Top 10: The Best of No Treble – Top Bass Gear, Lessons and Stories (May 2012)

May was another great month for gear news (and some sweet basses of the week picks by Kevin), and No Treble readers ate it all up.

We also shared the sad news of the passing of Duck Dunn, and some good news with a Jaco documentary planned and backed by Robert Trujillo.

Plus, some of the best lessons and how-to’s you’ll find for bassists.

Here’s your top 10 for the month of May, 2012. Thanks to all of you for sharing, commenting and reading.

Oh, and if you like lists, you might want to check out our new Interest List on Facebook.

Fender Introduces Pawn Shop Reverse Jaguar Bass

1. Fender Introduces Pawn Shop Reverse Jaguar Bass

Fender has introduced the 2012 line of Pawn Shop guitars, which they claim are inspired by their eccentric creations from the ’60s and ’70s and are “guitars that never were, but should have been.” Included in that lineup is the Fender Pawn Shop Reverse Jaguar Bass…

Playing Chords: A Guide for Bassists

2. Playing Chords: A Guide for Bassists

Damian answered a reader’s question on chords and bass: “I recently bought a 6-string bass and started working on playing chords. How should I voice more complex chords (e.g. Gm13) using few (3 to 4) notes, while maintaining the quality of the chord?”

Robert Trujillo Financing Jaco Pastorius Documentary Film

3. Robert Trujillo Financing Jaco Pastorius Documentary Film

We’d heard rumors about this, and now a report has come out via USA Today confirming what we’ve been hearing: a film about Jaco Pastorius has been in development, and it is being financed by Metallica’s Robert Trujillo…

In Memoriam: Donald “Duck” Dunn

4. In Memoriam: Donald “Duck” Dunn

Legendary bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn died in Tokyo early morning on May 13th, following a night of shows at the Tokyo Blue Note. According to reports, Dunn passed away in his sleep. The bassist, who was 70 years old, was a member of Booker T. and the M.G.’s and session bassist for Stax Records…

To Effect or Not to Effect? A Discussion for Bassists

5. To Effect or Not to Effect? A Discussion for Bassists

Damian answered a reader’s question on effects and bass, which spurred a lot of great conversation with readers: “What’s your take on effects pedals? Do you use any?”

Bass of the Week: Esh Stinger I

6. Bass of the Week: Esh Stinger I

Designed by Jochen Imhof, the Esh Stinger I is described as the company’s “dark side” and was even used by Type O-Negative’s Peter Steele. In addition to several finishes, the German company created a Monstergreen finish with green pickup covers and block inlays as a tribute to the fallen low-ender…

Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (April 2012)

7. Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (April 2012)

In April, we celebrated the awesomeness of isolated bass one week. And that week ended up dominating the top 10 video list for the entire month. With the bass work of Geddy Lee, John Paul Jones, Chris Squire, Wilton Felder, Paul McCartney and John Entwistle being featured in all its glory, we weren’t surprised…

Epiphone Introduces Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO Basses

8. Epiphone Introduces Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO Basses

Epiphone is unveiling a new version of a classic with the Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO. The bass is set apart from its siblings by being equipped with a pair of Gibson TB Plus Humbucking pickups featuring ceramic magnets, which the company says produce “high gain, smooth tone and high-end definition.”…

Bass of the Week: ML Basses Volcan

9. Bass of the Week: ML Basses Volcan

After 20 years of work making and repairing stringed instruments, Meaulnes Laberge formed ML Basses to focus on building electric basses. One of his striking instruments is the Volcan, an edgy yet elegant design available in 4- and 5-string configurations…

Overture Guitars Introduces Timothy Gaines Signature “TG” Stronghold Bass

10. Overture Guitars Introduces Timothy Gaines Signature “TG” Stronghold Bass

Overture Guitars has made a pretty rad signature bass for Timothy Gaines of Stryper. The “TG” Stronghold sports a poplar body with a Yellow Relic paint scheme hand-painted by artist Tim Beck. As each is done individually, every bass has a little different paint scheme and is unique to itself…

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