Buzz
Dedalo FX Introduces ALU9 Aliaser Pedal
Argentina’s Dedalo Fx has introduced the ALU9 Aliaser, a pedal featuring a sample rate reducer that can be modulated by oscillator and trigger modes. “The effect can go from subtle to totally destroyed, and is very useful for many kinds of instruments besides guitar and bass, in particular, drum machines and synthesizers,” the company shared. The OSC mode offers 32...
Back To The Start: An Interview With Bruce Thomas
We know that many No Treble readers are big fans of Bruce Thomas of The Attractions, as the recent transcriptions of his bass lines have been popular features. So it’s good to hear that he’s been in the studio again. He has recorded a new album called in collaboration with singer-songwriter Spencer Brown, with ten new tracks and a cover...
Tim Akers & The Smoking Section: Uptown Funk
Tim Akers & The Smoking Section is a group of stellar musicians in Nashville, anchored by bassist Gary Lunn. “The band is made up of some of the best session guys in Nashville. We are 16-strong when we play live, but due to budget restrictions the video features a scaled down version of the band,” they shared. Here’s their take...
TC Electronic Unveils 8 New Analog Pedals
TC Electronic has announced eight new analog effect pedals ranging between distortion, modulation, and dynamics. The series is dubbed the Analog Armada. “With strong steel enclosures and top mounted input/output jacks, these sturdy stompboxes provide analog warmth with and true bypass circuitry so your tone stays totally unaffected when the effects are off,” the company writes. The drive pedal portion...
Is It So Bad To Play The Root When I Solo?
Q: I’ve been working on my soloing and I had a question. It keeps getting repeated to me by other players, teachers, and books that I shouldn’t play the root when I solo. What do you think? Is it really such a bad thing? A: I have a few thoughts on the subject. Some are in line with what you’ve...
Evan Marien and Dana Hawkins: Looking Glass
We were thrilled to see Evan Marien sharing a new video with drummer Dana Hawkins. We’re huge fans of this duo, who take on the Allan Holdsworth tune, “Looking Glass.” And this one is extra special. Evan shares the background: “In April 2017, I flew to Los Angeles and joined what would become Allan Holdsworth’s last band and final tour,...
Reader Spotlight: Matt Thomas
Meet Matt Thomas, who decided he wanted to play guitar at first, and decided maybe “four strings would be easier.” He later determined this wasn’t the case, but he stuck with it. Today, he enjoys gigging after his day job is done. Matt is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight (you could be next!) Here’s his story… Bio:...
Juan Alderete Joins Marilyn Manson For Latest Performance
Last month, Marilyn Manson parted ways with longtime bassist Jeordie White, aka Twiggy Ramirez. No replacement was named, but Manson recruited bass monster Juan Alderete to anchor his band at Ozzfest meets Knotfest in San Bernadino on November 5th. Alderete has an impressive pedigree of heavy music starting with his work in Racer X in the 1980s. He also spent...
Ralph Hermans: Duet in Cm
No Treble reader Axel Roks shared this excellent video by Ralph Hermans, who plays his tune “Duet in Cm.” “I just wanted to share this video with you. It is a beautiful piece of music composed by Ralph Hermans, a young and incredibly talented bass player,” Axel shared. “He normally plays with big Belgian hip-hop acts but, in this video,...
Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (October 2017)
Time to stop whatever you’re doing to catch up on some serious bass goodness – AKA the monthly top 10 video list. Here are the No Treble reader favorite videos for the month of October 2017, in order of popularity. Thanks for watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Frank Zappa: Black Napkins (Live, 1977) Frank Zappa’s 1977 performance at the Palladium...
Bass of the Week: Safran Basses Iris Acoustic Archtop Bass
This week we’re checking out an incredible acoustic bass guitar by Safran Basses called Iris. Hand built by luthier Umut Dal, the bass was dreamed up to bring the best of upright and electric together. “The idea behind my archtop acoustic bass Iris is to close the gap in between electric and double bass,” Dal writes. “I have seen similar...
Bass Transcription: Trevor Bolder’s Bass Line on “Changes” by David Bowie
Since 1963, David Bowie worked with many bands as both singer and instrumentalist, and he had released several unsuccessful singles under his own name before “Space Oddity” became his first substantial hit. The song reached number five in the UK in 1969. Bowie’s first two albums (both confusingly called David Bowie) had been recorded using session musicians, with the bass...