Buzz
Bass of the Week: Keybass 3.0
We love innovative basses, so when Jonathan Dauphinais announced the Keybass 3.0, we were pumped. The instrument is a bass guitar with a keyboard synthesizer mounted to its lower half so that each can be played simultaneously. Dauphinais first started experimenting in 2007. This is the third model of his concept, which was completely custom made. “I did major modifications...
Bass Remix: An Interview with David Pastorius
David Pastorius has been smashing expectations for as long as he’s been playing bass. The last time we talked with him, Pastorius told us about the impact of being the nephew of legendary electric bassist Jaco Pastorius, notably that his influences and style come from another place with an edgier rock sound. Now he is wowing everyone with a set...
Sean Martinez: Omnipotent Dream
Sean Martinez has just released the title track from his upcoming EP, Omnipotent Dream, and it’s killer as usual. The song features an array of tapping, slapping, and fingerstyle to change up the texture throughout. The bassist shares that the album will be available to purchase online after August 15th or you can get a hard copy from him during...
Steve Lawson and Jon Thorne Release “Diversion”
Two basses are better than one, but an even better treat is when an electric bassist teams up with a double bassist for a duo album. Luckily for us, Steve Lawson and Jon Thorne have done just that. Diversion is a album comprised of two long duo pieces that the bassists performed live at the London Bass Guitar Show back...
Nordstrand Pickups Introduces Bigman Bass Pickup
If you’re looking for a replacement Music Man-style pickup, Nordstrand Pickups has introduced a new model they describe as “not for the faint of heart.” The Bigman is actually two of the company’s Big Single pickups housed under a Music-Man-style cover. “Don’t bother using shorter magnets or less wire – just go for it!,” Nordstrand shares. “The result is a...
Articulations and Expression: A Bass Video Lesson
Q: I’m at a point where I’m trying to finally get into soloing, and playing bass as a vocal, expressive instrument. But I’m running into a wall. Any chance you’d be down to do a quick video on articulations? As in, the slick slides you use, the fantastic trills, expressions and so on. And blue notes! (I think they’re blue...
Adam Prado: Bass Improv Session
Adam Prado sent this video with us, which sounds like it almost didn’t happen. “I was just messing around with my new TC Electronics Ditto Looper and the camera just started to roll,” he shared. This is just plain funky, especially at the 50 second mark.
Corrosion of Conformity Releases Ninth Studio Album
Sludge metal outfit Corrosion of Conformity has released , their second album since their 2010 reunion of the band’s original 1982 lineup. The trio, which consists of guitarist Woody Weatherman, drummer Reed Mullin and bassist Mike Dean wanted to follow up 2012’s self-titled album sooner, but Dean says being forced to wait added to the album’s potential. “The making of...
Reader Spotlight: Merl Middletown
Meet Merl Middletown, a bassist whose motto is “from pocket to rocket.” Merl can be found rocking the bass in Florida and elsewhere, clearly loves the music, and doesn’t care about the crazy gear list either (and we mean that in a good way). Merl is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of June 30, 2014. Bio:...
Bass Lick Series: Getting Funky with an Envelope Filter
Using an envelope filter effect can make a funky bass line sound even funkier. This lick is in Em with a fill based on an Em pentatonic scale motif. It uses pretty much only the top two strings on the bass. Follow along with the video and this transcription. For the gear heads, I’m playing my Sandberg California MarloweDK Signature...
Shahab Tolouie and Jan Urbanec: EthnoBulerias
The last time we shared a video by guitarist Shahab Tolouie and bassist Jan Urbanec, it was a major hit. Jan has just shared a new one with us. The duo is really creating some unique music, which Jan describes as “flamenco fusion.” That’s as fitting a description as any for this performance of one of Shahab’s compositions, “EthnoBulerias.” Jan...
Crazy Horse Bassist Billy Talbot Suffers Stroke
Crazy Horse bassist and longtime Neil Young collaborator Billy Talbot has suffered a mild stroke, the band released in a statement. Thankfully, doctors say Talbot is expected to make a full recovery, but they also say he must take time off from the band’s upcoming summer tour. Rick Rosas, who played on many of Young’s albums as well as toured...