metallic at all, the company says. “Remington Steele sounds spacious, phat and rich in overtones,” they write. “Effects come into their own really well and...

Bokanté has a new video out in support of their album, Strange Circles. This tune was written by Michael League and vocalist Malika Tirolien and features League on baritone guitar, ukulele bass, and vocals.

Paul McCartney has a new album coming out September 7th, entitled Egypt Station, and he’s just announced the first dates of a corresponding tour called “Freshen Up.” So far the trek includes four September dates in Canada and three in December in the UK. He’s also slated to perform at Austin City Limits in Texas during October, so fans can...

Yamaha’s BB Bass series is growing this summer with nine new models that debuted at the Summer NAMM Show. The reworked basses, which range from entry-level to professional, will feature a smaller body among other upgrades. The new line starts with the four-string BB234 and five-string BB235. Each is built a solid alder body fitted with a custom V3 ceramic...

YYNOT’s Tim Starace is often asked how he gets his tone on the tracks he records with the band. In this isolated bass clip, Tim’s decided to showcase his monster tone – and provide the details on how he gets it. This is from YYNOT’s original, “Kingdom Come.” As for his set up, here’s what Tim shared: CIJ Geddy Jazz...

New Zealand’s Stonefield Musical Instruments has teamed up with Freekbass to produce a signature model. Based on the company’s Model 1-4C, the bass has special tweaks to fit the funk bassist’s style. “Using the dense and somewhat brittle African wenge for the top wood and Solomon Island ebony for the fingerboard adds a bite to the tonality of the instrument,”...

Time for some old school goodness from our good friends, Vulfpeck and their tune “Game Winner”. The track appeared on Vulpeck’s album, , and features guest appearances by Charles Jones on vocals and Rhodes and David T. Walker on guitar. As always, Joe Dart handles the low end, beautifully. “Give me the ball…”

Pat Metheny Group bassist Steve Rodby has released his third album with the Anglo-American jazz group, The Impossible Gentlemen, called Let’s Get Deluxe. The contemporary jazz group’s influences range from Metheny, of course, to outfits like Steely Dan. Band members also include pianist Gwilym Simcock, reed/flute player Iain Dixon, guitarist Mike Walker and drummer Adam Nussbaum. Check out the title...

It’s easy to get wrapped up into a specific genre, but there’s a whole world of music to discover and explore. No one knows that better than bassist Panagiotis Andreou. The Greek-born bassist is a student of all types of music, and that’s not just lip service. He’s been playing bass since he was sixteen and has studied loads of...

Funk bass phenom Alissia Benveniste is back with a new song and music video, and if you’ve been following her, you know this is about to make your day. “On The Go” brings all of the bassist’s thick slap grooves to an upbeat track that will have you tapping your foot. “My vision for my music is to inspire people...

The sound of reggae/rock band Sublime remains alive via its bassist, Eric Wilson, through the band Sublime With Rome. Wilson is the only Sublime member currently in the group, which has released its second album, Sirens. The album is being billed as a return to the band’s roots, with a rawer sound like that of the original band. See if...

Ella Basses has introduced a new singlecut model called the Isaac. Named after luthier Jeff Power’s son, the bass is handmade and can be ordered to suit. The Isaac has been made in 4- and 5-string versions with standard features including set-neck construction, Bartolini pickups and electronics, and Hipshot hardware. The first 4-string Isaac is built with a stunning spalted...

Q: I auditioned last night for a seventeen year old up-and-coming female country star. She has recorded an album with well known Nashville producer and has hits with a few her songs. I feel it is just a matter of time before she is signed to a major deal. She has everything the new Nashville loves. My dilemma is this:...

Today we’re remembering the legendary bassist Bob Babbitt, who passed away on this day in 2012. After playing on over 200 Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits, it’s safe to say that he will never be forgotten. Here’s a video of Babbitt performing “Mercy Mercy Me” at the 2004 Montreal Jazz Festival with the Funk Brothers. Babbitt played on the...

Hardcore punk band Rise Against has returned with , its first studio album since 2011’s Endgame. It’s the seventh album for the outfit, which originated in Chicago and was co-founded by bassist Joe Principe. The album developed as Rise Against records always have, Principe says in a making of video at Alternative Press, with the band members writing for themselves...

Meet Rich Zbaraski, a bass player living in Leicester, UK who has quite a love for bass (read more below to see what I’m talking about). He has some pretty cool stories to tell as well. Rich is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of July 15, 2013. Bio: 18. Cheese fanatic. A fetish for bass that...

Here’s another quick lesson for you, this time focusing on a disco-style bass groove. As with any excercise, it is important to keep playing it without stopping until you find that groove. Follow along with the video and this transcription (PDF). The tempo on this one is 105 bpm. For the gear heads: I’m playing a 1966 Fender Precision bass...

