Buzz
Providence Introduces Vitalizer BF VZF-1 Bass Pedal
Providence has unveiled the Vitalizer BF VZF-1, an active impedance converter designed specifically for bass guitars. The compact pedal acts as a buffer to convert high impedance signal, which the company says is more likely to degrade the sound quality by picking up noise, to a low impedance signal that is less likely to be affected by those issues. “It...
How To Approach Composing: A Discussion for Bass Players
Q: I’m in a situation where I’m in a cover band that is wanting to expand into doing original music, but they’re kind of looking to me to be the one to lead the writing as I have the most experience as far as music knowledge goes. Even though I’m well versed in my theory and consider myself an above...
Mr. Talkbox, MonoNeon and Vulfmon: Back Pocket
I love it when my favorite players collaborate, and this clip is a great example of why. First, Mr. Talkbox covered Vulfpeck’s “Back Pocket” and posted it online. Then the unbelievably talented Dywane “MonoNeon” Thomas, Jr. added his own distinct style to it. Finally, Vulfpeck’s own Jack Stratton took the video and added a bit of his own funky self...
Killswitch Engage Releases “Incarnate”
Metalcore band Killswitch Engage has released its seventh album, Incarnate. Singer Jesse Leach told Blabbermouth that band founder and bassist Michael “Mike” D’Antonio came up with the album title after contemplating the album’s artwork. Leach remembers exclaiming “What a great word!” after hearing D’Antonio’s suggestion. “It just sounds good, it’s ambiguous enough where people can draw their own conclusion, and...
Reader Spotlight: Lee Presgrave
Meet Lee Presgrave, a man who has a really important day job. But by night, he’s a self-described “aging rock star”. Lee is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story… Bio: I started playing bass in 1985 when I bought a Yamaha BB300 from a local music store. I still have this bass and it’s been...
Ibanez Introduces Adam Nitti Signature ANB306 Bass
After launching the Adam Nitti Signature series last year, Ibanez introduced the ANB306 model. The bass is a production model of the ANB1006, carrying many of the same features at a lower price point. “In terms of concept, you’re looking at somewhere from 80 to 90% of the specs from his custom shop bass to this bass,” says Ibanez’s Ken...
Tim Carey and Amanda Taylor: Bottle It Up
Tim Carey sent along his latest with vocalist Amanda Taylor. This time, the duo perform a cover of the Sara Bareilles tune, “Bottle It Up”. “I use kind of a hybrid slap style mixed with some two handed stuff for most of it, then some quick triplet picking stuff in the bridge,” he told us. “This one also features a...
Bill Wyman Diagnosed with Cancer
Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman has revealed he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Wyman reported the news on his website, saying the disease was caught early. “Bill has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is undergoing treatment and is expected to make a full recovery as it was caught in the early stages,” the statement read. Wyman left the...
Bass of the Week: Enfield Guitars Lionheart English Rose
This week we’re checking out the Enfield Guitars Lionheart English Rose, a rosewood-themed bass with tons of tonal flexibility. The UK-made bass takes the company’s Lionheart design and upgrades it with a solid rosewood neck and fingerboard for feel as well as tone. “There’s no denying the natural feel of solid rosewood. It really is so inspiring to handle,” company...
Talking Technique: Pedalling
There are only so many hours in the day, so it’s always great to figure out ways to make the best use of your practice time. One way to get the biggest use of your practice is to combine different topics to bolster your understanding: music theory with song learning, rhythmic accuracy with slapping, phrasing with fretboard knowledge, and so...
The Feelgood Orchestra: Lean On
Andreas D Fammé shared this video in response to us featuring Dirty Loops recently. The Feelgood Orchestra is a band from Norway who took what Andreas said was “the most streamed song in 2015 (“Lean On”), and made it their own. The tune was originally released by Major Lazer & DJ Snake (featuring MØ). Love the bass, the horns, and...
Catherine Popper Part of Gaslight Anthem Singer/Songwriter’s Solo Debut
The Gaslight Anthem singer, songwriter and guitarist Brian Fallon has released his solo debut album, Painkillers. His bandmate in one of his many projects, Molly & The Zombies, Catherine Popper (Jack White, Hem, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Willie Nelson, Puss n Boots) handles bass on the record. “I felt like I was doing exactly...