Buzz
Chris Squire Working on Autobiography
Yes founder and bassist Chris Squire is in the process of writing his autobiography, with the help of his actor friend Vincent Gallo, according to an interview with BANG Showbiz. They’ve been working on the book for about a year, Squire says. The pair meet and talk about Squire’s life, then Gallo transcribes the conversations. No deal yet exists for...
Alusonic Announces the Alberto Rigoni Hybrid Signature Bass
Alusonic Aluminum Instruments has teamed up with Italian bassist Alberto Rigoni to present the Alusonic Alberto Rigoni Hybrid signature bass. The bass is a take on the company’s hybrid blend of aluminum and wood construction and features an alder body topped with aluminum. “As many bass players, I’m affected by GAS but I’m also pretty eclectic – I’m always looking...
Arco Tone on the Bass: Three Main Components
There are a number of things than can adversely affect a bassist’s tone when they are using the bow. For example, failing to move the bow parallel to the bridge will cause impurities in the tone. Too much, or too little, rosin can cause problems. So can worn out bow hair or an improperly tightened bow. Beyond moving the bow...
Mike Gordon: Yarmouth Road
Mike Gordon’s fourth solo album, Overstep, was released last month to critical acclaim. The Phish bassist has been touring in support of the record, but he’s also just released this music video for the fourth track, “Yarmouth Road.”
Dead Kennedys 7-Inch Singles Re-Released
If you didn’t hold on to your Dead Kennedys singles and you want to relive the days when you laid down a 7-inch record on your turntable and dreamed of a punk rock revolution, was made for you. The vinyl set features seven singles released by the band (with Klaus Flouride on bass and Jello Biafra on vocals) between 1979...
Weekly Top 10: The Best in Bass for the Week of April 13th
Take two great bass lessons, add four bass gear stories, three bass videos and one bassist story… add them together, and you have the top 10 stories and videos on No Treble. Here’s the list for the week of April 13-19, 2014. Thanks for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Dan Lakin Launches D. Lakin Basses with Two New Models...
MBS Effectos Releases Evolution Volume Pedal
Argentinian effects company MBS Effectos has released the Evolution Volume Pedal. The active pedal utilizes a transparent buffer to allow for placement anywhere in your signal chain. It also has a buffered tuner output that’s not affected by any volume changes to allow for quick and easy tuning. The tuner output can be used to split the signal into dry...
John Mayer Trio with Pino Palladino: Chicken Grease/Cissy Strut Jam
I’ve said it before… by far, my favorite work by John Mayer is with his trio, thanks to Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan backing him up. Here’s the trio in 2005 performing a bonus jam at the end of a concert, including “Chicken Grease” and “Cissy Strut”. Each band member gets his own showcase, making this even better.
Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra Releases “L.A. Treasures Project”
A live performance from the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, led by double bassist John Clayton, his sax-playing brother Jeff and drummer Jeff Hamilton reveals the distinct pleasures of not only listening to the orchestra, but also two beloved L.A. vocalists. The pair — Ernie Andrews and Barbara Morrison — are the treasures referred to in the album’s title, The L.A. Treasures...
Carvin Introduces Vanquish Series Bass Guitars
Carvin has unveiled a new line of basses called the Vanquish Series, which the company calls a “radical departure from traditional bass guitars.” Available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions, the new model is built with a beveled body for comfort and a 5-bolt neck for increased body/neck contact. Standard features on the series include an alder body, a tung-oiled...
Willy González: 29 Mineros de San Albino
Willy González is one of my favorite bassists. His unique approach draws from traditional Latin American folk styles with strumming and fingerstyle techniques on his 6-string bass. Here’s Willy performing the song “29 Mineros de San Albino”:
Book Review: Damian Erskine’s “The Improvisor’s Path”
There comes a time for every bassist where they feel they’re in a rut or have hit a plateau in their playing and creativity. It happens to the best of us. Bassist and No Treble contributor Damian Erskine’s new book The Improvisor’s Path is a surefire way to get yourself back into high gear. While Erskine’s first instructional book, Right...