Buzz
Ibanez Unveils Limited Edition SR Premium Bass
Ibanez is making a special run of heir SR Premium bass for 2016. The SR5SMLTD Premium is a five-string model that will sport a spalted maple top, birdseye maple fingerboard, and birdseye maple pickup covers to exude what the company calls a rare exotic charm. As a member of the Premium line, the bass carries several other upgrades from standard...
Snarky Puppy with Jayne Brown: I’ll Do Me
From Snarky Puppy’s live DVD/CD , here’s the band with guest vocalist Jayne Brown performing “I’ll Do Me.” This one has a ton of soul, with Michael League laying it down.
Devin Townsend Project Offers “Transcendence”
The Devin Townsend Project has released its seventh studio album, Transcendence. The record, from the progressive metal group led by Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, Steve Vai) features the huge, epic sound for which Townsend is known, as well as his take on the Ween song, “Transdermal Celebration.” The band has double bass cred this time out, too, featuring not only...
Bass of the Week: Pachyderm Basses Blonde Bass
Les Claypool has always played distinct basses, and this week we’re checking out one of those basses he helped design: The Pachyderm Basses Blonde Bass. Claypool worked with luthier and longtime friend Dan Maloney to form the company and create his idea of the ultimate bass. “My idea was to incorporate the traits of the instruments I have loved over...
My Double Bass Setup: Part 2 – Number of Strings, Tuning and Fingerboard Length
I play a five-string bass with both a higher string and a low C, via an extension. My specific tuning is (from lowest to highest) C, B, E, A, D. The low C string can be tuned via capos (on the C extension) to any chromatic note between C and E (the more standard low string on a double bass)....
Storksky & Fortheloveofbass: Fracas Maracas
Ivo Schot, aka Fortheloveofbass, is back again with a new collaboration. In his fourth bass and vocal song, he teams up with the Dutch artist Storksky for a version of the song “Fracas Maracas.” “[It’s] a rock tune with a lot of grit,” Schot shares. “The song features a 1956 Danelectro Longhorn bass, which is the oldest bass I’ve ever...
Saltman Knowles Releases First Album in Five Years
The story of baseball’s longest game, and the book written about it – Dan Barry’s Bottom of the 33rd, inspired jazz outfit Saltman Knowles’ latest effort, Almost. The book reflects the players’ commitment and dedication to the game, even if they weren’t destined to make it in the major league (the game was a minor league contest). They continued to...
Weekly Top 10: Victor Wooten Goes Metal, Top Bass Videos, New Gear, Talking Technique and More
Lots of bass goodness in this edition of the weekly top 10. Here are the top 10 stories, how-to’s and videos enjoyed by No Treble readers for the week of September 10-16, 2016. Thanks for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Victor Wooten Joins Progressive Metal Band Here’s something you didn’t see coming: bassist Victor Wooten performed with new progressive...
Cort Announces AB850F Acoustic Bass Guitar
Cort Guitars has expanded their bass lineup with the AB850F, an acoustic bass guitar featuring a full-size, jumbo body that the company says produces plenty of volume. The bass, which comes in natural and black finishes, is constructed with a dovetail neck joint and venetian cutaway for better access to the upper register. Its body back and sides are mahogany...
Leslie Johnson: Blast
Marcus Miller’s “Blast” is one of my favorite tunes. So I was thrilled to see this trio – anchored by bassist Leslie Johnson – performing their own version. Joined by guitarist Dave Giraldo and drummer Jay Jackson, Leslie not only handles the great bass line, he also plays keys on the track. Dig it.
Ron Carter Quartet Explores Bossa
The Ron Carter Quartet, led by the inimitable and prolific jazz bassist/cellist/composer, Ron Carter, has collaborated with vocalist Vitoria Meldonado to create the record, Brasil L.I.K.E. (short for Love, Inspiration, Knowledge and Energy). The Grammy-winning Carter is working with American and Brazilian standards in bossa nova on the album, and creating excerpts of jazz within each song. The record also...
Gibson Unveils 2017 EB Bass T Model
Gibson has unveiled their 2017 instrument lineup, including the new Gibson 2017 EB Bass T. The new version revamps the EB Bass design with a new body shape among other features. As part of the “T” series, the bass is created with tonewoods and pickups chosen for vintage Gibson sounds. The bass is built with a swamp ash body, set...