Dwarfcraft Introduces The PitchGrinder
Dwarfcraft has unveiled the PitchGrinder, a new sequenced pitch shifter that will interest fans of exotic effects. The PitchGrinder, which is their first digital pedal, “smashes” your signal down to 8 bits before shifting it anywhere from an octave down to two octaves up. The onboard sequencer has 8 steps with corresponding knobs to control the amount of pitch shifting...
Nathan Navarro Releases Debut Album, “They Came From the Sky”
Nathan Navarro has released his debut album, featuring 11 original tracks showcasing the bassist’s unique style. They Came from the Sky ranges from raging dubstep to ambient grooves to bouncy solo bass, with guest appearances by vocalist Dylan Patrello and guitarist Annie Shred. “During the writing process of They Came From the Sky I was inspired by considering the human...
Clutch Working on New Album, Announce Tour Dates
Hard rock outfit Clutch is readying their next release entitled Earth Rocker, which is being produced by Machine and will drop in March 2013. Fans can check out the album’s progress via a website dedicated to updates. Bassist Dan Maines checked in with a short video interview talking about the band’s approach. “The approach was… not to overthink the songs...
Rob Smith: Solo Bass Arrangement of The Beatles’ “In My Life”
“In My Life” is one of the most touching Beatles songs, and Rob Smith brings that passion and soul to his solo bass arrangement. Rob really nails the bridge with some awesome two-handed tapping.
La Bella Strings Launches First Bass Guitar: The Olinto
With nearly 100 years in the string manufacturing business, La Bella Strings is getting into producing instruments starting with the Olinto Bass Guitar. Taking its name from one of the company’s founding brothers, the Olinto is handcrafted in New York City’s Lower East Side by renowned luthier Mas Hino. The vintage style bass is built with hand-carved Alder that is...
La Vague: Straight Contrariwise – Resophonic Bass & Vocals
Here at No Treble HQ, we like things that are a little out of the ordinary. Check out this video of La Vague performing their song “Straight Contrariwise”. The duo is made up of Francesca Pirami on vocals and Alessandro Corsi on resophonic bass, stomp box guitar and back up vocals. Corsi’s unique style incorporates finger-style plucking and flamenco-style strumming...
Ibanez Introduces IJXB150B Jumpstart Electric Bass Package
Ibanez has everything covered for a beginner in their new IJXB150B Jumpstart Bass Package. The package centers around a GSR190 bass, but also includes a bass amp, a gig bag, a tuner, a stand, a cable, an accessories pouch, and a card good for online lessons. The bass, which comes in five colors, sports a P/J pickup configuration and chrome...
Protection Racket Introduces iPad/Tablet Case
For bassists who rely on their iPad or tablet computer, Protection Racket has released a new iPad/Tablet case designed to protect your gear. The slim case is built from the company’s Racketex, a high abrasion polyester that resists fading, cracking, shrinking, and is waterproof. Besides a dedicated pocket for your iPad or tablet, the case has two larger front pockets,...
Bootleg Guitars Introduces Dawg Pounder Bass
Jon Hill of Bootleg Guitars decided to get back to basics with his new Dawg Pounder model. “I’ve been preaching simplicity lately: 1 humbucker 1 knob,” the luthier explained. “I feel guitars kinda went through a ‘Big Hair’ phase and I’m back in the garage with the garage bands!” Delivered in a sleek, black satin finish, the Pounder lives up...
Bass of the Week: Convolution Bass
When longtime friends Edwin Paanakker and Frans Haarmeijer decided to join forces to build basses, they knew they wanted to make something different. Enter the Convolution Bass: a lightweight, handmade bass that shares mechanical properties of an upright bass. Built with a red cedar body topped by Zebrano wood, the fretless bass has a gorgeous ebony bridge with piezos in...
New School: Quintin Berry
Quintin Berry is a bassist who sticks out. Instead of holding his bass like most players, Berry created what he calls the “cradle style,” in which his right arm supports the body of the bass while the neck angles down towards the ground. It developed out of applying things he learned from violin lessons, and though it started from messing...
Willy González Nuevo Trío: Zamba del pañuelo
I’ve been on a traditional folk music kick, so this video of 6-string bassist Willy González and his Nuevo Trio struck a chord with me. Here the group plays their version of Argentinian folk composer Gustavo “Cuchi” Leguizamón’s “Zamba del pañuelo”. The interplay between the musicians is superb and is matched in elegance by a pair of dancers for a...