BOSS Introduces TU-10 Clip-on Tuner
BOSS has entered into the realm of clip-on tuners with the announcement of the TU-10. Available in five colors, the compact tuner is designed so that the meter and the clip are all one piece in order to avoid structural weakness. The TU-10 supports flat tuning up to five semitones down for drop-tuning and a monochromatic mode to turn off...
Bass of the Week: Thin Gypsy Thief Studio’s RevolveR Steampunk Bass
This week we check out something a little different: The RevolveR Steampunk bass made by Kyle Miller, aka “Thin Gypsy Thief”. Miller, who works as a visual artist, luthier and propmaker in Vancouver, was commissioned to build the fully functional instrument for rapper T-Pain. “The bass was built for Grammy winning recording artist T-Pain as a co-branded piece to match...
Pop With a Twist: An Exclusive Interview with Henrik Linder of Dirty Loops
How do you make pop music cool again? One way is to have Dirty Loops cover it. Since posting their cover of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” on YouTube, the Swedish trio has caught the attention of fans across the world. Their latest cover of Justin Bieber’s “Baby” has gotten over 1.3 million views in about a month’s time. A key...
Paul McCartney and Wings: Band on the Run, Live in 1976
Here’s a nice throwback sent to us by our Facebook friend Patrick Tobin: Paul McCartney and company getting down on “Band on the Run” from their 1976 performance at the Seattle Kingdome. “Now lets not forget Macca on his [Rickenbacker], and a nice bit of bass playing,” Tobin reminded us. Good call!
Gruv Gear Announces Damian Erskine Duostrap Signature Bass Strap
Gruv Gear has introduced the Duostrap Signature, a genuine leather strap backed by bassist (and No Treble columnist) Damian Erskine. The new strap features a pair of over-the-shoulder straps for balanced weight distribution to reduce shoulder strain while keeping a comfortable playing position. By design, the right shoulder strap loops around the upper horn of your bass for support, though...
Joe Zinkan: Four Leaf Clover (Old School Slap Bass)
Thomas Bizzle shared this great video of Joe Zinkan playing some mean upright slap bass on the tune “Four Leaf Clover.” Though Zinkan became a regular band member on the Grand ‘Ol Opry, the clip comes from a 1965 episode of the “Bobby Lord Show”. Old school slap. We love it.
Mike Watt to Reunite With fIREHOSE; Releases Album with Spielgusher
2012 is shaping up to be a busy year for punk rock icon Mike Watt, with the and the announcement that fIREHOSE will be reuniting in April. The group, which was formed by Watt and fellow Minutemen member George Hurley after frontman D. Boon’s death, hasn’t played together since 1994. The band has revealed two weeks of dates, including a...
Esperanza Spalding: “Black Gold” Official Music Video
Grammy award winning bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding has released the official video for “Black Gold,” the first single off her upcoming album Radio Music Society. The song and video are a beautiful homage to African American heritage. “This song is singing to our African American heritage before slavery,” Spalding writes. “Over the decades, so much of the strength in the African...
Van Halen Releases “A Different Kind of Truth”
About 27 years ago, one of rock’s greatest bands lost its frontman, ending the group’s original lineup. Now David Lee Roth has rejoined the ranks of Van Halen to release A Different Kind of Truth, the first original studio album to feature his vocals since 1984. The 13-track collection is available in regular and deluxe editions. The deluxe edition includes...
Warwick Unveils Jack Bruce Survivor and Jimmy Earl Signature Basses
Warwick introduced a pair of Signature basses at NAMM this year for former Cream bassist Jack Bruce and jazz bassist Jimmy Earl. The new instruments are hand-crafted in Germany and each come with individually issued certificates of authenticity. Based on their previous CRB model, the new Jack Bruce Survivor bass features neck-through construction with a mahogany body and neck. The...
B.C. Rich Unveils Two New Basses for 2012
B.C. Rich rolled out a pair of new basses for NAMM 2012: the Widow 4 Bass and the Greg Weeks Signature Bass. The 2012 Widow 4 bass is a 4-string version of their existing WMD Widow. With a radical body shape and red pinstripes, the bass is designed to resemble the killer Black Widow spider. It features neck-through construction with...
Ashdown Introduces Classic Tube Magnifier All Tube Bass Amp
Ashdown CTM Custom Bass Amp Ashdown unveiled their new Classic Tube Magnifier all tube bass amp at the NAMM show last month. The company, who is celebrating their 15th anniversary, also rolled out custom shop options and were displaying the head in standard and custom covering. Housed in 18mm Marine grade birch ply cabinet, the CTM 300 features a power...