Buzz
Bass Transcription: Walter Becker’s Bass Line on Steely Dan’s “Gaucho”
This month I chose the self-titled track from Steely Dan’s 1981 record, as a focus of study. I had never heard this group before, though my friends told me all the time there are a lot of good studio musicians on the band’s records. I never was interested in their music until recently when I found this record at a...
Julie Slick: Adrian Belew Power Trio “E” Bass Playthrough
Back in October, Julie Slick’s playthrough of the Adrian Belew Power Trio’s “B3” blew us away. Now she’s posted an even crazier video for the song “e”. Slick plays seemingly impossible lines with ease while her friend Ben paints his room (and her). Prepare to have your face melted. Video by Ben Hallman.
Bob Marley and the Wailers “Live!” Album Reissued
Bob Marley’s historic Live! album has been reissued in a three-LP set with never-before-released music. The original album, released in December 1975, was compiled from the second of two performances at the Lyceum Theatre in London on July 17 and 18, 1975. Driven by the genius bass lines of Aston “Family Man” Barrett, the band’s period captured on the recordings...
Bass of the Week: Yamaha Billy Sheehan Acrylic Attitude LTD3
This week we’re checking out a cool one-off that Yamaha built for bass shredder Billy Sheehan. Based on his signature Attitude LTD3 model, the bass brings together some interesting elements tied around Sheehan’s band The Winery Dogs. “Before The Winery Dogs’ touring cycle in support of their second album Hot Streak, Billy asked us to build him an Attitude LTD3...
Talking Technique: The One-Finger-Per-Fret Controversy
Some people are afraid for their fingers, while others swear by it: the one-finger-per-fret position. Is there is a reason to fret “one-finger-per-fret”? Not if done right. Is it worth getting it down? Yes! [Read to the end for “Practice-with-me” videos.] I definitely recommend having a solid grip (so to speak) on the one-finger-per-fret method. Practicing this way has numerous...
Ted “Blyss” Gould: Sometimes it Snows in April
No Treble columnist Ted “Blyss” Gould shared this solo bass cover of Prince’s “Sometimes it Snows in April” over the weekend, and it knocked me out. “A tribute to the Prince who is probably the most influential artist of my life,” Blyss shared. “I started playing around with the bass-only version of this classic Prince tune last night. Still working...
Guns N’ Roses Plot 2017 Tour Dates
If you missed the Guns N’ Roses reunion, you’ll have another shot to see the band in action in the coming year. Duff McKagan and crew have announced 2017 dates for their “Not in This Lifetime” Tour. The trek will take them across the U.S. and Canada with a special stop in St. Louis, Missouri. The band hasn’t played the...
Weekly Top 10: New Bass Gear, Scale Excercise, Top Videos and More
The week closes once again with our celebration of the top 10 reader favorites of the week. From new gear, to expert columns, to the top videos and more, here are your favorites from the week of December 10-16, 2016. Thanks for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Fender Unveils American Professional Series Basses Fender has unveiled the American Professional...
Nordstrand Pickups Announces BigRig Bass Pickups
Nordstrand Pickups has introduced the BigRig, a new hum-cancelling bass pickup that grew from a conversation with bassist Alberto Rigoni. “A dual 51 P-style pickup, one pole per string, was the initial concept,” Nordstrand explains, “but offset pole pieces are iconic for Nordstrand. What developed is a hum canceling pickup where the coils sense different parts of the string movement,...
Federico Malaman Trio: Caravan
The Sligo Jazz Project shared this excellent video of Federico Malaman with his trio performing “Caravan”. Check out the solo by Federico! The trio also includes pianist Gwilym Simcock and drummer David Lyttle.
George Porter, Jr. to Celebrate Birthday with Special Concert
Funk legend George Porter, Jr. is celebrating his 69th birthday in style on December 26th with a concert at the Maple Leaf in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. The party/concert will feature Porter’s trio including keyboardist Michael Lemmler and drummer Terrence Houston. Porter will also be celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife, Ara. Porter was an integral...
Kiesel Guitars Unveils Vanquish Multiscale Basses
Kiesel Guitars has introduced two new multi-scale versions of their Vanquish bass. The VM49K and VM59K are four- and five-string basses, respectively, that are the Kiesel custom shop’s first multiscale bass instruments. The design includes fanned frets and offers some technical improvements. “The advantage of a multiscale bass over a traditional instrument is that the lower strings have a greater...