Wing Instruments Introduces Two New Models
Wing Instruments expanded their product lineup at the NAMM show this year with the Wing Bass NT and Wing Bass 30. The company describes the new models as representing an evolution in their philosophy that “life is short scale.” Similar to the original Wing Bass, the NT measures up at just 21 inches and plays like the top range of...
David Crosby Recruits Mai Agan for 2017 Tour
David Crosby has announced a North American tour for April and May. The trek will see the legendary rock icon performing songs from his album, Croz, as well as a track from his upcoming album, Sky Trails. Of course, he’ll also perform some of his greatest hits. Crosby enlisted bassist Mai Agan for the outing. Born in Estonia and based...
Darkglass Electronics Introduces the Alpha Omega Distortion Pedal
Darkglass Electronics wowed NAMM attendees this year with a brand new pedal called the Alpha Omega. Co-designed with Karnivool’s Jon Stockman, the stompbox is a departure from their previous circuits and preamplifiers. “[The Alpha Omega] is fully operational amplifier based and has two distinct distortion circuits (Alpha and Omega) which can be selected or blended using our Mod knob,” Darkglass...
Jefferson Airplane: Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil, 1967
We’re kicking it old school today with a clip of Jefferson Airplane from a performance in 1967. Our friend Will Marks sent the clip in, noting the tasteful bass work of Jack Casady. “Interesting to see how he developed and presented his sections when the bass was featured — typically found them to be rooted in simple figures aggressively stated...
“Learn to Play the UBass” eBook Now Available
If you’ve been reading No Treble for a while, you’ve probably seen Magnus Sjöquist grooving hard on the Kala UBass. Now Sjöquist is sharing his bass playing knowledge in a new eBook entitled Learn to Play the UBass. Available for iOS, the book is highly interactive with picture galleries, multi-angle videos, and lesson quizzes. The text has clickable highlighted words...
Ashdown Reveals Origin Bass Head and Tube Preamp/DI
Ashdown debuted the Origin series at NAMM this year, including a 300-watt bass amplifier and a tube preamp and DI pedal. Both units are designed to be “lightweight, portable and stripped back” for a strong yet streamlined bass signal. The Origin amp starts with an active/passive input switch and effects loop. It has a five-band EQ section with Bass, Lo-Mid,...
Pino Palladino Joins John Mayer for North American Tour
John Mayer is gearing up for his new album, The Search for Everything, with a North American tour to take place from March 31st to April 22nd. The trek will showcase the songwriter in three settings starting with a full band, then moving to a solo acoustic set, and finishing with his trio. Mayer’s trio is rounded out by drummer...
Jean-Baptiste Salles: Radiohead’s “Exit Music” for Double Bass
I’m a sucker for a good Radiohead song, and even more so when there’s a great bass cover of it. Jean-Baptiste Salles brings a beautiful depth to the melancholy melody of “Exit Music” from the band’s iconic OK Computer album. “I accompanied myself with a Bass VI,” Salles says, adding that he included the piano in the video as a...
Train Releases “A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat”
Train has returned with their eighth studio album entitled A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat. The album includes the bass work of Hector Maldonado, who has anchored the band since 2009. A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat is available on , and as a digital download ( and ). Check out the band’s first single from the album, “Play That...
In Memoriam: John Wetton
Sad news to report today: prog rock legend John Wetton has died after a battle with colon cancer. He was 67 years old. Wetton was born in Willington, Derbyshire but grew up in Bournemouth, where he started his career on bass and vocals with bands like the Palmer-James Group, The Corvettes, Tetrad, Ginger Man, and Mogul Thrash. His big break...
Radiohead Announce 2017 Tour Dates
Radiohead has announced an extensive tour of the U.S. and Europe for 2017. Kicking off in Miami, Florida on March 30th, the trek will take them through the South and over to the West Coast to wrap up at Coachella. After a month off, the band will hit Europe for June and July. Anchored by bassist Colin Greenwood, the band...
Bass of the Week: Lawalin Guitars Chamele Bass
This week we’re checking out a bass that went viral on Facebook. If you didn’t see this video of the Lawalin Chamele yet, watch it, and you’ll understand why it was so popular: Besides the incredible light show, the Chamele is not your typical bass. It features a hollow fiberglass body that’s fitted with programmable LEDs as well as a...