Buzz
Vulfpeck with Bernard Purdie: Something
A couple of years ago, I ran into Bernard Purdie at NAMM and texted a picture to Vulfpeck’s Jack Stratton. He told me he wanted to do a session with him, perhaps “It Gets Funkier IV.” Last September, they made it happen. The drum legend joined the band for four shows in NYC. Here they are performing the Beatles’ “Something,”...
Digitech Announces FreqOut Feedback Pedal
Digitech has unveiled the FreqOut, a pedal for bass and guitar that creates controlled feedback. The stompbox uses pitch-detection technology to identify the harmonic content of notes and chords then makes those frequencies feedback in a musical way with several settings. “Roaring feedback from an amp can add intensity and musicality to a live performance when used correctly,” Digitech’s Tom...
Wing Instruments Introduces Two New Models
Wing Instruments expanded their product lineup at the NAMM show this year with the Wing Bass NT and Wing Bass 30. The company describes the new models as representing an evolution in their philosophy that “life is short scale.” Similar to the original Wing Bass, the NT measures up at just 21 inches and plays like the top range of...
The Funky Knuckles: New Birth
The Funky Knuckles just dropped a new video, featuring the title track from their album, . Once again, bassist Wes Stephenson and the band blew us away.
David Crosby Recruits Mai Agan for 2017 Tour
David Crosby has announced a North American tour for April and May. The trek will see the legendary rock icon performing songs from his album, Croz, as well as a track from his upcoming album, Sky Trails. Of course, he’ll also perform some of his greatest hits. Crosby enlisted bassist Mai Agan for the outing. Born in Estonia and based...
Darkglass Electronics Introduces the Alpha Omega Distortion Pedal
Darkglass Electronics wowed NAMM attendees this year with a brand new pedal called the Alpha Omega. Co-designed with Karnivool’s Jon Stockman, the stompbox is a departure from their previous circuits and preamplifiers. “[The Alpha Omega] is fully operational amplifier based and has two distinct distortion circuits (Alpha and Omega) which can be selected or blended using our Mod knob,” Darkglass...
Jefferson Airplane: Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil, 1967
We’re kicking it old school today with a clip of Jefferson Airplane from a performance in 1967. Our friend Will Marks sent the clip in, noting the tasteful bass work of Jack Casady. “Interesting to see how he developed and presented his sections when the bass was featured — typically found them to be rooted in simple figures aggressively stated...
“Learn to Play the UBass” eBook Now Available
If you’ve been reading No Treble for a while, you’ve probably seen Magnus Sjöquist grooving hard on the Kala UBass. Now Sjöquist is sharing his bass playing knowledge in a new eBook entitled Learn to Play the UBass. Available for iOS, the book is highly interactive with picture galleries, multi-angle videos, and lesson quizzes. The text has clickable highlighted words...
Ashdown Reveals Origin Bass Head and Tube Preamp/DI
Ashdown debuted the Origin series at NAMM this year, including a 300-watt bass amplifier and a tube preamp and DI pedal. Both units are designed to be “lightweight, portable and stripped back” for a strong yet streamlined bass signal. The Origin amp starts with an active/passive input switch and effects loop. It has a five-band EQ section with Bass, Lo-Mid,...
Groove – Episode #26: Nathan East
It’s hard to not hear the music of Nathan East. His discography is – literally – a who’s who of popular music, and it runs across many genres. Whether you have grooved to the sounds of Daft Punk’s massive hit, “Get Lucky” or enjoyed the hit song “Easy Lover” by Phil Collins in the mid-eighties, that’s Nathan. East has been...
Eric Gales & Cody Wright Live at NAMM
The Dunlop booth was a great hang during this year’s NAMM Show. Among the highlights was an appearance by Eric Gales and Cody Wright, who played “Pickin’ & Grinnin’.” Thankfully, cameras were rolling.
Pino Palladino Joins John Mayer for North American Tour
John Mayer is gearing up for his new album, The Search for Everything, with a North American tour to take place from March 31st to April 22nd. The trek will showcase the songwriter in three settings starting with a full band, then moving to a solo acoustic set, and finishing with his trio. Mayer’s trio is rounded out by drummer...