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Archive for 2015 - Page 105

Groove – Episode #1: Robert Trujillo
Groove Podcast

Groove – Episode #1: Robert Trujillo

Robert Trujillo is known to millions of people – all over the world – as Metallica’s bass player. Fans of Metallica know Trujillo as the guy who replaced Jason Newsted in 2003. Both Trujillo and Newsted had tough boots to fill after original Metallica bassist, Cliff Burton, was killed in a tour bus accident in 1986. Prior to Metallica, Trujillo...

Jethro Tull: “Nothing is Easy”, Live 1970
Bass Videos

Jethro Tull: “Nothing is Easy”, Live 1970

When I was writing the In Memoriam story covering the bassists we lost in 2014, I spent some time revisiting each of their works, including original Jethro Tull bassist Glenn Cornick. Here’s Cornick with Tull at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970. Their whole set was fantastic, but the band really brought it in their finale with “Nothing is...

Anthrax Bassist Admits Playing Improved Courtesy of a Stint with Helmet
News

Anthrax Bassist Admits Playing Improved Courtesy of a Stint with Helmet

You can still learn something new or grow as a bassist, even if you’ve developed a certain style over the course of a couple of decades with one band. At least that’s the lesson one can take from a recent admission by Anthrax bassist Frank Bello. Back in 2004, Bello left Anthrax after 20 years to play in another metal...

Bass Players: On Staying Motivated and Avoiding Unhealthy Comparisons
Ask Damian Erskine

Bass Players: On Staying Motivated and Avoiding Unhealthy Comparisons

Q: How do I come to terms to the fact that I will never be a Damian Erskine-caliber player? How do I keep myself motivated to learn when I am always comparing my sucky playing to much better players? Why would anyone – especially another bass player – want to listen to me play? A: To a certain extent, in...

Bob Marley with Aston “Family Man” Barrett: Alternate “Real Situation” Take
Bass Videos

Bob Marley with Aston “Family Man” Barrett: Alternate “Real Situation” Take

Bob Marley was one of the largest musical successes of the 20th century, but that legacy would not have been the same without bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett. Barrett, who was and still is the Wailers’ bandleader, is credited with writing much of the musical content and arrangements from that iconic music. The Wailers recently posted an alternate take of...

In Memoriam: Henry Strzelecki
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Henry Strzelecki

Sad news to report today: prolific Nashville session bassist Henry Strzelecki passed away on December 30th after being struck by a car. He was 75 years old. Henry Strzelecki was born in Birmingham, Alabama and relocated the Nashville when he was still young. He began his recording career in country music with songwriter Baker Knight on the Decca Label while...

Reader Spotlight: Thomas Melville
Reader Spotlight

Reader Spotlight: Thomas Melville

Many bassists we cover here didn’t start out on bass. But for Thomas Melville, the path was about as unique as it gets. There’s no doubt that he found his calling. Just check out this quote from his story: There’s no greater feeling than locking in with the drummer and playing a tasty bass line that compliments the melody. Thomas...

Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in December 2014
Gear Roundup

Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in December 2014

By December, our excitement is at full throttle as we think ahead to the Winter NAMM Show in January. Thankfully, we had plenty of gear news to cover in December. Among all of that coverage, these stories were tops with No Treble readers. 1. Fender Dee Dee Ramone Precision Bass Guitar Punk bass icon Dee Dee Ramone had his legacy...

Studio Jams: Boogie On Reggae Woman
Bass Videos

Studio Jams: Boogie On Reggae Woman

Here is another terrific video from one of my favorite shows, Studio Jams. In this episode, guitarist Oz Noy suggests Stevie Wonder’s “Boogie On Reggae Woman” as the tune this group of musicians plays for their very first collaboration. The group nails this one, with Victor Bailey on bass and Anton Fig on drums. If you want to skip ahead...

Xotic Effects Introduces Xotic Voltage Doubler
Accessories & Strings

Xotic Effects Introduces Xotic Voltage Doubler

Xotic Effects has unveiled the Xotic Voltage Doubler, a power adapter that steps up voltage output to either 15 or 18 volts from a standard 9-volt power source. The compact device has a simple input and output with a switch to toggle between 15 or 18-volt output. The device, which is designed only for Xotic pedals, helps to run pedals...

Bergantino Introduces New NV610T Bass Cabinet
Amps

Bergantino Introduces New NV610T Bass Cabinet

Bergantino Audio Systems has announced the NV610T “New Vintage” bass cabinet, which the company describes as a “sealed cabinet with a nod toward a vintage sound.” The model is an extension of the NV610 that adds a tweeter in addition to its six 10-inch speakers for a power rating of 750 watts RMS. Its sealed design delivers a tighter and...

Bass of the Week: Willcox Guitars Saber SL
Bass of the Week

Bass of the Week: Willcox Guitars Saber SL

This week we check out the Willcox Saber SL, a bass that is set apart by its innovative Lightwave pickups. Originally built under the LightWave moniker, designer Chris Willcox created a separate guitar company to put out his instruments. Willcox invented the LightWave optical pickup and incorporates it into the Saber SL. “The LightWave Optical Pickup System uses our patented...