Bassist Jim Joel Santos sent this fun video our way. Jim took the Pee Wee Ellis tune made famous by Jaco Pastorius, and created his own slap bass arrangement of it. We dig it. How about you?

Tom Kennedy newest acoustic CD, Just Play is out today. Bringing together many of the people Kennedy has performed with over the years, the album has a truly all-star cast of musicians. The core band is Renee Rosnes, Dave Weckl and George Garzone along with guests Mike Stern, Tim Hagens, Lee Ritenour, John Allred and Steve Wirts. The CD’s nine...

After you feel comfortable with the single string exercises from last time you may want to challenge yourself a bit more with the two string exercises below. Two String Left Hand Dexterity Drill Notes: These exercises can be done pizzicato or arco. If done pizzicato, I suggest beginning each pattern using the second finger of your right hand, followed by...

Another bass legend has left us with the passing of Funk Brother Bob Babbitt, as the iconic bassist succumbed to complications from a brain tumor which was discovered last year. He was 74. Along with fellow low-ender James Jamerson, Babbitt was the foundation for the Motown Sound and played on over 200 Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits. His undeniable...

Darryl Anders is bringing the old school to the new school with his new band AgapéSoul. With a deep pocket of groove, the bassist set out to make real music, not show off his skills. “It is not about us, as people or as musicians. It’s about the songs,” says Anders. “I’ve been blessed with an opportunity to share my...

How much bass can you take? Hopefully at least enough to get you through this weekly top 10 list of bass greatness. Here are the 10 most read/most watched stories and videos on No Treble for the week of July 8 – 14, 2012. 1. Victor Wooten: “Isn’t She Lovely”, Live Solo Bass Performance In April, Victor Wooten held a...

Heavy Electronics has released a new bass distortion pedal named El Oso, which translates to “the bear.” The pedal is built for heavy tone and simplicity with only three intuitive knobs: Level, Mix, and Gain. El Oso’s distortion is blended with your dry signal via the Mix knob, which gives 100% dry or 100% distorted when turned either way to...

Released in 1986, Megadeth’s second studio album, Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? hit platinum status. For the first time since the original release, the album has been digitally remastered and repackaged in a 25th anniversary edition by Capitol/EMI. The landmark album features the bass work of Dave Ellefson. The deluxe set comes in a lift-top box with 5 discs, 3...

Recorded live in November 2010 for a Fender event, here’s Marcus Miller performing his take on Prince’s “When Doves Cry”.

The members of Heaven & Hell will remember their late singer, Ronnie James Dio, with a performance at the High Voltage Festival in London on July 24th. The one-off show will celebrate Dio’s life, which was cut short by cancer earlier this year. Glenn Hughes and Jorn Lande, who both had ties to Dio, will fill the singer’s shoes. The...

Here’s Youtuber fxhdc050 taking on many challenges at once: Playing “Donna Lee” On an 8-string bass Which happens to be fretless (and taking a solo too) The bass is a Galveston (tuned: B E A D G C ?F Bb).

Mel Bay has released, Flamenco Bass Technique, a new method book/DVD set by Mariano Martos. Martos covers a wide range of techniques, including Rumba, Tangos, Tanguillos and Bulerías. Lessons are presented in English and Spanish, and the DVD is fully compatible in all countries (PAL and NTSC). Techniques covered: Finger combination: right hand’s thumb, ring finger and middle finger (no...

Michael Manring has a number of local (San Francisco Bay area) shows scheduled through July, including three performances with acoustic guitarists Alex DeGrassi and Jeff Titus. On July 29th, Manring will be playing a special benefit concert in San Rafael for the victims of the war in Darfur. Complete tour dates and information: Thursday, July 16 at 7:30pm Solo, also...

If you’ve been keeping up with this lesson series and having focused practice you should be getting pretty comfortable with the fretboard layout. Remember that the drills in Part 1 and Part 2 should be practiced regularly to get the full benefit. In this lesson we’ll work on something really fun: the blues! As a note to those who are...

Electro-Harmonix has announced the release of their first analog filter designed specifically for bass: the Enigma Q-balls. The Enigma has a frequency range of 40 Hz to 3 kHz able to define tight sweeps through the entire harmonic range. The Engima includes analog distrotion with controls to give let you shape the growl any way you want. The feature list...

We admit it… if you post a video of multi-bass bands, we’re likely to feature it here. This video was filmed at Fender Mexico’s theater in 2008, featuring Motown bass legend Bob Babbitt, Bobby Vega, Christopher Maloney and Ivan Barrera on bass, Jeff Kollman on guitar and Nick DVirgilio on drums. This one starts slow, but starts cooking once the...