Buzz
Linus Klausenitzer: Obscura’s “Akroasis” Bass Playthrough
Buckle up: Obscura bassist Linus Klausenitzer has posted a new playthrough for the title track to the band’s latest album, . Armed with a seven-string fretless, the Klausenitzer tears it up with blazing sixteenth-note runs alongside melodic counter lines. For those wanting to try it for themselves, Obscura has a bass transcription book on their website.
Victor Wooten Trio Announces 2017 Tour
After recently completing their European tour, Victor Wooten and his trio with drummer Dennis Chambers and saxophonist Bob Franceschini have announced a winter/spring U.S. tour for 2017. The trek will kick off with a six-night residency at The Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City before covering the East Coast and heading to the Midwest. Victor Wooten Trio Winter/Spring...
Bass of the Week: The Painted Player Yellow Submarine Bass
The Painted Player Guitar Company makes some fantastic finishes for their instruments, but they really went all out on this bass tribute to the Beatles. Their “Yellow Submarine” bass is a heavily modded Fender Mexican Precision that was crafted to resemble the psychedelic boat. “[The bass was created] in the UK using a stunning Fender Mexican Precision Bass as a...
Exercises: Thumb Position in the Lower Positions
When many of us first learn to play in “thumb position” (using thumb on top of the fingerboard to press the string down) we begin by placing thumb on the half-string harmonic (G on the G-string, 12th fret, if we had frets). In fact, much beginning thumb position study starts here. From here, intermediate thumb position study often focuses on...
Dean Brown Group: Lucky Number 9 / Lampshade
The Dean Brown Group took the stage in September in Tokyo with Hadrien Feraud on bass, Gerry Etkins on keys, Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums, and of course, Dean on guitar. Here’s the band performing “Lucky Number 9” and “Lampshade”, which offers up some sweet grooves by Hadrien.
Best of 2016: The Top 10 Interviews and Podcasts
Over the course of 2016, we talked with many bassists through our Groove podcast and interviews. Here are the top 10 reader favorites of the year. 1. Groove – Episode #13: Felix Pastorius In this episode of Groove, we chat with Felix Pastorius about the “JACO” movie, his father’s legacy, what he would like to bring to this instrument with...
Bass Transcription: Dee Murray’s Bass Line on Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas”
Dee Murray is a giant of the bass guitar many people do not rate as being among the best of all time, but I certainly do. His playing on the holiday single “Step Into Christmas” by Elton John is nothing short of impressive as he finds many inventive ways to make very simple chord changes sound exciting and new. After...
Berklee Bass Department: Little Drummer Boy
One of our favorite holiday traditions is getting a holiday video from Steve Bailey and the Berklee Bass Department. This year, Steve, and fellow Berklee bass faculty Victor Wooten, John Patitucci, James Genus and Lincoln Goines put together this terrific arrangement of “Little Drummer Boy”. The bassists dedicate this year’s video to the late Victor Bailey. They’ve also announced Victor...
NS Design Announces WAV5 Radius Bass
NS Design’s WAV Radius electric bass now comes in a five-string version. The WAV5 Radius Bass carries the same features of the WAV4 with the exception of the specs to accommodate the fifth string. Its scale is extended to 35 inches, while the string spacing is reduced to 18 millimeters. As part of the Radius series, the bass has a...
Marcelo Yakko: Jingle Bass
Marcelo Yakko is a great guy (and a terrific bass player too). He shared this video with us, saying “A Christmas song to send good wishes and positive energy.” You know the tune, and Marcelo’s energy is infectious on this arrangement for two basses. Be sure to check out the outtakes at the end.
Best of 2016: The Top 10 Reader Favorite Basses
We covered a ton of gear this year, including many, many new basses. Here are the top 10 most read and most shared stories in 2016 on No Treble featuring new basses. Enjoy! 1. Orange Amplification O Bass Guitar Orange Amplification launched the O Bass at the 2016 NAMM show. The bass is a vintage-styled one that comes in Teardrop...
Dan Briggs Teases Nova Collective Album
Good news for prog-rock fans: Between the Buried and Me/Trioscapes bassist Dan Briggs has announced he’s got a new project called Nova Collective, and it’s getting ready to release an album. The quartet also includes fellow Trioscapes member Matt Lynch and Haken alumniRichard Henshall and Pete Jones. They originally started with Briggs and Henshall working out some arrangements before filling...