Archive for October 2012 - Page 5

Fretted and fretless models respectively, the Pedulla MVP and Buzz are the flagship basses based on the design that first brought luthier Michael Pedulla to prominence. The unique body shape and fresh approach to ergonomics set them apart from standard designs. The bass starts with a three-piece laminated maple neck that’s reinforced with a double-acting truss rod and two steel...

Stew McKinsey is a bassist with an affinity for extended range instruments. It wasn’t long after getting into the 4-string that he was introduced to a 5-string, then a 6-string, and so on. His current arsenal includes a 10-string Conklin Sidewinder. While that may seem extreme, McKinsey is quick to point out his efforts are to be a musician first....

Simon Fitzpatrick is a favorite around here, thanks in large part to his awesome solo bass arrangements (plus, he’s a super cool guy). Here’s Simon performing Bob Marley’s classic “No Woman, No Cry” on a 6-string GB spitfire with Boomerang 3 looper pedal. Sweet.

Russian pedal company Correct Sound Custom has introduced the BETA bass preamp. Based on the SUNN Beta Bass amp, the pedal has dual channels with separate EQ controls for each. The two channels can also be combined for enhanced tweakability. Controls include Drive, Bass, Mid, Treble, and Volume with a Master Volume to control the overall output. The Correct Sound...

With Gary “Mani” Mounfield leaving to reunite with Stone Roses, Primal Scream have announced the bass position will be filled by Simone Butler. Butler, who will be a permanent replacement, played in London-based rock outfit Yellowire. Butler’s first album with the group will be their upcoming 10th album, due next year. Lead singer Bobby Gillespie says the effort will be...

Q: I have been playing bass professionally for over 15 years, but I’ve recently decided to expand my horizons by tuning one of my 5 string basses E-C. I decided to do this after playing a six string bass in a music store one day and realizing how easy it was to play lines across the fingerboard in a lower...

She’s played with Victor Wooten and she’s been Beyonce’s musical director, but Divinity Roxx’s own style is something a world apart. Blending hip hop and hard rock, she’s got flow, edge and attitude to present a real in-your-face musical experience. Here’s the music video to her single “Get Here”, which won Best Music Video 2012 at the the California International...

Prog-metal outfit Between the Buried and Me has followed up last year’s Parallax EP with the release of Parallax II: Future Sequence. The full-length album continues the concept of its predecessor with two main characters how take a journey through space and time to cure the flaws of humanity. “While the EP served mostly as an introduction to the characters,...

Meet Gaz Williams, a bass player hailing from Bristol UK who has dubbed himself a “true bass junkie”. Of course, we support that completely. Gaz keeps busy with recording, gigging, producing and working as a tech presenter. He once even did a pantomime gig. Gaz is our player in the spotlight for the week of October 16, 2012. Bio: I...

Of the 30 or so videos we shared in September, ten ruled for No Treble readers. And here they are in one basstastically awesome spot. Enjoy. 1. Esperanza Spalding with The Roots: Live Performance of Weather Report’s “Predator” My friend Marsha was telling me about Esperanza Spalding performing a Weather Report tune, where she lays down the bass line while...

To help celebrate Flea’s birthday today, we’re featuring this great version of the Chili Peppers’ “If You Have To Ask” at 2001’s Rock in Rio Festival. Flea’s got his funk in full gear, laying down a fat groove for the verse and bringing out more of his Parliament influence during the chorus. The song wraps up in a bass solo...

Get out your axe and face paint: KISS is back with their 20th studio album, entitled Monster. Anchored by the outspoken Gene Simmons, the effort is their second with the lineup of singer Paul Stanley, lead guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer. The band kept things old school by recording to tape and keeping things simple. Likening the new...