Buzz
Osiamo Introduces Dr. J Effects Pedal Series
Osiamo has launched the Dr. J line of effects pedals, which the company describes as bringing reasonable prices to the “boutique” market. The series includes three stompboxes aimed at bassists: the D-55 Aerolite Comp, the D-53 Sparrow Driver & DI, and the D-52 Soloman Bass Overdrive. All of the pedals feature true bypass switching, a metal housing, and DC power....
Dumpstaphunk: “Gasman Chronicles” Live (2013)
Thanks to the new iTunes Radio, I got on a Dumpstaphunk kick, which extended to videos of the band. This is one funky band, started by Ivan Neville (son of Aaron Neville) and including two bassists (Nick Daniels and Tony Hall), and one incredible drummer (Nikki Glaspie). Here they are in their return home to New Orleans for this year’s...
Percy Jones and BangTower Release New Single from Upcoming Album
Three years ago, bassist Percy Jones, guitarist/engineer/producer Neil Citron and drummer Walter Garces released their debut as the band known as BangTower. The trio is back with a new release, coming later this year. BangTower has released the first track, “This is My Town”, which features a first for the band: Citron’s vocals. Jones, a fretless bass pioneer, made his...
Settling into a Groove: A Guide for Bass Players
One of the most important things we do as bass players is to create and lock into a groove. When I practice this I prefer a drum machine to a metronome. Here’s a guide to working with a drum machine to master the groove: 1. Set the tempo and style. Choose all the styles you are trying to be competent...
Jose Castillo: “The Sinister Minister” Bass Cover
Alun Vaughan shared this video with us featuring bassist Jose Castillo performing his take on the Bela Fleck & The Flecktones tune “The Sinister Minister”. Jose is covering more than just the bass, as you’ll soon see. Wow!
Music Theory – Chords in Minor Keys App Released for Android
Stuart Bahn has just released the second in his Music Theory Toolkit Series of apps for Android devices, entitled Music Theory – Chords in Minor Keys. The app trains you to learn all the minor, major, and diminished chords found in all 12 minor keys. Your theory is tested as the app displays a minor key and a roman numeral,...
Weekly Top Ten: The Best in Bass for the Week of September 15th
Last week was dominated by popular new bass gear stories and awesome bass videos. That, plus Damian’s latest column and a “How to Groove” lesson by MarloweDK make up the top 10 most popular stories, how-to’s and videos on No Treble for the week of September 15-21, 2013. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing! Keep it low. 1. Vulfpeck: My...
Cody Wright: How to Play Funk Bass with a Pick
Last month we featured a burning track by the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra entitled “TNFJ“. The song really caught readers’ attention with sick drumming, other-worldly steel drums, and of course, the extra funky bass line by Cody Wright. Wright, who uses a pick to play, also wowed us with a driving and percussive solo. Here is his new video tutorial on...
Elvis Costello and The Roots Release “Wise Up Ghost”
At face value, it may not seem like Elvis Costello and The Roots would be a natural pairing, but their new collaborative album Wise Up Ghost is proof that their musical visions sync up in a special way. The project started on the set of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, where drummer Ahmir ”?uestlove” Thompson and The Roots are the...
Cort Unveils Artisan 20th Anniversary Basses
Cort has announced a line of 20th Anniversary editions of their Artisan basses, including the Artisan A-Custom 20th and the Artisan B 20th. Each of the models are limited edition and come in four and five-string versions with a 20th Anniversary logo on the electronics cover plate. The Cort Artisan A-Custom 20th bass features neck-thru construction centered around a 9-piece...
Jaco Pastorius: Donna Lee, Live
September 21st is a sad day in the world of bass. Twenty-six years ago today, Jaco Pastorius passed away at the age of 35. I’m playing more Jaco music than usual today (if that’s possible), and that has also included several videos. And then I stumbled upon this rarity: Jaco performing “Donna Lee” live in a video I hadn’t seen...
Fender Unveils Deluxe and American Deluxe Dimension Bass Models
After introducing the Dimension Bass as part of their Modern Player Series, Fender has revealed that the bass is now available as part of their Deluxe and American Deluxe instrument lines. Available in 4- and 5-string versions, the Fender Deluxe Dimension Bass is built with an ash body in the model’s new body shape, the Black-finish model is made with...