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Archive for January 2014

Makers of the Melody: Part 1
I Wish I Knew That

Makers of the Melody: Part 1

As we begin our journey as bass players, we are drawn to particular types of grooves. Perhaps our ears perk up with a soulful R&B line, the sound of a walking upright, or a rock tune where the bass is pedaling the roots. Many of us are intrigued by vibrant staccato grooves, the slaps and pops of 70’s funk, or...

Robert Glasper Experiment: NPR Tiny Desk Concert
Bass Videos

Robert Glasper Experiment: NPR Tiny Desk Concert

The NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert series always seems to draw something special out of artists. The setting forces musicians to make a statement with a reduced set and limited instrumentation. Essentially, it shows viewers what a group is really made of, and the Robert Glasper Experiment used to the opportunity to prove they’re the real thing. The core of...

Nashville Pussy Releases “Up The Dosage”
New Albums

Nashville Pussy Releases “Up The Dosage”

, Nashville Pussy’s first studio record since 2009’s From Hell to Texas, is being called the hard rockers’ band’s Back in Black by frontman Blaine Cartwright. Now, this record isn’t an album of mourning and rebirth following the death of a member like AC/DC’s classic album, but it is the first on-record appearance of bassist Bonnie Buitrago, who has been...

Bass of the Week: Franz Bassguitars Sirius
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Franz Bassguitars Sirius

This week we take a look at the Franz Bassguitars Sirius, a stunning bass made in Bavaria by luthier Xaver Tremel. I found this bass through this excellent demo played by German bassist Ralf Gauck: The bass features a singlecut design that comes in either 4- or 5-string versions. Tremel starts the bass with a chambered walnut body with plenty...

Profiles in Tone: Jack Casady
Profiles in Tone

Profiles in Tone: Jack Casady

Jack Casady has one of the most distinct tones in rock and roll, and it’s not by accident. The Hot Tuna/ex-Jefferson Airplane bassist has always been very detail oriented when it comes to getting his sound right. “I think tone is essential,” he shared with us in our 2012 interview with him. “I think tone is your signature as to...

Hadrien Feraud and Federico Malaman: Cherokee Jam at NAMM 2014
Bass Videos

Hadrien Feraud and Federico Malaman: Cherokee Jam at NAMM 2014

I’m still in recovery mode from NAMM this year, but I’ve been checking out all the great videos pouring in from the show. Here’s a crazy fast version of “Cherokee” by Hadrien Feraud and Federico Malaman at the Ken Smith booth. The duo trade solos at break-neck speeds, each more intense than the last. Hold on tight.

Periphery Releases “Clear”
New Albums

Periphery Releases “Clear”

Periphery’s album is all about experimentation, with each of the metal band’s members controlling an individual track on the record, and an overture linking them all. “Extraneous” is the track handled by bassist Adam “Nolly” Getgood, and it’s one that impressed The Musical Melting Pot, prompting this description: “the bass lines in Extraneous sound like the Hulk twisting steel pipes...

Source Audio Introduces the Soundblox 2 Manta Bass Filter
Pedals & Effects

Source Audio Introduces the Soundblox 2 Manta Bass Filter

Source Audio debuted the latest in their line of bass envelop filters at the NAMM show this year with the announcement of the Soundblox 2 Manta Bass Filter. The Manta is the next generation, following the company’s Soundblox Pro Bass Envelope Filter. The Manta offers 12 filter effects, plus a new edition for the Soundblox line: distortion. In fact, there...

Learning Modes and Scales: A Study Guide for Bassists
Ask Damian Erskine

Learning Modes and Scales: A Study Guide for Bassists

Q: I hope that you’ll be able to explain this problem. I learned so far that major and minor scales have certain patterns (i.e. minor steps: W,H,W,W,H,W,W). Now, I’ve moved to modes and, for example, the Lydian mode. Does it have the same pattern for minor scale? I found some other patterns on the web, and now I’m confused. It’s...

Omer Cordell: Jennie
Bass Videos

Omer Cordell: Jennie

Omer Cordell sent us this video of a tune he calls “Jennie”. Omer composed and performs this bass-focused tune with multiple bass tracks, harmonics and a nice vibe throughout.

Iced Earth Releases “Plagues of Babylon”
New Albums

Iced Earth Releases “Plagues of Babylon”

Luke Appleton (former Fury UK bassist) is the latest in a long line of Iced Earth bassists, and after joining the power/thrash metal group back in 2012, he’s finally appearing with on a record with the group’s 11th studio album, . It’s the first album since the band’s acclaimed 2011 record, Dystopia, and bandleader Jon Schaffer says it’s one he’s...

Reader Spotlight: Mark Marxon
Reader Spotlight

Reader Spotlight: Mark Marxon

Meet Mark Marxon, a musician hailing from Australia who has a great outlook on life. He’s seen plenty of highs (and some of the lows), but keeps his head high while he makes his living playing music. Mark is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of January 27, 2014. Bio: A lucky start found me in the...