Archive for August 2015 - Page 3

The internet is a wonderful thing. Gregor Fris from BasstheWorld.com put together this epic bass jam with 29 bassists from all over the world for a stunning display of the instrument’s diversity. The bassists in order of appearance are Federico Malaman, Lars Lehmann, Trip Wamsley, Or Lubianiker, Hyunmo Kim (aka “hjfreaks”), Ralf Gauck, Zander Zon, Nathan Navarro, Miki Santamaria, Nik...

Austin’s The Sword has changed up its sound profile yet again on its fifth studio album, High Country, which marks a departure from 2012’s Apocryphon. As a review in Blabbermouth puts it, “this album freaking swings as much as it strains speakers.” The review also singles out Bryan Richie’s bass work, particularly on what it deems the “Thin Lizzy-esque” “Empty...

This week we’re checking out an awesome instrument built by Italian amateur bass builder Matteo Marziali, who started building basses after being inspired by the work of Carl Thompson. His latest creation, which he dubbed “The Bad” bass, brings has a dark theme that draws on the work of several of his favorite luthiers. “I started to design this bass...

When we speak of thumb position on the bass we are referring to a left hand (l.h.) fingering system where the thumb is used to depress the string. The thumb is on top of the board (rather than behind the neck) and it presses the string down like any other finger. However, often telling someone to “play that in thumb...

Christian McBride visited the KPLU studios back in March and recorded some tunes (including “Fried Pies”, which we previously shared). Here’s Christian and his Trio – with Christian Sands on piano and Ulysses Owens, Jr. on drums – performing “I Guess I’ll Have to Forget”. Masters at work.

Death metal band Rivers of Nihil has released its sophomore effort, Monarchy. The album came together after extensive touring following the Pennsylvania-based band’s debut album and the addition of several new members. It also marked a different recording method for the band, which, instead of heading directly into the studio to record, worked on songs at guitarist and primary songwriter...

Another week ends, but we have our reward: the top 10 most read stories/most watched videos on No Treble for the week of August 15-21, 2015. We like to call it, the best from the world of bass. Thanks for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Michel Falcão: Bach’s Sonata No. 1 in G Minor Transferring Johann Sebastian Bach’s music...

Kiesel Guitars, formerly Carvin Guitars, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their Icon series of basses with an upgraded version of the instruments. Available in four-, five-, and six-string models, the Icon 2.0 bass now features a deeper body cutaway for improved comfort, a three-piece headstock design, and an option for a chambered body. The Kiesel Icon comes with a...

Adam Ben Ezra is currently touring in the Czech Republic, and luckily, he’s captured and shared some of that for the rest of us to enjoy. Here’s what he calls “Solo – Live in The Park”. Impressive as always (and nice cameo from one of his younger fans).

Progressive rockers Spock’s Beard are back with the band’s twelfth studio album, The Oblivion Particle. “I think the opening track ‘Tides of Time’ is classic Spock’s in terms of arrangement and style, but everything else is fairly different,” said bassist Dave Meros. “That said, the whole album is still within the parameters of what people expect to hear from us.”...

Darkglass Electronics has expanded their pedal lineup with the Super Symmetry, a compressor they describe as state of the art with a classic feel. “It sounds modern in the way that it doesn’t color your tone while compressing, but the way it reacts to your playing is simply natural and seamless,” they write. Designed and built in Helsinki, Finland, the...

Years before he landed the gig with The Rolling Stones, Darryl Jones was blowing people’s minds in the jazz and fusion scenes with the likes of Miles Davis and Steps Ahead. Here’s a killer clip of Jones taking the audience on a ride with Steps Ahead, live in Japan on their 1986 concert. Jones builds the five-minute solo by starting...