No Treble’s Top 10: Spalt’s Walden Pond Bass, Joe Dart, Nate Mendel & More

Welcome back to No Treble’s top ten posts of the week. The past seven days were all about new basses and stone-cold grooves.

Our Bass of the Week was at the top of the heeap. The Spalt Instruments B 2601 “Walden Pond” bass immediately catches your eye for its “wiping” adjustable pickup, but it also comes with two interchangeable necks: one fretted and one fretless. Add luthier Michael Spalt’s artistic touch as part of the Totem series, and you’ve got an instrument that looks as good as it plays.

Red Bird Instruments expanded their Gemini bass series literally with the Theta model, which is the first in the shortscale line to feature a full 34-inch scale. It continues the company’s use of reclaimed woods with a body made from the remnants of an 18th-century monastery.

Rama Custom Basses unveiled the Tut Bass, which pays homage to the first electric bass ever made. Paul Tutmarc’s Audiovox 736 was introduced in 1936 and continues to inspire luthiers today. “I fell in love with this history and decided to pay tribute to the very first bass ever,” said luthier Ramiro Gonzalez. The Tut Bass keeps the spirit of the original while adding modern standards.

Catch up with the rest of our most-read stories including a reminder of how great Nate Mendel is, Joe Dart’s latest groove, Green Day’s surprise concert from the Bass Magazine Awards, and our review of the new Washburn Scavenger 78 Bass.

1. One Bass, Two Necks: Spalt Instruments B 2601 “Walden Pond”

Michael Spalt’s B 2601 “Walden Pond” bass features a movable pickup plus interchangeable fretted and fretless necks that can be swapped in minutes.

2. Red Bird’s Gemini Theta Bass Is Built From 18th-Century Monastery Wood

Red Bird Instruments has unveiled the Gemini Theta, a 34-inch bass built with reclaimed 18th-century monastery spruce and Nordstrand pickups.

3. Rama Custom Basses Pays Tribute to the First Electric Bass with the Tut Bass

Rama Custom Basses has unveiled the Tut Bass, a 30.5-inch short-scale model paying tribute to Paul Tutmarc’s pioneering Audiovox 736.

4. Dingwall Expands the SP1 Bass With a Maple Fingerboard Option

Dingwall has expanded the SP1 bass lineup with a new maple fingerboard option, joining the existing rosewood version on four- and five-string models.

5. This Full Foo Fighters Concert Is a Great Reminder of How Good Nate Mendel Is

Nate Mendel holds down Foo Fighters’ massive NOS Alive 2026 set, rocking his signature Fender Precision Bass through more than two and a half hours live.

6. Watch Joe Dart Lay Down the Bass Line on Vulfmon’s “92°”

Vulfmon’s “92°” features Joe Dart laying down a deep P Bass groove with flats, framed by the grainy, vintage look of the latest Vulfmon sessions.

7. Watch Green Day’s Full Surprise Set Honoring Mike Dirnt at the 2026 Bass Magazine Awards

Green Day’s surprise Bass Magazine Awards set is now online, featuring Mike Dirnt, a rare “J.A.R.,” and an unforgettable night in a small room in full.

8. Hadrien Feraud Puts His Signature Mayones Bass to Work on “For Real Though”

Hadrien Feraud brings the groove on “For Real Though,” stretching out with fiery solos while playing his signature Mayones Jabba HF five string live.

9. All-Star Band Takes on Bad Company’s “Shooting Star” with Robert DeLeo on Bass

Bad Company’s “Shooting Star” gets an all star treatment from Lzzy Hale, Robert DeLeo, Phil X, Stevie Salas, Mike Mangan and Matt Sorum in Palm Springs.

10. Video Demo: Checking Out the New Washburn Scavenger 78 Bass

Washburn’s Scavenger 78 Bass returns with classic Wing Series styling and simple passive electronics. Jody puts it through a Trickfish combo in this demo.