Archive for February 2012 - Page 4

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 fretless configurations, the JB series...

While there is no shortage of good tuners out there in the App Store, there are few that are quite as informative (and pretty) as TonalEnergy. This app is specifically designed for individuals or large ensembles in an attempt to help musicians improve their intonation and tone. Most functions of TonalEnergy’s tuner are designed to visually reward the user for...

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 one bass is three…” (or...

The top 10 most read features on No Treble last week included plenty of new bass gear, plus our exclusive interview with Felix Pastorius, Ryan Madora’s latest entry in her “I Wish I Knew That” column, our bass of the week, and a bunch of top bass videos. Our NAMM coverage is still coming, and will be coming for a...

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 bass sports a choice of...

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 be handing for changing the...

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 each little lick and breaks...

Michael Davis, the bassist best known for his work with the band MC5, has died of liver failure, his wife announced yesterday. The bassist died at Enloe Medical Center in Chico, California on Friday, following a month of treatment for liver disease. He was 68. MC5, whose name was short for “Motor City Five” was formed in 1964 in Lincoln...

Opeth and Mastodon will be teaming up to bring metal to the masses on a North American trek scheduled from April to May. Rooted by bassists Martín Méndez and Troy Sanders, the “Heritage Hunter” Tour kicks off April 4th in Portland, Maine and works its way between the U.S. and Canada until the closing show on May 12th at the...

Kala increased their U-Bass lineup with the addition of five new models of the 21″ scale basses. The new models include Sunburst, Gloss Black, Solid Spruce Top HH (Hutch Hutchinson Model), Spalted Maple, and Exotic Mahogany. The Sunburst, Gloss Black, and Solid Spruce Top HH basses all feature solid spruce tops with mahogany back and sides. The Hutch Hutchinson model...

Billy Sheehan is usually known for blazing riffs and absolutely ripping solos, but the man knows how to really get down, too. Sheehan presented Steve Vai with the Les Paul Award at this year’s TEC Awards, and afterwords they jammed out the guitarist’s tune “The Crying Machine.” Sheehan lays down a funky groove that just won’t quit. As much of...

Korn, anchored by bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu, is getting ready to kick off the second stint of their tour in support of their latest album, Path of Totality. The new batch of dates kick off on February 23, 2012 in Detroit, threading through the Midwest before returning West and wrapping up in San Francisco. The group has also announced new...