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Archive for February 2017 - Page 7

The Levin Brothers Announce Spring Tour Dates
Concerts & Tours

The Levin Brothers Announce Spring Tour Dates

Bass legend Tony Levin has announced a spring tour with his brother Pete. The Levin Brothers will begin with a Rosendale, New York gig on March 4th before heading south to Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and El Salvador. They’ll then return to the U.S. for a handful of dates in the Northeast. The duo will be joined by saxophonist Erik...

Weekly Top 10: Remembering John Wetton, Nathan East Podcast, More Bass News from NAMM, Top Videos and More
Weekly Top 10

Weekly Top 10: Remembering John Wetton, Nathan East Podcast, More Bass News from NAMM, Top Videos and More

Sadly, we lost another legend this week, and our tribute to John Wetton was the most read, most shared story over the past seven days. Rounding out the list of most read/most watched features include our Groove interview with Nathan East, more news from NAMM, a timely column from Damian Erskine, some terrific videos, and more. Thanks as always for...

Spector Celebrates 40 Years with Euro4LE 1977 Limited Edition Bass
Basses

Spector Celebrates 40 Years with Euro4LE 1977 Limited Edition Bass

Spector is celebrating 40 years of bass building with the Euro4LE 1977 Limited Edition bass. Based on the company’s original bass from 1977, it’s built with neck-through construction with a fully carved body with solid American walnut body wings and a 3-piece maple neck. Spector went so far as to measure the dot inlays that adorn the 24-fret rosewood fingerboard...

Vulfpeck with Bernard Purdie: Something
Bass Videos

Vulfpeck with Bernard Purdie: Something

A couple of years ago, I ran into Bernard Purdie at NAMM and texted a picture to Vulfpeck’s Jack Stratton. He told me he wanted to do a session with him, perhaps “It Gets Funkier IV.” Last September, they made it happen. The drum legend joined the band for four shows in NYC. Here they are performing the Beatles’ “Something,”...

Digitech Announces FreqOut Feedback Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Digitech Announces FreqOut Feedback Pedal

Digitech has unveiled the FreqOut, a pedal for bass and guitar that creates controlled feedback. The stompbox uses pitch-detection technology to identify the harmonic content of notes and chords then makes those frequencies feedback in a musical way with several settings. “Roaring feedback from an amp can add intensity and musicality to a live performance when used correctly,” Digitech’s Tom...

Wing Instruments Introduces Two New Models
Basses

Wing Instruments Introduces Two New Models

Wing Instruments expanded their product lineup at the NAMM show this year with the Wing Bass NT and Wing Bass 30. The company describes the new models as representing an evolution in their philosophy that “life is short scale.” Similar to the original Wing Bass, the NT measures up at just 21 inches and plays like the top range of...

The Funky Knuckles: New Birth
Bass Videos

The Funky Knuckles: New Birth

The Funky Knuckles just dropped a new video, featuring the title track from their album, . Once again, bassist Wes Stephenson and the band blew us away.

David Crosby Recruits Mai Agan for 2017 Tour
Concerts & Tours

David Crosby Recruits Mai Agan for 2017 Tour

David Crosby has announced a North American tour for April and May. The trek will see the legendary rock icon performing songs from his album, Croz, as well as a track from his upcoming album, Sky Trails. Of course, he’ll also perform some of his greatest hits. Crosby enlisted bassist Mai Agan for the outing. Born in Estonia and based...

Darkglass Electronics Introduces the Alpha Omega Distortion Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Darkglass Electronics Introduces the Alpha Omega Distortion Pedal

Darkglass Electronics wowed NAMM attendees this year with a brand new pedal called the Alpha Omega. Co-designed with Karnivool’s Jon Stockman, the stompbox is a departure from their previous circuits and preamplifiers. “[The Alpha Omega] is fully operational amplifier based and has two distinct distortion circuits (Alpha and Omega) which can be selected or blended using our Mod knob,” Darkglass...

Jefferson Airplane: Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil, 1967
Bass Videos

Jefferson Airplane: Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil, 1967

We’re kicking it old school today with a clip of Jefferson Airplane from a performance in 1967. Our friend Will Marks sent the clip in, noting the tasteful bass work of Jack Casady. “Interesting to see how he developed and presented his sections when the bass was featured — typically found them to be rooted in simple figures aggressively stated...

“Learn to Play the UBass” eBook Now Available
Sheet Music & Instruction

“Learn to Play the UBass” eBook Now Available

If you’ve been reading No Treble for a while, you’ve probably seen Magnus Sjöquist grooving hard on the Kala UBass. Now Sjöquist is sharing his bass playing knowledge in a new eBook entitled Learn to Play the UBass. Available for iOS, the book is highly interactive with picture galleries, multi-angle videos, and lesson quizzes. The text has clickable highlighted words...

Ashdown Reveals Origin Bass Head and Tube Preamp/DI
Amps

Ashdown Reveals Origin Bass Head and Tube Preamp/DI

Ashdown debuted the Origin series at NAMM this year, including a 300-watt bass amplifier and a tube preamp and DI pedal. Both units are designed to be “lightweight, portable and stripped back” for a strong yet streamlined bass signal. The Origin amp starts with an active/passive input switch and effects loop. It has a five-band EQ section with Bass, Lo-Mid,...