Story of the Year Splits With Philip “Moon” Sneed
Story of the Year has parted ways with longtime member Philip “Moon Valjean” Sneed. Both the band and the bassist announced the news on social media. “Story of the Year is announcing the departure of guitarist/bassist Philip “Moon” Sneed today,” the band wrote on Twitter. “He will be dedicating more time to Greek Fire, Goldfinger, and The Rizzuto Show on...
Xlson Audio Announces the Chuck Israels Signature Microphone
Xlson Audio has teamed up with jazz bass legend Chuck Israels to release the Chuck Israels Signature Microphone. Developed by Peter Axelsson, the condenser microphone is designed specifically for the upright bass on the stage or in the studio. “Peter Axelsson has developed a mic that rejects enough extraneous sound that it is practical to use in live situations and...
Jay Leonhart Releases “Don’t You Wish” with Tomoko Ohno
Bassist/vocalist Jay Leonhart has teamed up with pianist Tomoko Ohno for a new album entitled Don’t You Wish. Leonhart, who bassists may know from his songs like “It’s Impossible to Sing and Play The Bass” and “Bass Aboard a Plane“, offers up his humorous tales of the musician’s life. “I am a jazz bassist with interests that roam far and...
Nordstrand Audio Unveils the NordyMute
Nordstrand Audio has expanded their bass offerings with the NordyMute, a bass mute featuring a foam body and wood cover. Available in four or five string versions, the device imparts a darker tone for an old school vibe. “The essence of the NordyMute’s effect is akin to upright-like inhibition of resonance, a kind of execution of sustain—its body subject to...
François Moutin and Kavita Shah Team Up for “Interplay”
The duo of a double bass and voice is one of the most powerful musical configurations. That’s clear on the new album, Interplay, by François Moutin and Kavita Shah. Sometimes intimate and sometimes exuberant, the 11-song collection ranges from jazz classics like “La Vie en Rose” to modern instrumental tunes like Dafnis Prieto’s “Blah Blah”. “There’s a nakedness to playing...
Ibanez Unveils the BTB845V Bass
Back in 2015, Ibanez introduced a five-string bass to their Bass Workshop Series they called the Volo. The bass featured a shorter 33-inch scale and was tuned E to C for a higher range. Now Ibanez has brought the model back as the BTB845V. The spirit of Volo lives on through the new bass has a few differences in materials....
Sons of Apollo Release “Alive/Tengo Vida” EP
Sons of Apollo are gearing up for their world tour with a special EP release of their single, “Alive.” The album contains six versions of the song including the original track, a radio edit, an acoustic rendition, plus each of those versions in Spanish, which retitles the track to “Tengo Vida.” “It was discussed we should do a Spanish language...
Dmitry Lisenko Releases “Percussive Acoustic Bass” Video Course
Dmitry Lisenko has been wowing No Treble readers for the past few years with his impressive acoustic bass guitar playing. Now he’s sharing his technique in a new video course called Percussive Fingerstyle on Acoustic Bass. The bassist’s unique style of playing incorporates lots of percussion on the body of the bass to fill out the song. “By understanding the...
ESP Introduces Flamed Maple LTD B-204 and LTD B-205 Basses
ESP updated their LTD line this year with upgraded versions of their most popular basses. The LTD B-204FM and LTD B-205FM take the flagship models and add a flamed maple top in translucent See Thru Red and See Thru Blue finishes. Other new features include an improved control layout and a new fingerboard wood: roasted jatoba. Each model is built...
Smashing Pumpkins Tour to Feature Jack Bates
After announcing that D’Arcy Wretzky would not be joining the upcoming “Shiny and Oh So Bright” reunion tour, the Smashing Pumpkins have announced the bass player for the outing. Original members Billy Corgan, Jeff Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin, as well as Jeff Schroeder, will be joined by bassist Jack Bates. Fans will know Bates as the son of Joy Division/New...
Johnny Cox Releases New Instructional Book, “Improve Your Groove”
Johnny Cox has released a new instructional book called Improve Your Groove: The Essential Guide to Mastering Time and Feel on Bass Guitar. The new book focuses on playing in the pocket with topics including cracking the code of rhythm and groove, building your internal clock, Konnakol vocal counting, and more. The book has five complete songs to practice with...
Bass of the Week: Veillette Guitars Acoustic Bass Guitar
This week we’re checking out builder Joe Veillette’s Acoustic bass guitar model. Available in a variety of woods, the Acoustic was designed to bring the same depth of tone from their acoustic guitars to the bass. “With a 17″ wide and 5.5″ deep body, the Acoustic Bass has the airspace to deliver a true fundamental with depth and authority. A...