Buzz
Bootsy’s Rubber Band: Another Point of View, Live 1976
We’re going old school today with a clip of Bootsy Collins and his Rubber Band in concert from 1976. Taken from their concert at the Summit in Houston, Texas, the video has Bootsy and the gang getting down on “Another Point of View.” The performance came just two months after the release of the bassist’s debut solo album, Stretchin’ Out...
Reader Spotlight: Steve Carriere
Meet Steve Carriere, a man who started early in life in music, and made it his career – now spanning 25 years (teaching) and 37 years (playing bass). Steve is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of June 1st, 2015. Here’s his story. Bio: I started playing bass in jazz band and with the “pop” singer groups...
Dean Zelinsky Introduces the Mule Bass
Guitar and bass maker Dean Zelinsky has unveiled the Mule bass. Available in four- and five-string versions, the model is Zelinsky’s first to feature his patented Z-Glide Reduced Friction Neck. The back of the maple neck features a precisely engraved pattern that reduces surface area by putting a little air between your thumb and the neck. Another unique feature is...
Jansen, Barbieri, Karn & Wilson: Bestial Cluster
Mick Karn was the master of creating bass lines that were somehow simple, angular, and melodic all at the same time. Check out this clip of Karn with Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri, and Steve Wilson performing “Bestial Cluster” for 2 Meter Session on Dutch television. Karn gets a gnarly distortion to lay down a fat and simple bass line before...
Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in May 2015
Time for one of our favorite roundups – the top 10 most popular bass gear stories on No Treble. Here are the reader favorites for May, 2015. 1. MK Passive Jazz Electric Upright Bass Electric upright bass company MK has announced a new passive jazz model of their flagship bass. The Jazz-P features piezo transducer pickups and passive electronics, which...
Bass of the Week: Salzmann Virutero NT
This week we’re getting a taste of Argentina with the Virutero NT by luthier Leandro Salzmann. Made in Buenos Aires, Salzmann’s Virutero model shows the bass builder has a strong grasp of creating an organic instrument that features exotic species of woods. The Virutero NT is a neck-thru bass that features a five-piece maple and cancharana with a Guayacán fretboard....
Three Exercises for Releasing and Relaxing the Left Hand Thumb
Keeping the thumb of our left hand flexible is a key component in achieving an agile fingering hand. Ideally, any pressure exerted by the thumb against the neck should be minimal. Below are a few exercises that should help you keep your thumb relaxed and your left hand injury free. 1. Thumb independence Pick a note, pick a finger (perhaps...
Dominic “Forest” Lapointe: Teramobil’s “Temporaly Recompressed Pulse” Playthrough
Here’s another jaw-dropping playthrough by Dominic “Forest” Lapointe. The bassist burns it up on Teramobil’s “Temporaly Recompressed Pulse” with lightning fast riffs and creative two-handed tapping. The track comes from the band’s Multispectral Supercontinuum EP, but Lapointe tells us Teramobil is working on a full album.
The Bassist’s Guide to Injury Management Now Available as eBook
Dr. Randy Kertz has reissued his seminal work, The Bassist’s Guide to Injury Management, as a downloadable eBook. The book covers a wide range of common and uncommon physical issues that bass players may face. Dr. Kertz explains injuries and conditions that may occur as well as prevention and treatment options for each. A symptom guide helps players to pinpoint...
Weekly Top 10: Top Bass Videos, New Bass Gear, John Patitucci Returns to Electric, Reader Spotlight and Bass of the Week
Welcome to your weekly dose of the best in bass. Otherwise known as the No Treble top 10 reader favorite stories and videos of the week. Thanks as always for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Wayne Shorter & Esperanza Spalding Duet Tavis Smiley hosted Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding on his PBS show. Described as a “3 camera 1...
CG Lutherie Unveils UbiQ Bass Guitar
French company CG Lutherie has introduced the UbiQ, a new model that blurs the lines between bass and guitar. The six-string singlecut bass features a multi-scale design and is tuned EADGBE. The bass’s scale ranges from 30.9 inches to 32 inches while its maple fingerboard has a compound radius from 20 inches to 23 inches. It’s headless design revolves around...
Christian McBride: Used ’Ta Could
We’re celebrating Christian McBride’s birthday today with another amazing performance. This one was recorded in 2012, live at KPLU with pianist Peter Martin. Doesn’t get any sweeter than this. Happy birthday, Christian! (After this one, be sure to check out a more recent clip from KPLU, where Christian’s trio performed “Fried Pies“.)