Archive for 2011 - Page 35

Bigger is better. At least that’s the concept behind Knuckle Guitar Works’ Quake, a massive 39.5″ scale built-to-order bass. With the growing popularity of drop-tuning, bassists have to tune their strings down, which Knuckle explains harms tone by losing the upper transients. Seeing the need for better string response and tension, luthier Skip Fantry set out to create a bass...

After growing up around woodworking, Jon Maghini turned his fascination of instrument building into a reality when he founded M Basses about a decade ago. Though the Connecticut-based luthier has built completely custom basses in the past, he began streamlining his process by focusing on J-style basses late last year with his Mj model, eventually adding a a complimentary Mp...

We shared Simon Fitzpatrick‘s solo bass performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody” from our archives last night, and Simon responded with his latest video, a solo bass performance of the “Family Guy” theme. Have a video to share? Send it to [email protected].

The Aristocrats have released their self-titled debut album, featuring nine tracks of instrumental rock goodness. The band is made up of bassist Bryan Beller, guitarist Guthrie Govan and drummer Marco Minnemann, who will be touring the U.S. and Canada later this month in support of the release. The three talented musicians gel well together, thanks to Beller’s underpinning groove and...

In celebration of a 25 year solo career, former Police frontman and bassist Sting has announced the “Back to Bass” tour, where he will will take a “stripped down” 5-piece band across North America. The shows will highlight many songs that haven’t been played in years, ranging from 1985’s The Dream of Blue Turtles to last year’s Live in Berlin,...

Q: I’ve heard some people talk about practicing while watching TV, and I’ve heard others warn against it. What’s your take? A: Actually, I’m a huge fan of certain types of practice while watching movies and television. As I’ve mentioned in earlier columns, certain things are only really mastered through repetition (licks and patterns, internalizing scale or chord shapes, and...

Here’s a smoking version of Bobby Hebb’s “Sunny”, performed by bassist Stu Hamm, guitarist Greg Howe and drummer Dennis Chambers. This was filmed at this year’s Eddie Lang Jazz Festival.

Dream Theater’s newest album is aptly named. A Dramatic Turn of Events is the band’s eleventh studio album, and first to feature new drummer Mike Mangini, replacing Mike Portnoy, who left the band a year ago. Work on the album began in January of this year, and wrapped in June at Cove City Sound Studios in Long Island, New York....

Meet Mike Herrel, a bassist living in Frisco, Texas. Mike is our player in the spotlight for September 13, 2011. Bio: I began playing bass in grade school and later did the high school band thing, playing lots of Rush tunes. I attended BIT after high school and since then have become a lifetime music student. I played in a...

From the Story of Bootsy to Larry Graham’s 65th birthday, here are the top 10 bass videos of the month, based on views by No Treble readers. 1. Unsung: The Story of Bootsy Collins Here’s TV One‘s documentary on Bootsy Collins, sharing the highs and lows of the funk legend’s life. There’s so much great stuff here, from Bootsy’s start...

How many basses do you own? Answer below in the comments, or on our Facebook page.

Old school meets new school in this clip from Winter NAMM 2000, where session legend Carol Kaye jams with bass virtuosos Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey on a blues. They may have different backgrounds, but one thing they all share is a groove that just won’t quit.