Buzz
Willcox Guitars Unveils USA Custom Shop Saber Bass
Willcox Guitars has expanded their lineup with a USA Custom Shop series. The full-service shop allows players to pick out their own tonewoods, tops, finishes, and hardware. The first custom shop Willcox instrument is the USA Saber Bass, which is available for order now in four, five, and six-string versions. “Just like the production model Saber Basses, Willcox offers HexFX...
Chris DeAngelis: Bass Arrangement of Stevie Wonder’s “Living For The City”
Stevie Wonder’s songs have a magic that carries across the musical spectrum. Chris DeAngelis proves this once again with a killer bass and percussion version of “Living For The City.” Originally released on Wonder’s Innervisions, the song has a killer bounce that the bassist captures on his four-string before taking a nasty solo over top.
Janek Gwizdala Publishes eBook on Bass Chords
If you’re curious about playing chords on the bass or you just want to hone your skills, you’re in luck. Janek Gwizdala has released Chordal Harmony: A Comprehensive Guide to Chords on Bass. The extensive eBook includes bass and treble clef notation as well as TAB for learning the exercises. Furthermore, accompanying HD video will help demonstrate and explain the...
Bass Transcription: Bruce Thomas’ Bass Line on Elvis Costello and the Attractions’ “Lipstick Vogue”
As there was a very positive response to last month’s transcription of “Oliver’s Army,” I thought that the No Treble readers might like another chance to have a look at Bruce Thomas’ work. This track contains a much busier bass line than “Oliver’s Army”, and Bruce tips his hat to some of his influences within the course of the song....
Sébastien Dubé & Friends: The Wrong Suitcase
Our friend Lloyd Goldstein shared this video on Facebook, saying “Two of my most favorite expressive artists in the whole world. I hope you enjoy this!!!” We love it. Sébastien Dubé and his band perform “The Wrong Suitcase.” That bass tone! Sébastien Dubé
Nu-X Announces Loop Core Deluxe Pedal
Musicians interested in looping have a new option with the Nu-X Loop Core Deluxe. Building upon their original Loop Core, the deluxe model steps things up with frequency compensation, 24-bit recording, switchable buffer bypass/true bypass and cab simulation output. It can record up to 8 hours with unlimited layers with 99 phrase memories to save your tracks. Dual outputs allow...
Amptweaker Expands JR Distortion Series
Amptweaker has grown their distortion pedal line with several new, compact JR Distortion models. The new set includes the Bass TightFuzz Jr and the Bass BluesFuzz Jr. “Like the other JR pedals, they’re housed in a smaller lightweight ‘phase 90’ sized package, but still include most of the popular tones available with their big brothers,” Amptweaker writes. “The bass versions...
Unify: An Interview with Billy Sherwood
When Billy Sherwood first formed the band World Trade with Guy Allison, Bruce Gowdy, and Mark T. Williams in 1988, he probably didn’t know that it would help lead him to his current musical situation. The band’s demos caught the ear of Yes’s Chris Squire, leading the two to work together throughout the years. The legendary bassist chose Sherwood as...
Motörhead: Heroes
Lemmy Kilmister may be gone, but he’ll not be forgotten. Motörhead is gearing up to release a cover album called Under Cöver in September, and they’ve just released this incredible video for their version of David Bowie’s “Heroes.” The band was keen to put their own spin on their favorite songs through the years, putting them through the “Motörizer.” “It’s...
Jeff Berlin Reimagines “Joe Frazier” for 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Vinyl
Jeff Berlin’s classic song “Joe Frazier” has always been an inspiration for bassists. Originally released on his album “Pump It”, the track features killer unison riffs and an amazing bass solo. Now Berlin is celebrating the track with a 30th-anniversary edition 12-inch vinyl that will feature the original recording plus a completely reimagined version. “My new version of ‘Joe Frazier’...
Staying Creative While Practicing
Q: So I reach a point now and again where I feel like I’m not practicing musically or in a creative way. Instead, I seem to be practicing things that are useful (technique, location of notes on the fretboard, arpeggios, inversions, and scales) but the way I’m going about it feels rote and not much fun. I don’t want to...
Marcelo Yakko: Love of My Life
Our good friend Marcelo Yakko shared his latest video with us, and it is beautiful. Marcelo took Queen’s “Love of My Life” and turned it into this amazing solo bass piece. Enjoy.