Buzz
Squier Adds New Precision Bass Models to Vintage Modified Series
Rounding out the summer’s new models for Squiers Vintage Modified Series are a trio of P-basses: The Vintage Modified Precision Bass V, Precision Bass Fretless, and Precision Bass PJ. Similar to the rest of the series, the new basses are designed to add new twists to familiar designs. Vintage Modified Precision Bass V The Vintage Modified Precision Bass V is...
Groovy Fingerstyle Bass Lick Lesson
Here’s a neat little fingerstyle groove lick lesson, complete with double stops and that open string trick we’ve been playing around with over a couple of the recent lessons. I can’t seem to stop using this technique when playing licks. Maybe it is becoming my signature thing! Follow along with the video and the transcription (PDF). We’re in the key...
Jan Urbanec: Acoustic Bass Funk
Warning: you’re about to experience some serious funkiness. The only problem, it doesn’t last long enough. Jan Urbanec is laying it down on his acoustic bass. He says he’s “…just messing around with one of my favorite grooves.” Oh yeah. And about that bass… I think it is a custom made archtop fretless acoustic, created by Procházka luthiers.
Tech 21 SansAmp VT Bass DI Pedal Now Shipping
Tech 21 is now shipping the VT Bass DI Pedal. First introduced at this year’s Winter NAMM show, the VT Bass DI puts the company’s VT Bass preamp into a direct box format with three outputs: 1/4 Inch, XLR, and Parallel. The DI’s Blend knob lets you control the amount of direct signal with the SansAmp circuitry to get the...
Weekly Top Ten: The Best in Bass for the Week of August 11
Great new columns and how-to’s, interviews, videos and gear – and it is all about bass! What else can you wish for? Here are the most read, most viewed articles and more on No Treble for the week of August 11-17, 2013. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing! 1. Lines on a Fretless Bass: Is it Cheating? In his latest...
Jaco Pastorius: “Chromatic Fantasy”, Live (1986)
When Kevin sent me this video, I was stunned… such a rare gem and an excellent closeup of Jaco Pastorius performing solo in 1986. This was during one of his gigs with drummer Brian Melvin. I don’t recall many videos of Jaco performing “Chromatic Fantasy”, but this one has to be among the best of the best. (Here’s another, from...
Nathan East Recording Debut Solo Album
He’s played on tons of influential songs, but now bass legend Nathan East is working on his debut solo album. East, who has worked with Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder and Daft Punk, has announced that he’s been recording his first album as a leader at Ocean Way’s Studio B. The project is being done with Yamaha Entertainment...
Bobby Vega, Prarie Prince and Chris Rossbach: Mercury
Bobby Vega is hands down one of my favorite bassists. Here’s a clip of him with fellow San Francisco heavyweights Prarie Prince and Chris Rossbach performing a flowing tune called “Mercury.”
Le Fay Updates ROB 344-66/IIIa Bass Guitar
Le Fay has updated the ROB 344-66/IIIa with a new pickup system that brings together four single coils under three covers. The coils are selectable with a 6-way rotary knob and offer a variety of sounds. Position one activates the coil closest to the bridge, the next adds the coil closest to the neck for a J-style configuration, and the...
Five Minute Practice Sessions
Do you have five minutes of free time? Yes, you do. You may say that you don’t, but really, you do. It’s easy… wake up five minutes earlier than you usually do and pick up your bass before work. Or, go to bed five minutes later. Or, DVR your favorite TV show, watch it and fast forward through the commercials,...
Adam Stevens: “Let’s Get It On” All-Bass Cover
Marvin Gaye’s tune “Let’s Get It On” featured one the great Motown bass lines, played by Wilton Felder. Bassist Adam Stevens took the tune, his bass and a looper, and made it his own. Once again, Adam turns in an amazing all-bass performance.
Bass of the Week: Toby Chennell Arco Acoustic Bass Guitar
In July, we posted a cool video of Bart Soeters displaying a wide variety of basses, and one of his instruments really stood out to me: the Toby Chennell Arco Acoustic Bass Guitar. The electric bass and upright bass share several qualities, but overall they’re really different instruments. UK-based luthier Toby Chennell set out to bring more of their elements...