Weekly Top 10: Elwood Francis, Rex Brown, Esperanza Spalding and More

Welcome back to No Treble’s roundup of the week’s most-read bass stories.

After the passing of drummer Frank Beard, ZZ Top bassist Elwood Francis reflected on his loss as well as the late Dusty Hill. He shared a message and a picture on Instagram of himself with Beard taken just after they reconvened following Covid. “Thanks for everyone that’s reached out, I appreciate it very much and will answer each text and dm. I went dark but I’m pulling out of it,” he said.

Next, Jody and Marc got to sit down with Pantera bassist Rex Brown on a new episode of The Bass Nerds. The trio talked all things bass, from his live rig to his groove to his pick attack. They also dove into Brown’s new signature Spector Euro 4.

A new clip of Esperanza Spalding performing “I Know You Know” at the Chan Centre last year has surfaced, and it’s a must-watch. Armed with her South Paw fretless five-string, she reimagined the song with her band with a fresh bass line and a free-flowing groove. “The syncopated bass line, fills, phrasing, and vocals all seem to operate independently and somehow she makes the whole thing look effortless,” Jody explained.

Scroll on for more highlights including a Bass of the Week like you’ve never seen, a lesson on chord inversions, and – of course – world-class bass playing.

1. ZZ Top’s Elwood Francis Reflects on Losing Frank Beard and Dusty Hill

ZZ Top’s Elwood Francis remembers Frank Beard and Dusty Hill in an emotional tribute as the legendary Texas band prepares to return to the road.

2. Rex Brown on His New Signature Spector, the Pantera Bass Sound, and Why “The Magic Is in the Mids”

Rex Brown sits down with The Bass Nerds and talks Spector, rebuilding his Far Beyond Driven bass tone, playing with a pick, and keeping Pantera’s groove locked on massive stadium stages.

3. Esperanza Spalding’s Fretless Bass Work on “I Know You Know” Is Ridiculous

Esperanza Spalding makes the demanding bass and vocal parts of “I Know You Know” look effortless in newly released footage from Vancouver at the Chan Centre.

4. 3KJ Studio’s Malevich Bass Blurs the Line Between Instrument and Sculpture

Inspired by avant-garde art, the 3KJ Studio Malevich pairs a striking geometric form with an alder body, custom pickups, and headless hardware.

5. Janek Gwizdala Goes Deep in Oz Noy Trio’s 50-Minute Live Set

Janek Gwizdala joins Oz Noy and Clarence Penn for a 50 minute live set in Vienna featuring Monk, Coltrane, deep grooves, and serious trio chemistry onstage.

6. Before Super Fly: Joseph “Lucky” Scott Lays It Down With Curtis Mayfield in 1972

Before Super Fly, Joseph “Lucky” Scott was already laying it down with Curtis Mayfield. Watch his melodic Fender Jazz Bass work in this 1972 Bremen clip.

7. Mike Dirnt Is Opening His Reverb Shop and We Got to Check Out the Gear

Mike Dirnt is opening the vault. The Green Day bassist has teamed up with Reverb to sell more than three decades’ worth of basses, amps, stage gear, and clothing from throughout his career. The Official Mike Dirnt of Green Day Reverb Shop is set to launch September 9. Before the shop goes live, The Bass Nerds teamed up with Reverb...

8. Chord Inversions for Bass Players: How to Read Them and Use Them

Learn how chord inversions work on bass, what slash chords like D/F# and G/B mean, and how to use them to create smoother, more musical bass lines.

9. Sleep Token Bassist III Gets a Multiscale Charvel Signature Bass

Sleep Token bassist III has teamed with Charvel for a signature five-string San Dimas bass featuring a multiscale neck and Fishman Fluence pickups.

10. High Fade’s Ollie Sentance Unleashes a Relentless Bass Workout on “The Fly”

High Fade goes full throttle on “The Fly,” a frantic instrumental powered by Ollie Sentance’s rapid bass lines, sharp articulation, and stamina at RAK Studios.