Buzz
NS Design Unveils NXTa Active Series Omni Bass and Double Bass Models
NS Design has teamed up with Mi-Si Electronics Design to introduce the NXTa Active series of instruments, including versions of the company’s Omni Bass and Double Bass models. Central to the new series is the introduction of battery-free, high-performance active electronics. The circuitry works is powered by plugging into a wall socket for one minute at a time. “Operationally, for...
Stuart Clayton: Giants of Bass – Flea
Stuart Clayton just added a new video showcasing his work in progress on the new edition of Giants of Bass. In this video, he tackles the style of Flea – particularly the style of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Blood Sugar Sex Magik era. Dig the tone on that 1976 Music Man StingRay!
Blind Pilot Releases Third Album
Indie folk band Blind Pilot has released its third studio album, And Then Like Lions. Luke Ydstie handles bass on the album, which the Wall Street Journal praised. “And Then Like Lions has a lyrical sweep reminiscent of esteemed heartbreak-and-recovery albums like Lou Reed’s Magic and Loss and Arcade Fire’s Funeral, which are excellent company for the band and its...
Hot Tuna Gearing Up for Fall 2016 Tour
While their summer tour may be winding down and the Fur Peace Ranch workshops are wrapping up, Hot Tuna is still in full gear. The dynamic duo of Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen have announced a Fall run of acoustic and electric performances that will focus on the East and West Coasts. Electric Hot Tuna dates will include the drumming...
Bass Players to Know: Bob Cranshaw
One of my favorite pastimes is reading album credits. Who played on that song? This guy did the whole record! They were also the backing band for those guys! It’s music trivia galore and these discoveries are sweet little surprises that build the timeline of music history. It’s often fun to play guessing games, to hone your ear to particular...
Alex Spradling and Marco Panascia: I Mean You
I love it when bass players get together to jam, especially when they’re on such a high level of musicianship like Alex Spradling and Marco Panascia. In this clip, the double bass duo have a blast while tearing through the classic Thelonious Monk standard “I Mean You”, and their joy is infectious. Each bassist lays down solid walking lines and...
In Memoriam: Preston Hubbard
Bassist Preston Hubbard, who held down the low end for the Fabulous Thunderbirds, has passed away. He was 63 years old. Hubbard was born in Providence, Rhode Island and picked up the bass at 14 years old. He joined Roomful of Blues as a young man, where he was part of the first backing band for the Blues Brothers. In...
Fender Introduces Mobile Tuning App
Fender has gotten into the mobile tuner game with Fender Tune, a free iOS guitar and bass tuner app. The app has auto tune and manual tune features as well as a chromatic mode for tuning flexibility. It has 20 pre-set tuning options plus the ability to dial in and save custom tunings. Besides being a tuner, the app is...
Creative Bass Lines: Melodic and Rhythmic Lines
For my first column here at No Treble, I thought it might be fun to demonstrate a few actual bass parts I have come up with for projects I have recorded. One of the things I enjoy in the playing of the bassists that have influenced me is the use of interesting melodic and rhythmic devices – more often than...
Zander Zon & KJC: Coldplay’s “Hymn for the Weekend”
This may be Zander Zon’s most ambitious effort to date. Zander plays three basses in this latest video, where he is once again joined by vocalists KJC, who also provide piano and violin on the track. Here’s their take on Coldplay’s “Hymn for the Weekend”.
Of Montreal Releases “Innocence Reaches”
The Kevin Barnes-fronted rock band Of Montreal has released its 14th studio album, Innocence Reaches. Davey Pierce (Yip Deceiver) handles bass, as he has for most of the past nine years (he didn’t play with the band in 2014). Long influenced by legendary rock bands like The Beatles and The Beach Boys, Of Montreal decided to add some more modern...
Tech 21 Unveils SansAmp Bass Driver DI Version 2
Tech 21 has announced a new version of their flagship SansAmp Bass Driver DI. The Version 2 model retains all of the functionality of the original while adding features to better suit modern players. The all-analog pedal now has a switch for the bass frequency to select between 80Hz and 40Hz, which the company says helps 5- and 6-string players...