Ever since Jack Casady first used an Alembic to hot-wire his bass sound with Jefferson Airplane, boutique builders have maintained legendary status throughout the bass world. But can the right player make any bass sound good? In this episode, we discuss one of the most recognisable and idolised bass guitar designs of all time (and Scott’s new bass hero who played it.

In this episode you're going to learn:

• Why we’ve called out Alembic in recent episodes.
• Who is Scott’s new bass guitar hero?
• Do vintage basses actually sound better?
• Why Ian rents out his upright bass.
• And much, much more!

For some bass players, there's no better way to capture the legendary sound of their idols than bagging a signature axe with their name on the headstock, but are things about to change? In today’s episode we dig into what the future holds for signature basses.

In this episode you're going to learn:

• How signature models help manufacturers sell more basses.
• Who was the first bass player to get one?
• What made them a standard perk of bass stardom. 
• Are they a blessing or a curse?
• Why Irn-Bru is nothing like La Croix.
• And much, much more!

Learning about jazz might not be at the top of your to-do-list, especially if the only time you hear it is when you go to Starbucks! BUT if you want to get really good at bass then jazz is the ultimate genre of music to learn. In this episode, Scott explains how learning some jazz can unlock a musical superpower!

In this episode you're going to learn:

• Why all musicians should study some jazz.
• Why Scott used to suck at functional theory.
• Why you don’t need to be a Jazzer to take part in our Jazz Accelerator.
• We send virtual high-fives to Gary Willis and Michel Camilo.
• And much, much more!

Can you play heavy metal and smooth jazz and pop, all in one day? Or are you strictly the bassist for one act and one act only? It used to be taught that versatility would equal more opportunity for success in your bass playing career, but is that still the case? In today’s episode we ask if it’s actually better to flip this idea on its head and focus your energy in just one direction!

In this Episode you're going to learn:

• Why Ian has always valued versatility.
• How to know which path is right for you.
• What Scott learned from a Gary Willis ‘mic drop moment’ 
• Why you need to check out drummer Dave Elitch
• And much, much more!

A bass player’s worst nightmare is traveling with their bass and having it lost or broken. Even with airlines allowing guitars as a carry-on, it can still be up to the staff to decide to allow it or not. In today’s episode, we share our air-travel horror stories and our top hacks for traveling with your bass safely! 

In this episode you're going to learn:

• What’s the best way to fly with your bass?  
• Pro tips for getting through TSA airport security.
• What’s a pink tag? And why you should always ask for one. 
• Gig Bag vs. Hard Case? 
• And much, much more!

Bootsy Collins, Robert Trujillo, Cliff Williams, Krist Novoselic, Sting – they all relied, or still rely, on tube amps for their signature bass sound. And yet, the decision between solid-state vs tube amps is not one we take lightly. In today’s episode we examine the key differences between the two, covering areas like tone, cost and practicality, to help you figure out what might be best for you.

In this Episode you're going to learn:

• Why Scott’s a massive fan of tube amps.
• The key differences between tube amps and solid state amps.
• Weight - why are tube amps heavier?
• And does a heavier amp mean a bigger sound?
• What makes Ampeg’s SVT so popular?
• And much, much more!

Rob Mullarkey has mastered the worlds of groove and odd-time signatures on the bass guitar, but how do those skills translate when playing with a drummer? In today's episode, we sit down with Rob and one of the most unique drummers in hip-hop and drum ’n’ bass, Richard Spaven.

And did I mention there are a few tips of the hat to J Dilla? And exclusive performances? Yep, click here to watch. 

In this episode you're going to learn:

• How Rob approaches odd time signatures and beat displacement.
• What exactly is the ‘J Dilla Feel’?
• The octave pedal Rob uses for his gig with Jacob Collier.
• What Richard Spaven looks for in a bass player.
• And much, much more!

More music is being produced today than ever before. In 2022, 22 million new singles hit Spotify. That’s a new song every 1.4 seconds! In today’s episode, we dig into some tips and tricks to help you stand out from the crowd in 2023.

In this Episode you're going to learn:

• How to reward people for listening to your music.
• Do you need a pre-launch strategy? 
• Why some fans enjoy feeling like part of the process.
• How Scott and Ian are preparing for their own album projects.
• And much, much more!

Unsure about how much to spend on your next bass? In this episode, we dig into the reasons why some bass guitars are so expensive and other guitars are more affordable - and what this means for the modern bass player on the hunt for a new axe.

In this Episode you're going to learn:

• Are expensive bass guitars really worth it?
• How simple guitar mods can transform a budget-friendly bass.
• Is there an affordable alternative to a Rickenbacker?
• Can a Peavey Cirrus really compete with a Ken Smith?
• And much, much more!

For today’s episode, we catch up with Henrik Linder to talk about his gear, his awesome band Dirty Loops, and how he developed his monstrous bass technique!

In this episode you’re going to learn:

• Some of Henrik’s trickiest bass parts from Dirty Loops!
• Including Just Dance, Baby and Circus.
• How he learned to slap.
• Why Hadrien Feraud loves his hair!
• And much more.