Weekly Top 10: Auction Shockers, Steve Bailey to Step Down, and More

Gear collectors were drooling this week at the conclusion of the Jim Irsay Collection auction from Christie’s. The event saw Jerry Garcia’s Tiger guitar sell for $11.5 million, and Derek Trucks played it on stage just hours later with Brandon Boone and the Tedeschi Trucks Band. The auction also moved iconic basses previously owned by Dusty Hill, Paul McCartney, and John McVie for six figures each.

Our bass of the week was the Markbass GV 5 GOG, designed with “Godfather of Gospel” Andrew Gouché. The five-string in a Blue Sky finish caught our eye, and Marco Panascia’s quick video sample sealed the deal.

Steve Bailey will be stepping down from his role as chair of the bass department at Berklee College of Music, a position he’s held since 2012. He shared the news on Leland Sklar’s YouTube channel, explaining his thought process for his next chapter.

Other top stories include microtonal duo Angine de Poitrine’s new U.S. tour dates, grooves from Fred Sablan and Will Lee, a Bass Gym lesson in A minor, and Lorenzo Feliciati’s new Bass Geography instructional book. Read on to get caught up on the most-read stories on No Treble.

1. Derek Trucks Plays Jerry Garcia’s $11M Tiger Guitar on “Statesboro Blues” at the Beacon

Derek Trucks plays Jerry Garcia’s legendary Tiger guitar with Tedeschi Trucks Band at the Beacon Theatre just days after the instrument sold at auction for $11.5 million.

2. Dusty Hill, John McVie, and Paul McCartney Basses Fetch Six Figures at Christie’s

Historic basses from the Jim Irsay Collection sold at Christie’s, including instruments owned by Dusty Hill, John McVie, and Paul McCartney.

3. Bass of the Week: Markbass GV 5 GOG Delivers Andrew Gouché Style in a Classic 5-String

The Markbass GV 5 GOG is a 5-string bass designed with gospel legend Andrew Gouché, featuring noiseless JJ pickups, vintage-style block inlays, and punchy passive tone.

4. Steve Bailey Is Stepping Down as Chair of Berklee’s Bass Department

Steve Bailey will step down as chair of Berklee’s Bass Department on August 31, 2026, closing a major chapter in his career as a bassist, educator, and mentor.

5. Angine de Poitrine Brings Microtonal Mayhem to the U.S. This Fall

Angine de Poitrine has expanded its 2026 tour with first-time U.S. dates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia ahead of "Vol. II."

6. How Bassist Fred Sablan Shapes Deftones’ Massive Three-Song Stretch at Lollapalooza Chile

From atmosphere to heavy groove, Fred Sablan drives Deftones through “Sextape,” “Swerve City,” and “Rosemary” at Lollapalooza Chile 2026.

7. Will Lee: “Project Hail Mary” Is Three Monsters Locking In and Letting It Rip

Will Lee brings deep pocket and melodic fire to “Project Hail Mary,” weaving through shifting time with Gavin Harrison in a groove that never lets up.

8. Bass Gym: A Minor Riff Workout With Harmonic Minor, Blues Notes, and Speed

Marek Bero’s latest Bass Gym lesson explores fast monochromatic riffing in A minor, blending harmonic minor, Aeolian, chromatic tones, and diminished ideas into a high-energy workout.

9. Lorenzo Feliciati’s New Book “Bass Geography” Maps Triads and Quadriads Across the Neck

Bassist and educator Lorenzo Feliciati has released "Bass Geography: Geography of the Triads and Quadriads", a new instructional book designed to help players master the entire fretboard.

10. Trace Elliot’s New Dual Band Compressor Pedal Brings TE-1200 Compression to Your Board

Trace Elliot has introduced the Dual Band Compressor Pedal, a new bass effects unit that brings the compression circuit from the TE-1200 amp to pedalboards for studio and stage use.