Buzz
Robert Glasper Experiment: NPR Tiny Desk Concert
The NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert series always seems to draw something special out of artists. The setting forces musicians to make a statement with a reduced set and limited instrumentation. Essentially, it shows viewers what a group is really made of, and the Robert Glasper Experiment used to the opportunity to prove they’re the real thing. The core of...
Nashville Pussy Releases “Up The Dosage”
, Nashville Pussy’s first studio record since 2009’s From Hell to Texas, is being called the hard rockers’ band’s Back in Black by frontman Blaine Cartwright. Now, this record isn’t an album of mourning and rebirth following the death of a member like AC/DC’s classic album, but it is the first on-record appearance of bassist Bonnie Buitrago, who has been...
Bass of the Week: Franz Bassguitars Sirius
This week we take a look at the Franz Bassguitars Sirius, a stunning bass made in Bavaria by luthier Xaver Tremel. I found this bass through this excellent demo played by German bassist Ralf Gauck: The bass features a singlecut design that comes in either 4- or 5-string versions. Tremel starts the bass with a chambered walnut body with plenty...
Profiles in Tone: Jack Casady
Jack Casady has one of the most distinct tones in rock and roll, and it’s not by accident. The Hot Tuna/ex-Jefferson Airplane bassist has always been very detail oriented when it comes to getting his sound right. “I think tone is essential,” he shared with us in our 2012 interview with him. “I think tone is your signature as to...
Hadrien Feraud and Federico Malaman: Cherokee Jam at NAMM 2014
I’m still in recovery mode from NAMM this year, but I’ve been checking out all the great videos pouring in from the show. Here’s a crazy fast version of “Cherokee” by Hadrien Feraud and Federico Malaman at the Ken Smith booth. The duo trade solos at break-neck speeds, each more intense than the last. Hold on tight.
Periphery Releases “Clear”
Periphery’s album is all about experimentation, with each of the metal band’s members controlling an individual track on the record, and an overture linking them all. “Extraneous” is the track handled by bassist Adam “Nolly” Getgood, and it’s one that impressed The Musical Melting Pot, prompting this description: “the bass lines in Extraneous sound like the Hulk twisting steel pipes...
Source Audio Introduces the Soundblox 2 Manta Bass Filter
Source Audio debuted the latest in their line of bass envelop filters at the NAMM show this year with the announcement of the Soundblox 2 Manta Bass Filter. The Manta is the next generation, following the company’s Soundblox Pro Bass Envelope Filter. The Manta offers 12 filter effects, plus a new edition for the Soundblox line: distortion. In fact, there...
Learning Modes and Scales: A Study Guide for Bassists
Q: I hope that you’ll be able to explain this problem. I learned so far that major and minor scales have certain patterns (i.e. minor steps: W,H,W,W,H,W,W). Now, I’ve moved to modes and, for example, the Lydian mode. Does it have the same pattern for minor scale? I found some other patterns on the web, and now I’m confused. It’s...
Omer Cordell: Jennie
Omer Cordell sent us this video of a tune he calls “Jennie”. Omer composed and performs this bass-focused tune with multiple bass tracks, harmonics and a nice vibe throughout.
Iced Earth Releases “Plagues of Babylon”
Luke Appleton (former Fury UK bassist) is the latest in a long line of Iced Earth bassists, and after joining the power/thrash metal group back in 2012, he’s finally appearing with on a record with the group’s 11th studio album, . It’s the first album since the band’s acclaimed 2011 record, Dystopia, and bandleader Jon Schaffer says it’s one he’s...
Reader Spotlight: Mark Marxon
Meet Mark Marxon, a musician hailing from Australia who has a great outlook on life. He’s seen plenty of highs (and some of the lows), but keeps his head high while he makes his living playing music. Mark is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of January 27, 2014. Bio: A lucky start found me in the...
Electra Updates the Phoenix Bass for 2014
Electra has updated the Phoenix Bass for 2014 with improvements including reshaping the body for a more comfortable playing. The upper horn has been moved out to the 12th fret while the belly of the body has been extended. The bass also marks Electra’s first collaboration with EMG. The Phoenix is fitted with two EMG HZ-P pickups that are matched...