Top 10: Michael Pedulla Interview, More New Bass Gear from NAMM, Bass of the Week, Plus the Week’s Top Bass Videos
If you can believe it, we’re still posting articles about gear announced at NAMM.
And it is obviously worth doing (and we’re not complaining, either). Half of last week’s Top 10 focused on new bass gear announced during the show, from Boulder Creek’s entry into the solid body electric space, to new signature basses from Jackson (Dave Ellefson), Ibanez (Gerald Veasley), plus new gear from Hipshot and Genz Benz.
The top bass-focused videos of the week included Verdine White laying it down in the live Earth Wind & Fire performance of “The Way of the World” in 1981, and the bass trio of Damian Erskine, Federico Malaman and Dane Alderson doing their “NAMM Jam”.
Our latest Custom Shop interview with Michael Pedulla made the list, as did our Bass of the Week – the unique Adamovic Eric Czar Signature 7.
In case you missed any, here is the most read, most shared stories on No Treble for the week of February 19 – 25, 2012.
1. Boulder Creek Introduces JB and RB Series Electric Basses
Boulder Creek launched two new lines of electric basses at NAMM this year with the JB and RD series. The two models are aimed at jazz and rock styles, respectively. This new line of solid body basses is a first for Boulder Creek, who is known for their acoustic basses. Available in 4-string, 5-string and…
2. Bass of the Week: Adamovic Eric Czar Signature 7
Eric Czar’s Signature bass from Adamovic is a thing of beauty. With a monstrous 7-strings and 30 frets, the instrument gives Czar an incredible range. Strung E to A#, bass was designed between Czar and Nikola Adamovic to allow for easy chord playing and fast tapping while combining “the unique voices and timbres of a…
3. Hipshot Products Unveils FreeRange Xtender for Upright Bass
Hardware manufacturer Hipshot unveiled an interesting product aimed at double bassists called the FreeRange Xtender at NAMM this year. The new gadget allows you to quickly change the tuning of an upright bass string at the switch of a lever, and lets you drop down as far as a low A. Using several together can…
4. Jackson Announces New X-Series Dave Ellefson Signature Basses
Jackson unveiled two new Dave Ellefson signature basses at the NAMM show last month. The basses are part of Jackson’s X-Series and are offered in two models: the David Ellefson CB-X 4-string and the David Ellefson CB-XV 5-string. The CB-X is a four-string with dual humbucking EMG pickups with an alder Concert Bass body. The…
5. Or Lubianiker: Interactive Bass Licks Video Lesson
Or Lubianiker (aka “Rule of Thump”) is on to something cool in the world of bass lessons. He’s posted his first experiment with interactive bass lessons on YouTube in which he plays simple licks in E minor and you choose how to mix and match them to create your own licks. Or provides links to…
6. Earth, Wind and Fire: “That’s the Way of the World”, Live (1981)
Of all the great EWF songs out there, “That’s the Way of the World” might be my favorite. Here’s the band performing that tune line at a 1981 concert in Oakland, and they are in top shape. Of course, the legendary Verdine White is helping to lay down the “almighty groove.” As one commenter reacted,…
7. Damian Erskine, Federico Malaman and Dane Alderson NAMM Jam
Once again, we have proof that all you really need is bass. (Well, maybe with a little help from Andrew Fisenden, who is doing some nifty percussion work.) Here’s Damian Erskine, Federico Malaman and Dane Alderson performing at the TecAmp booth at NAMM last month. As we like to say, “the only thing better than…
8. Custom Shop: An Interview with Michael Pedulla
Passion trumps all. That’s what master luthier Michael Pedulla learned after building his business to greater and greater heights. Starting as a one man shop in 1975, Pedulla reached a pinnacle in production during the mid-1990’s, putting out close to 750 basses each year. Michael was forced to work more on running the company than…
9. Ibanez Unveils Gerald Veasley Signature GVB36 Bass Guitar
In 2010, Ibanez unveiled the Gerald Veasley Signature GVB1006 Bass. Built by the company’s master luthiers in Japan, it comes with a price point that not everyone can reach. For 2012, Ibanez has introduced the GVB36, which shares many of the same attributes while making it more affordable. Similar to the 1006, the GVB36 is…
10. Genz Benz Introduces Focus LT Series Bass Cabinets
Genz Benz expanded their cabinet offerings with the introduction of the Focus LT series at NAMM this year. The lineup includes a 1×12, a 2×10, a 1×15, and a 4×10. Designed to be compact and high-powered, the Focus LT series have a smaller stage footprint to save space during performances. Each of the cabinets carries…
