Buzz
Electro-Harmonix Now Shipping Switchblade+ Channel Selector
Electro-Harmonix has unveiled the Switchblade+ Channel Selector, a flexible stompbox that allows you to route your input signal to either two different locations (Channel A or B) or both simultaneously. The Switchblade+ then picks up where the company’s original Switchblade left off with the inclusion of a dedicated Tuner out, which EHX explains is hardwired to the input. This provides...
Pedro Aznar: El Faro de los Ahogados
Who says the bass player has to be in the background? Argentinian bassist/vocalist Pedro Aznar does an incredible job of comping and soloing up front on his tune “El Faro de los Ahogados,” taken from the DVD Quebrado Vivo.
Anthony Wellington Announces Bassology II Bass Clinic
Renowned bass educator Anthony Wellington will be holding a special clinic at Hellhound studios in Rahway, New Jersey on January 28th, 2012 at 7pm. Wellington, who plays with Victor Wooten and teaches alongside him in the instructional DVD Groove Workshop, will also be teaching private lessons throughout the day on the 28th and 29th. The event, entitled Bassology II, is...
G&L Introduces M-Series Basses
Thirty years after the introduction of their flagship L-2000 model, G&L has unveiled their new M-series basses. The M-2000 and M2500 both build upon their predecessor, which was first designed by Leo Fender in 1981, and aim to be more flexible while retaining the same attitude. The M-series basses still feature dual MFD humbuckers, but the pickups have been voiced...
Blues Endings: Tips for Avoiding the Train Wreck
Early on in my musical career, a wise man once told me that the mark of a good band is one that starts together and ends together. This doesn’t mean that whatever is played in the middle doesn’t matter, but it alludes to the importance of how well-rehearsed the players are or how well they feel each other out if...
Philip Smith: Funky Bass Scratch Track
Bassist Philip Smith posts these awesome “scratch tracks” with some great grooves. This one, simply titled “Funky Bass Scratch Track” Philip says, “This is a scratch track (mistakes and all) for a tune I’m putting together. Let me know what you think. Maybe I can do a colab or something with some tasteful YouTube drummers and guitarists out there.” Drop...
Bass of the Week: JanAid Guitars’ Bob Abbott Yolanda 5
Named after a butterfly found in southern Spain, the JanAid Yolanda 5 bass draws inspiration from nature. This week, we check out the latest incarnation of the bass, which is also a signature model for Baltimore-based player Bob Abbott. The Yolanda 5 was built with a variety of woods, utilizing their “defects” to create a a piece of art. The...
Versatility: A Conversation with Christian McBride
As the jazz standard goes: “Things ain’t what they used to be.” The music industry as a whole is changing, but even so, truly remarkable artists will always shine through. Christian McBride is one of those artists. Raised in Philadelphia, McBride moved to New York City at the age of 17 to step up his music career. Through hard work,...
Mike Flynn: “Very Early” Fretless Bass Solo
Here’s Mike Flynn performing a tasty fretless bass solo to the Bill Evans tune, “Very Early”. Mike shared that this is one of his all time favorite standards. He’s performing with his Jeff Chapman custom fretless, with a little bit of reverb and a small amount of chorus to achieve a stereo effect.
Shonna Tucker Parts Ways With Drive-By Truckers
After eight years with the band, bassist Shonna Tucker has left the Drive-By Truckers. The split, which appears to be amicable, was announced by Tucker on the group’s website. “It’s time for me to move on to the next great thing, whatever that may be,” Tucker wrote. “I want to thank each and everyone of you, with my whole heart...
Red Hot Chili Peppers to be Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Add More U.S. Tour Dates
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are among the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, alongside Guns N’ Roses, Donovan, the Beastie Boys, Laura Nyro, and the Small Faces/The Faces. The group, which formed in 1983, will be honored during the Induction Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio on April 14th, 2012. Founding member Flea posted on the band’s website about...
The Best of “Ask Damian Erskine”
Damian Erskine‘s “Ask Damian” column is our longest running here on No Treble, and for good reason. Readers ask great questions (hint: send Damian your questions), readers love reading Damian’s responses, and Damian has a way of breaking things down that makes it all come together. Damian is touring the globe this month, so we’re giving him a break during...