Archive for February 2013
Bass of the Week: Line 6 Variax Bass 700
This week we take a look at the Line 6 Variax Bass 700, an interesting bass that was produced during the 2000’s. It included special modeling software to reproduce tons of classic bass sounds, ranging from a ’61 Jazz Bass to a ’03 Thumb to bass synths. The Variax used piezo bridge saddles to capture each string’s vibrations, then signals...
Bass Dynasty: An Interview with James Jamerson, Jr.
It’s not easy to fill the shoes of a man regarded as one of the most influential pioneers of the electric bass, but it’s something that comes naturally to James Jamerson, Jr. After all, his father – who subsequently changed the face of popular music – was the one who taught him to play. He practically grew up in the...
Rinat Ibragimov: Vanhal Double Bass Concerto in D Major
Here’s a great video of Rinat Ibragimov playing Vanhal’s Concerto for Double Bass. Ibragimov, who is principal bassist for the London Symphony Orchestra, tackles the piece with incredible finesse and agility. The video description shares the background for this piece: “This popular piece of double bass repertoire is commonly called for in auditions, and here Rinat demonstrates its performance using...
Trent Reznor Reinvents Nine Inch Nails, Promises Touring
Trent Reznor has announced the return of Nine Inch Nails after a four year hiatus with the promise of extensive touring for the next two years. The band’s revival includes an interesting lineup, including former Jane’s Addiction bassist Eric Avery and King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew. “I was working with Adrian Belew on some musical ideas, which led to some...
Pigtronix Introduces Three New Bass Effects Pedals
Pigtronix debuted three new bass-centric effects pedals at NAMM this year: the Bass Fat Drive, the Philosopher Bass Compressor, and the Bass Envelope Phaser. Each is a tweaked version of one their existing products that have been fine-tuned for bassists. Bass Fat Drive The Bass Fat Drive features Pigtronix’s CMOS clipping concept and responds by breaking up based on how...
Stage Volume: Turn Up and Play Light (and Other Considerations)
Q: In hard rock and metal music, many players – including me – resort to playing with a heavy right hand to cut through the mix of distortion. As time goes by my right wrist starts to experience some pain and I’m thinking I should be playing lighter. Jeff Berlin and Gary Willis have been advocating “turn up and play...
Simon Fitzpatrick: “Bohemian Rhapsody” for Solo Bass Guitar
Almost two years ago, we featured a video of Simon Fitzpatrick performing a live bass arrangement of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Simon is back with a new version, which reminds us of how epic Simon is.
Gary Willis Releases “Retro”
Gary Willis teamed up with drummer Gergo Borlai and pianist Albert Bover for his fifth solo effort, Retro. Described as an “electric piano” trio, the approach to the album was simpler, in terms of production and instrumentation. “This new record is about us playing together. It’s not about big productions or anything, it’s just Rhodes, bass and drums,” Willis explains....
Reader Spotlight: Mihai Moldoveanu
Meet Mihai Moldoveanu, a bassist from Romania who has some really interesting answers to some of the reader spotlight interview questions. (We especially loved his answer to the “influences” question). Mihai is No Treble’s player in the spotlight for the week of February 25, 2013. Bio: I started playing bass in high school, being self-thaught. I was always drawn by...
Rybski Introduces Sean O’Bryan Smith Signature Basses
Rybski Custom Bass Guitars has introduced the Sean O’Bryan Smith Signature Bass. Currently available in Deluxe and Standard versions, the Nashville bassist’s new bass brings together classic elements of a traditional P/J bass with modern craftsmanship and a 21-fret J-profile neck. “Sean’s career incorporates a successful solo career and also a highly successful recording career with artists worldwide,” a press...
Adam Duce Splits from Machine Head
Bassist Adam Duce has left the ranks of Machine Head, according to a statement on the band’s website. Though he’s hinted at thinking of leaving before, the news comes as a surprise considering Duce founded the band with guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn in 1991. The group released seven albums with over 2.4 million copies sold during his tenure. “Machine Head and...
NS Design Announces CR5 Radius Bass Guitar
NS Design excited the bass community at last year’s NAMM show by unveiling the NS Radius Bass Guitar. This year, the company has introduced a production version of the headless bass. Made in the Czech Republic, the CR5 Model shares all the same dimensions as its U.S. counterpart. The CR5 Radius Model is a 5-string bass that comes in three...