Weekly Top 10: Geddy Lee Reveals Memoir, Remembering Alan Lancaster, Two New Bass Lessons, New Bass Gear, and More
This week’s top 10 stories on No Treble include some exciting news from Geddy Lee, an incredible solo by Stanley Clarke, two new lessons, new bass gear, and more.
1. Geddy Lee Reveals New Memoir
When Rush called it a day in 2018, Geddy Lee took up collecting basses and eventually wrote “Geddy Lee’s Big, Beautiful Book of Bass”. With even more time on his hands during the pandemic, he took to writing a memoir.
2. In Memoriam: Alan Lancaster
Former Status Quo bassist and founding member Alan Lancaster has died of complications from multiple sclerosis, the band’s management confirmed. He was 72 years old.
3. Bass of the Week: Stoll Guitars The Legendary Acoustic Bass
This week we’re checking out The Legendary Acoustic Bass by Stoll Guitars, which they say offers the sound of a double bass in a bass guitar format. That big sound comes in part from a big body.
4. Stanley Clarke: Bass Solo (1972)
No Treble reader Zvonimir Bucevic sent us this video, and it is incredible. Check out this Stanley Clarke solo during a Return to Forever concert in 1972. Legend!
5. Spector Introduces Euro RST Bass Series
Spector has unveiled a new line of basses with the Euro RST series. The 4- and 5-string basses feature the company’s classic design with updated tonewoods, enhanced electronics, and exclusive stain options.
6. Keep It Groovy: Beginner Improvisation For Bass Players – Location Jumping
In today’s “Keep It Groovy” lesson, Ryan Madora focuses on an important element of improvisation: location jumping. The goal is to build a bass theme and identify other locations on the fretboard where we can easily play it.
7. Warwick Introduces Gnome Bass Cabinet Series
Warwick’s compact Gnome bass amplifier now has a matching set of cabinets. The new Gnome Cabinet series includes five models that are ultra-portable and can be used with the Gnome or any other manufacturer’s amp.
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers Announce World Tour
The Red Hot Chili Peppers will be touring for the first time since guitarist John Frusciante rejoined the band in late 2019. Bassist Flea and the group revealed the trek in a spoof news segment.
9. Carl Martin Introduces New Envelope Filter, “The Ottawa” Pedal
Carl Martin has announced a new optical envelope filter called the Ottawa, which they say mimics the sound of a wah pedal without needing to actually step on a wah.
10. Bass & Creativity: Melodic Development
Olivier Babaz is back with another “Bass & Creativity” lesson, and this time, he’s sharing a boot camp on melodic development with three concepts. Utilizing these tools, you’ll be able to come up with tons of ideas to explore.
