Buzz
Vox Introduces Two New Multi-Effects Bass Pedals
Vox has announced the StompLab series of multi-effects pedals, including the StompLab IB and IIB pedals for bass. The respective stompboxes offer 60 and 61 types of modeling including amp, cabinet, and effects with 100 preset programs. All the effects were created from Vox’s VT+ series of modeling amps as well as the Tonelab series of multi-effect units. Dressed in...
H.M.S Adriatic: Gold & Glitter
No Treble reader Travis Moore is the bassist for H.M.S Adriatic, a band from Reading, UK. This three-piece band, which also includes guitarist/vocalist Chris Hall and drummer Danny Southwell, describes themselves as a group “incorporating the ideals of fusion and drawing from a plethora of influences spanning Jazz to Grunge.” Travis sent us the group’s new video of their tune,...
In Memoriam: John Stockfish
John Stockfish, the original bassist for Canadian folk artist Gordon Lightfoot, has passed away of natural causes in his hometown of Windsor, Ontario. He was 69. Stockfish trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music, but honed his chops by touring North America and Europe with Tommy Danton and the Echoes. It was in 1965 that he connected with Lightfoot led...
Alfred Publishes “The New Basics – Rock Bass”
Alfred Music Publishing has introduced The New Basics – Rock Bass, a new method book, designed for beginner bassists. The premise, according to the publisher, is that playing bass isn’t about studying, it is about playing, and it should be fun. This line from the company’s release is worth mentioning too, just because it is hilarious: “If you’re looking to...
Rhythm Calculator: A Look at the Rhythm Helper App for iOS
I just discovered JET Powered Apps’s Rhythm Calculator app, a gem of an app I guarantee will live on my phone for quite some time, and I suspect that’ll be true for you other iOS device-carrying folks as well. Rhythm Calculator is exactly what the name suggests: an interface that allows you to enter rhythms of most any type, in...
Victor Wooten: Music as a Language
Besides being and incredible bassist, Victor Wooten is an equally talented educator. Check out this TED-Ed video of Wooten offering words of wisdom while he plays his rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
Weekly Top 10: The Best Bass Videos, New Bass Gear, Top Lessons, the Evan Brewer Interview and More
In case you missed them (and even if you didn’t), here are the top 10 most read bass-related stories, lessons, features and the most watched videos on No Treble for the week of August 26 – September 1, 2012. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing! 1. Progressive Scales: A Bass Player’s Guide to Learning Scales and Improving Reading...
Jeff Ament’s New RNDM Band Announces Album and Tour
Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has teamed up with singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur and drummer Richard Stuverud to form a new band dubbed RNDM. The trio is set to have a busy fall too, with the release of their debut album, Acts, on October 30, with a tour kicking off a few days later on November 2nd. Ament and Stuverud have...
Xotic Introduces 4-String Version of XP-1T Bass
Xotic has released a 4-string of the XP-1T model, which thus far had only been available as a 5-string. The P-style bass offers vintage and modern tones by including a toggle for passive or active electronics. The active portion is Xotic’s Tri-Logic bass preamp, which has Bass, Mid, and Treble controls, a Mid switch, a Bright switch, and an Active...
Simone Masina Solo Bass: Prelude from Cello Suite No.1 in G Major
This one seemed perfect to share on a Sunday afternoon. Bassist Simone Masina sent us this video of him performing J.S. Bach’s Prelude – the first movement of Cello Suite No.1 in G Major. Simone plays a beautiful Ritter for the recording, but what also caught our attention is where Simone recorded this video: at Quattro Castella – Reggio Emilia...
Le Fay Introduces 32? Fretless Singer 4 Bass
Le Fay has introduced a new fretless version of their Singer model with a 32-inch scale and 19mm string spacing. Among the new features is the inclusion of the company’s new single-coil pickups, which have angular thumb rests and a three-point screw arrangement to prevent wobbling. Two pickups are under the bridge pickup cover while the neck cover houses one....
Top 10: The Best All Bass, No Treble How To’s, Lessons and Features in August
Here’s the best of the best of what we published in August, 2012 in the how to, lesson and feature sections on No Treble, based on readership. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing. We love you guys. 1. How and Why Woods Affect Your Bass Sound A reader asked Damian Erskine a question about bass wood choices, and...