Rewind: All the Top Bass Gear, Stories, Columns and Videos for the Week
Last week, we introduced two new columns to on No Treble. Our new “Bass of the Week” series topped the charts with our readers, and the new Mod Shop made the top 10 as well. Gear for the win! Look for Bass of the Week each Thursday, and Mod Shop once or twice a month.
A few videos made the top 10. While not technically a video, my favorite is the one by Carol Kaye. If you missed it, be sure to check that out.
More in the gear topic – Fender introduced a new T-Bucket acoustic, Squier released a Vintage Modified Mustang Bass, we take an inside look into Birdsong Guitars’ shop, and Damian Erskine discussed insuring your gear.
Here is your top 10 for the week of August 21-27, 2011.
1. Bass of the Week: Little Guitar Works Torzal Standard
With time comes innovation, and for bass players it means lighter rigs, improved effects pedals and ergonomic basses. The Little Guitar Works Torzal Bass is a prime example of that progressive ideology. The customizable bass features your choice of woods and pickups, but the real “Twist” is in the neck. Literally. Developed in the mid-90s…
2. Jeff Beck Live with Tal Wilkenfeld and Jimmy Page: Bolero, Immigrant Song & Peter Gunn
This clip is from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame performance by Jeff Beck, along with Beck’s band (at the time), bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and keyboardist Jason Rebello. Jimmy Page joins the band for the group’s performance of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”.
3. Fender Releases T-Bucket Acoustic Bass Guitar
Fender has released the T-Bucket Bass, the first four-stringer in their Hot Rod Design series. The acoustic bass guitar includes a Fishman Isys III pickup system for amplification, complete with a three-band EQ, onboard preamp and tuner. Finished in a classic three-color sunburst, the T-Bucket features a flame maple top with scalloped X bracing and…
4. Lee Ritenour with Abraham Laboriel: Rio Funk (Live)
Here’s a terrific live performance of “Rio Funk”, with Abraham Laboriel with Lee Ritenour’s band. The guys have some fun goofing around at the beginning, before getting into seriously funky territory. Part 1: Part 2:
5. Carol Kaye: Slick Cat (1971)
Wow, this one groooooooves. Bassist Carol Kaye shared this tune, saying “Slick Cat [was] cut 1971 with Joe Pass [on guitar], Paul Humphrey [on] drums ….we were just jamming some in a studio and decided to work together after this!” Carol also mentioned that while the bass in the picture is her Gibson Ripper, the…
6. Mod Shop: Bridge Replacement
Upgrading the Lab Rat: Bridge Replacement I have a bass I call the Lab Rat. It’s a really cheap Jaguar knock off I bought to experiment with some ideas I’d been kicking around. I’ve upgraded all the electronics already, and we’ll briefly go over some of that in future articles. I’m on to the hardware…
7. Jeff Coffin & the Mu’tet with Felix Pastorius: Live in Rio de Janeiro
Felix Pastorius (the son of Jaco Pastorius) plays some funky bass with Jeff Coffin and the Mu’tet in this live performance at the Rio Rock and Blues Club in Rio de Janeiro. If you dig that, you might want to check out the group’s new album, Live!.
8. Squier Releases Vintage Modified Mustang Bass
Squier has grown their Vintage Modified line with the introduction of a new take on Fender’s mid-60s Mustang bass. Staying true to the original, the Vintage Modified Mustang features a 30″ scale, 19 frets and comes in black or three-color sunburst finishes. The bolt-on constructed bass has a basswood body with a maple neck and…
9. Custom Shop: Birdsong Guitars
Founded in 2004, Birdsong Guitars is a company with a distinct reputation for excellent short-scale basses – one that founder Scott Beckwith prides himself on. After getting his start building in the late ’90s, Beckwith set up shop in Texas where he has been honing his craft with the aid of his wife and other…
Q: I recently had a stolen instrument scare. It got me wondering, what do you and other working professionals do? With all your traveling, I’m sure it’s a small worry in the back of your mind. What do you use to ensure the safety of your gear? Do you have instrument specific insurance or some…
