Buzz

Gear Watch: Empress Phaser Pedal

Empress Effects has just released a new phaser pedal that features an all-analog signal path that is controlled by a microprocessor, giving analog tone with digital control and adaptability. This allows for the classic sounds you’re used to, but its groundbreaking auto modes (envelope filtering, audio-triggered sweeps, rhythms and direct control) are what make it stand out. The Empress Phaser...

Rob Wasserman and His 6 String EUB, with Bob Weir: Victim or the Crime

Here’s a clip from 1990 of Rob Wasserman and Bob Weir on the show “Nightmusic”, performing “Victim or the Crime.” Check out Rob’s 6-string electric upright!

Here are the most read, most popular stories and features on No Treble for the week of October 3-9, 2010. Gear: Fender Announces Roger Waters Precision Bass Video: Jeff Beck with Tal Wilkenfeld: Big Block, Live at Ronnie Scott’s Ask Damian Erskine: Should Bassists Be Multi-Instrumentalists? Video: Dave Marks: Slap Bass Demo The Lowdown With Dr. D: Rhythm Series: Improving...

Bullet For My Valentine Bassist to Miss Tour Dates

Bullet For My Valentine bassist Jason James will be sitting out for a portion of the band’s current tour. The band issued a statement this week: “The band regrets to inform you that Jason James [bass] will be taking time off from the current North American tour. He has to take some time to attend to a family matter starting...

Stanley Clarke: Born in the U.S.A. (1985)

How times have changed! Here’s a 1985 video for Stanley Clarke‘s version of the Bruce Springsteen hit, “Born in the U.S.A.” The track was on Clarke’s Find Out! album. (I have this on vinyl, if anyone wants to borrow it).

John Paul Jones, Michael Manring to Attend Manson’s Guitar Show

Manson’s Guitar Shop has announced ex-Led Zeppelin/ Them Crooked Vultures bassist John Paul Jones will be a special guest at their 16th annual guitar show, set for October 23 and 24th, 2010 at the Riverside Leisure Centre in Exeter, England. Jones has a long standing with company owner Hugh Manson, who just released a signature model for JPJ based on...

Gear Watch: D’Addario Nylon Tapewound Bass Strings

D’Addario has added to their line of bass string products with their new Nylon Tapewound Bass Strings. The strings are wound using a flattened black nylon which is polished to an ultra-smooth finish. Tapewounds can be used on fretted and fretless basses and are designed to produce a vintage tone ranging from “the thump of an upright bass to the...

Christopher Thomas: Wishing Well (Solo Bass)

Here’s bassist Christopher Thomas performing one of his original compositions, “Wishing Well”, for solo bass. (Tuning: EADGC)

Alun Vaughan Releases “The Kindness Of Strangers” to Benefit MS Society

Bassist Alun Vaughan The Kindness of Strangers, a 9-track album featuring 8 tracks of unaccompanied bass. All the proceeds from the sale of the album are being donated to the MS Society to help research into multiple sclerosis. Check it out, and support the cause: The Kindness Of Strangers by Alun Vaughan For more, visit Alun’s Bandcamp page.

Gear Watch: David Nordshcow Amplification DNS Series Bass Cabinets

David Nordschow Amplification (DNA) has introduced a new line of bass cabinets to their product mix. The DNS Series Cabinets were created in close collaboration with touring pros and the DNA forum community. The result is a ultra-lightweight cabinet, featuring massive bracing for durability and sound consistenncy, low compression, low distortion tweeters for smooth highs, full 2-way crossovers for enhanced...

The Who to Release Previously Unheard Material

A new edition of The Who’s Live at Leeds album will include an unreleased performance from Hull City Hall in February 1970. As it turns out, the Hull concert was set to be the band’s actual release, with the now legendary concert at Leeds University acting as a backup live recording. Unfortunately, John Entwistle’s bass track was missing from the...

Dave Marks: Slap Bass Demo

Bassist Dave Marks puts his Marcus Miller Fender Jazz through the paces, with this preview slap bass lesson from 2009. Dave says, “Larry Graham, Marcus and Victor called. They said they want their licks back…” Dave is playing through his EBS TD650 head and straight into Pro Tools. “No effects, nothing else in the chain.”