Buzz
Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in May
Here are the top ten most read, commented and shared bass gear stories on No Treble for the month of May 2013. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing! 1. Fender Custom Shop Introduces Limited Relic 1955 Precision Bass The Fender Custom Shop has rolled out its Spring 2013 offerings, including the Limited Relic 1955 Precision Bass. Mimicking the look of...
Lesson: Offbeat Double Thumb Slap Bass
I’m working on a new concept in double thumb slap bass, which basically is an “in reverse” technique. This means the “down” thumb is on the offbeat, and the “up” thumb is on the downbeat. This creates a whole new feeling worth exploring. You can follow along with the notation (PDF) and the video below. Let me know how it...
Larry Graham: Hair
When I started to learn how to slap, “Hair” was the song that stuck with me the most. It’s so much fun to play, and it’s even more fun to watch Larry Graham go wild on it in this clip taken from Japanese television.
The Bassist’s Bible: How to Play Every Bass Style from Afro-Cuban to Zydeco
Tim Boomer’s The Bassist’s Bible, originally published in 2009, has been updated and expanded in an all-new second edition. The expansive guide offers up 25 chapters, covering more than 100 musical styles. More than 400 bass lines are presented, which can be followed on each of the two CDs which are included. In the new edition, 50 new grooves have...
Creation Audio Labs Introduces The Funkulator Bass Pedal
Creation Audio Labs has introduced the Funkulator Bass Pedal, an EQ tone shaper designed with old school funk in mind. The pedal is built for simplicity with a single EQ knob that controls a variable upper mid frequency scoop with a gentle hi and low boost. Turning the control up enhances the EQ curve, while the footswitch allows for quickly...
Evan Marien: Eldridge Mach 2
Whenever Evan Marien shares a new video with us, I usually stop what I’m doing to watch it. Here’s Evan’s latest, “Eldridge Mach 2” – a tune he wrote and performed using his bass, a looper, a Hot Hand and a laptop. It all adds up to some pretty incredible sounds coming from a bass.
Paul McCartney Reissues “Wings Over America”
While currently on his Out There Tour, Paul McCartney is continuing to reissue his classic material with a new version of Wings Over America. The release is a remastered take of the 1976 triple album that captured the band during their Wings Over America tour of the same year. With performances including “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Live and Let Die,” and...
Bass of the Week: Fclef Basses Custom Series II
This week we take a look at the Fclef Custom Series II Bass. Introduced as part of their 10th anniversary, the Custom Series II model builds upon their Custom Series and is handcrafted in the United States. The company also boasts that each member of the crew is a bass player, which gets a big thumbs up in our book....
Transcription: Jaco Pastorius’ Solo on “(Used To Be a) Cha Cha”
Among the great tunes on Jaco Pastorius’ self-titled solo debut was “(Used to Be A) Cha-Cha”. His solo is a tricky one, at an upbeat tempo and with Jaco’s trademark melodic and syncopated lines. Here is Jukka Haavisto’s take on his wonderful solo on this track.
Flea, John Frusciante & Omar Rodríguez-López: 2004 Jam
Back in 2004, Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates Flea and John Frusciante got together with The Mars Volta’s Omar Rodríguez-López in Los Angeles for a jam session. Here’s 20 or so minutes worth…
Hot Tuna Announces Summer 2013 Tour
Hot Tuna is gearing up a summer tour of the US, featuring both their electric and acoustic lineups. Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen will be joined by Barry Mitterhoff for the acoustic sets, with Skoota Warner joining in for the electric shows. Casady and Kaukonen have now played together for over 50 years, including their time with Jefferson Airplane. This...
Gibson Celebrates With 50th Anniversary Thunderbird Bass
Fifty years ago, Gibson stepped out with an edgy line of guitars and basses, respectively named the Firebird and the Thunderbird. The company is now celebrating the design with a 50th Anniversary Thunderbird Bass. Finished with Gold Bullion in a high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, the bass sports through-neck construction with a mahogany body, a mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard with pearloid...