Weekly Top 10: Leland Sklar Podcast, New Bass Gear, Groovy Bass Videos and Bass of the Week
This week’s top 10 starts off with something important – our podcast conversation with the one and only Leland Sklar. If this guy isn’t exhibit A for what a bass player (and human) should be, I don’t know who is.
The rest of the top 10 list is pretty stellar too… and that’s what makes it a top 10.
Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing.
1. Groove – Episode #3: Leland Sklar
In this third episode of Groove – The No Treble Podcast, we talk to Leland Sklar about how the bass has evolved, the role of the instrument in the songs he’s played on and how bassists can better contribute to a band. Enjoy the conversation…
2. Ibanez Introduces BTB33 Volo Bass
Ibanez has introduced the BTB Volo to their conceptual Bass Workshop Series. The Volo is a fresh take on the company’s BTB model that is aimed at players looking to explore the higher registers. The five-string bass features a shorter 33-inch scale and comes factory tuned from E to C…
3. Snarky Puppy: What About Me? (Live)
Time for some Snarky Puppy – including the great bass work (and composition) by Michael League. This is the band performing “What About Me?”, which appears on their live DVD, We Like It Here. These guys are ridiculously good. Wow…
4. Viktor L?rincz: Solo Bass Rock and Roll
Viktor L?rincz is one of those bassists who don’t seem to need anyone to help him put together some super enjoyable music. He just shared one of his new videos with us where he plays a fun old school rock tune. Enjoy (and dig that ring!)…
5. Harry Connick, Jr. and Ben Wolfe: Fly Me to the Moon
Here’s a great clip of bassist Ben Wolfe swinging hard with Harry Connick, Jr. on the jazz standard “Fly Me to the Moon” from a 1989 appearance on Night Music. Connick and Wolfe keep things light by drawing out the melody and playing off of each other…
6. Bass of the Week: Healy Guitars Healer Bass
This week we check out the Healy Guitars Healer Bass. Based in Easthampton, Massachusetts, the company is headed by luthier Trevor Healy, who spent years honing his craft under the legendary Roger Sadowsky, Joe Zon, and others. The Healer is a take on a classic bass and features a curvy, offset mahogany body…
7. Zon Introduces Billy Gould Signature BG4 Bass
Zon’s booth at NAMM this year was highlighted by the release of the Billy Gould Signature BG4 Bass. The instrument has several unique features, including a tulip wood boy, a black satin finish, and a Hipshot D-tuner, but its electronics push the envelope…
8. Exploring Practice with Non-Standard Bass Tunings
This week, Damian Erskine answers a reader’s question about non-standard tunings, and whether or not they can serve in a practice setting. Check out how Damian breaks this one down in this new “Ask” column…
9. G&L Guitars Introduces Detroit Muscle Series R/T Collection LB-100 Bass
Continuing on last year’s Detroit Muscle Series, G&L Guitars has unveiled the R/T Collection, including an LB-100 model. The new instruments pay homage to classic muscle cars with four historic Mopar colors: Sublime Green, Go Mango, Plum Crazy, and Panther Pink…
10. Jojo Mayer & Nerve, Featuring John Davis: Live in Europe
We don’t often feature full sets of music, but when John Davis sent us this video of Nerve performing live in Europe, I couldn’t stop watching. The band – which also features drummer Jojo Mayer, keyboardist Jacob Bergson, and effects specialist Aaron Nevezie – mixes the formats of programmed electronic music styles with live instruments…
