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Archive for April 2015 - Page 8

Bass of the Week: Ruokangas Steambass Deluxe
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Ruokangas Steambass Deluxe

This week we check out the Ruokangas Steambass Deluxe, a specialized version of the company’s flagship bass model. Hand-made in Finland, the bass is set apart by a 2-piece Spanish cedar body with a thermo treated arctic birch top. Its rock maple neck is also topped with a thermo treated Indian rosewood fingerboard. “From the guitar maker’s point of view,...

Beginning Jazz Soloing: A Melody First Approach
The Lowdown with Dr. D

Beginning Jazz Soloing: A Melody First Approach

Some methods of learning jazz improvisation start out from the beginning by asking us to memorize chords, scales, and to play patterns in every key. For those unaccustomed to improvising, or inexperienced in theory, starting out this way can be a daunting task. It can make the learning curve for improvisation seem insurmountable. Some people take naturally to it, of...

Christian Rauhoeft: Revaluation
Bass Videos

Christian Rauhoeft: Revaluation

When Christian Rauhoeft shared this video with us, his note really meant something to me. I’ll share what he wrote, to do it justice: Ever since I read Damian’s [column on] “staying motivated and avoiding unhealthy comparisons,” my self confidence as a bass player was able to make a considerable step into the right direction (up). It’s not just Damian’s...

Prong Covers Songs Important to the Band on Latest Album
New Albums

Prong Covers Songs Important to the Band on Latest Album

Post-hardcore/post-metal band Prong offers up its take on a variety songs that have influenced the band over the years on its latest album, Songs From the Black Hole. The band, featuring bassist Jason Christopher, covers songs like Black Flag’s “Bars,” Husker Du’s “Don’t Want to Know if You Are Lonely,” Bad Brains’ “Banned in DC” and Neil Young’s “Cortez the...

Rush To Celebrate Album Art in Upcoming Book
News

Rush To Celebrate Album Art in Upcoming Book

If you love the artwork on Rush albums almost as much as you love the music made by the Canadian trio, you’re in luck: you can pre-order The Art of Rush, a coffee table book detailing how artist Hugh Syme designed the group’s album art. In the early days, Syme carefully hand-crafted elements for album art. Today, he can use...

Weekly Top 10: Bass Tone Consistency, New Gear, Popular Bass Videos and More
Weekly Top 10

Weekly Top 10: Bass Tone Consistency, New Gear, Popular Bass Videos and More

Rest easy, the top 10 list from the world of bass is here… These 10 make up No Treble readers’ favorites for the week of March 28 – April 3, 2015. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing! 1. Eden Amplification Introduces MicroTour Mini Bass Amp After releasing their World Pro Tour Series, Eden has taken a different approach with the...

Emile Nelson: Believe
Bass Videos

Emile Nelson: Believe

Emile Nelson sent us this cool video he put together for the title track of his album, Believe. The tune is a catchy one, with a nice groove held down by Emile. The video is a nice reminder of the warm weather that may get here, eventually. (You can find the album on ).

Van Halen Live Album Documents Tokyo Show
New Albums

Van Halen Live Album Documents Tokyo Show

Believe it or not, Van Halen never released a live album with founding singer David Lee Roth. That is, until now. Van Halen’s Tokyo Dome in Concert features not only Diamond Dave, but also Wolfgang Van Halen (son of guitarist Eddie and nephew of drummer Alex) on bass. Wolfgang has been part of the band since 2006, when he replaced...

Spector Introduces Legend Neck-Thru Basses for 2015
Basses

Spector Introduces Legend Neck-Thru Basses for 2015

Spector has expanded their Legend series with a new neck-thru model. Available in four- and five-string versions, the Legend4 and Legend5 Neck-Thru basses feature the company’s NS body shape with maple wings and either a bubinga top with natural matte finish or a figured maple top with a faded blue gloss finish. The 3-piece maple neck is reinforced with graphite...

Simon Fitzpatrick: “Rosita” on Bass Guitar
Bass Videos

Simon Fitzpatrick: “Rosita” on Bass Guitar

Simon Fitzpatrick took Francisco Tárrega’s classical guitar piece “Rosita” and turned it into a classical 6-string bass piece. Stunning.

Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in March 2015
Gear Roundup

Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in March 2015

One thing is for sure… we all love gear. So we love to celebrate each month with a gear roundup of the 10 most popular gear stories, based on No Treble readers. Here’s your list for March, 2015. Gas on! 1. Eden Amplification MicroTour Mini Bass Amp After releasing their World Pro Tour Series, Eden has taken a different approach...

Bass Players to Know: David Hood
Bass Players To Know

Bass Players to Know: David Hood

It’s been roughly a year since we featured David Hood in the interview, I’ll Take You There, so it’s about time we highlighted him in this series. Taking an opportunity to revisit his music, I am yet again reminded of his musical sensibilities, refined approach, and an unmistakable feel. Known for his session work with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section,...