Archive for 2012 - Page 65

Heil Sound has gone pro with the introduction of their Pro Set 3 Headphones, which sport 40mm neodymium magnets and voice coils. The specially designed cushioned head band is shaped to be ergonomic. An interesting trait on the Pro Set 3’s is that the cable is detachable, and the set comes with three cables – a 1.8 meter straight cable,...

The Fender Custom Shop has expanded its Artist Series instruments with the Dusty Hill Signature Precision Bass. Available in Black and Nocaster Blonde, the bass oozes old school with a road worn finish and reverse headstock. The ZZ Top bassist helped tweak the bass, which features a custom designed Seymour Duncan pickup, a custom neck shape, and rear-routed controls. The...

Peter Gabriel is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his landmark album, So, with a tour that will feature music from the album. So reached multi-platinum status (five times over), with hits including “Sledgehammer,” “Big Time,” “Red Rain,” “Don’t Give Up” (duet with Kate Bush) and “In Your Eyes.” Gabriel is enlisting many members of the original band he toured with...

Here’s something to keep you busy this weekend. Bassist Jan Stankiewicz breaks down the Victor Wooten classic “U Can’t Hold No Groove”, in a really easy to follow format. The tune comes from Vic’s 2004 album, A Show of Hands, which was re-released last year. Jan shares “I would like to emphasize that this is how I play the song,...

Funk Brother and bass legend Bob Babbitt will be getting part of his due respect by receiving a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. Babbitt’s star, which will be the Walk of Fame’s 60th commemorative sidewalk marker, will be unveiled at a ceremony on June 5th that will also be inducting Steve Winwood. The bassist...

Fret-King has unveiled their new Black Label series of instruments, including the Perception Bass Guitar. Available in 4 and 5-string versions, the Perception sports a passive P/J pickup set made by Wilkinson. The body is made of two pieces of American Alder, while the neck is Canadian Hard Rock Maple topped with a rosewood fingerboard. Hardware on the bass is...

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...

Bassist Stanley Clarke is gearing up for two tours this summer – one with George Duke in the US, Japan and a Carribean cruise, and another with Stewart Copeland with dates across Europe. Clarke Duke 4 “Bring It!” Tour The Clarke Duke 4 “Bring It!” Tour pairs the duo for the first time in six years for the long-time collaborators...

German bass company Hot Wire produced a super cool version of their Inlaw 521 BO model with a stunning quilted maple top and matching pickup covers. The “zebra” effect is attained by using a lighter quilted maple and a dark quilted maple to create a sharp contrast. The Inlaw comes in several versions, but the 521 BO is a 5-string,...

Without a doubt, Bob Daisley is one of the most influential bassists of all time. For over four decades, Daisley has laid down the low end for everyone from Mungo Jerry to Rainbow to Ozzy Osbourne to Gary Moore. In fact, nearly every one of you reading this right now has probably played his bass lines, whether you know it...

Here’s a cool video of Guy Christian Nsangué Akwa taking a solo with Jean-Luc Ponty’s band on the tune “Celtic Steps.” The bassist starts things off pretty cool before working the whole group into a frenzy. (I love the bass freakout at 2:50). As if that wasn’t enough, he plays the blazing melody in unison with the rest of the...

Hal Leonard’s Inside the Blues series released earlier this year has an edition focused solely on bass, penned by Dave Rubin. 12-Bar Blues: The Complete Guide for Bass is a book/CD combo offering up a well-rounded approach to learning – or improving – playing various forms of the blues. Rubin starts off with the basics, including tuning and breaking down...