Buzz
Reader Spotlight: Ricardo Ferrari
Meet Ricardo Ferrari, a guitarist-turned-bassist who said was thanks to “the absence of one more lower octave on the standard guitar.” Ricardo is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story… Bio: I began playing nylon guitar at 16. First, pop Brazilian music and then classical. I graduated from Berklee in 1985. I took up bass guitar...
Bass Transcription: Jimmy Johnson’s Bass Line on Alan Holdsworth’s “Tokyo Dream”
I was sad to learn of the news of Allan Holdsworth’s passing. He left a great legacy to all guitarists and musicians in general, and his playing in the 70’s had a great impact on guitarists such as Frank Gambale, Bill Connors, Scott Henderson and even Eddie Van Halen. His way of playing the guitar was revolutionary, his legato style,...
Dave Weckl (Featuring Mohini Dey): Saraswati
Dave Weckl shared this video on Facebook and it knocked us out. “Here’s an amazing tune that [I] collaborated on with Abhijith P S Nair (violin, electric violin), Sandeep Mohan (electric guitar), and Mohini Dey (bass guitar),” he shared. “Great musicians/songwriters!” Mohini is tearing it up! The tune is available on .
Bass of the Week: Muckelroy Six-String Solo
This week we’re checking out a beautiful six-string Solo model bass built by luthier Brady Muckelroy. Its owner, Chris Taylor, shared the specs and photos of the gorgeous beast. “It plays like an absolute dream and the electronics allow for some amazing tone versatility,” he writes. The sleek design features neck through construction with a five-piece wenge, maple, and Ecuadorian...
Talking Technique: The Thunder Episode
Today we’re bringing the thunder! We’ll be borrowing from AC/DC guitarist Angus Young by playing the opening riffs from “Thunderstruck.”
Black Sabbath: Sweet Leaf (Geezer Butler’s Isolated Bass)
Today is bass legend Geezer Butler’s birthday, and we’re celebrating with a killer isolated bass track from one of my favorite Black Sabbath songs: “Sweet Leaf.” It’s the opening track from 1971 album, Master of Reality, and besides being a heavy song, it’s a great example of Butler’s style. He lays down the riffs with a huge, sludgy tone, accenting...
Hartke Gets Back On The Attack With the New Bass Attack 2 Preamp/DI with OD
Hartke has introduced the new Bass Attack 2 pedal, which combines Hartke’s classic preamp circuitry with thick overdrive tones and a low-noise direct box into a rugged zinc die cast stompbox design. It’s the ultimate tool for both live bass performance and studio recording. This second generation of the Hartke Bass Attack offers unique preamp tone sculpting capabilities. The stompbox...
Yamaha Revamps BB Series Basses for 2017
Yamaha’s BB Bass series is growing this summer with nine new models that debuted at the Summer NAMM Show. The reworked basses, which range from entry-level to professional, will feature a smaller body among other upgrades. The new line starts with the four-string BB234 and five-string BB235. Each is built a solid alder body fitted with a custom V3 ceramic...
YYNOT: Kingdom Come (Tim Starace’s Isolated Bass)
YYNOT’s Tim Starace is often asked how he gets his tone on the tracks he records with the band. In this isolated bass clip, Tim’s decided to showcase his monster tone – and provide the details on how he gets it. This is from YYNOT’s original, “Kingdom Come.” As for his set up, here’s what Tim shared: CIJ Geddy Jazz...
Warwick Unveils Limited Edition Teambuilt 35th Anniversary Basses
Each year, Warwick releases a special master-built, limited-edition model. This year they’re celebrating their 35th anniversary with a version of the Thumb NT, but they’ve also just announced a companion model in their Teambuilt series. The Warwick Teambuilt Pro Series Thumb BO LTD 2017 will come in four and five-string models limited to 100 units of each. The bass’s body...
Donovan Stokes: Upright Bass Cover of Cliff Burton’s “Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)”
You may recognize Donovan Stokes from his No Treble column, The Lowdown With Dr. D, where he delivers tons of great insights for the double bass. What you may not know is that while he’s well versed in classical and jazz, he also has a background in heavy metal. Check out this unbelievable cover of legendary Metallica bassist Cliff Burton’s...
In Memoriam: David Zablidowsky
Sad news to report today: Adrenaline Mob bassist David Zablidowsky has died after the band’s touring RV was struck by a tractor trailer. He was 37 years old. The news was confirmed in part by Disturbed bassist John Moyer, who formerly played in Adrenaline Mob. “This talented, humble, sweet soul left us today way too soon,” he wrote on Facebook....