Put simply, pickups capture the vibrations of a string and turn it into an electrical signal, but there’s a whole world of minutiae regarding magnets, windings and pole pieces that can drag you deep into anorak territory! In today’s episode, we’re shedding some light on the different types that are available, and the advantages and disadvantages of each one.In this episodeSeries vs. Parallel explainedWhat’s the difference between a soapbar and a humbucker?What's a pickup pole? And why is It i...

135 - The Mysterious World of Bass Pickups (Explained!)

If you’re a bassist — you’re in the right place. Join Scott Devine and Ian Allison from SBL as they dissect every aspect to being a bass player - professional or hobbyist - from basses and gear hacks, to musicianship and gig tips, all the way to mental health and what the future might hold for the music industry.

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153 - The 12 Ugliest Basses of ALL TIME

The hate that some bass players have for jazz can transcend space, time, and the laws of nature. We get it. It can feel like your band mates are speaking another language, and you feel kind of left out. But, with practice, learning some jazz can give you musical superpowers. In this episode, we’re here to reveal why you should take the leap!In this episodeScott’s worst EVER audition story.Why all the best musicians play jazz.How it can be a bass player’s best friend.Should non-jazz musicians ...

152 - Why learning Jazz Bass SUCKS (5 reasons no one talks about)

In today’s video, we asked Michael League to dig into his earliest influences and name the bass lines that helped define his career with four-time Grammy Award Winners Snarky Puppy. There were a few things we agreed on:Bootsy Collins belongs on every top 10 list.Your drummer is your best friend.David Hood is a bass guitar genius.Everything else was up for debate. Well, almost everything…In this episode:Michael names his favorite bass line of all time.And the British rock band he idolized...

151 - Michael League breaks down his FAVORITE bass lines

A few months back, we got into the argument that all bass players get into – what are the coolest, grooviest bass lines of all time? After hours of heated debate, we decided to get Nick Campbell to help make that decision for us.In today’s podcast, Nick Campbell reels off the bass lines that shaped his sound. It’s the perfect way to introduce yourself to the worlds of Rocco Prestia, Ray Brown, James Jamerson and Colin Greenwood.In this episodeWhy Nick is a huge Radiohead fan.The first time he...

150 - The LA Bassist EVERYONE’S talking about

So which is better – a long-scale or a short-scale bass guitar? If you’ve ever wondered which is the right scale length for you, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s episode, we’re taking a closer look at the key differences between short-scale and long-scale basses, the pros and cons of each, and we’ll give you a few recommendations of short-scale basses to check out for yourself. In this episodeWhat is a short scale bass? Who plays one?Which is better, short-scale or long-sc...

135 - The Mysterious World of Bass Pickups (Explained!)

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